Before I get into what I wanted to talk about today, I should mention the US News article on Dr. Dobson’s increasing political clout: ”The Dobson Way”
It’s not a bad write up, overall. And it steers clear of much of the typical “be afraid” overtones. Rated America’s “most credible” print news source, you still don’t want to believe everything you read. But I was encouraged at the report’s fair-handedness. No doubt that has something to do with the revelation this past election year of how many Americans call themselves Christians. When “Evangelicals” make up nearly a quarter of the electorate and they voted Bush by a factor of 4 to 1, you can bet the tone is going to change just a smidge. Whether or not you agree moral values are important, they’re important to the current power center of the country.
The Doc and I have our differences. I’m not Nazarene, but I certainly think more people could benefit from a personal commitment to holiness. And in other ways, we’re more alike than you might suspect. He’s a fellow revolutionary, though maybe not in the same sense. The cover announces “James Dobson’s Righteous Revolution” and you immediately wonder what the implication here is. Are we talking about the federal marriage amendment and the judicial appointees? Or are we referring to something more basic and fundamental?
Last time I talked about getting into the Word with inductive study. What it will take for this Christian Writing Revolution to take hold is personal faith that’s not a means to an end, but an end in itself. And from there, an exciting, adventurous, creative response will release works of beauty and Truth that speak of a relationship unlike any other you can know here on earth.
Spiritual awareness and experience takes time, effort. It requires commitment and support. But the work of the revolution can’t begin any other way. This is square one and the finish line, a daily give-and-take that starts with you and God. My fervent hope and prayer is for you to do life this way and experience the ineluctable result of a family of books that poured out with astonishing frequency from the creativity you discovered by seeking the heart of God.
May that be our prayer this week as we strive toward words that matter.
By the way, if you’re concerned (or relieved) by the less frequent posts, I’m taking more time to write these days and so will only be posting Tuesdays, Thursdays, and every other Sunday (and maybe more when the writing has gone well or I just have to connect). But be assured I haven’t gone anywhere; I’m just trying to learn how to be a faithful steward….
And keep your eye here for the new site coming soon!
“… personal faith that is not a means to an end, but an end in itself.” First time I read that I cheered. As I reread it (one of the advantages of you writing less frequently, Mick–I actually think more about what you say. At least I think that’s a good thing.) I think I’d like to suggest an alternative. “…personal faith that is not a means to an end other than intimacy with God.” I don’t think faith should be the END. In that case anyone with faith–in Buddha, some meteor rock, money–would be in the same strong position with the person who had faith in God. I don’t think at all that’s what you’re saying, Mick. I understand you to mean personal faith that has no ulterior motive–I’ll believe in God and then get the book contract I want. I’ll believe in God and become rich and famous. I’ll believe in God and escape suffering. No. God wants us to believe in Him for no other reason than that He is God. Which is more than enough. He is more than worthy of our belief.