It was nearly three years ago that my
commentary on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, “Displaying the Wisdom of God”,
rolled off the presses. I had spent a good bit of the preceding year in
preparation for this occasion. You can probably understand the euphoria I felt
as I held this book in my
hands.
But my emotional “high” was
short-lived as God quickly brought me back down to earth. I do not regret the
time and effort I gave to the study of this outstanding epistle. But from the
response, or lack of, to this book, I decided that producing commentaries was
not my strong point. My first royalty check was for $3.98, the second one a
year later was just under ten dollars. I wonder if there will be a third - due
in about six weeks. So the decision to close out my commentary writing career
was not difficult to make.
Before making that decision I
had given consideration to producing a commentary on Paul’s letter to the
Colossians. Had I followed up on this decision the title of the commentary
would have been, “Focus, where the Son’s Rays Meet.” If you are familiar with
this epistle you will understand the relevance of this
title.
Working on the Ephesians
commentary was helpful to me in a number of ways. Not the least of which was
the demand for a certain amount of discipline, which has never been one of my
strong points. I have recently come to realize I need a renewed injection of
discipline. It is tempting as our age experiences the waning of our physical
energy, to, as our former pastor, Jack Arnold often warned us against, “sit,
soak and sour”.
To avoid that unhappy
circumstance I have been looking for some incentive to “keep me in the book.”
My step son-in-law, Neil Damgaard, who has been pastor of Dartmouth Bible
Church since his graduation from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1983, suggested
a web ministry.
Some of my close friends (you
cannot count on them to be objectives) seem to think I have some ability to
produce words that have some meaning. I will give you the opportunity to agree or
disagree by opening this blog on the internet.
As I grow older (90 this year)
I find it increasingly difficult to turn off my mind. Thoughts of all kinds
keep swirling in my mind before I fall asleep and often in the wee hours.
Perhaps I can harness some of those thoughts for whatever they may be worth. My
desire in life, as well as on this web site, is to ‘think Gods thoughts after
Him.” This, according to noted scientist Johannes Kepler, was the goal of
science. And, obviously, also the goal of theology.
And thinking God’s thoughts
after him is no walk in the park. Isaiah reminds us that our thoughts cannot
measure up to God’s thoughts (Isa 55:8,9. We may, however catch glimpses of
God’s thoughts through diligent study and dependence on the assistance of His
Spirit (John 16:13). And that will be my task in whatever time God sees fit to
give me. I make no claim to special insight and my thoughts will be inspired
only by my frail, aging intellect and God’s incomprehensible mercy. And what
diligent study my aging mind will bear.
