Daring to be Restless

Exodus 17:15, LB: “Moses built an altar there and called it ‘Jehovah-nissi’ (meaning ‘Jehovah is my flag.’).” Four simple letters; one syllable; three consonants and a solitary vowel … The word “flag” in and of itself is not at all extraordinary. Any child can sound it out phonetically and print it sloppily on a page.   And yet, the emotions it conjures up, and the images it summons to one’s mind are remarkable.   The one word “flag,” in one instant, can cause someone to think of countless things: -           classrooms of small children with their hands over their hearts reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with childlike innocence,         - stirring scenes from Mel Gibson’s movies The Patriot and Braveheart where the flag summons courage and valor form ordinary men,   -      the tears of a recent widow as she’s handed a folded flag to represent he...

White sand beaches, waving palm trees, majestic sunsets, the gentle waves rolling in gently against the shore, the call of exotic birds in the distance ... There’s something intimate and lovely and restful about that thought, isn’t there?   But, I ask you, what is it about islands that captivates our imagination?   What is it about them that draws our attention, that entices us so?   I mean, think about it – would you rather go to Hawaii or one of the Carolinas?   To Tahiti or Mongolia?   While both options may have beaches, natural habitats and parks to explore, and lots of interesting history to study, most of us, if given the opportunity, would probably rather venture to the islands.   Why?   Because it’s an island.   And something about islands piques our interest, draws our heart, whispers to our overburdened, busy lifestyles.   And, rightly so.   Psalm 32:7, in the Message paraphrase says: “God’s my island hideaway, keeps danger...

  In a darkly lit room just past midnight, the Author sits bent over a blank page, scribbling with a fervor that cannot be quenched, pouring creativity and life and story onto the page before the vision, before the moment has passed.   Characters and plot spill forth from the creative recesses of the Author’s mind, a villain rises and falls, as the story moves rapidly to a conclusion, to a happily-ever-after that will stun and motivate its readers to live a different kind of life, to live in grand expectation, to live more nobly and in a sense, more like the characters in the story … But will they?   Will they read the masterful story the author writes?   Will they be changed by it?   Will they internalize the truths and lessons woven into the characters’ lives?   That is not the author’s concern at that moment …   For now, he is just writing. Admit it.   When you’ve thought of authors before, there is a part of you that has envisioned somethi...