Tag: wisdom

Hot Stuff: The Song of Songs

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Song of songs is an incredibly important and needed book. I believe the book describes a young woman’s process to grown and maturity as she navigates the complexity of love, culture and who she is. The book helps us navigate the unquenchable fire of love.

Song of Songs is an incredibly hard book to interpret. There are many ways to view the book. The common evangelical view is the book is about Solomon and one of his brides.  I struggle accepting that view. Regardless of view, certain things hold true about the book:

1- It celebrates sex and love!
2- It describes sex and love as more than just procreation.
3- It demonstrates a potent respect for the love between a man and a woman.

Regardless of view on the Song, these things stay true. However there are certain things that always bothered me by the popular view that Solomon was the groom.

1- The picture of Solomon does not follow Deuteronomy 17:14-20. I find it a significant contradiction to use Solomon as the standard of romantic love. If anything, the book is a criticism of Solomon and the direction he lead Israel. The Bible celebrates love between one man and one woman. Solomon started well, but he failed miserably.

2- The book’s plot seems to follow a time-line. The common view that the wedding takes place in chapter 3 doesn’t seem to fit with the often repeated phrase “do not wake my love until he pleases.” The plot I would describe as the growth of the bride throughout the book.

3- The Bible celebrates modesty and quietness. There are two distinct descriptions in the book One of natural comparison and one of a flashy more urbanized comparison. The juxtaposition doesn’t seem to be more contrast than analogous. For instance, if Solomon is the groom verse 2:8-9 doesn’t fit well with 3:7. The contrast is too stark- a free running animal followed by a man being carried around.

The best handling of the book I’ve heard is by the late Dr. Colin Smith. He handles the book exceptionally well and gives clear direction on how to use it in our modern culture. Taking the time to listen to them would be fruitful.

Song of Solomon I
http://www.bbc.edu/chapel/archive/20040120_colinsmith.mp3
Song of Solomon II
http://www.bbc.edu/chapel/archive/20040121_colinsmith.mp3
Song of Solomon III
http://www.bbc.edu/chapel/archive/20040122_colinsmith.mp3

The Bottom line: Study the book, its part of the Bible and a helpful part on that!

Why not Wednesday? Less if more

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We often say life is a marathon, but we lose sight of that. I am again reminded that life is more about pacing and that sprinting should happen in brief moments. If not, we get ourselves into a sprint crash burn recover, repeat frequently pattern.

God gave us 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to accomplish His will. If we constantly have more to do than we can get done, something isn’t God’s will for us. Think of it this way.

There are 168 hours a week…

To be healthy, God designed an on average need of 8 hours of sleep: 56 hours.

There are now 112 hours a week…

Getting dressed, ready for bed an other needs, let’s say about 2 hours a day: 14 hours.

There are now 98 hours a week… 14 hours a day.

God created the Sabbath for man. It was a day of rest. OT worship largely accomplished during the festivals. At 98 hours a week, or 14 hours a day, 14 hours focused on sabbath…

There are now 84 hours a week…

We need God, relationships, work, rest, leisure…

God designed us to need these things. We’re learning more and more and a non-stop, little sleep, high stressed life style leads to significant health issues: cancer, heart disease, premature aging, chronic fatigue, migraines, etc. All of these things affect our relationships not only with God, but family, co-workers, friends, and people we come in contact with. It’s hard to be a blessing when we are stressed.

The bottom line:
God gave us 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to accomplish His will. Less is more.

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” ~ The Apostle Paul

Loved God, Loved People

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C. James Pasma was my first Pastor. When attending seminary my parents let me tag along with them to a party in his honor. An impromptu conversation started about ministry and how he lead the church I grew up in.

Thoughts from my last conversation with Pastor C. James Pasma (1922-2010)

“Biggest advice? Learn to listen to the Spirit. It’s hard, it varies, but learn to listen to the Spirit… If many things come together at the same time, chances are God is telling you something. Listen to Him.”

“I staffed to meet essentials and worked to free people to serve. The best ideas didn’t come from me… They don’t have to come from you. Your job is to feed them, and set them free to serve… Our biggest ministries didn’t originate from me.”

“I looked at the divorced and single statistics in our area and asked who was reaching out to them. Over a quarter of the population was single or divorced. They’re people, and people need to be reached… We studied the Scriptures, prayed about it, and we acted…”

“Treasure seminary. I was not able to go, but if I could go back, I would. The better you know your Bible, the better you can teach it. There is no replacement for knowing the Bible.”

Civility, Civility, where art thou?

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Last Thursday I wrote about my desire for my boys to live in a world of civility. The thought process started when Gavin said thank you to me after giving him a simple treat. I treasured the event. Given the grievous incident in Arizona, my wish for my boys grew even stronger.

Two wrongs don’t make a right
The Bible puts it this way: “A soft word takes away wrath.” I have no wish to take political sides on this blog. Even in irate anger, one can show the civility one so much desires. The political vitriol displayed lately is alarming. It is akin to fighting a fire with gasoline.

Evil and responsibility exist
There is evil and brokenness in life. Even with this, people are responsible for their own actions. Evil or brokenness is the root cause of tragedies such as happened in Arizona. Civility, compassion and graciousness are the greatest weapons against evil and brokenness. It’s what Jesus did.

Two prescriptions of civility:
1) Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger… Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. ~ Ephesians 4:26,29

2) This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. ~ James 1:19-20

The bottom line
We are responsible for our own actions. Anger is not wrong, but we must be prudent and thoughtful in how we exercise and work through our anger. For sure, in public discourse great restraint and gracious must be demonstrated. Truth can be declared without being inflammatory. Restraint isn’t a lack of authenticity or genuineness. Restraint  is an exercise of wisdom and humility. Our culture could use a large dose of both. These are skills I want my boys to have in abundance.

Provision through perseverance

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Often people state one’s need to enter the desert before God uses them. Others put it as God needing to break someone before using them. After reading through Proverbs 1-5, I wonder if we have it backwards. What if the desert is God’s provision?

Wisdom as an active pursuit
Proverbs chapter 1 details how we should actively pursue wisdom. It states how the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs also contrasts the destructive end of foolishness and the emptiness of naïvety. The last statement brings out the biggest issue: “But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.” Thus begins the perseverance resulting in provision pattern.

Perseverance results in provision
The formula of Proverbs states if you actively pursue wisdom, it will give you life. For example:

Perseverance
Proverbs 3:1- “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments.”

Provision
Proverbs 3:2- “For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

Wisdom takes perseverance to posses. It is more an act than a possession. Wisdom does not come by chance. Wisdom is not absorbed. One must pursue it and live it. Keep wisdom through the challenges of life, and it become yours. It takes listening, pondering, treasuring, and keeping wisdom to get it. Wisdom is forged and realized through hardship.

Fear God
Both wisdom and knowledge start with the fear of the Lord. It is here that we come to the desert. In reading through the persevering for wisdom followed by provision, it makes sense that God would use the desert. Desert moments bring clarity of thought, aptness to listen, and they confront our finite mortality.

While the desert is a life and death struggle, it is also fertile ground for transformational growth. Given the statements at the start of Proverbs, my perspective on the desert changed. The purpose of the desert is not God breaking us. The purpose of the desert is God providing for us. At the end of the desert is provision. The most essential provision God gives us through the desert is knowledge of Himself.

The bottom line:
For wisdom, perseverance leads to provision. It is by going through the desert that we obtain life. To avoid this seeming paradox we can be easily taken by naïvety or foolishness. Persevering through the desert provides us the start of life and theology. God is God, and we are not.

Why not Wednesday? Big Things

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One of the things I love about the Museum of Flight is Jadon. He stares in awe at the massive planes before him at one moment, and then plays with his toy plane underneath the wing of the first 747 the next. He talks about the planes, makes noises, calls them different names. But, when he sees the 747 he says one word: Plane!

Certain big things are the engines of our lives. The most significant is character. Before Jadon was known to exist, a key question I’ve been asking myself is what are the big things I want my kids to have. The list became more refined when I heard the words: It’s a boy!

Big project #1:
I’ve been working on a novel for Jadon about the major virtues I want him to hold. Virtues are timeless. While the situations in life Jadon will face differ from mine, the virtues will hold just as true. The novel will center on this concept.

Big project #2:
Each birthday I write a letter to my boys in a journal. From time to time I write other things as well. These are thoughts, ideas, or quips I have for them. I am not sure when I will hand them the journals. I’m debating junior high or graduation from high school. There is wisdom I want to impart to them.

Big project #3:
I narrowed the focus of what I want for my boys: 1) To be strong men of God, 2) To be men of character and 3) To be who God designed them. A narrow focus helps and is essential.

The bottom line:
How each man passes down wisdom to his children is different. One thing remains true: good dads often narrow the focus to just a few things. This is important. There are many skills, virtues, abilities, etc in life. But, only a few are big, long-lasting, and essential. Virtue of character is a thing in life I want Jadon to awe and play under. That when he sees it he will say: Plane! It is an engine that will power his life.

Why not Wednesday: Going green

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When I camped as a teenager, we practiced low impact camping. The rule of thumb: leave the place in better shape than when you got there. It stood as law, not principle. It often meant packing out more trash then planned, or more work than anticipated. At the same time, we would cringe at being called an environmentalist. The Bible taught conservation.

Conservation as respecting life
Nature inspires life and breeds respect. I enjoyed the wild and nature in the raw. Taking care of such places was a mater of respect. This respect also demonstrated itself in making sure we were properly equipped for our trek. (I NEVER camped in perfectly dry weather. Nature breathes humor and drama.) Investing time and learning about nature breeds respect, and I wonder if that is why Jesus invest much time in the wilderness. This respect revolves around God placing man to take care of things. The oldest professions are science & gardening.

Conservation as common sense
I don’t know if I would label my grandparents as conservationists, but they were inventive. They did not waste anything. They had a well, and were careful with it. Trash cans were setup to collect rain water off the roof for their gardens and flowers. Used jugs were kept to store and carry rain water. Much of what I saw as a kid was using things up as much as possible. They would often share stories about the depression and using seeming junk for creating adventures. (Or in lieu there of, practical jokes. Grandma could have earned an honorary doctorate.) Common sense was king.

Conservation as problem solving not problem creating
Conservationists solve problems while environmentalists create bigger ones. As a teenager I defined environmentalists as someone who says there is a problem and the creates a solution to the problem that becomes a bigger problem then the problem in the first place. Because I disagree with environmentalists does not mean I stand against the environment. Nor do I see a conservationist as a moderate environmentalist.

I sense the environmentalist movement as acting like an overbearing & overprotective parent. I see conservationists as a parent who teaches principles like respect & common sense that will serve the child well. The first creates bigger problems and solves little, the second creates an environment for solutions. The first produces guilt and worry, the second inspiration and confidence. The first may work in a very short period, the second pushes the envelop of the human experience. The first breeds misery, the second joy.

The Bottom line:
There is a need for a proactive (not reactive) “green” movement founded on respect & commonsense. I feel as though the Christian experience should consider how to act and live in the world God gave us. True, the Bible says it will burn up, but I don’t think that means we can be careless with the planet. Such is not wise. God places a premium on wisdom. I wonder what such a movement would look like?