"To Write or not to Write?"

“To write, or not to write?!?”...that was the question. For days I couldn’t get it out of my mind, so I surrendered 4 hours to rereading "Hamlet" highlights while journaling the seeming implications to my writing endeavors. Although the political & principled struggle there was insightful, & the pages I focused on were poetic & prophetic, it was actually an exercise of identity settling rather than literary studying. My investigation was bringing me face to face with the man in the mirror while challenging me once again to embrace the calling of being both a life-long learner & a yielded messenger…writing about the search & discoveries from Kingdom perspectives. I instinctively knew this would necessitate a vital connection between worship & work, waiting & writing. For the last few years, & in this blog, the emphasis for me has been the waiting on God & quest for truth…but winds of writing are beginning to blow.

The search for understanding, to discern what’s significant & discover God’s perspective is nothing new to me, it has been a life-long passion & pursuit. In the past, I threw my life into Bible study, fasting, prayer, ministry service, mission trips, voracious reading & Seminary research. This last season was different though…new, another level altogether. It seems I’ve been in a time of wilderness isolation & soul searching. It’s not a wilderness wandering, but a temporary withdrawal from busyness and visibility so that God may revive my heart & renovate my mind. During this difficult season, I have yielded to the Spirit’s prompting to “wait on the Lord…be still…”-Ps.27:14, 4:1-6, 46:10, 145:15.

I have often heard it said that to wait upon the Lord is about attentive service like that of a restaurant waiter. That is simply not true, & is evidence of our humanistic, performance oriented, works righteousness bias. The Hebrew word actually means “to bind or tie to,” while the Greek emphasis is “sitting down beside to receive.” Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines “wait” as: 1.To stay or rest in expectation; to stop or remain stationary, till the arrival of some person or event. The call to stop, rest, remain stationary & receive often requires being alone with God & isolated from others.

There’s great value in finding a “lonely place apart,” like Jesus. Christopher Maricle captures the essence of this by saying, “We need to spend time by ourselves in contemplation…to focus inward…alone with our thoughts…in considering our actions in light of our faith…a time for sorting out how we feel and think about a concern and how to respond to it in the future…and to take the results of our introspection to God in prayer.”

No, I haven’t been writing blogs, but I have been waiting on God, wondering about my difficult experiences, & writing devotionally & reflectively. While it is certainly true that many things have been too painful to write about (that stuff is fuel for worship & material for prayer), it’s also true that my greatest desire is to write as a form of worship that imparts spiritual wisdom & revelation. Hence, the hesitation, delays…the patience of waiting on the Lord. As I said in my previous blog, “I have purposefully chosen not to publish my recent writings as I seek greater understanding & study enemy tactics while putting the King & HIS Kingdom 1st.”

It takes time to know what you’re to say. You can’t really have perspective on things while you’re in them…you can’t accurately reflect on something when you’re sitting in it. That’s what perspective is all about…the ability to discern the reality, relation & importance of things. I believe there’s a freedom that comes from being outside the situation, system, season…the ability to see & say things that I think everybody’s thinking or feeling…to look at situations & environments & to understand what we’re dealing with…to express issues that may be difficult for someone experiencing a situation or inside the system to see or say. To “examine all things, holding fast that which is good…to speak the truth in love”-1Thes.5:21, Eph.4:15.

Shakespeare’s commentators have always argued over the actual meaning & purpose of his world-famous monologue that opens “To be or not to be” (you should read & study it yourself). The main disagreement is whether the focus is placed on "life vs. death" or "action vs. inaction." I believe there’s an element of both; & I contend that in seeking life & experiencing the death of anything, there needs to be a time of thinking & processing for the purpose of future determined action. With Hamlet's indecisiveness & uncertainty of knowledge as major themes in the play, many commentators were inspired to read the choice between the life of action ("to be") and life of silent acceptance ("not to be") as a primary focus of Hamlet's dilemma. I, however, believe & espouse E. Prosser’s view that "This soliloquy is a meditation on the central theme of the duties and temptations of a noble mind in an evil world."

I, therefore chose “To live & write” by consciously acknowledging “tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune…and as a vehicle to lose the name of action.” Henri Bergson expressed this by saying, “Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought.” Or shall we say, “Write like a man of thinking & action”…I am, & I hope to.

"Perscribo, ergo sum!"

“Perscribo, ergo sum…I write, therefore I am!” That’s my attempt to convert the most famous statement of French philosopher & mathematician Rene Descartes. It’s also my response to a number of people’s inquiries into my blogging hiatus for most of the last 9 months (Thanks Barry+). The Cartesian maxim was of course, “Cogito, ergo sum…I think, therefore I am.” However, rather than an all-consuming epistemological principle; I am putting forth my seasonal emphasis & personal desire to “honor God” by being faithful to “publish peace, bringing Gospel & Kingdom perspectives…saying to God’s people, “Your God Reigns!”-Is.52:7.

Although I disagree with Descartes’ deductions related to his principle (I reject the premise of doubt & philosophy of dualism); I identify with his struggle with doubt, experiences of deep introspection, wrestling with beliefs & desire for certainty –veritas!?! This is a common struggle among sensitive and serious humans, and is characteristic of many reformers’ gut-wrenching, soul-wrestlings with self, Scriptural truth & the Sovereignty of God. That still doesn’t excuse Descartes from starting at the wrong place & going too far, with the inevitable “unintended consequences” that result from mixing philosophical questions, bad experiences & human ability/efforts.

Good ideas or God’s promises + the fear based insecurity we feel from negative circumstances have historically inspired humanistic reactions of “putting our best foot forward.” If pain & fear don’t bring paralysis or withdrawal, we usually determine to work & sweat to produce the best we can. Wow, think of that…man’s hand & mind…in fullness…at our best…that’s the oldest lie, the worst measurement. The unintended consequences of Adam’s choice in fruit, Abraham & Sarah’s bright idea of helping God speed things up & get stuff done (producing Ishmael), & many of the best efforts of mankind are plaguing us to this very hour.

You should understand, Cartesian doubt is said to be “cumulative & ruthless.” In trying to figure out something which he could be absolutely sure was true; he found himself drowning in skepticism, which led him to reject everything he’d been taught. Talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater…after destroying his beliefs & rejecting others knowledge, he suggests that there is no knowledge that can be guaranteed…doubting even the reality of his senses, experiences & the existence of his physical body. The only thing he was certain of was doubt, & doubt was a type of thinking, so Descartes deduces that the proof of existence & essence of being is thinking & that the mind & body are separate…thus creating the philosophy of dualism & becoming the “father of modern philosophy.” (That paragraph was for the thinkers.)

What a mess negative thoughts & emotions create when we dwell on them, especially when combined with humanistic endeavors. Yes, it is easier to criticize than create…easier to seek the God we want, than to worship the God who is…easier to descend in doubts & depression, than to traverse the Mountain of Trust! No, I am not opposed to politics, religion, reasoning or personal pursuits/good works…but I do stand against humanism, religion void of revelation & relationship, & skepticism in all its forms. Whatever may be the meaning of faith, it must mean a certainty about something we can’t prove humanistically.

In other words, I chose to begin with God & faith, rather than myself, my experiences & efforts. I’m trusting the One, True, Living God…the Lord of the harvest to separate the wheat from the chaff in my own life perspectives & writing. I am hoping to be reflective & discover principles of truth, rather than being reactionary & accusing people. To simply write in hopes of providing some signposts for this journey of faith…building needed bridges for those that follow after…making known the works, wisdom & ways of the Lord (please read Ps.145).

No, I haven’t been writing blogs, but I have been waiting on God, wondering about difficult experiences, & writing devotionally & reflectively. While it is certainly true that many things from my past season have been too painful to write about (that stuff is fuel for worship & material for prayer), it’s also true that my greatest desire is to write as a form of worship that imparts spiritual wisdom & revelation. Hence, the hesitation, delays…the patience of waiting on the Lord.

Remember, the 2 most important parables clearly show the importance of sowing truth & true seeds/sons–Mt.13:23, 38. That’s why he gives us messengers (Apostles, Prophets, preachers & writers), & gave us both the Bible & Jesus. However, these parables put the emphasis on the understanding of truth, an enemy’s strategy & Kingdom living (vs.19, 38-39). Because of this, I have purposefully chosen not to publish my recent writings as I seek greater understanding & study enemy tactics while putting the King & HIS Kingdom 1st.

I do believe the pen is mightier than the sword. Therefore, “what I see, I will be writing in blogs & books, to send to the Christians/Churches”-Rev.1:11. So, please pray for me & all the Christians called to write & communicate in “the Spirit of Truth.” We need the grace of God, time & resources to devote ourselves to the work of the Kingdom scribe “who brings forth out of his treasure things new & old” –Mt.13:52.

“Perscribo, ergo sum…quinymo, perscribo quoniam Sit!” I write because I am…rather, I write because HE is!

"Get Smart" #5

“With all thy getting, get understanding!”-Pr.4:7

“It is the conviction of the author that the trouble we face is more profound than we normally suppose and that the solution of our difficulties will likewise lie along deeper lines than we normally suppose. Anyone who attempts to think seriously about the matter knows that the positive answer is far more difficult than is the analysis of the problem.” -E. Trueblood

We need to “understand the times & know what God’s people ought to do.” I believe the time has come for Christians to begin moving beyond diagnosis to cures and solutions…our main emphasis must now be placed on prescription. While our culture is rejecting essential truths and vital virtues, it is paving the way for acceptance of damaging and deficient ideologies. “Deep within my own spirit I am convinced that unless we are to have the war of wars that will usher us into the night of nights and judgment of judgments, we must have the revival of revivals” (L.Ravenhill). We must, under God’s grace and for His glory, find ways in which the spirit and mind of man can be renewed and tragedy averted…there must be a way to recovery and revival.

Possibly the first thing we need to understand is the great virtue of humility and the great sin of pride. We live in a day when humility is either lacking or wrongly placed. Modesty was meant to be applied to personal ambition rather than convictions. But, “Nowadays, the part of a man that men assert is exactly the part he ought not to assert=himself. Conversely, the part he ought not doubt is doubted=reality and Divine reason…Man was meant to doubt himself, but be undoubting of the truth” (G.K.C.). It’s my desire that as Christians, we would once again humble ourselves before God, and embrace the call to both win souls and save minds…to prioritize the spiritual and take our intellectual mandate seriously.

We have now entered a season when “heart” versus “head” is a false choice. We can no longer separate pietistic from activist Christianity…we need the root and fruit, devotion and service. The Spirit of power-love-and sound mind is raising up a standard against fear and its’ myriad of cohorts. This is no time for separating the great commandment and commission, the fruit from the gifts of the Spirit, or for truth to be pitted against power or love. We must now “hold to a vision of Christian truth (and life) that displays wholeness and integration, that can be faithful to the Lordship of Christ and to the intellectual challenges of today’s world…This thinking and acting Christianly in the blizzard of modern information (misinformation) and change requires the courage of a prophet, the wisdom of a sage, and the character (spiritual devotion) of a saint” (O.Guinness). These are characteristic of a forerunner ministry, and it is imperative that we embrace all 3 of these, and consciously endeavor to see these connected and cultivated throughout the body of Christ.

Our role is crucial, we are endowed with mind and spirit…we can think, pray, imagine, discern and dream. The most needful thing at this hour is to focus our prayers and concentrate our best thinking on both the conditions necessary for revival and the world’s most difficult-unanswered questions. We need to think and pray about the most pressing questions, that don’t have obvious or easy answers. Eph.3:20 promises, “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.” However, we need to ask it and think it first!

I now want to think and stimulate thinking in others…to pray and inspire prayer by others…about what seems to be hugely important questions and obviously missing essentials related to revival and reformation. I want to spend this next phase of my life trying to understand both the Kingdom of God and the world as accurately as I can, and to think about and communicate what the implications of that understanding are. I am interested in our call to love God with all our minds by thinking as well as we can with the intelligence we possess…while being spiritually minded and allowing “the brilliance of faith” to supply what’s lacking from the limits of our reasoning.

We seek wholeness and a way of life that possesses compassion, intellectual integrity and reverence. We are contending for a great awakening and it will require all of us…heart, soul, mind and strength. We espouse humility in the midst of pride, and are committed to a life of sacrificial love and sensitivity in an age of selfishness. We reject Laodicean indifference, and prioritize intimacy and prayer in a passionate pursuit of God. We believe thanks and praise is the highest form of thought…and worship in the face of impossibilities. We remain dependent on grace and teachable in the face of arrogant self-sufficiency. We see the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom, and embrace the intellectual life and Christian thinking as integral to our calling…and most of all, we know that “the Knowledge of the Holy One is our Understanding!”

"Get Smart" #3

“Religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.”

This quote opened Article 3 of The Northwest Ordinance of 1787. It was to provide the means by which new states would be created in the west (purposed to ensure basic liberties and to be the guiding policy for admission of future states into the U.S.). As you study the context and use of these words among our Founders, it quickly becomes clear that “Religion” meant Christianity, “Morality” meant Christian character, and “Knowledge” meant a Biblical worldview.

These words are found throughout our nation’s official documents, as well as on the lips of the leaders of that generation and the monuments honoring their era. Usually in quotes, they are referred to as “piety, civility and learning.” These 3 concepts are commonly said to be the 3 goals of early American education. All thinking, learning and education were for the express purpose and specific production of these essential attributes. They are included in the original translator’s dedication of the KJV Bible, and were consistently emphasized by our forefather’s as the “indispensible foundations or supports of our system of government” and life.

These 3 concepts are also seen prominently on the “National Monument to the Forefathers.” I first saw this memorial at Plymouth, Massachusetts while in the area for a friends wedding in the early 90’s. After much prayer and historical study, I was drawn to spend my free morning at this site with my Bible and notepad. It proved to be a defining moment in my own life as I experienced a revelation of God’s heart and mind. While interceding for our nation and generation, I sensed a conviction that the truths before me were a spiritual mandate being handed down to me…to us.

The central figure of the monument is Faith, which towers above 4 smaller seated figures at the base. Faith stands with 1 foot on Plymouth Rock, holding a Bible and pointing heavenward. This represents trust in God, His Providence and His unfailing words. The other four typify the Christian values of morality, law, education and liberty. Of these I was led to focus my attention on faith, morality and education. As I prayed and scribbled pages of notes, the following scriptures came to light: Proverbs 22:28 proclaims “Do not move the ancient boundary line your fathers have set.” Luke 1:1-2 says we’re “putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, by using reports handed down by original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives” (Message). 2Timothy 1:13-14 challenges us to “keep the pattern of sound words in the faith and love in Christ Jesus. And, guard the deposit (treasure) entrusted to you through the indwelling Holy Spirit.” God was speaking to me.

Fast forward 10+ years, and I’m stuck in another Atlanta traffic jam (check out my last plog). The presence of God grips my heart and stirs my mind, and I begin to reflect back on these previous experiences, making some startling connections. It becomes apparent to me that these were more than insights; they were life lessons and a life message. God was showing me what to learn and love, and what matters most.

Now that I know the shortcuts and back roads of Atlanta, I miss most of the traffic jams, and usually arrive at my destination before completing my thinking or learning. I now spend inordinate amounts of time in my driveway or parking lots finishing my thoughts or studies (audio books/sermon CD’s). Through it all, I’ve never forgotten the early lessons from Plymouth or Atlanta, and actually came to view them as the same truths. I believe they communicate clearly my calling and our great commandments. Look at the parallels I discovered between my traffic experiences and learning the key concepts and priorities involved in “loving God with all:”

Atlanta Traffic Options-Founding Fathers-The Bible (1Pet.1:5+)

1) Knowing maps & roadways -Religion/Piety -“Faith”

2) Overcome anger=grow Christlike -Morality/Civility -“Virtue”

3) Beneficial time invested in thinking+ -Education/Learning -“Knowledge”

These are suppose to be the reasons for and results of discipleship and education. What this means is that we are called to #1 Love God with all our heart =Faith, #2 Love God with all our soul =character (the fruit of the Spirit)…loving people, and #3 Love God with all our minds =loving truth. (We love with our strength through work, service, witness and ministry.) May we all learn this way of love as a way of life.

"Get Smart" #2

“You have loved Me with all your heart…will you love Me with all your mind?!?”

When I sensed God asking me this question, I had no idea that HE was initiating a series of revolutionary changes that would soon bring a move to Atlanta, GA. This move to start another church immersed us into a world that was foreign to us. I don’t think I had ever spent more than 20 minutes in traffic in my life. Now, my daily commute was 1 hr. I quickly learned that rush hour (3 hours actually in am and pm) added a 2^nd hr., and a wreck or construction even more. A new home, new church, new schools, new stores, new malls and restaurants…new, different, unfamiliar everything. The one exception was daily traffic and travel.

When you spend a few hours a day in your car getting from here to there, you only have 3 options:

1. Use maps to discover and remember less popular, alternative routes.
2. Live frustrated, angry and bound in a cycle of delay and tardiness.
3. Learn to use the time for something beneficial.

Early on, the challenge and adventure attracted me to the 1^st choice. I would take a different route home from the church office every other day. It didn’t take long to discover that last year’s maps were wrong. It took a little longer to understand the same road often has 2 names (1 on the right, the other to the left) at major roadways. These however, caused few problems compared to the roads with the same name or highway #...going different directions. Then, I memorized the major intersections of Atlanta, and navigated by instinct after hearing the 15 second radio traffic report every 15 minutes.

After 6 months of intense education on ATL roads, maps and travel…I shifted my traffic time focus to #3. Deciding to invest this time wisely provoked a desire to learn and grow…a hunger to understand and know. Over the next 6+ yrs., I came to love the traffic time and hope for delays. These driving routines provided just what I needed…a consistent, daily, extended few hours for the things that mattered most…the things that could easily get cut short over the course of a busy day. Prayer, worship and learning (from sermon and book CD’s) had always been priorities for me, but now were magnified in my life. The foundation of my personal devotions, ministry service and study now became a platform for exponential growth as the benefits of stewarding my drive times began to overflow in my life.

God had providentially arranged a classroom (my car) to begin intensive teaching with me about how to love God and love the truth. Perhaps the greatest fruit of this was the habits of the mind that developed. It became clear that the calling to love God with all my mind meant a unique focus not just on what I should think, but how I could think better. As James Sire says, “To think –with more accuracy, more attention to implications for life, and more experience and acknowledgment of the presence of God in whatever is thought.” I understood that prayer and piety were essential, priority; but I was learning it was not sufficient alone. “Truth, thinking, theology, and the place of the mind must be given the emphasis they deserve from followers of Christ” (O. Guinness).

As I look back on those drive times, I realize I was learning to distinguish priorities, focus intentionally, and ponder effectively…I was learning to think, learning to learn; and as Maxwell Smart says, “…and loving it!”