What To Write?

Writer's block. You sit at the keyboard, and nothing of significance comes into your mind. I've read that some of the best writers get it. But am I really a writer? I want to be. And I am writing. But I'm not published --- except for this blog --- and another one (Steve's Journey). I don't get paid for it. So why do I write?

I enjoy writing, and I have recently realized that I should have been writing years ago. I started this blog in December of 2006, and my goal at that time was to put into print the new philosophy that I'm embracing, along with drawing attention to the teachings of the Scottish theologian, George MacDonald.

I believe that this is the real good news (gospel), and that I am meant to testify to it. But it feels like I have covered just about everything in it. Further writing about it would just be a rehash of the same information. It always annoyed me when I would read non-fiction books, that start off with attention-getting information, powerful thoughts, then the other three-fourths of the book would be padded with restatements of the same thing.

Maybe I'm being too hard on myself. Or maybe I should write about other things. But Last Penny was designed with the idea that God is at work --- always at work --- in the lives of everyone that he has created. That he will not rest until all are redeemed, all are reconciled, and all have become obedient, loving children.

Beyond the message, all of the rest is just life. It's what we are meant to do --- live. Things that don't seem to be spiritual are indeed spiritual because we are to be about the work of life, and our work glorifies the Father. Anything less is spiritual weakening and requires special care. We were also put here to provide that care, to encourage one another, to show love. This too is from the Father.

Hey, look --- I'm writing!

Love and Death make us all children --- Can old age be an evil thing, which does the same?

George MacDonald

Childhood is among the most precious gifts that God has given us. It is a period of trust, a time of experiencing and exploring new things, and a sense of security without even realizing it. In Western society the children grow up too quickly. With constant exposure to television and adult drama played out in the home, children begin to imitate, to mimic adult behavior, whether it be good or bad.

Before long the child begins to desire those privileges and responsibilities that only an adult can "enjoy." Oh, to remain a child for a bit longer! One of the most amazing abilities of the human mind is to remain young and healthy while abiding in frail or broken bodies. While asleep, the crippled dream of walking, the blind dream of seeing, and the elderly dream of bygone days of youth.

Trust is a key quality in childhood. Love is not complete until trust is initiated. Death is embraced when we trust that more life follows. Jesus said in John 21:18, "when you are old ... someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Ironically, the aged are forced to trust for their survival --- something that came naturally to them as a child.

God wants us all to be childlike without being childish. He desires to relate to us on our level, just as an adult gets down on the floor with the youngster, the difference being that God will begin to remove the spiritual toys that harm, the ugliness that separates and the pride that feeds bad behavior.

Love has no motive, but to trust, yield and embrace. Death has no hold; it is but a door that opens for us to take our first steps into the new life. Aging is the culmination of years of learning through failure, increasing in knowledge and gaining the wisdom needed to become the perfect child of a perfect Father.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130

As true as these words are, it is easy to misunderstand the meaning. What are the words of God? Most people that you ask would quickly point you to the Bible. This collection of writings, spanning better than 3,000 years, is the accepted standard of man's relationship with his Creator.

It is not only the centerpiece for all of Christianity, it is touted as the only Word of God for most of Christendom. Like the Bible Belt comment for the Authorized King James Version ("If it was good enough for the Apostle Paul, it's good enough for me!"), we make the assumption that men have always had it, and that God directed the writing and compilation of it.

However, since Paul didn't have the King James --- he didn't even have a Bible ---and the psalmist only had the law, what could the verse above mean? It certainly could refer to a better understanding of the law, but it seems to intimate a more personal direction from the Almighty.

God speaks to us in many ways. I love the Bible. It is a wonderful representation of God's interaction with his created. It depicts both the strengths and weaknesses of the human race. It also boldy displays the dirty laundry of even God's chosen. The words found in the scriptures could well have been directed or inspired, but most certainly would have passed through human hands and be subject to various interpretations.

A friend of mine loves to walk, and he says that God speaks to him through creation --- that at times he is overwhelmed with the beauty and drama found in nature. I can understand and relate to that. I believe that God also speaks through a friend, a mate, a family pet or a baby's cry. Finally, there is the still, small voice within each of us, the connection that bears his image.

We must empty ourselves in order to receive his word. We must also eagerly seek his light in a darkened world. Isaiah 55:11 says that his word will never return to him empty, but will accomplish his purposes. We can stand on his word.