“Look at the characteristics of our Lord’s attitude towards his bride, the church. He loves her: ‘even as Christ loved the church’. What an eloquent expression! He loved her in spite of her unworthiness, He loved her in spite of her deficiencies. Notice what He has to do for her. She needs to be washed, she needs to be cleansed. He saw her in her rags, in her wildness; but he loved her. That is the height of the doctrine of salvation. He loved us, not because of anything in us; He loved us in spite of what was in us, ‘while we were yet sinners’. He loved the ungodly, ‘while we were yet enemies’. In all our unworthiness and vileness He loved us. He loved the church, not because she was glorious and beautiful - no, but that He might make her such. Take note of the doctrine, and see what it has to say to husbands. A husband comes up against deficiencies, difficulties, things he feels he can criticize in his wife, but he is to love her ‘as Christ loved the church’. That is the kind of love he must show.”

-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Life in the Spirit in Marriage, Home & Work)

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Life in the Spirit in Marriage, Home and Work: An Exposition of Ephesians 5:18-6:9, pg 139. Baker Books: Grand Rapids, MI. October 2003.

I have not said anything yet, but I cannot refrain any longer. God gave our local body a lead under-shepherd. Grace Bible Church in Moore, SC, voted in Andrew Franseen unanimously to be our main pastor. God has brought our church through some rough waters over that last year and a half and I am sure that the rough waters will continue. However, he has been faithfully completing the Gospel work that He has started in each of us. We are truly His workmanship, His children, and His sheep. May God be praised.

Andrew’s recent sermons are posted on our churches website. They are worth the time and effort it takes to download and listen to them. Check them out.

this is “grace at work”

It has been almost a month since I last posted and, as you can imagine, much has taken place. Karlyn and I are taking gradual steps toward preparing for the wedding. Yesterday we registered at our first store. It has been quite the experience. We took about three scouting trips to Bed, Bath and Beyond before we actually registered. I have to admit that I was both excited and apprehensive. I was excited because it truly was invigorating thinking of all the cool new toys that we might get for our new home. However, I was a bit apprehensive for the same reason. It is our desire to not live pursuing the things in this world, so creating a wish list of things that we want stretches that tension a little more. By God’s grace, we will enjoy the things that He gives us but not cling to them.

In addition to registering, we are making steady headway toward completing the rigorous but necessary checklist of wedding preparations. However, we are steadily making marriage preparations as well.

About four weeks ago Karlyn and I attended an all day premarital boot camp held by Jim and Sandra Binney. God has given the Binneys the opportunity to counsel hundreds of couples throughout the many years that they have been serving. The information that we received in this boot camp was compiled from the years of Biblical counseling and practical applications of Biblical truths. We talked about personalities and spiritual gifts, the theology of marriage and sex, and financial budgeting and investments. It truly was a benefit to us to receive this kind of Biblically practical and experiential wisdom for our marriage.

Another thing that God has been using to encourage and prepare me for marriage are the words of Godly saints. One book that has been highly recommended to me by a number of people regarding marriage and love is D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ commentary on Ephesians 5. Although it is merely a compilations of Jones’ sermons, he communicates clearly the Biblical truth concerning the role and the responsibilities of both the husband and wife in a Godly marriage. But, perhaps the most effective truths that Lloyd-Jones communicates are those which marriage is designed to illustrate - primarily Christ relationship to the church. I have been so encouraged by this book that I would like to post some excerpts from these chapters that have been an encouragement to me. I would also like to post some other quotes from other men in church history that have meant a lot to me.

I praise God for His constant care and provision for my life. He does all things well for and for His own glory. Thankfully, I get to be a part of it.

this is truly “grace at work”

I am going to start a series of posts that deal with the process that Karlyn and I are following in preparing for our wedding and marriage. Already we have experienced a number of things that hopefully I can catch up on. But, for now, I would just like to post a link to a web page that we have set up with information about us and our wedding. Please visit it and sign our guest book. We would be so encouraged to know that you have visited.

Ricky and Karlyn’s Wedding Wire

Are you reading this post because you happened to read the title and were interested in reading what I was going to say about rock music? Perhaps you got all bent out of shape because I would dare make a statement like this, this post is for you. Keep reading. You have fallen victim to hearing and using the sloppy use of the English language used everyday all around us. You see, this post is not addressing music; rather, it is addressing an observation that I made in a conversation that I had today. You may finish this post and think, “He has too much time on his hands.” Well, go ahead and think that, but hear me out.

When we use the statement, “I believe in…,” is it really what we are trying to say. For example, if I say, “I believe in God” or “I believe in magic,” what I am saying is I believe that God exists; or I believe that magic exists. However, I don’t think that what a person means when they say, “I don’t believe in rock music” is that they do not believe that rock music exists. If they really believe that, they need to get out more or get a better grip on reality. It does exist. As a matter of fact, it is very prevalent. On the other hand, I think that what they really mean is, “I don’t believe that we should listen to rock music,” or, “I believe that rock music is wrong.” If this is what people think, then why don’t they just say it?

My friend and I were talking today, and he told me that he had a headache. I offered him Advil, but he replied, “No, I don’t believe in Advil.” After talking for a few seconds, I found out that what he really meant was, “I don’t believe that Advil works for me.” I knew that he had enough understanding to know that Advil exists.

“Picky Ricky” you call me? Maybe, but I think that if more people actually thought more about the statements they make, there would be fewer misunderstandings and more common sense in this world. So, do what your mom told you when you were a kid, “Think before you speak.”

A quick disclaimer: I thought that I might mention that I have discovered most of these sloppy speech patterns in myself. So, don’t be surprised if you find any sloppiness here. I am working on it too.

this is “grace at work”

It has been almost five months since I have had a computer. Josh and I moved out in December and my computers, both of them, have been in accessible. Last weekend, I bought a laptop from a friend in my church. It is in really good condition, and he sold it to me for a great price. I am thrilled. Honestly, it has been a good time away from the ole’ cyber world. But now, I hope to find that balance. Now, hopefully, I will be able to catch up in my blog.

this is “grace at work”

Ok, what a beautiful day! The sky is clear. The temperature is moderate. There cannot be a better spring day for a cookout. My brother, Josh, today, bought a new grill. It was not one of those big fancy grills. Rather, it is just one of those simple, low-to-the-ground inexpensive gas grills. It is very appropriate for our apartment situation.

According to our apartment policies, we must grill at least 15 feet away from the apartment building. I guess that is to prevent any accidental smoke or fire damage. Right outside our porch area is a small island of grass between the sidewalk and the parking lot. There are parking spaces on the other two sides of the island. Beside the grass, there are two small trees with pine needles at the base for landscaping. Stupidly, I thought that this would be a great place to grill out.

I had only place the burgers and brats on the grill for a couple minutes when I thought that I would run inside really quick to grab something. Just as I walked into the apartment door, I looked out the sliding door to see flaming grease falling from the bottom of the grill into the dry grass. Oops! Not good!

I shout and ran out the door of the apartment and rounded the corner in time to see the grass ablaze. It was quickly spreading in all directions because of the wind. I rushed to it and began to stomp it out with my bare feet. There was too much fire. My brother brought me a pitcher of water. It might as well have been a small toy squirt gun. The small amount of water was no match for the blazing fire. My brother, Josh, too, began to help me stomp out the flames. But we needed more. The flames had already ignited the dry pine needles and were climbing the small tree in the center. On the other side, they had reached the curb and were licking at the bottom of the brand new car parked there.

I began to stomp those flames out by the car, when I remembered that I had not moved the grill. It was engulfed in flames. The gas container was covered with fire. I grabbed the grill and moved it to the sidewalk. The thermometer read almost 600 degrees. (I think that it was then that my head hair, eyebrows and arm hairs were singed.) The fire was still spreading rapidly.

Suddenly, Josh came leaping over our porch rail from the apartment with the fire extinguisher which I had forgotten was in the apartment. Hope filled my heart. “We might actually have a chance.” Josh emptied the extinguisher putting out most of the major portion of the fire. However, there was still a lot of fire that still needed to be put out. I continued to stamp out the fire as Josh grabbed the other extinguisher, which was expired but had not yet been removed from our apartment, and put out the rest of the flames. Once the flames were extinguished, Josh and I poured water (provided by our fabulous fiancées) on the smoldering areas that still remained.

While we stood there exhausted, we heard the sound of fire trucks approaching. Two and later three trucks pulled up to put out the reported fire. Other residents who had been gathering curiously, went back to there apartments. One man with a fire extinguisher in his hand from across the parking lot stopped and returned to his apartment. All was well.

I am thankful to the Lord for protection and safety. Other than grass and pine needles, nothing of any importance was burned or scorched by the flame. However, I am sure that a new rule will be added to the apartment’s policies with our name on it. Thankfully, this is better than a memorial on an ash heap with our name on it.

This is “grace at work”

First, let me say to those of you who have been faithful friends and readers of my blog, I am sorry that I have left you hanging. I am pretty sure that no one has lost sleep over how I have been - did I make it to Trinidad? did I make it back? how was my time? am I even alive? I apologize for not keeping you posted. But, I do so much appreciate your prayers and will write a post soon telling about my trip. But first, I have a wonderful story that is bursting at the seams waiting to be written. I want to tell you about my proposal.

For almost a year now I have been talking with a wonderful girl named Karlyn. We met last March. Over the course of this last year, our relationship has been gradually growing closer and very enjoyable. It was becoming undeniably apparent that she and I would one day get married. God was transforming our lives into His image, and He was using Karlyn in my life to change me.

A short while ago I decided that it was about time that I act according to the knowledge and feelings that were in my heart. I knew that I needed to propose to Karlyn. I have never been one who does things like this half-heartedly. I wanted my proposal to her to be everything that she imagined in her life-long fantasies. I didn’t think that a bizarre, unrelated, spectacular event would be the kind of setting for a proposal that either one of us would want. It works for some people, but I have never been a huge fan. Instead, I felt that a moment utilizing the elements of surprise, romance and nostalgia would be more meaningful and memorable. For us, this would take place in Watertown, WI, at a park called Tivoli Island.

You see, I was born in Watertown, WI, and I lived there until I was nine years old. Although I was very young, I have a lot of fond memories of Watertown - especially Tivoli Island. It is kind of like a very small natural park where I used to feed the ducks or go fishing. Very nice! So, before I get ahead of myself, I should go ahead and tell the story since the obvious question is, “How did both of us, who now live in South Carolina, end up in Wisconsin?” Well, let me tell you.

Not too long ago, Karlyn’s best friend Jess had her first baby. Ever since before the baby was born Karlyn had wanted to go visit Jess and the baby once the baby had come. It just so happens that Jess and her husband live in Wisconsin, only about a half an hour from Watertown. Karlyn and Jess worked out the details so that Karlyn would go visit the first full week of March. Little did Karlyn know that Jess and I had been planning for me to go up, as well, long before Karlyn had ever purchased her airline ticket.

Since Karlyn was already going to Wisconsin to see the baby, and since I had “so much work to do while she was gone,” I thought that it would work out well for me to plan my proposal without her suspecting anything. And I was right!

Karlyn arrived in Wisconsin on Wednesday night, March 5; and she was staying there until Monday, March 10. I was scheduled to fly up to Milwaukee on Friday night, March 7; and I was going to propose to her at 4:00pm on Saturday, March 8. However, due to the big Midwestern/Northeastern snow storm on Friday, my flight was canceled and rescheduled for Saturday at 6:00am. I was due to land by 9:30am in Milwaukee. But because of an airliner that had skidded off the runway in Milwaukee, the airport was temporarily shut down. Meanwhile, I circled the airport in my plane for almost 45min. until we were in need of fuel. The pilot decided to divert to Madison to refuel and to wait for further instructions from the Milwaukee airport. We sat on the Madison runway waiting and refueling. About an hour later we received permission to return to Milwaukee and land. We ended up arriving in Milwaukee a little after noon which still gave me enough time to get everything ready.

Meanwhile, during my snowstorm dodging, Karlyn and Jess were getting pampered. I had planned with Jess that she would take Karlyn out Saturday morning “for her birthday” to do girly stuff - getting facials and going shopping. Jess was getting her ready for the big moment which Karlyn knew nothing about.

Before Karlyn left on Wednesday, I wrote a letter to her and mentioned to her in it that since she was going to be near Watertown, I would really like for her to see the town where I was born and spent the early childhood years of my life. I specifically suggested to her to stop by Tivoli Island, “the park,” so that she could see it and take pictures of it. Jess and I worked it out so that Karlyn thought that it was her own idea to go to the park.

I arrived at the park a half an hour early to prepare for the big moment. The old iron and wood plank bridge was covered with a thin layer of snow. I sprinkled red rose petals on the snow over the bridge. Tommie scattered the ducks that were gathered. Moments before she arrived I took my place just inside the woods on a bench. Tommie assumed the role of a nature photographer just across the bridge. It was time.

Karlyn announced her arrival with a scream and a laugh after slipping on the ice and falling to the ground. After gaining her feet she posed for a few pictures before approaching the bridge. As she came to the bridge she noticed the rose petals on the snow but assumed that they were left over from another romantic event earlier that afternoon. When I saw her walk toward the bridge, I left my bench in the woods and began to walk toward the bridge as well. We both arrived at opposite sides of the bridge at the same time. When she first saw me, she was shocked in disbelief. However, joyful reality very quickly dispelled her disbelief.

I came close to her and offered her a single red rose. I had given her a single rose for Valentine’s Day and another for her birthday, February 27. I reminded her that the three red roses symbolize the love which I have for her. Due to remaining shock, she failed to hear all that I told her. However, I confessed to her that I believed that God had given her to me to be my wife. I knelt down, took out the ring and asked, “Will you marry me?” Her overwhelming “yes” demonstrated to me that she had at least heard my question, but further that she accepted my love.

This was truly one of the most magical moments of my life. Everything went better than I had imagined. And even more, I had become engaged!

This is “grace at work”

Trinidad? Where is that? This was one of the first questions that I had when I was asked to go on this trip. For the third year in a row, Tim Chevalier, a friend and fellow construction worker, asked me to go to with Him to Trinidad. He had been to Trinidad already eleven times; and this time, just like the last, he was taking a group of young adults with him to minister to the Trinis.

Trinidad is off of the coast of Venezuela, South America. It is one of the two southernmost islands in the Caribbean Sea. Once a year Trinidad celebrates the Carnival - described to me by someone as Mardi Gras on steroids. During this time, a group of churches in Trinidad have come together to hold a camp for their teens. The camp is very similar to the types of camps here in the US, but with a Caribbean flavor. Tim has played a key role in this camp over the last several years. He preaches, sings, and counsels. Last year Tim brought with him a group of young adults to assist him in his ministry there; this year, he is doing the same.

God divinely arranged for me to take this trip this year to Trinidad with Tim. While I am there I will be counseling, preaching, and doing electrical work. I will be there for a total of twelve days; I leave Wednesday.

Once again God has opened a door for me to be apart of displaying His glory in this way to the nations. Our focus this week will be on living a cross-centered life. There is nothing more in the history of mankind that God has done to display His glory for the human race than to sacrifice His Son in the place of His people. And there is nothing more for the people of Trinidad or me to dwell on that will glorify God than the cross of Christ. This is what we will be doing.

We leave Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and returning February 11. If you think of it these next two weeks please pray for us - for safety, strength, and God to be glorified through our ministry. I will give a report when I return.

this is “grace at work”

We all have heard the pagan carol “Santa Claus is coming to Town.” You know:

“You’d better watch out, you’d better not cry, you’d better not pout, I’m telling you why,

‘Santa Claus is coming to town.’

He’s making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out whose naughty or nice,

‘Santa Claus is coming to town.’

He sees you when your sleeping; he knows when you’re awake; he knows if you’ve been bad or good; so, be good! for goodness sake.”

If you are like me living in mainstream America, you no doubt have heard this song if not even sang it yourself. Around the Christmas season it is almost impossible to miss. Society has even adopted a common cliché from this song which it has used year round in different venues - “naughty or nice.” Very succinctly, this phrase sums up for many, even Christians, the mindset in which they anticipate the Christmas season. We all have heard it said to children, “You’d better be good, Santa might not bring you anything.” And even if we have not said it ourselves, we have to admit that our minds are naturally inclined to think this way. We feel a sense of duty to do good in hope of gaining some reward of some kind, even if it is simply the soothing of our own conscience. Is this truly the spirit of the Christmas season?

I heard this song this Christmas and the question came to my mind, “Santa comes to give gifts to the nice, but is that why Jesus came?” After all, Jesus is “the reason for the season.” I have to admit that I was thrilled to realize that He did not. Actually, Jesus made it adamantly clear that He did not come for those who are good. (Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” ESV) In other words, Jesus did not come to bring a gift to the nice, but to the naughty. And He does not bring gifts (plural); he brings one gift, because we only need one gift, Himself - Jesus. And in Jesus we have all the riches of God given to us - love, hope, eternal life, etc.

So, what does this mean to us today on Christmas? Well, mostly, it gives hope to the naughty. You may not get anything from Santa Claus, but you are eligible for Jesus’ gift of Himself. You are the only ones eligible as well. Jesus is the friend of sinners. He despises the good because they desire to steal glory for themselves. So then, who are the naughty? If you already know that you are then you don’t need to read this explanation (but keep reading anyway). If you are good or nice, it doesn’t take much to see that you are naughty;but you can’t do it on your own. God has to reveal  to you that you are naughty. And if you are truly interested in knowing, read Luke 7:36-50 for starters.

To the naughty, Rejoice!!.  Just as the angels announced to the Shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11) The Good News for us is that Jesus took the punishment for our naughtiness against God so that we could have life in Jesus. We just have to believe it. Jesus’ punishment took our place on a cross.

In response to God because of His magnificent gift to us, we should desire and work to give Him a life to Him that reflects His holiness. Not because it will achieve any reward from God; Jesus has already done that. We live a life consumed by a love for Him out of our thankfulness and worship, not from duty or obligation.

So again, Rejoice!! And, most importantly, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” (Luke 2:14) God gets the glory!!One last thing, I would like anyone who reads this to have one of the greatest privileges that I have had this Christmas. I was able to visit Morning Star Baptist Church in Rockford, IL; and this is the message that I heard by Bob Bixby. It was fantastic! If you get the chance, listen to it.

Merry Christmas!!!

this is “grace at work”