Jack LaFountain's Blog, page 24

Lost Crusader #153 Let’s Talk About This

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow…”

Isaiah 1:18

In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis says that all clear thinking in the universe is based on two observable phenomena. First, human beings all demonstrate, by word and deed, that they believe in an objective, rule of right and wrong that they didn’t make up but that governs human behavior and is employed by people when they disagree. Secondly, they knowingly break that rule.

The response, “Well, nobody’s perfect”, perfectly illustrates his point. The very idea of human imperfection, if rationally approached, has ramifications that go to the heart of what it means to be human. Rats may gnaw their way into your house and eat your food. But when they do, the rats are just doing what rats do. As far as we can know, there is no evil intent. The same can be said for every animal and plant, except one—mankind.

When people do us wrong their intent is weighed and innocence or guilt of violating the rule of behavior is assessed. If a person walking down a crowded aisle, into which my foot protrudes, trips over my foot, I will ask to be excused (from wrongdoing) as I did not mean to trip them. Generally, a reasonable person will agree there was no intent, and all is settled. However, if I see another person coming and purposely extend my foot tripping them, that’s an entirely different situation.

Now, enter our scripture. In weighing right and wrong, whether we think about it or not, we are employing a standard against which to measure. Since everything is not necessarily black and white to us, things are seen as good, better, best and bad, worse, and worst. That is, we are using a scale, and the scale has preferences. It is not a mindless scale, but a scale designed by a mind based on a constant.

Christians call this mind, God. The top of the scale, the gold standard, is God’s own perfection. Now, because God is love and seeks us to join in a love-based relationship. It is God’s desire to elevate us to the divine level at the top.

Knowing we are not perfect, God says let’s talk, get to know each other, and have a relationship that will lift you up to share the divine life. If you never hear the offer, you have an excuse for not responding (but not for wrong behavior because that you do know.). If you hear the offer and ignore it or reject it, you are without excuse.

It's not a choice between churches or personally held truths. It is a choice to share the divine life or reject it. Sharing it is heaven, standing apart from it is hell. There’s nothing blind about the choice, nothing unreasonable, and nothing imaginary about it.

Accepting God’s offer doesn’t make a person perfect. It starts them on a journey that leads there. It’s no easy road. Things can and do go wrong. People lose direction and wander off the road. Some are always trying to find shortcuts. Still others refuse to ask for directions.

Thomas (the doubting guy) once said to Jesus, “Lord we don’t know where you are going, how can we know the way?”

The reply is memorable. “I am the way, the truth and the life…” Which is the short answer to how to find God.

Maranatha

Know Jack #365 Just Cruising Along

“Cruisin’ and playing the radio with no particular place to go…”

Chuck Berry

Lost in the mists of long ago, kids spent their evening “cruising the drag”, driving up and down through a particular part of town in a kind of social media on wheels—and what wheels they were—muscle cars, no-go showboats, or just dad’s old pickup. For me and my buddies, it was a ’57 Chevy. Wolfman Jack was blasting on the radio; the windows were down and there was no particular place to go.

But just because we were cruising and going nowhere in particular, didn’t mean there was nothing to it. There were preparations to undertake before hitting Main Street. We didn’t realize it then, but this was preparation for life. There was more to it than just going along for the ride. There were winners and losers, successes and failures, and in-crowds and outcasts. Life on the street was no cakewalk, there were no safe rooms, and participants were entitled to nothing—except maybe the occasional single finger salute. Yeah, I had that coming once or twice.

In the course of all that cruising, I learned that I really was going to some particular place—my own unique place in the world. I had to find that place myself because the world, in those days, didn’t stand aside to accommodate participants. Looking back, the place I made back then somehow resembles the particular place to which I have arrived. What a coincidence, right? Well, maybe not.

People cruising through life in warm fuzzy cocoons and staring at screens are going someplace too. Fortunately, they have evolved and no longer need to learn the lessons of the past. They are woke to the fact that the world owes them a place of their choosing and need only identify it to make it so.

I’m not complaining. I like my place, it’s still under construction, but I made it. I’m proud of it and I defend it. To again quote Mr. Berry, “C’est la vie, say the old folks…”

Maranatha

Lost Crusader #152 Passing the Wet Paint Test

“Tell people there’s an invisible man in the sky who created the universe, and the vast majority will believe you. Tell them the paint is wet and they have to touch it to be sure.”

George Carlin

There are two assumptions in the above statement. One is merely wrong. The other is dangerous. When I was young, my friend Gronk painted on the cave wall, “When you assume, you make an…out of u and me.” As the joke proves, a great many “old” truths still apply today.

It takes a giant leap of faith to consider that everything Christians believe is handed down to them by ecclesiastical authority. It takes an even greater leap, to think that they accept it as true without personally testing and trying what they hear. It is true that scripture says faith comes by hearing. It is equally true that the message is meant to be put to the test in real-life situations. If the message produces no positive results after a post-trial evaluation, it is quickly discarded.

Christianity is experimental by nature. Like learning to walk, there is often much trial and error encountered on the way to running your first marathon. God’s invitation to the hearers is: “come now, let us reason together” … “prove me hereby”… and “taste and see, the Lord is good.”

The idea that a person hears a sermon, swallows it whole, and without testing it, or taking time for deeply introspective sound reasoning, then declares himself a believer, stretches the truth beyond the limits of my rather extensive imagination. Yet, those outside Christianity have no trouble believing it of us. To then think that a Christian stumbles blindly through life from that point on led only by church doctrines he is handed, is a delusion only those outside the faith are capable of believing. Christians know better. And we’re supposed to be the mentally weak ones?

There is no step in modern scientific method that is not employed by those who have a real interest in a relationship with God (Christian or not). Well, except maybe the step where someone pays them to reach a predetermined conclusion—that only happens in “real” science. To assume Christians do not base their faith on the evidence they gather is to willfully turn a blind eye to any conclusion that does not support the critic’s hypothesis.

On the other hand, those who think it’s reasonable to accept, on authority, that the paint is still wet are the duped believers. They are the same folks who in blind obedience donned masks, hid in their homes, and had “emergency vaccines” injected into their bodies because politicians and talking heads told them it was the right thing to do. If you cannot see the danger in that scenario, then you are in for bigger trouble than you know.

To those who would point out to me that churches closed because they were told to. I will tell you this, judgment begins at the house of God and except they repent, they shall not escape unpunished. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Maranatha

Know Jack #364 Class Struggles

When I finished high school, I enrolled in the school of hard knocks. My dad was an alum as was his father, so I was expected to keep the family tradition alive. On my first day of class, I was greeted by an angry man in a Smoky Bear hat. It was soon obvious to me that someone had forgotten to inform him how special I was or that I identified as privileged. He had much to say about me, my family, my hometown, and just what I was entitled to. It was difficult. To this day I believe it was made that way on purpose. Something was said about difficulty teaching me a lesson about life.

Later, because I was privileged, I was able to go to a “real” college. All I had to do was work a minimum of forty hours a week making minimum wage, help raise four children, and take out a loan from my employer. It was difficult. But I can’t say I wasn’t warned. On the first day of nursing school, the instructors advised everyone in the class not to try doing both.

When I graduated, the employer who loaned me thousands to go to school reneged on the pay he promised me. I left for greener pastures, but you know what? He insisted that I pay him back. A judge agreed with him. It was difficult, but I paid for it all. Not one of the five men who were President in those years ever mentioned that it was possible for the government just to “forgive” my debt.

In fact, of the debts, and there have been plenty of them through the years, the government hasn’t offered to forgive a single one—and did I mention that I’m privileged! It is my privilege to help pay for those weeping about how difficult it is to pay back the loans they took out for their college education.

I don’t expect anyone eligible to pass up the money. The insanity behind the “forgiveness” is not on the recipients of it. What galls the hell out of many of the alumni of Hard Knocks is that the recipients feel they are entitled to the money and should be spared life’s difficulties.

In hopes of deflecting any further anxiety in those entitled to attend a university, here’s a soothing poem that’s also nonsense.

Ignore the Loanerwock, my son,

The terms that bite, the debts that catch!

Ignore the Workwork bird, and shun

The hoary Repaycatch!

Sorry, Mr. Carroll.

Maranatha

Lost Crusader #151 Speaking Faith

“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you…”

Jesus Christ

Now, what I have to say on this subject does not contradict or set at naught the scriptural admonitions to provide things honest in the sight of all men or not to let your good be evil spoken of. On the contrary, if you do those things, it is a given that people will speak ill of you.

In this world, to speak at all with authority or with a passionately held opinion is an open invitation to criticism. This has always been true. The solution for Christians is to speak anyway. Indeed, to provoke an irrational response from those outside the faith is a blessing.

Confrontation with public opinion, especially the opinion held by those entrenched in power, was at the very heart of Jesus’ teaching. Those most sure of their correctness protested the loudest. That’s human nature at work. People today would do well to admit to themselves that human nature has not changed since the Creation.

The scriptures say that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The same may be said of human design, which was after all, modeled on Him. When Jesus spoke with the authority and spirit of the scriptures, it troubled those whose practice sought to circumvent the law and thereby establish for themselves renown as authorities on faith and practice.

When Jesus told them that a personal faith in God and a personal experience with God superseded God’s covenant with Abraham, they called him the Devil. That faith and relationship with God was the practice of Abraham was readily ignored. They turned a deaf ear when Jesus pointed out that Abraham’s children were those who did the works of Abraham.

It is fashionable today for those with no claim of discipleship with Jesus to lecture those trying to be disciples on the ins and outs of a relationship with Him. It’s easier to be silent in the face of cultural opposition. That is the path most taken.

By way of reminder, Jesus said that strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and few find it. Broad is the way chosen by the many. That path leads away from life and into destruction.

All you need to dare speak up for Christ is the skin of a rhinoceros, daring of a wolverine, the persistence of a wolf, and the heart of a lion. It’s time for all the Doolittles to speak.

Maranatha

Know Jack #363 Timely Good Ideas?

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…”

Ecclesiastes 3

I am not big on scripture memorization. However, I once had my youngest daughter memorize the above line from Ecclesiastes which I consider one of the greatest bits of wisdom ever. She had this rather annoying habit of butting into adult conversations. I wanted her to know her thoughts were valuable, but that there was an appropriate time and place for them.

What an ancient idea, right? However, having been frequently guilty of the same crime against my elders, I had learned the hard way there’s a time to speak and a time to be silent. As you can tell that particular bit of knowledge fled from me as I got older, leading to my oft-repeated lament, “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

My timing has not always been the best. I gave up a military career to go into the ministry. It was a good idea, but the time and place were all wrong. Disaster ensued. I couldn’t have timed my exit from active ministry to nursing at a more opportune time. I had a very wonderful time as a nurse—maybe too good. It took a nonfunctional left leg and subsequent back surgery to persuade me to move on to writing full-time. Writing is a true godsend.

Launching into publishing seemed like a good idea at the time. I suppose time will tell how good that idea turns out to be. The truth is we seldom know in the moment what the end will be. We have only faith in our values and our prayers to go on.

Winston Churchill, who shouldered the entire blame for Gallipoli was cast into political outer darkness for his idea. Nevertheless, his time came again. Standing almost alone in his own cabinet, he refused to negotiate a peace offered by Hitler after the fall of France. He left to us this bit of wisdom.

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Keep on keeping on.

Maranatha

Lost Crusader #150 Hypothesis Verified

“Now when John had heard in the prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?”

Matthew 11

Since men named John and women named Mary are numerous in the gospels, I’ll take a moment to clarify the text above. John in this case is John the Baptist. He is the very same John who, when Jesus appeared, shouted “Behold the Lamb of God!” He is the same John who later testified that the One who sent him to baptize (God) told him that upon whomsoever he saw the Spirit like a dove descend and abide on was the Messiah.

Now, John’s been thrown into prison and sends messengers to ask Jesus if he’s the One. Given his history, why would he do that?

Some will tell you he was having doubts. Others might say that his faith had failed, or he was feeling sorry for himself. If you’ve read a few of these blogs, you know I’m going to tell you that I don’t believe any of those answers. You also know that I’m about to tell you what I do believe. (Which you can take or leave as you see fit.)

I don’t know if John knew he was about to die. He was a prophet, so it’s not a farfetched notion. He is in Herod’s prison and his prospect of release probably doesn’t look good. John has staked his reputation as a prophet and a man of God on his identifying Jesus as the Messiah. He is not likely to get to test his hypothesis or method again.

However, a final confirmation of the facts and validation of his witness would make prison more bearable. Peter later would say that if you suffer for your mistakes, and take it, you’ve done well. Suffering for being right and taking it, glorifies God and contributes to making your calling and election sure.

John wants one last assurance that he was right. Notice that Jesus does not reprimand him. There’s no “Oh, ye of little faith” spoken here. What does Jesus do? He quotes the prophet Isaiah’s description of what the Messiah will do.

He tells the messengers to go and show John the things which they have seen and heard Jesus doing. The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed are those not offended by what he’s doing.

Christian faith, unlike modern government-sponsored science, is meant to be questioned and tested by those who practice it. Asking questions, reaching a reasoned decision on a course of action, and testing the results are all actions of an adult faith.

Paul said, “I know whom I have believed…” There is nothing wrong with accepting the word of a trusted authority, we all do it frequently. Testing the soundness (as we see John doing) of that authority is essential to a grownup faith.

Maranatha

Know Jack #362 Sally Forth Once More

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent… Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

Calvin Coolidge

When I’m playing trivia and the category is Presidents, I feel a lot as Pavlov’s dog must have felt. I find it strange that some of the least known men voiced some of the sagest Presidential words ever spoken. “Silent” Calvin Coolidge may be my favorite among the unknown sages. Sorry, Millard Fillmore.

The above quote in particular has lifted me off the floor more times than I care to count. I admit without a single qualm that I’m not hard to knock down. I’ve been laid low by mere words countless times. However, my sincere belief is that I am hard to knock out.

I have this insane drive that no matter how low I sink; it just will not let me stay down. I had the chance to die once and, at the last moment, chose not to. I have yet to come up with what seems to me a valid reason to have lived so I keep getting back up looking for that raison d’etre.

I have changed battlefields, but not the fight. I write now rather than speak but it’s in the same war and against the same foes. I’m not any more talented at either one. I am a hell of a lot better at getting back on my feet while keeping my focus channeled inward. The inclination to destroy everyone and everything that knocked me down is still there. The restraint on myself is stronger, but that’s not my doing. As the scripture says, “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit… Might and power—I have none. The Spirit of God, I might have a sliver.

My ideal end is to die in a one-sided battle to the death like those at the Alamo, Masada, or Thermopylae. What can I say, I’m a romantic, at least in the classical sense of the word. I’m a vagabond dreamer knight tilting at windmills until the end while thinking someone cares. Unlike Don Quixote, I will not repent of my dreams of fighting the good and noble fight.

I’ve been down lately. It’s only an eight count. I’m getting up again to sally forth into the next adventure.

Maranatha

Lost Crusader #149 I’m Satisfied

“O God, you are my God; early will I seek you: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land…”

Psalm 63

The first and great commandment is to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. If anyone cannot do this of their own free will, they may find all else is vanity. The Spirit does not ask a person to love God for naught. Love is not some nebulous titillation of the senses. It is a reciprocal action between two like beings.

God is love and the source of it. The human heart has a natural enmity toward God. Thus it is impossible for us to initiate a loving relationship with the divine. Fortunately, God does not expect us to do so. We are called upon to love God because He first loved us.

This love was manifested in His offering of Himself to abolish the enmity between us and to extend the opportunity to be adopted into the eternal, divine life. The price has been paid for peace with God. Many do not experience it because accepting God’s offer comes with terms and conditions. You can’t just sign in without accepting God’s terms because the terms are what constitutes love for God.

That is, you agree to love God and your neighbor as yourself. Do this and you will find that ever after only these two things truly satisfy your soul. Many an unhappy “Christian” is walking around out there because they never realized what they agreed to nor did they choose to let those things be their guide.

I hope it is clear from this little discussion that a person does not have to accept God’s terms to be loved by God. God still loves everyone, even those who curse and reject Him. Furthermore, it is not God’s will that any should miss out on a loving relationship with Him. The will to avoid a relationship with God originates in the human heart that refuses His love and is satisfied with their world. God (and by extension, the Church) is a handy scapegoat for many looking for a place to lay the blame for their misery.

We are made for more than our current experience in a world bound by physical conditions. We are made to share the life of God in the expanse of all that has been created. That this is not for everyone is obvious. Some are happy with themselves as they are, and so they shall ever be.

If you find the present world does not satisfy the deepest longings of your soul, you are not alone. C.S. Lewis wrote, “If nothing in this world satisfies me, perhaps it is because I was made for another world.”

In the words of the old, now largely discarded, hymn, “I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true, it satisfies my longing, as nothing else can do.”

Maranatha

Know Jack #361 I Talk to Myself

“Oh the tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”

Sir Walter Scott

You might have seen one of those social media posts where you’re asked to tell what you do for a living in an obscure/funny way. I usually answer that I tell lies for a living. Of course, then I have to explain that I’m not a politician, but a fiction writer.

I’ve been reading The Republic by Plato and stumbled upon this conversation between Socrates and Adeimantus that spoke to me about writing.

Socrates: “You are aware, I suppose, that all mythology and poetry is a narration of events, either past, present, or to come?”

“Certainly,” he replied.

Socrates: “And narration may be either simple narration or imitation, or a union of the two?

“You know the first lines of the Iliad…‘And he prayed all the Greeks, but especially the two sons of Atreus, the chiefs of the people…’

“The poet is speaking in his own person; he never leads us to suppose that he is anyone else. But in what follows he takes the person of Chryses, and then does all that he can to make us believe that the speaker is not Homer, but the aged priest himself.”

To tell a tale well, a writer must take on another personality, or in most cases, multiple personalities. It’s much like an actor getting into character---except in my case, it’s a one-man show and I have to change costumes really fast.

Writing dialog is like talking to myself as two different people with different points of view and all the while watching hidden on the sidelines to make sure I keep the conversation moving and make sure none of my personalities spoil the ending.

The difference between telling and showing is to remain invisible, to be the all-powerful wizard hidden behind the curtain pulling the strings. If you see me, if I don’t stay behind the curtain, the show’s over—the deception, and so the story fails.

Make no mistake about it, deception is what fiction writing is about. It’s kind of in the name of the thing. The object is to spin a web so tangled the reader gets lost between realities and just as wrapped up in it as I did while I was writing it.

Once when asked why I wrote three blogs instead of one, I said the answer was simple. Those are the three personalities that can’t keep their mouths shut. It’s okay if people just don’t get why I write or where I go while doing it. They may be just one person. If you find that boring too, you might be a writer.

Maranatha