Good evening readers! I have not sat down to write in nearly two weeks …. which is a record for me since I began this blog. This was certainly not by design, for even prior to my accident and Loretta “nursing” me thru that season, she was planning two 10 day trips this summer and I’ve been adamant that they occur regardless. But what we didn’t plan for was her mother being hospitalized prior and for me now to be responsible for her care while Loretta is elsewhere. But everyone has been helping and all is well.
Actually, it is really a neat experience to spend so much time with Eileen. I’ve “experienced”four additional mothers after losing mine in ’72. I have two presently yet on earth to enjoy, both 93 now, and of course Eileen is immediate family, not an adoption. Perhaps I need to write a book on the dynamics and blessings of being a “vagabond son” and “adopted” by three “experienced” and one “inexperienced” mothers after being “orphaned” at the mature age of 23. Most interesting!
FYI, I do have a specific chair from which I write in my office. Certainly not fancy, actually wicker. But now here at mom’s, I either sit on the living room couch or at the kitchen table. And I do have the couch covered with books and papers, but worse, is I have not brought a printer over so I make a frequent journey of 102 steps to our home for that or whatever else I may need.
But even more interesting , is how I process several books at once in addition to scripture. I’m reading the One Year Bible again after a twelve year break and the experience is just choice. I am also back to listening to the Message version of the NT again as I did extensively five years ago providing much joy.
I always have a new book ready on audible while driving or similarly focused as such on a “trial basis” to determine if this new book’s message “moves” me sufficiently to study it more closely later on Kindle when I will underline it. Then, if I think I’ll really refer to it frequently and loan copies to whomever, I’ll even order a hard copy.
It seems there is always one book God has me virtually “inhaling.” Be better if He could just direct deposit it in my brain but truth be told, he has sorta promised that via the Holy Spirit with Scripture, hasn’t He? In fact, I’m currently listening to Bevere’s “God, Where Are You?! Finding Strength and Purpose In Your Wilderness” multiple times and specific chapters, maybe even 5 or 6 times. This book is spot on for my life choices today and is also giving me insight to both past and present challenges.
Recently I was told to read for entertainment. I seldom read now strictly for entertainment. The exception to that recently has been all of Paul Stutzman’s books. And I’m sure there’ll be other authors like him who I’ll meet when timely and prudent. At this moment of my life’s focus, I consider all my virtue wisdom books as my form of entertainment. You must understand I didn’t start reading significantly until I was 65. My mistaken thinking prior was I just didn’t have “time.” Now I more fully understand the futility of my self-imposed “desert experience.” By not reading scripture significantly or the virtue/wisdom books, I continually destroyed the potential life giving energy in both my vertical and horizontal relationships reducing my opportunity to “wake up and smell the roses” and “get a life” worth living, both for myself, and with all those persons in proximity to me.
Enough about the necessity of reading. My biggest pet peeve today about typical weekly church pew squatters is the impression I get at least from many, is they don’t read the “good stuff.” And that was exactly me for many years! When you’ve been a non-reader as long as I, (usually non-readers are also non-learners … remember the Bernard quote in a recent post?) you sorta have a sixth sense about what’s going on in a non-readers life. Perhaps it can even be said, you can read non-readers like a book?
I dare say if the only reading you ever do is your daily reading in the One Year Bible and if you approach that as the opportunity for God to speak truth and wisdom into your life, you will be surprised at how frequently you’ll find something; a truth, an insight, a new understanding, etc. And if your faith is real, in the moment, and in community, you just gotta share it with someone. However, in the event that your daily Bible reading is merely to check your “did it box,” as I did for thirteen years, it will be sadly and largely, a waste of your time. Your time may be better spent talking with your kids or spouse. I do believe podcasts do not replace reading of scripture though such may enrich your reading profoundly.
If I’m honest with myself and you, I’ve indeed spent much of my life in a DWE. Perhaps not literally, because many of you know I first came to Wayne County OH 51 years ago from MN, a frozen wilderness and you’re not likely aware how I lived in “real time” spiritual deprivation and all its catastrophic losses …especially in relationships, both vertically and horizontally.
Perhaps we’ll talk more about our “desert/wilderness experiences (DWE’s)” next time. I understand it seldom rains in the desert. If you desire water, it will have to be drawn from wells or springs. John 7:37-39 NKJV states “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Note that it is not the outpouring (rain) of the Spirit of God that we are apt to experience in the desert. Rather, in the desert, we must draw deep from within our heart, for actually it is from the fountain or well of God that these refreshing waters arise.
Just how does this happen to us? Read Isaiah 11: 2 NKJV where the prophet Isaiah explains the nature of how the Spirit works flowing like rivers out of the believer’s heart.“ And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”
Consider also these supporting Scriptures:
Proverb 18:4“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook” (NKJV).
Proverb 16:22 “Understanding is a well spring of life to him who has it” (NKJV).
Proverb 20:5 “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out” (NKJV).
I believe the key word is “draw.” Remember, the waters of refreshment in the desert do not come from the Spirit’s rain but must be “drawn” from the heart.
I like Proverb 10:11 that says, “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life …”(NKJV). Even better is Proverb 15:23 “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth”(NKJV). Such as when you suddenly realize while living life in real time, you have an Ah Ha moment, and you know that you know! ….The reality is the “Truth having been internalized” is now suddenly flowing out from within you. It should be no great surprise. Truth in, Truth out. Thank you Jesus!
I think too often I have gotten discouraged with the surroundings of my DWE continually pleading with God to do “something” and so I stagnate (sit, soak, and sour) on the “on deck circle” waiting for whatever to materialize. And since it doesn’t or hadn’t, we are tempted to build a “house” there and get comfortable, you know how it is; keep the job, buy bottled water, install heat and AC. Not a good idea! Deserts are temporary. Wildernesses require living in “tents” so we can move out quickly. We must be tenacious and persistent in our drive to experience the fullness of God. We must drill deep into our “being” continually supported by scripture as God utilizes the desert to build up our strength and stamina for our future battles. Understand the DWE is where God brings us to teach us that any attempt on our part to do something for Him, apart from his leading and ability, is merely futility!
God does not waste our less than desirable sinful experiences. We were already forgiven before conceived and upon our confession and subsequent restoration, we are then empowered for his service, possibly in even the very area we experienced our most devastating failures. Now isn’t that scary? Suddenly perhaps a grass hut in Africa and being shoe less doesn’t sound so bad? I say that because something similar is always given as the worst possible nightmare for entering kingdom work! Even more so, your personal experiential truth!
And when God has us wandering in the DW, please realize God is not wasting time. Actually, He is the one who redeems our time. Where I am today is a vital component of where I am going. Look at it as being the process of going from the promise to ultimately, the promotion. That is the real fulfillment God desires for us. He is God, the Author and Finisher. Continually live in the moment … trust Him and obey what He is showing you today!
John Bevere says it well. “Just because we don’t feel his presence in the prayer closet does not mean that He is denying us. Therefore, our joy is not based on how we feel. Rather, it is based on who He is and the privilege we have of being related to Him. So, we see past the lies of being denied and instead realize He is drawing us out … toward the deeper wells!”
I prefer to think of the DWE as God bringing us first into a state of contentment, but not complacency, so we can live fully engaged in the present. Consider the lives of both Joseph and David. Such patience!
Prepare to go forth all you tent dwellers, move out now since you’ve drank deeply of those cool refreshing waters from your heart. Live in the moment. Accept your divine orders. Conquer your promised land!>>>>> …… merlin