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As I speak internationally to English speakers as well as through an interpreter, some of my greatest joys have been speaking to groups where participation from the audience is possible. Not only do I value the input of those in my conferences, but if they are actively involved (share testimonies, participate in prayer, read Scripture aloud), it is obvious that everyone is with me. I am interested in theological study, Christian writing, historical application of Biblical principles as well as writing as a craft and the current status of the publishing industry as a whole. As a result, I find myself following blogs of those whom I have learned to trust who contribute information in those fields. It occurred to me that blogs are the internet equivalent of audience participation in a conference setting. So, this blog is a result of that discovery. As much as possible (sometimes when I travel I do not have internet access), I will be making weekly posts of how everyday life is related to what God has revealed about Himself in His Word - maintaining one focus on that most important relationship. I would welcome your participation.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Modern Devices and the Loss of Eye to Eye Contact

According to a 2011 New York Times article, there is an interesting trend among young people. If forced to make a choice teenagers would rather have the internet than a car. Staying connected to friends via a smart phone is a priority. "The iPhone is the Ford Mustang of today," according to Thilo Koslowski, an automotive analyst. "Mobile devices, gadgets and the Internet are becoming must-have lifestyle products that convey status."

What this study reveals confirms what I see on the streets. Everywhere I look someone either has their cell phone to their ear or is looking down at it. With their gaze fixed on their IPhone, they are checking social networks or looking for the nearest restaurant.

Recently a news report showed a man who nearly ran into a bear who had wandered into his neighborhood. The man did not see him until he nearly bumped into the bear. He had been texting on his cellphone.

Teenagers have even been caught texting in church - sitting next to each other!

Parents used to say, "Look at me when I am talking to you." With texting, Facebook and smart phone usage so common, this is even harder than it has ever been.

Before smart phones and the internet, people frequently stayed connected through personal visits - made possible by trips in those automobiles which are now rating second place among young people.

Technology has brought incredible advantages that do make our lives easier. I make use of many of them. There is nothing wrong with email, texting or smart phones. I travel a great deal and keep up with family and friends through those means - especially SKYPE which gives me an opportunity to see as well as talk to my grandchildren. However, the trend away from eye to eye contact and face to face conversation makes me uncomfortable.

Certainly there are many ways to communicate. Not all means of communication have to be face to face to be productive. God has used many methods to get His message across to His people - angels, prophets, a burning bush and even a donkey.

There is nothing like eye to eye contact and a personal encounter, however. God chose to meet us face to face through His Son, Jesus Christ. His eye contact was penetrating. So penetrating that people would rather avoid His gaze than be confronted with their own sinful nature. That's what happened to Adam and Eve after they sinned. They hid.

Standing face to face with Jesus not only causes us to confront our own sin, but to realize that His deliberate personal participation in an imperfect world was to redeem those who would believe in Him. Those who have seen Him are never the same.


He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him (Isaiah 53:3). But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately while he was still speaking, a cock crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter (Luke 22:60-61).

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Marriage Partnerships

I am one of those lucky wives. My husband is the original handyman.  He can fix just about anything and with a little self-education, he can build most anything he needs. Over the years he has saved us countless dollars because he is a do-it-yourselfer.

We have a pretty good arrangement. I do what I can do. He does everything else - which is by far the larger part. When he asks for my help on a project, I know it is not because he needs me. In fact, he says, "Just do your best and don't worry about it if you mess up a little." Actually, I mess up a lot but I am happy to work alongside him. I may not be much of a help, but I am very touched that he wants me to be there with him. The fact that he enjoys my company means more than anything.

I often think if I go first, he will have very little adjustment. If he goes first - well, not only will I miss him terribly - but I will have to hire plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, call for outside tech support and much, much more. As I said, I am one of the lucky ones.

My husband is also a great gift giver. He often surprises me with something I never expected. He does things for me and gives things to me not because he has to. He wants to. Some things he does for me are fairly easy for him, like helping me with the dishes. Other things may require a sacrifice on his part. He may purchase something for me that prevents him from having something he wanted. In each case, whether easy or sacrificial, what he does is an expression of love.

Our marriage is a partnership - albeit a little lopsided.

Jesus relates to His followers in a variety of ways. As our Savior, He redeems us. As the Bread of Life, He supplies our needs. As the Light of the World, He brings us out of darkness. As our Shepherd, He guides us. As our Rock, He gives us strength. As our Foundation, He gives us stability. As our Advocate, He intercedes on our behalf. As the Truth, He brings integrity and clarity to life. As the Word of God, He speaks to us. As the True Vine, He gives us the ability to bear fruit.

One of the incredible revelations about our relationship with Jesus is that He relates to us as our bridegroom. He calls the redeemed His bride. He is planning an incredible wedding feast for us - the likes of which cannot even be imagined.

Jesus asks for our participation in His work - not because He needs it, but because He wants it. I sometimes think I hear Him saying, "Just do your best. Don't worry. I'll take care of the results."

He is the ultimate gift giver. Many gifts that He gives are easy for Him. Others cost him the ultimate sacrifice. In every case, what He does is an expression of the love of a bridegroom for His bride.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word..."Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints (Ephesians 5:25-26,  Revelation 19:7-8 NAS).

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Blinders and Staying on the Path

I travel a lot. Occasionally I am in a country where horses and buggies or carts are still being used. In such cases, I notice the horses always have blinders on. That is obviously to prevent them from being distracted and veering off the path the owner has chosen for them. It seems to work. The horses appear calm and relaxed both while walking and while waiting for further instructions.

I guess if all you can see is straight ahead of you, then that's where you want to go. The horses have to trust their owners to keep them on a path with sure footing. Having blinders on lessens the possibility for the horse getting spooked. The blinders are most often used in public places where the horses could easily be scared by what is going around them.

The blinders also prevent the horse from being confused. There may be several different choices - more than one path - in front of them. In order for the horse to know where the owner wants to go, he needs to see the path intended for him. The blinders are for the protection of the horse as well as direction of the owner.

Ordinarily, when you hear someone talk about a person having blinders on, it is meant in a negative sense. It usually means that someone does not recognize what is going on around him. He may refuse to accept what is happening. The origin of this idiom comes from the very thing I have observed in my travels - blinders on horses.

However, there is another way to think about blinders. If you are to intentionally stay focused on the path God has assigned for you, having blinders on can be a good thing.

Most of the horses wearing blinders have probably learned to trust that their owners will lead them down a good road and know that they will eventually settle in at night with nourishment and a place to sleep. As Christians, we may not need blinders, but the distractions of the world and our own desires can easily trip us up or lead us down the wrong path. We do need God to steer us in the right direction. We can totally trust Him to do so. 

Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or to the left; remove your foot from evil (Proverbs 4:25-27).

Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Rhythm of a Writing Style

Writing styles have certainly changed over time. Recently I reread the original Robinson Crusoe. I was shocked at how hard it was for me to get into the rhythm of Daniel DeFoe's writing style. It was a bit like reading a legato book in a staccato world. Many of his sentences are longer than my paragraphs!

I have several books on writing in my library. Write Tight: Say Exactly What You Mean with Precision and Power by William Brohaugh was highly recommended. I have found it to be quite useful.

Attention span is not what it used to be. In cultures where television is prevalent, people have become accustomed to finishing an entire story in thirty minutes. With the advance of technological devices such as laptops, IPads, IPhones etc., instantaneous information is the norm. I know few people who have patience for a slow internet connection. Practically everyone feels any price they have to pay for a fast connection is worth it.

The popularity of Twitter confirms this trend. 140 characters is enough to get your point across. Blogs longer than five hundred words are seldom read all the way through. Surveys indicate most people scan all online material instead of reading articles word for word.

In writing fiction, rambling dialogue is discouraged. Leave out cliches. Nonfiction writers are especially encouraged to write tight. You seldom need a "the" or a "that." Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Say it concisely or don't say it at all!

Writing styles also differ in translations of the Bible.  I try to sample all translations and paraphrases. It occurs to me that I don't have a problem with lengthy sentence translations (such as the King James or New King James). I suppose it is because, unlike novels like Robinson Crusoe, I read from these versions frequently.

Some people stick with one translation and swear that it is the only accurate translation there is. Funny thing, they seem to forget the original manuscripts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. I only know one person who routinely reads from a Hebrew Bible. The rest of us have to rely on the translators to get the message across.

I am grateful for those scholars who have given us various translations and even paraphrases. Occasionally I catch something in the NIV or NAS I missed in the NKJ. I sometimes enjoy a paraphrase in my devotional reading. For deep study, the multiple word equivalents to Hebrew and Greek words in the Amplified Bible prove to be very beneficial. With all the difficulties that occur with translating one language to another, God's message comes through loud and clear to those who want to know Him.


All Scripture is inspired by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 2:16-17).