Musings from Seat 7B...

I am writing tonight on the plane from Dallas/ Fort Worth to Burbank, and I am both settled in joy and burdened with a heavy heart. I am delighted to have just completed a near hour of discussion with my dad, who is celebrating his 52nd birthday today, and has been a faithful shepherd of God’s flock for nearly 26 years. He is still progressing, still growing, and still depending on his faithful Lord for direction and wisdom. My heart cries out to The Father, “Make me an imitator of those who imitate you! Lord, make me like my dad.”

Simultaneously, I am burdened with grief, as I listen to “A Place Called Grace” by Phillips, Craig, and Dean on my headphones. Yet another college friend has brought reproach to the name of Christ and the ministerial office to which he claimed a calling. Who will be next?

Will it be me?

I am sure of my full capability and weakness, and I fear you will someday wonder as I am now, “What happened?” “I thought Bails would make it for the long haul.” How is it, my brothers, that we will ever look back at a lifetime of ministry? Many of our fellow soldiers are not even looking forward to storming the beach anymore, for they have been dishonorably discharged before we even got deployed. I am aware that I am on the short list of possible failures and fall-outs. My secret sins are much too tolerated. My pride is often unchecked for prolonged seasons. My lusts are allowed and even fed. I am listening to the old master’s faint voice giving orders from the old regime (Rom. 6).

Theses are the preparations that will someday meet opportunity and the offspring will be failure.

So what is the answer? What will prevent Adam Bailie from having a “living epitaph” after each mention of his name? What will keep the mention of my name from producing a heavy heart in the hearer? What will keep my wife from public shame and grief? What will keep me from giving unbelievers another reason for rejecting the gospel?

Here is what comes to my mind:

A Heart Transformed by the Gospel of God.
A Mind Renewed by the Word of God.
A Spirit Broken before the Throne of God.
A Life Conformed to the Son of God.
A Clear View to the Superiority of the Scriptures.
A Clear View of the Utter Sinfulness of My Heart.
A Clear View of Creator God.
A Clear View of the Cross of Christ.
A Clear View of the Empty Tomb.
A Clear View of Salvation by Grace.
A Clear View of Sanctification by Grace.
A Persistent Attention to Myself.
A Persistent Attention to My Doctrine.
A Shameless Pursuit of Genuine Private Worship.
A Shameless Pursuit of Genuine Public Worship.
A Radical Starvation of the Lusts of Youthful Lusts.
A Radical Amputation of the Allowed Sins of the Heart.
A Radical Addition of the Fruits of the Spirit.
A Dominate Meditation on Grace.
A Dominate Meditation on the Gospel.
A Dominate Meditation on the Inevitable Failure of My Heart.
A Constant Honesty with My Wife.
A Constant Honesty with the Body of Christ.
A Constant Honesty with My Brothers in Ministry.
A Love for God that only God can Create, Sustain, and Perfect.

These are my initial thoughts for the fighting of the almost inevitable failure of my life and ministry. Thankfully, failure is not the end, for indeed there is a placed called grace and a process called restoration. Yet, the coveted characteristics of “blameless” and “above reproach” are lost, and at varying levels never to be regained.

I know that many of you men are as scared as I am, and well you should be. You and I must be intentional to the day of death or rapture in our pursuit of lasting and fruitful ministry. Add to this list; make your own list or don’t, but please be intentional about your faithfulness to the King. His glory is at stake, and there is no higher motivation.

Grace and peace.