Pastoral Notes for Sunday, January 21, 2024

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Congratulations! You survived the great Middle Tennessee snow dump of 2024. Well, truth be told, I bet you loved it.

I’m a sucker for snow. As a boy growing up in south Mississippi, I only remember one good snow. It was, interestingly, on March 12th—the first day of spring break and my sister’s birthday. We received 6” overnight, which was record-breaking in our neck of the woods.

I remember waking up early and looking out the window at a winter wonderland. I’d never seen anything like it. I quickly bundled up and walked out underneath the pine trees, mesmerized by the holy hush of a gentle falling snow. Was this Narnia? Absolutely magical.

Still today, a good snow pulls out my inner child. As soon as it starts falling, I want to grab the sleds and make snow cream. As soon as the news casters tell me to get off the road and stay home, I want to jump in my car and drive and see the places I know and love—downtown, the church—blanketed in pristine white.

I told several of my friends from the north this week that you need to know three things about Southerners and snow days. First, snow days are southern holidays. Contrary to popular opinion, we do not close things down for safety reasons. I realize that’s our stated reason, but it’s not the real reason. The real reason we close everything down is to celebrate the arrival of snow. Let’s face it—snow is as rare as Christmas and arguably more fun. A business or school in the south that stays open on a snow day is simply out of touch. Don’t they know that snow is a sacred gift from heaven and should be treated with appropriate weather reverence?

Second, as beautiful and as wonderful as snow is, snow is scary to a southerner. When snow is forecasted, we go into apocalypse mode. We worry about freezing to death. We wonder if we’ll be able to leave our house. “Will I be snowed in forever?” This is why we immediately run to the grocery store and purchase all the bread and milk. For all we know, this may be the last bread and milk we ever taste.

This leads to my third and final point. If you’re a true southerner, you’re glad to see the snow go. It’s true. Snow is like out of town guests. It’s good for a day or two; after that, it overstays its welcome. As much as I love the snow, it does my southern heart good to see the drops falling from my roof and the grass reappear. Like closing the attic door after putting the last box of Christmas decorations up, it feels good for things to be back to normal.

On that note, is it spring yet?

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, January 14, 2024

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Last week we wrapped up our Advent through Epiphany sermon series in Matthew, and today we begin a five-week series in the smallest of the pastoral epistles, Titus. 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus are lumped together in a category called the pastoral epistles. They receive the name “pastoral epistles” because their author, the Apostle Paul, is writing to two pastors, Timothy and Titus, respectively, about how to lead and serve the church.

Now, you might wonder, “Why is Nate preaching to the whole church from a letter that is intended for pastors?” Said another way, “What good can I expect to receive from a pastoral epistle since I’m not a pastor?” That’s a fair question. For starters, always remember that Scripture’s original audience is never you or me. For instance, since we just wrapped up a short series in Matthew 1-2, take Matthew. His original audience was Jewish Christians in the 1st century. He wasn’t writing specifically to you and me, 21st century Americans. And yet, didn’t you find the teaching of Matthew to be edifying, beneficial, even transformative?

The reason for that is that Matthew, along with every one of the Bible’s authors, are writing God’s Word. Notice how I said that. Every one of the Bible’s authors are writing God’s Word. God’s Word doesn’t drop from the sky with no human involvement, nor are the Bible’s authors simply writing human oracles with no divine superintending. The human author under the inspiration of the divine author pens the Word of God (see 2 Peter 1:21). As Paul says in one of the pastoral epistles, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Since this is the case, each Bible book has a historical setting and an original audience that figure significantly into the book’s message. Simultaneously, the Bible is a universally true and applicable book addressing all people at all times. Therefore, you can read Titus and receive sermons from Titus, and, even though you’re not a pastor, you can fully expect to receive tremendous benefit from it. As you overhear, so to speak, Paul instruct young Titus, you will gain profound insight into the call of church leadership, the threat of false teaching, the civic responsibilities of the church, and so much more.

Providentially, we’re beginning this series on the same day we install two new elders, Mr. Terry Cheney and Mr. Preston Brooks, into the leadership of Cornerstone. We will focus specifically on that theme today as we consider the role of godly leadership in the church.

Titus: Growing the Church in Godliness

  • January 14, Titus 1:1-16, “The Necessity of Godly Leadership”

  • January 21, Titus 2:1-10, “Commands for Godly Living”

  • January 28, Titus 2:11-15, “Grace for Godly Living”

  • February 4, Titus 3:1-8, “Devote Yourself to Every Godly Work”

  • February 11, Titus 3:9-15, “Discipline unto Godliness in the Church”

Your servant,

 

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,