As noted in my last post I am taking a hiatus from my weekly blog posts to focus on the book I am writing as I believe the Lord wants it to be my priority at present. I appreciate your prayers as I write. The book title and areas of focus are below where I address my motivation for writing.
Motivation for Writing this Book
I wrote this book because I see a need for a deeper understanding of our calling and purpose as believers. My experience in walking with Jesus since August of 1985 is that very few Christians have a clear understanding of their calling and purpose. This book begins with Leadership, that of ourselves and others, then moves to other areas of our walk with Jesus. The chapter titles build on one another to disciple us in our walk with Jesus as we apply them.
- Reflective Leadership: Thinking About
- Steps on our Journey: Walking with Abraham
- Prayer and Spiritual Warfare: Standing our Ground
- Discernment: The Church’s Great Need
- Intimacy with Jesus: The Capstone
At the conclusion of each chapter, I will include a reflective piece under the title, Selah: Thinking About. Scripture exhorts us to both reflect and meditate, to meditate on His word and scripture tells us the type of things to reflect on.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. Genesis 24:63 (NKJV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
For clarity, Isaac wasn’t going out into the field and sitting in a lotus position. Some decades ago, I lived in a log cabin on an acreage. During the summer in warm weather, I would often go and reflectively stroll around the yard just before bed. That is what I think Isaac was doing. Joshua was instructed to meditate, think deeply on the Mosaic Law passed on to him to enable him to be a successful leader and Paul exhorts us on where to fix our minds to be successful followers of Jesus.
I have chosen to use the term Selah as it is used regularly in the Psalms (71 times) and included in Habakkuk (3 times). Though the exact meaning of the word is unknown it is generally viewed as a pause or interlude. Which captures the concepts of both meditation and reflection. Particularly now in our harried and hurried culture we need to develop the habit of pausing and reflecting. Thus, as you read, I invite you into regular Selah’s, Thinking About, to pause and reflect.
