Pastoral Notes for Sunday, January 7, 2024

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Every year I publish a list of some of my favorite reads. This year I’m limiting myself to five favorite reads in five different categories: history, culture, literature, theology, and miscellaneous.

Now, when I say, “favorite read,” I don’t mean I agree with everything in the book, nor do I mean you should necessarily read the book. Qoheleth is right, “...of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Therefore, we all have to make hard decisions every day about what to read, listen to, and watch in the limited time God gives us.

With that in place, if a book below interests you, I’d be happy to talk about it and even help you assess whether it’s worth your time. With no further ado, here are my twenty-five favorite reads of 2023.

History

  • The Reformation as Renewal: Retrieving the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church by Matthew Barrett

  • Presbyterians and American Culture: A History by Bradley Longfield

  • The Fall of Constantinople 1453 by Steven Runciman

  • Dreams of El Dorado: History of the American West by H.W. Brands

  • The Rest is History: From Ancient Rome to Ronald Reagan by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook

Culture

  • Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post Christian West by Andrew Wilson

  • Generations: The Real Difference Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents––and What That Means for The Future of

    America by Jean Twenge

  • Them: Why We Hate Each Other and How to Heal by Ben Sasse

  • Nostalgia: Home in a Homeless World by Anthony Esolen

  • The Courage to be Protestant by David Wells

Literature
• The River Why by James David Duncan
• A Place in Time: Twenty Stories of the Port William Membership by Wendell Berry

• Many Dimensions by Charles Williams
• Old Mortality by Sir Walter Scott
• Watership Down by Richard Adams

Bible/Theology
• In the Fullness of Time: An Introduction to the Biblical Theology of Acts and Paul by Richard Gaffin
• Theology for Ministry: How Doctrine Affects Pastoral Life and Practice ed. by Chad Van Dixhoorn
• Prophets and Hermeneutics: Toward a New Introduction of the Prophets by Christopher R. Seitz
• Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture by Christopher Watkin

• The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus our Shepherd, Companion, and Host by David Gibson

Miscellaneous
• Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation by Colin Hansen
• Devotions: Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver
• Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
• How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told by Harrison Scott Key

• Will the Circle Be Unbroken by Sean Dietrich

What was your favorite read this year?

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, December 31, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

I trust your family had a wonderful Christmas holiday, and that you’re preparing to make the turn into 2024.

For some of us, 2024 will prove to be an incredible year. Despite the rumors, you’re going to survive high school and walk across the stage in May and graduate. Despite the waiting, he’s finally going to pop the question and you––yes, YOU––are going to be married. And despite all the interviews and rejections, despite almost giving up, you will land the dream job this year. That’s right, 2024 is the year.

For others of us, 2024 will be anything but incredible. I don’t mean to be a downer, but it’s true. Lots of disappointment and heartache will come this year. Whether a dreaded diagnosis, or an unexpected cutback at work, or the loss of a baby that did not make it to term, we can be sure 2024 will have its fair share of sorrows.

All of this is to say that 2024 is shaping up to be a typical year in the subjected-to-futility-world that eagerly waits for redemption (Romans 8:19-20). Knowing this to be true, how should we then live?

In May of 2020, Christy and I found out that the little girl we were expecting was almost assuredly Down Syndrome. That news knocked the wind out of us. In the days following, we worried, questioned, prayed. We’d collect ourselves for a while. Then, we’d think or say something, and the cycle of questions and worries would start back over. With each passing day, however, we were learning (again and again) not to face tomorrow’s troubles with today’s grace.

In the midst of that season, I revisited what I call, “The five R’s.” The simple but profound instructions of the five R’s carried us through that season. The five R’s, however, are not just for difficult seasons. They are truths we need every day of every year. What are the five R’s?

  • Remember the truth of God’s promises (Isaiah 26:4)

  • Remember to rest in God’s providence (Romans 8:28)

  • Remember you are redeemed by God’s love (Romans 8:37-39)

  • Remember to repent of and release all worldly fears in prayer (1 Peter 5:7)

  • Remember to relax into God’s perfect peace (Philippians 4:6-7)

    Through every twist and turn of 2024, let’s carry these five R’s with us, even reminding one another of them as opportunity or need arises. And then, let’s watch for God to work—through the good and the bad of this year— for his glory in the Cornerstone community.

    Soli Deo Gloria!

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, December 24, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Last Sunday we were treated to a lovely Christmas performance from our covenant children. There really is nothing sweeter than hearing little ones open their lips to declare the praise of our glorious God and Savior Jesus Christ.

As you know, such performances do not just happen. I’d run out of space mentioning the many names of those who served to make last week’s performance a reality. One name, however, simply must be named––Jessica Michaud. For years, Jessica has poured her heart into leading the children’s choir. Her efforts have grown our covenant children in their knowledge of and love for singing. I am so thankful for Jessica and for the small army of volunteers who labor so faithfully to train our children musically.

In addition to choir, I would like to publicly thank our children’s Sunday School teachers and assistants as well as all those who assisted in our children’s ministry on Wednesday nights this fall. Under the leadership of our Children’s Coordinator, Meredith Suits, it’s been a deeply encouraging semester of exploring God’s Word and putting the truth to work in fun crafts and activities. As we bring this semester to a close, please join me in giving praise to God for the gift of diligent teachers and assistants who weekly take the little children to Jesus (Matthew 19:14).

Now, like many of you, one of the things I look forward to during Advent and Christmas is seasonal reading. In fits and spurts over the last few weeks, I made my way through a number of volumes. To close out our Advent season, I’ve culled a few quotes from my seasonal reading. I hope these quotes serve to inform your mind and enflame your heart for the celebration of Christ’s coming into the world.

“Incarnation prophesies salvation...When God stoops down to man, it must mean that man is to be lifted up to God.” ––C.H. Spurgeon

“Now have the homely things been made Sacred, and a glory on them laid,
For He whose shelter was a stall,
The King, was born among them all. He came to handle saw and plane, To use and follow the profane; Now is the holy not afar
In temples lighted by a star, But where the loves and labors are,
Now that the King has gone this way,
Great are the things of every day!”––Edwin Markham

“What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give him: I give my heart.” ––Christina Rosetti

“Nothing makes a Christmas gathering so happy as to feel that we are traveling on towards an eternal gathering in heaven.” ––J.C. Ryle

“The incarnation means that for whatever reason God chose to let us fall...to suffer, to be subject to sorrows and death––he has nonetheless had the honesty and the courage to take his own medicine...He can exact nothing from man that he has not exacted from himself. He himself has gone through the whole of human experience––from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair, and death...He was born in poverty and suffered infinite pain––all for us––and thought it worth his while.”––Dorothy Sayers

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, December 17, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

You know what they say about December? It’s the happiest sickest time of the year. At church last Sunday, news was spreading. In hushed tones, I kept hearing, “Something’s going around. So-and-so is under the weather. Such-and-such is down for the count.” ‘Tis the season.

With almost prophetic accuracy, the plague descended on the Shurden house that very evening. In the waning hours of the Lord’s Day, I had this vague foreboding that I was coming-down-with-something. In the middle of the night, there was nothing vague about it. I was sick! And I mean sick. Sore throat, cough, fever, chills, headache, body aches...you name it, I had it.

God’s sovereignty notwithstanding, the timing could not have been worse. Our annual leadership Christmas soiree was on the calendar for Tuesday evening, December 12th. This year our theme was “A Classy Christmas at the Corner House.” Delicious fare, festive drinks, and Mariah Carey karaoke––it was all you could want and more. Sadly, when it became clear that this “something going around” was no joke, we pulled the plug. And Mariah Carey cried.

As I write this Pastoral Note, I am far from out of the woods. Checking thermometer once more––yep, 100.5. Still sick. As if I needed a thermometer to confirm I’m still sick. You’d think feeling like death warmed over would be clue enough. But don’t worry, there is an upside to all this. My sides hurt so bad from coughing that I’m finally getting in that core exercise I’ve needed all year. It feels good to tick off one of my new year’s resolutions ahead of time. #winning

Thankfully, I’m an easy patient. I pretty much nurse myself. All I require is Gatorade, Zicam, Chloraseptic, cough syrup, Tylenol alternated with ibuprofen, extra pillows and blankets, eye mask, essential oils, relaxing Christmas music, homemade chicken noodle soup, a variety of Christmas treats, several good books, my iPhone, and...pretty much constant attention and pampering. What, too much to ask?

Forgive me, I’ve clearly been couped up too long. I’ve managed to waste pretty much this entire article talking about how terrible this sickness has been. (Do you feel pity for me yet?)

Truth is, I haven’t cornered the market on sickness and suffering this December. Far from it! As I convalesced at home this week, I took time, as strength allowed, to work my way through the church rolls and catch up on number of phone calls, emails, and text messages. Many of those contacts circled around trials you’re passing through right now—trials far more significant than my seasonal ailment. Hearing you rehearse Scriptural promises, share testimony, and then pray together (over the phone from a healthy distance!) had the unintended but blessed consequence of putting my small potato troubles in eternal perspective. Which, if I’m honest, is exactly what my soul needed.

Your faith and example this week ministered to me in a way no Z-pack or steroid shot could. For you (ad)ministered to me gospel elixir. That is, the one and only cure that does not promise immediate remedy for life’s troubles, but rather treats the sickness behind all sicknesses, namely, sin and death, and ensures our eternal well-being. After all, this is the very mission of Christmas: “For this reason, Christ came into the world to save sinners...” (1 Timothy 1:15).

We are wasting away. Lord knows I feel it. And I bet you do, too. But, let’s not let that get us down. For these light and momentary afflictions are a part of grand design. They are God’s holy means of preparing for us an eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Should we be further readied this Christmas for that coming eternal weight, it would be a very merry Christmas indeed.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, December 10, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

During our Cornerstone Family Meeting last Sunday, the Finance Committee gave a report on the fiscal health of the congregation. The report was very encouraging! The Lord continues to provide abundantly for our needs through your weekly offerings, and for that we rejoice.

At the nearly halfway mark in our fiscal year, giving is ahead of projection and expenses are slightly under projection. As the year progresses, we expect expenses to increase as several significant ministry initiatives will catalyze in early 2024. That said, we are encouraged at our current position and are supremely grateful for your sacrificial giving and steady support of the church’s ministry.

Beyond ministry expenses, we will continue to incur costs associated with our renovation. These costs are being paid out over time from our surplus. As the project moves along, we continue to see our surplus diminish as expected. We are, however, committed not to let the surplus dip below $300,000 in order to maintain enough cash on hand for emergency purposes.

Finally, in March 2024 the balloon note on the chapel will come due. We owe roughly $600,000 on the chapel currently. It would be our earnest hope to pay off the chapel by March, so that we have no need to renegotiate the balloon note at a significantly higher interest rate. If each Cornerstone member committed to increase their giving by 25% to even 50% for the next three months—from December through February—we would be poised to pay off the chapel by March of 2024. But as I say that, it might be that the Lord has blessed you with the financial wherewithal to alleviate a large portion of this debt today with just one check. I do not know what the Lord will do, but I am convinced of this––with the Lord’s help, we can meet this need. I am convinced of it for this reason: the power of the gospel.

The churches in Macedonia were dirt poor. But when they heard the gospel, their hearts swelled with joy and their lives overflowed in a wealth of generosity for the work of ministry. People gave far beyond their means to support the advance of the gospel and to meet the needs of the church (2 Corinthians 8:1-3). Surely, with all the Lord has given us, we can loosen our grip on the earthly treasure that won’t last (Matthew 6:19-21) and give sacrificially and cheerfully toward the eternal treasure that will never end (Revelation 21:9-27).

May the Lord do a mighty work in our hearts and make it so!

On the Behalf of the Finance Committee,