Writing is an acquired skill. A good writer should be thoughtful and articulate. At times, writing flows easily and quickly, or it might take a slow, spade-heavy route; but writing is never accomplished without a great deal of thought and articulation—at least for me. That is partly why first drafts are rarely (never?) acceptable. I do not consider myself a skilful writer.

So my ruminations here may be intermittent. They may often take the form of enquiry or process. Sometimes they may require correction.

With God’s help, I will endeavor to learn and embody Proverbs 21:23 and 17:27-18:4.

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

(The irony is not lost on me. I may have already stepped over the line!) Let restraint and honor characterize this place (Philippians 4:8).

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

That said, I may be able to assist fellow pilgrims here. Truth is not easily won, and it comes at a terrible price for us recalcitrant and recidivist humans. I have been granted a new life—a rebirth, if you will—by God himself, and have been pointed along a new path to follow Jesus the Christ, with the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit. The prodigious price paid to make this a reality is entirely due to Jesus of Nazareth and what he did in time and space when he lived, died on a Roman cross, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Maranatha!

I have not deserved this new life. I certainly am not perfect in it. I do not walk this path alone. I am, however, assured of a new status and a new home and it is toward that heavenly place that I am learning to orient myself. If I can point another to that place… if I can encourage another along the way… if what I have learned can guide another… if I can warn another of pitfalls or danger… then time here will be well spent. And that is reciprocal.

SOLI DEO GLORIA