Life as an Introvert

Referring to myself as an introvert is relatively recent. The reason, I think, is because for many years I had no real idea how to distinguish the differences between an extrovert and an introvert. One person is outgoing, likes people and can talk in front of a large group while the other one doesn’t like being with people and can’t speak in front of any size group… right? Well, it wasn’t quite that bad, but I was in the neighborhood of that sort of thinking.

Since then I’ve learned a better way of understanding a significant difference between the two: What gives you energy versus what depletes your energy. That’s not a scholarly definition, but it sure helps me understand myself a little better. Reading and studying stimulates me. Two hours socializing at a party makes me want to crawl in my bed and sleep for eight hours. I can do both; I can enjoy both… but one pumps me up and the other wears me out. Knowing this about myself can help me strategize how I approach life, ministry, etc.

Now, it is true that, left to myself, I will probably choose to stay in my comfort zone and gravitate toward being alone or with a very small group of people. That’s why I’m so thankful I married a forceful extrovert who occasionally has to blast me out of that gravitational pull and get me out and about more. What a blessing she is to me in this respect!

Over the years I’ve been collecting articles on this subject that have been helpful to me in understanding how being an introvert can influence me as a husband, pastor, etc. I thought you might be interested in reading them as well.

Grace and Truth,
Dale

• How Introverted Pastors Love at Desiring God
• Help! I’m an Introvert… and a Pastor at Pastors.com
• Help! I Married an Introvert at Gospel Coalition
• Four Lies About Introverts at Gospel Coalition
• 7 Ways to Help an Introvert Engage at Meetings by Ron Edmondson
• True Confession: Life as an Introvert by Ron Edmondson
• How an Introvert Handles Awkward Situations by Ron Edmondson
• 7 False Assumptions about Introverts by Ron Edmondson (He’s got other posts on this subject as well, but I thought four was enough. You can check out his links for his other great posts.)
• Staying in Community When You are an Introvert at Building Church Leaders
• Leading as an Introvert at Building Church Leaders
• The Christian Introvert by Tim Challies at Crosswalk.com
• Introvert? No Apology Required by Adam McHugh at Crosswalk.com
• Introverts: You Can Evangelize by Whitney Hopler at Crosswalk.com

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Oswald Chambers

A number of years ago, I read the most delightful biography about Oswald Chambers. It’s called Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God, by David McCasland. It was quite good as well as inspiring. I believe I’ve mentioned before, about two thousand times, that I love reading Christian biography.

Of course, as with most people, I first met Chambers through the devotional, My Utmost for His Highest. That devotional, like all of his books, was put together after his death from the notes his wife took (shorthand) from his many lectures, studies, sermons, etc. (She was quite a woman).

I own pretty close to all of Chambers’ books (due to the very kind and generous offerings of a widow who was giving away her departed husband’s library). I have treasured them.

Chambers only lived into his early 40s. As someone who will be 48 this year, I have been “forced” to compare my productivity with his. I’m not fairing well. But we moderns never seem to compare well with anyone who’s been dead for a hundred years or more (usually). At any rate, if you would like to learn more about Chambers’ extraordinary short life, you can check out the following links.

• My Utmost for His Highest (online version of his wonderful devotional.) You can click here for another good version of it.
• Wikipedia on Chambers. Seems to be an accurate summary of what I’ve read thus far.
• The Oswald Chambers Publications Association. (official site)
• Wheaton College’s Collection

Soli Deo Gloria,
Dale

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William F. Buckley, Jr.

It was the summer of ’86 and I had just finished my sophomore year of college. That was when I first “met” William F. Buckley, Jr. One of my best friends had invited me to his home and when I arrived he called me into his family’s living room where he was watching a television program. The first thing I remember was noticing some guy I had never seen before slouched in his chair holding what looked like a notebook and interviewing some other guy I had never seen before. It wasn’t riveting entertainment for someone who was looking for something a bit more exciting to do with his time.

My friend asked me if I had ever seen this show before. I quickly said that I hadn’t and so he began to share with me who Buckley was and what the program was about. We ended up watching the rest of it together.

Going through my high school and college years with Ronald Reagan in the White House was very formative for me. Now, through Buckley, I would begin getting to know and better understand many of the foundational principles that undergirded our president’s philosophy of governing.

Of course, I don’t want to sound like it was all about being intensely serious. The truth is, Buckley was just plain fun to watch. I grew to love his masterful use of the English language, watching his cross-examinations of his television guests, and laughing out loud at his many witticisms. I wanted more.

I eventually subscribed to National Review and then purchased my first book authored by Buckley, Right Reason. Every summer my friend and I would not only watch Firing Line together, but would also make sure to watch the special two-hour Firing Line debates. (Yes, I realize how much a “nerd light” this casts me in, but Lord help me, it was a good time that I treasured.)

I kept up with Buckley through seminary and after I graduated, in the Fall of 1992, I was finally able to meet my hero in person. He was speaking on behalf of a hospital here in Jacksonville. After he spoke there was a reception where I had the opportunity to introduce myself and get a picture with him.

It was sad news a couple of years ago when I learned of Buckley’s passing. Over the years I had grown to appreciate not only those things that appeal to a pompous young Republican, but those infinitely more important and lasting qualities such as his generosity, faith, and tireless efforts for all that he was committed to.

So why have I taken this walk down memory lane almost three years after his death? Because Fox News has been airing a six-part series on the history of the conservative movement in America, much of which has focused on Buckley. I’ve also been rereading Buckley’s Up From Liberalism. All of this created a desire within me to share a little about someone I consider worth remembering.

Below are a few of the better YouTube tributes to Buckley. Enjoy.

PS – Thanks E.K. I owe you.

PSS – Here’s a link to the original post that I wrote upon hearing of his death. It includes many links to articles, etc., by folk who actually knew him.

Grace and Truth,
Dale

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Godly Manhood: The Real Counterculture

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines counterculture as…

a culture with values and mores that run counter to those of established society

I was always taught that you don’t define a word by using the word in the definition, but what do I know. But there you have it. A counterculture is a culture with values and mores, (customs) that run counter to those of established society.

If that’s our working definition, then I have one question: Can you think of any group or culture more “countercultural” than men pursuing godliness?

Click here to read the whole post.

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A Faith with Teeth

John 8:23-24, 31-32 - But [Jesus] continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. [24] I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”

 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 Jesus rarely, if ever, beat around the bush. Time was precious to him, so he usually cut straight to the chase. He knew how to get the attention of his hearers. In our Scripture, Jesus shares with those to whom he is speaking (including us) several important facts about them and the world in which they live.

1.  They are worldlings (i.e., they operate under the dominion of Satan and the patterns of this sinful, fallen, enslaving world.
2.  Jesus lived in the world but was not under its influence as they were. (in vs. of)
3. As such, they were going to die in their sins.
4. They must believe Jesus’ claims about himself if they were going to be set free from dying in their sins.
5.  To “believe” must mean more than (though not less) simple intellectual recognition, or even, acceptance of data. To those who had professed to believe in him (verse 31), Jesus said that they must also “hold to his teaching.”
6.  Therefore, only by genuine faith in Christ – which “holds to” (i.e., obeys) his teaching – can a person know the truth (Jesus is the truth – John 14:6 – and so is God’s Word – John 17:17). It is also by this means of believing or faith that a person will therefore, be set free (freed from sin, liberated from the fate of worldlings, etc.).

True biblical, God-glorifying faith in Christ has teeth to it. It’s got a practicality to it that demands to be noticed. It’s very unlikely that the early church was so heavily persecuted and martyred simply because they “intellectually believed” or accepted as true the claims of Jesus…and then told others they needed to do the same to go to heaven.

Instead, because they believed Jesus was who he claimed to be, (that he was the Way to be freed from sin, the Lord of Life, the Savior of the World, etc.), and that they loved him for first loving them… they followed him… they obeyed him. Put another way: They put their faith into practice.

It was as their faith in Christ permeated every sphere of their lives that they began to be noticed by the worldlings around them. It was this authentic non-conformity to the world around them that led to their persecution. They refused to be “squeezed into the mold” of this world.

If we would be people of the truth, we must first be Christ’s disciples. If we would be his disciples, we must believe in him, believe (i.e., trust) him, and obey him. Nothing less is worthy of the One who is the true Lord and King of the universe – which includes this world. The “Pretenders to the Throne” notwithstanding, (their reign, after all, is temporary), our allegiance must be to Christ alone. And that allegiance has a shape to it. It is not mere intellectual ascent of a few doctrinal propositions (though it absolutely contains an element of that). It is not simply a warm-fuzzy feeling in the pit of your stomach. It is far more. Allegiance to Christ is incarnational. It has skin on it. If we would be his, we must submit to his Lordship – his absolute authority – by obeying him in every sphere of our lives. Only then can we claim to be his disciples.

Stand Firm,
Dale

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The Shepherds are Few

Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. [36] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

I think I used to always read this passage through the lens of evangelism. And to be sure, there are implications for that in these verses. However, it occurred to me that what led our Lord to make a plea for “workers” was the noticeable need for shepherds over the harassed and helpless flock of God. The text says that the flock was in such poor condition, that it was as though it didn’t even have a shepherd at all.

And so Jesus makes the point that the need is great, but that the workers – those who would be shepherds – are few. He then declares to his hearers that they (we) should ask the Lord to send such workers into these very fields that are in such desperate condition.

God’s flock is in need of faithful shepherds today as well. There are many families without a faithful shepherd in the home. Churches often have greater needs than the one “professional shepherd” on staff can respond to. The wayward, helpless flock of God is in dire need of faithful shepherds who will lead and guide her, nurture and feed her, defend and guard her, admonish and instruct her – love her to the point of pouring his life into her – even to the point of losing his life for her.

The need is clear. So why aren’t there countless shepherds standing in line to care for God’s flock?

One reason can be found in these words of Gideon,

“How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15).

Whether false humility (cowardice) or real, many flee responsibility before God because they do not feel that they are “up to it.” But since when has God been counting on unaided man to do his bidding? His answer now is the same as it was to Gideon, “I will be with you” (Judges 6:16).

This reminds us of Paul’s words to the church at Corinth regarding God’s use of the weak and foolish things of this world to confound and humble the “strong and wise.” God uses us, but he isn’t “dependent” on us. There’s an important distinction here. And that’s one reason the shepherds are few.

Perhaps another reason is the sacrificial nature that is required to be a shepherd. It’s not a romantic or glamorous post in God’s Kingdom. For those seeking their own end, however, it has often been used as a vehicle for their own name’s sake.

To such Peter says,

1 Peter 5:2-3 – Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; [3] not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

For those who would use their position of shepherd as a stepping-stone to their own power, fame, and wealth, Peter’s words must come as quite a shock. He reminds us that shepherds have been entrusted, by God, to care for his tender lambs. And their watch over them must come from the heart – from a genuine willingness to serve them. It isn’t a means to personal fortune. It ought not be drudgery. If certainly should not be a means by which power and control are sought after. It is sacrificial – my life for yours – your life for theirs.

To be an example to the flock is to be always “on duty.” It is to always be intentional in your thoughts, words and deeds. It is thinking, speaking, and doing rightly – Christianly – and then caring for the flock accordingly. This isn’t easy. It is a dying to self. But unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it cannot produce many seeds (John 12:24-26).

And that’s what we’re shooting for – many seeds – fruit that is good, lasting, and abundant (John 15). Our Lord has told us that the need is great. We needn’t look any further than our own family, church, friends – all of our spheres of influence. The harvest is plentiful, but the shepherds are few. Won’t you be a shepherd for God?

Stand Firm,
Dale

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God Looks at the Heart

1 Samuel 16:7 - But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

This really is a key theme of Scripture. God always seems to pick the least likely candidates (by the world’s standards) to serve him – to even do great things for him. He does this because the truth is… it’s God who is the One who actually does the great things. Surely he chooses such weak and fragile vessels precisely to make that very point. He’s not interested in sharing his glory with another. He deserves it all.

When will I let this point sink deep into my heart, soul, and mind when selecting leaders to serve? Indeed, was this not how I, the least of the least, was chosen to serve? I cannot read the hearts of others, but I can prayerfully discern their fruit.

Gracious Lord, give me eyes to see what you see and help me trust even more that you are the One who will bring forth the results. In Christ I pray, Amen.

Joy and Truth,
Dale

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