Refactoring budget categories

So, I refactored our budget categories to be simpler and more useful. It's difficult for me to figure out the right granularity for categories. You don't want it to be too specific, or it's a real pain and not very useful in terms of reporting. On the other hand, you don't want them to be so general that you can't set useful category amount limits.

I've settled on 12 categories:

• Consumables: Food, diapers, cleaning supplies, paper products, vitamins
• Discretionary (big ticket): car, house, loan pay-off savings, income buffer, major appliances/improvements, major car maintenance
• Discretionary (small ticket): home decoration, small appliances, eating out, any small ticket item not covered by the other categories, clothing, non-consumable baby stuff
• Education and communication: schooling, books, cell phones, computers
• Giving (not t.d.): any giving not tax-deductible
• Giving (t.d.): any tax-deductible giving
• Housing: mortgage, insurance, real estate taxes, utilities
• Lisa beauty: hair cuts, etc
• Medical (t.d.): Any tax-deductible medical expense. Anything non-tax-deductible should go under Consumables.
• Recreation: Matthew and Lisa date nights, family fun, etc.
• Student loan: money for the student loan.
• Transportation: car, insurance, taxes, fees, minor maintenance, preventative, fuel. Major maintenance goes under big ticket discretionary.

The rationale behind the two discretionary categories is to allow us flexibility in purchases that don't occur on a regular basis yet also to encourage us to save rather than spend. I.e. either we can eat out once a week or we can save to buy some furniture. If we had a category for eating out, I think we'd just go ahead and use it most of the time.

For the next two years, we're planning on paying off the student loan with all the money we save in the big ticket discretionary account. We believe it honors Christ to get out of debt, so we're planning to pray and work hard until we finish paying it off as soon as possible.

Also, we're switching to a cash system (checks and debit cards; no credit cards). When I'm using a credit card, I never stop and think about whether I actually have the money. Credit cards are magical like that, but if I'm using a debit card, it's going to keep me reined in more tightly, spending only what I have. That's a really good thing.

Setting up the LinkSys UTA200-TM HiPort to run behind a router

The instructions for the LinkSys UTA200-TM HiPort direct to install it between the DSL/cable modem and your home internet router. However, if you have a Verizon Westell 7500 combined modem/router, or if you simply don't want the HiPort to sit between the modem and router, here is how to do it.

Thanks to colinnwn on the T-Mobile forums for posting this.

I'd suggest not letting the UTA200-TM sit between your cable modem and router. I know it is the recommended way, but it just seems to create problems for people trying to do anything a little bit different than "normal". The way I'm about to suggest is a little harder to set up, but I think is much more robust over the long haul.

First, go into your UTA200-TM and set it to accept a DHCP address assignment (but not to be a DHCP server), and change the routing type from "access point" or whatever they call it, to "bridge". Now rewire so your cable modem is attached to the WAN router port, and wire the UTA200-TM from its internet port to a regular LAN port on your router, just like it was any other computer. Nothing will go into the UTA200-TM's ethernet/pc port. Write the MAC address on the bottom of your UTA200-TM down.

Now go into your router configuation page and find the static DHCP assignments. Put in the UTA200-TM MAC address and pick an IP address for it. If your router is linksys and you go to 192.168.1.1 to get to its webpage, you can use 192.168.1.20 for the UTA200-TM. The last number is the only one to change, and it can be anything between 2 and 253 (and you shouldn't have dupes). This will ensure the UTA200-TM always has the same address on your network.

Next go into the port forwarding section of your router webpage and set UDP 500 and UDP 4500 to port to the IP address you chose for the UTA200-TM. That should get the telephone working.

That was very helpful. However, there are a couple more things to be done. To be exhaustive, these are the ports I had to open up in my router:

• A Dynamic port forwarding rule for port 123 (NTP)
• A Dynamic port forwarding rule for DNS
• A Dynamic port forwarding rule for ICMP
• A static/host/always-on port forwarding rule for UDP port 500 to the UTA200-TM
• A static/host/always-on port forwarding rule for UDP port 4500 to the UTA200-TM

After I opened up those ports, it worked.

The main idea of Matthew 5:1-16

Lord willing, I'll be teaching Matthew 5:1-16 at the local Detention Center on Saturday evening.

I'm listening to the audio lectures of the course "Christ Centered Preaching" by Bryan Chapell, and in one of the first lectures, he talked about how each sermon needs to have one main point -- one "big idea."

He went on to say that a good sermon, that is, a biblical, Christ centered one, must have as its message the meaning of the passage. The message of the sermon is the meaning of the passage.

So, I've been studying and meditating this week to try to come up with the "big idea" of Matthew 5:1-16. This is what I've got. I have to stick with this now, so I have time to write up all my thoughts and notes before Saturday evening. But this is what everything will point to:

Kingdom citizens receive the King's blessing (vv. 3-9), share in the King's suffering (vv. 10-12), and participate in the King's mission (vv. 9,13-16).

The primary task of the church

This quote by Martin Lloyd-Jones is right on. (I lifted this from the Desiring God blog.)

The primary task of the Church is not to educate man, is not to heal him physically or psychologically.... I will go further; it is not even to make him good. These are things that accompany salvation; and when the Church performs her true task she does incidentally educate men and give them knowledge and information...she does make them good and better than they were. But my point is that those are not her primary objectives. Her primary purpose is not any of these; it is rather to put man into the right relationship with God, to reconcile man to God. (Preaching & Preachers, 30)

Regeneration and righteousness

On page 66 of The Spiritual Man, Watchman Nee says this: "God does not change our flesh; rather, He gives His life to us. Regardless of whether or not a man has been regenerated, his flesh is corrupted just the same."

That reminds me of Philippians 3:8-9:

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

The phrase I want to draw attention to is in v. 9 where Paul says he wants to have "the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." The righteousness of believers both comes from God and is by faith. This means that it exists by faith, which is confidence in the unseen (Hebrews 11:1; Romans 8:25). The holiness of Christ's bride is not yet fully realized (that is, we are not yet holy like God). But, in this life we are progressing toward holiness and glorification, like it says in 2 Corinthians 3:18:

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

And, it's clear we're not perfectly righteous in nature yet. This point should be evident without defense: can we really claim perfection for ourselves? Every time I'm impatient with a family member or coworker, I'm reminded and convicted that, like Romans 3 says, "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God."

Thanks be to God who gives his church the Holy Spirit, so that we can know Jesus and love Jesus and follow Jesus!

Brain muscle groups

I've heard fitness experts recommend that we rotate through different muscle groups in our body so that our muscles have time to rest and also so that we have muscle everywhere, rather than just a few favored locations.

I think this applies to reading and brain activity as well. I've long disparaged myself that I tend to not finish books, and I commend my wife that she is a "finisher." I tend to read anywhere from 10-20 books at once, a few pages or a chapter at a time. She tends to read one book at a time and finish it in a few weeks.

But, I read this blog post today about How to read a non-fiction book, and the author made a point that intrigued me: "Don't feel that you need to finish." This prompted me to reconsider my It-Is-Foolish-To-Read-20-Books-At-Once policy.

Maybe it's normal for my brain. I have an active brain. Maybe for some people, it's suited to their mode of information digestion that they stay on topic for a long time. Maybe for me, it's not just a tendency but a necessity to switch contexts every so often.

Last night I wanted to read some more of The Meaning of the Pentateuch (to be diligent), but I just couldn't. My brain was screaming "NO!" So, I read a chapter of F.F. Bruce's New Testament History. That sat a lot better with me. Question: What is normal for you?

Funny videos

It's really dangerous to surf YouTube and other online movie sites, so I appreciate when others share their favorite funny and clean videos. I'll share mine:

• SNL Pampers Commercial
• The Onion - Detroit Lions
• The Onion - violent video games
• The Onion - Google Opt Out
• The Onion - Giant crabs
• The Onion - robots
• HCSB
• Baby Got Book
• Bill Cosby - Dentist routine
• Tithe rap
• Cletus Take the Reel
• John Piper is bad

You've probably seen most of those. And although SNL and The Onion can be very funny, they can also be very unclean. There are a few jems in The Onion. Generally, I like Bill Cosby, Brian Regan of course, and Red Skelton. They're usually clean.

References about judging others

Here are some references about judging others that I brainstormed the other night. Remember, don't separate these verses from their respective contexts:

1. 1 Samuel 3:13
2. 1 Samuel 16:7
3. 2 Chronicles 19:4-11
4. Proverbs 14:12
5. Matthew 7:1-6
6. Matthew 7:13-23
7. Matthew 24:11
8. Luke 6:37-38
9. John 7:20-24
10. John 8:15-18
11. Acts 17:11
12. Romans 2:1
13. Romans 16:17-18
14. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
15. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
16. 1 Corinthians 6:1-6
17. 1 Corinthians 14:29
18. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
19. 2 Corinthians 13:5
20. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
21. James 2:1-13
22. James 2:12-13
23. James 4:11-12
24. James 5:9
25. 1 John 4:1
26. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
27. Titus 1:9-16
28. Revelation 2:2-3
29. Revelation 12:9

Examples of others being judged in Scripture:

• 2 Timothy 1:15
• 2 Timothy 3:8
• 2 Timothy 4:10
• 2 Timothy 4:14

How small appears this earth and how broad eternity

A great J.C. Ryle quote to start out the week with (via J.C. Ryle Quotes).

"Ask the dying sinner, stand by his bedside and inquire of him, whether it proves a comfortable and supporting thought that he has cared more for the world than for his soul. Perhaps you never saw the deathbed of one who had not got his feet upon the rock. Oh! It is a fearful, instructive, soul-moving sight! When the heart begins to beat faintly and the eyes grow dim, when friends are weeping all around and human medicines avail no longer, when all the intoxication of worldly pleasure or business is past and far away, when each lies in his own silent chamber, with nothing apparently between himself and God, when something whispers, 'You shall not come down from that bed on which you have gone up – but shall surely die!'

"In that solemn hour, beloved, we have little idea how small appears this earth and how broad eternity; how much the memory of sin improves; how deeply a guilty conscience darkens. You would then hear him acknowledge that his life had been a grand mistake; you would hear him confess that the care of the soul was indeed the one thing needful, and bitterly repent the time he had lost, the opportunities he had neglected and the instruction he had despised. God grant I may be spared the pain of seeing any of you in such a plight!"

Forgiveness instead of revenge

Disclaimer: This is a mildly polished version of my study notes for Matthew 1:18-25. A good friend and I are teaching this passage on Saturday night at the local detention center. Please comment with thoughts -- the more critical, the better!

A covenant is a solemn pledge. Unlike a contract, which can be reneged for many reasons, you can't get out of a covenant unless you die. In the Bible, God is a covenant-making God. However, he is very different from us, and he treats covenants differently than we generally do.

One of the remaining covenants in today's society is marriage. Marriage vows mean no less than they say -- if the husband and wife are faithful to one another, death is the only escape. The divorce rate is 50% for first marriages. Clearly, lots of people are not keeping covenant. Does God keep his covenants?

Throughout the Old Testament, God makes many covenants and always is faithful to what he says. He only breaks the covenant when the other party is unfaithful, which happens more often than not.

However, throughout the Old Testament and most clearly in the New Testament, God intends for a "lasting covenant" with mankind. He understands that we are sinful by nature and are not able to be faithful to him on our own. In the New Testament, we find that his new, lasting covenant means that Instead of seeking revenge and destroying mankind, Jesus Christ suffered and died so that God could righteously forgive.

The Israelites were bound, not under the new, lasting covenant, but under the Old Testament Covenant, a "law of works." The Israelites entered into a covenant with God, in which God promised to bless them if they fully obeyed (Deuteronomy 28:1) and curse them if they disobeyed (Deuteronomy 28:15). However, this OT covenant didn't work for Israel. They obeyed God for short periods of time, but continually turned away from him and sinned. They disobeyed, broke the covenant, and God dealt them the curses he promised. At one point, God said that they would eat their children. This came true during a siege by an enemy nation.

In Matthew 1:18-25, we see an interesting picture of a covenant between Joseph and Mary. Mary is betrothed to Joseph. Betrothal at that time meant that you were as good as married, except you didn't have sexual contact until the marriage was finalized. A betrothal could be broken only by divorce. So, this betrothal was essentially the marriage covenant.

But, in Matthew 1:18, Joseph finds out that Mary is pregnant. Clearly, he would be upset. By the appearance of it, Mary has broken covenant with him. Under Jewish law, he would have the right to break covenant with her. She would be judged and then stoned for her sin. Joseph has every right to revenge. However, Joseph resolved in his heart to divorce her quietly. This would legally annul their relationship without requiring or causing Mary's death. She would not be judged before the religious leaders, and she would not be stoned. Joseph chose to respond to her perceived offense with forgiveness and kindness, saving her from certain death.

In Matthew 1:21, the angel emphasizes that forgiveness will characterize the life and mission of Jesus Christ. It says that "he will save his people from their sins." The penalty for sin is also implied here. Jesus, by saving his people from their sins, also saves them from the penalty for their sins, which Romans 6:23 tells us is death. Later on in Matthew 20:28 and Matthew 26:28, we read that Jesus came "to give his life as a ransom for many" and that "[his] blood of the covenant...is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

The gospel, this NT covenant, is kept, ensured, guaranteed by God alone. Unlike the OT covenant, which could be broken by men, the gospel covenant cannot be broken by men. Man's sin is no obstacle to God's blessing and forgiveness in the gospel.

Joseph's godliness is evident in how he forgave Mary and did not hold her sin against her. Instead of seeking revenge, Joseph chose to forgive Mary's alleged sin and save her from certain death, had the angel not intervened. Likewise, Christ will save his people from their sins by receiving the punishment for their sins, rather than rightfully seeking revenge and punishing them. He will never break covenant with his people. This is the only way that we can be in the presence of God -- by knowing Jesus Christ, Immanuel -- God with us. We could not come to him, so he came to us, forgave us, and gives us new life.

Instead of seeking revenge and destroying mankind, Jesus Christ suffered and died so that God could righteously forgive.

This is a sobering quote by D.A. Carson on ways that the church of Jesus Christ can be destroyed.

"The ways of destroying the church are many and colorful. Raw factionalism will do it. Rank heresy will do it. Taking your eyes off the cross and letting other, more peripheral matters dominate the agenda will do it–admittedly more slowly than frank heresy, but just as effectively over the long haul. Building the church with superficial 'conversions' and wonderful programs that rarely bring people into a deepening knowledge of the living God will do it. Entertaining people to death but never fostering the beauty of holiness or the centrality of self-crucifying love will build an assembling of religious people, but it will destroy the church of the living God. Gossip, prayerlessness, bitterness, sustained biblical illiteracy, self-promotion, materialism–all of these things, and many more, can destroy a church. And to do so is dangerous: 'If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple (1 Cor. 3:17). It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

- D.A. Carson, The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993), 83-84.

Via The Many Ways of Destroying the Church at timmybrister.com.

John Piper breakdancing

Monday Morning Humor

Since Kevin DeYoung did not seem to want to continue his Monday Morning Humor posts since he's moved his blog to The Gospel Coalition, maybe I'll do it.

Here's for tomorrow:

Thank you, Jon, for suggesting this video.

Lying is like murder

1. Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
2. 1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer...

See also Matthew 5:21-22 and Ephesians 4:25.

Reading Pilgrim's Progress backwards

This paragraph is from Kevin DeYoung's recent blog post, entitled On Mission, Changing the World, and Not Being Able to Do It All. It is a good description of how I often forget the gospel in seeking to advance the gospel. I've added the emphasis in the quote.

The danger–and it's a danger I've fallen foul of in my own preaching–is that in all our efforts to be prophetic, radical, and missional, we end up getting the story of Pilgrim's Progress exactly backwards. "Come to the cross, Pilgrim, see the sacrifice for your sins. Isn't that wonderful? Now bend over and let me load this burden on your back. There's a lot of work we have to do, me and you." A cross, yes. Jesus said we would have to carry one of those. But a cross that kills our sins, smashes our idols, and teaches us the folly of self-reliance. Not a burden to do the impossible. Not a burden to always do more for Jesus. Not a burden of bad news that never lets up and obedience that is always out reach.

Let us never forget the gospel! Resolve to build on no other foundation than the gospel! (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

Praying for the holiness of others

In A Call to Spiritual Reformation (p. 94), D.A. Carson sums up chapter five ("A Passion for People") by concluding that 1 Thessalonians 3:13 is the most fundamental way to pray for people:

When we pray for people, we must do so knowing that these people, and we ourselves, are inevitably moving toward the last day. When we pray with eternity's values in view, we are driven to pray for people, because people like you and me are the ones who must give account to God on the last day.

From that perspective, there is no prayer we can pray for others more fundamental than this: that God might strengthen their hearts so that they will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father on the last day.

Conversion as discovering treasure

Hear what John Piper has to say in When I Don't Desire God (p. 25) about what conversion means:

In the New Testament, conversion meant discovering that Jesus was a treasure of such surpassing worth that joy would enable a new disciple to leave everything and follow him: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field" (Matthew 13:44).

That is classic Piper, but worth remembering. It's what motivated me to describe my Religious Views on Facebook as "Jesus is my treasure."

Scriptures on helping the poor

Galatians 6:10

• Members of the local church should take first priority, members of the global church second, and those outside the church third.

Titus 3:14

• Urgent needs should take priority over commonplace needs. (Possible example could be a family that is on the street versus a single male who can't pay his health insurance bill.)

2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 (and 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12)

• Unless they're incapable of working, beneficiary should provide proof of current employment before receiving gifts. If not currently employed, beneficiary should provide useful service in return to the church or its members; should be valuable service that is comparable to gift given.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15

• There should be fairness among recipients according to basic livelihood needs.

Matthew 6:2-4

• Giving should be discreet

Proverbs 14:21

• Giving should be generous (according to basic livelihood needs)

Matthew 7:7-11

• Beneficiaries should request assistance on their own before it is given.

1 Timothy 6:8

• Only basic livelihood needs should be provided for: food, clothing, temporary/shared housing.
• What about giving cash? (My opinion no, because that could be used for things other than basic needs or could encourage love of money.)
• What about mortgage payments? (My opinion no, since it could encourage love of money. Rent payments might be different.)

Proverbs 18:9; Proverbs 19:15; Proverbs 19:24; Proverbs 20:13

• Beneficiary should be a hard worker, not lazy.

Proverbs 22:16

• Must not give to someone who is rich -- who can provide for his own needs, but does not.

What are some other scriptures to add to the list?

2009 Family Vacation

Camp was a lot of fun this year. Here are some of the things I enjoyed:

1. At the welcome cook-out on Sunday, I chatted with a pastor from an Arminian church (probably Methodist). He was surprised to hear that I am both Continuationist and Calvinist. He didn't think it was possible to be both. In explanation, I just said I think it's exegetically untenable to be otherwise.
2. On Monday, I talked with a guy who had a clear understanding of regeneration. He was a fairly new Christian. Upon being saved by God, he attended an anabaptist church for awhile and grew in the faith. And, now, he's going to a Baptist church. He seems to be actively discipling his family in the gospel. What a blessing is our Savior! All of us are undeserving.
3. On Tuesday, I was challenged in my understanding of the scriptures by a man who ministers with Messianic Jews. Among other things, he encouraged me to read Maccabees (for historical understanding of the Jews) and to study scripture more closely. His example of faith reminds me of Romans 11:25-32.
4. Lots of volleyball.
5. Lots of swimming.
6. Lots of time watching Adeline play in the sand. She loves to dig and get dirty.

So, we had a great time. And, I'm glad we're home again. It was hard to have regular prayer times. It's good to be back on our daily schedule.

Test your humility

Do we desire to be a humble servant to others? Do we desire to minister to others? If that's our focus, we might not be humble.

We must mortify the desire to appear humble before men and instead seek God, to whom we must give an account (Romans 14:12). Genuine humility is wretchedness before God:

James 4:8-10  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

When we desire to be a humble servant to others, we forget that God would rather that we make ourselves small and lowly before Him, than that we choose our own sacrifices:

Psalm 51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Rather than desiring that we minister to others, God desires that we minister to our own soul, by trembling at His word:

Isaiah 66:1-2  Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Test your humility. Do you desire praise from men or praise from God? (John 5:41-44)