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Real, Day 21

by David Joynt on March 30, 2019


LUKE 7:35 | Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.

ECCLESIASTES 3:4 | ... time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

In fact, there is a rule for both celebration and mourning, for indulgence and restraint in the Christian life. Ascetic practice weens us of comfort and security, reminding us of others’ needs and our dependence on God. Celebration is an authentic response to life’s good gifts and God’s Kingdom acts. When he heals and saves, when he guides and keeps, celebrating and savoring his love and grace is appropriate. God wants us to value others, sometimes by mourning with them, and other times by partying with them.

Finally, wisdom is vindicated by “her children.” What results have come from the ministries of John and Jesus? John drew many to our Lord, Jesus changed history forever and established a new and perpetual Kingdom. Scepticism and false accusation have been refuted by history. Those who failed to respond to these two men missed the boat!

When is criticism constructive?

What makes it destructive?

Are you able to celebrate and mourn?

 

About the Author
David Joynt

Dave Joynt began his service as a pastor at Valley Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona in September 2014. This meant a move away from the Northeast, where he has a long history, growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and then serving congregations in Delaware and New Jersey for a total of 23 years.

Dave was nurtured in a great church in Bethlehem where his parents, Anne and Carey, served as elders. He graduated in classics from Lehigh University where his Father taught, and then from Oxford, where he met his wife Julia. Ordained in 1988, he completed a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1993.

He and Julia have a son, Tristan, and a daughter, Madeleine.

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