Cut-flower Civilization

“It is impossible to sustain certain elements of human dignity once these have been severed from their cultural roots. The sorrowful fact is that, while the cut flowers seem to go on living and may even exhibit some brightness for a while, they cannot do so permanently, for they will eventually wither and be discarded. The historical truth is that the chief sources of the concepts of the dignity of the individual and equality before the law are found in the Biblical heritage.”

Elton Trueblood, A Place to Stand

Spiritual ADHD

Immediately Jesus knew in His spirit... Mark 2:8
Immediately the girl stood up and walked... Mark 5:42
Immediately He spoke to them .. Mark 6:51
Immediately the boys father said, "I believe Lord, help my unbelief." Mark 9:24

And those are only a few examples. Then take a look at how the Gospel of Mark is written compared to Matthew, Luke and John. Make's sense. Mark was a Roman and Romans were his audience; rulers of the world. Get it done. Now. Don't slow me down with lengthy descriptions or explanations.

Good or bad, that suits me. Yes, I like to ponder also, reading the same passage from the Gospel of John (NOT written specifically to Roman audience) over and over and staring and thinking and praying - for as much as a week or more. But generally I have the attention span and the "cut to the chase," "get to the bottom line," "what's your point" mentality of the Romans. I think that can be a good thing, and obviously God understands people like this - since one of the four Gospels is written in their language - but, it can't be good to be in such a hurry all the time.

Help me focus, Lord.
Slow me down.
Help me rest a while in your presence and with your Word.
Take me deeper than I might go if I'm always in a hurry.

I believe

"A Christian is a person who, with all the honesty of which he is capable, becomes convinced that the fact of Jesus Christ is the most trustworthy that he knows in his entire universe of discourse." Elton Trueblood in a spiritual classic, A Place to Stand.

The fact of Jesus is the most trustworthy that I know in my entire universe of discourse?
Do I know Jesus the way I know that the sun will come up tomorrow?
Do I know Jesus the way I know that my knees will ache after 3 miles of downhill pounding?
In my universe of discourse I know a lot of things, or at least think I know, and I have faith that even more are true though I wouldn't say I know them.

Trueblood gives me much to think and pray about, but I see myself more in a man we meet in the Gospel of Mark. He comes to Jesus for his son's healing and says, "If you can do anything, take pity on us and heal him." "If you CAN?" Jesus replies. "Everything is possible for the one who believes." Then comes the reply reflective of my own spiritual identity: "I believe Lord, help my unbelief." (Mark, 9:22-24)

I like this guy! Maybe he is exactly the man Trueblood is talking about - one who comes to Jesus with all the honesty of which he is capable.

A last quote ...

A last quote from Colossians before moving on: "Husbands, love your wives... "
(Jo was inadvertently practicing a "wet exit" on our kayak trip... don't you love her!)