Selah. Pause, and calmly think on that.

You may be wondering what’s up with my site name and what’s up with the tagline. Well, here’s some details while I test out this WordPress QuickPress feature…

Selah is a word used in the bible in the book of Psalms. It’s often used as an interjection between significant portions of songs. It’s used many times.

The “Pause, and calmly think on that.” comes from bracketed text following every occurrence of “Selah” in the Amplified translation of the bible. Here’s an example:

O you sons of men, how long will you turn my honor and glory into shame? How long will you love vanity and futility and seek after lies? Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Psalms 4:2

The word and the Amplified idea of its meaning have always closely aligned with the way that I think. I really like the flow and texture of the word and phrase and so there you have it.

Selah.

When I fail you, remember I wrote this to you.

When I fail you, remember I wrote this to you.

In my writing, you will find lots of authoritative language. For those amicable to my style and rationale, you may find my writing or even myself worthy of putting up on a pedestal. Yes, I sound incredibly arrogant, don’t I? But if I had never said this, and went on and on with thoughts and ideas attractive to some, the day I fall or some grave wrong is found in me, will those people not be hurt for the worse?

James MacDonald is a man I admire quite a bit. He’s a well known and well liked preacher. He reads and understands the Word largely as I would want someone in that position to read it. He expounds upon it in a manner that I can understand. Many of my thoughts have been influenced by his teaching.

A while ago a friend let me know James bought a two-million dollar house. I don’t know all the details. I tried to defend him. I googled around for the “real” story. Maybe he bought it during that period when all houses were way over-valued? While googling around I found a criticism directed towards James that went something like this:

It doesn’t matter if he used his own money. It doesn’t matter if everything is above board. The fact of the matter is he bought a luxury item far out of the reach of the majority of those who look up to him. What is the message he’s sending?

That was maybe half a year to a year ago. It’s still on my mind. That was a day James MacDonald failed me.

The only man who ever lived who can be held up without fear of failing you and I is Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who He sent as a sacrifice for the forgiveness our sins once and for all. Jesus lived a perfect life and gave up his perfect life willingly for us.

So, if it’s me, president Obama, some sports, music or movie star, keep in mind no man or woman will ever remain unstained in this life.

When I fail you, remember I wrote this to you. Look back in my writings and find solace in my transparency and sincerity. Fallible humans have been tasked with an infallible message.

I will fall, but know that which I speak of will not.

Why I don’t categorize my posts

So let this be another key about my blog. I will not neatly put posts in boxes that can easily be separated one from another because, like life, faith should permeate all that we are and do.

I’m new at this but as far as my own blog goes I don’t think I’ll be categorizing my posts.

Followers of all religions around the world have a common ideal of living the teachings of their faith. Christians are often criticized for compartmentalizing their faith. Sunday is for church, monday is for work. Church is for spirituality. Work is for earning money. And neither the twain shall meet.

So let this be another key about my blog. I will not neatly put posts in boxes that can easily be separated one from another because, like life, faith should permeate all that we are and do.

Let this be a factor of my blog, something to remind me and others who may ask, that categorizing our lives can all too easily close doors of relationships and hurt our ability to reach those in need.

But, remember, I’m new to blogging and not categorizing my posts isn’t something to be canonized into doctrine. Forgive me if I ever renege and remember, also, that holding too firmly to a system or belief, one not worth dying for, may actually hurt you or others.

Pick Fretz’s Brain

My good friend Jamie, over at Pick Fretz’s Brain, deserves a shout out.

My good friend Jamie, over at Pick Fretz’s Brain, deserves a shout out. He’s attending Emmanuel Bible College and I’ve seen a really significant and impressive change in him since he’s been there these past two years. From a small town boy with small town views, he’s really taking it all in and growing his intellect, growing in his walk with Christ (even admidst the struggles that all of us face), and growing the basis of his belief.

I had the thought of starting a blog to follow and help my bible reading (my lack of bible reading) and it wasn’t until I saw Jamie’s blog that I took the jump.

So props Fretz, you are an influential man! Keep your stick on the ice!

Welcome to Selah.ca

And when we know the truth I think we will see that God is given all the glory because He has done something more incredible and more beautiful than we could have ever thought possible.

This is the second post of my blog and I want to highlight the importance of the first.

The first post in this blog is special. It’s a dedication of sorts. None of my own words are in that post and its purpose is to glorify God and to publish again how His Son taught us to live. It sets the tone that will remain the background to all that follows and, ever and anon, the foreground.

I consider myself a conservative, fundamental Christian but the posts to follow will, without doubt, attract resentment, anger, correction, arguments, and all manner of backlash, from those who also think themselves conservative and even from those whom the former would call liberal.

Regardless, know always that I want the truth.

In days past, I put myself in the world’s line of fire saying to myself that if God’s Word is worth believing than God’s Word will prove itself. In many places I accepted the heat of the skepticism about the bible. I went looking for answers and consistently found rational satisfaction in the answers I uncovered and was able to respond with.

I learned a number of things through all of this:

  • I learned God loves all of us
  • I learned I can read my bible and google anything of concern to me or someone else
  • I learned I can find someone else who has had the same question and has published answers or references someone else who has
  • I learned the Bible can stand up for itself and stand up to intense analysis and criticism and does so with grace and compassion
  • I learned we have built up a religion, rules, and rituals, where there is no need for any
  • I learned we have done this because God is beyond full understanding and we have tried to understand him on our own terms and within our own limits
  • I learned God loves all of us even when we put Him on trial
  • I learned God is amazing beyond all words, poems, songs, theories and philosophies
  • I learned that to consider what God has begun with us, His unending, unerring, unrelenting story through us, and His plan to redeem each of us to Himself, us who didn’t deserve at all – I learned that to consider all of this is to know that you have not even begun to know Him.
  • I learned God loves all of us in spite of everything we have done to spurn Him
  • I learned, therefore, to approach Him as a child, discovering all things as new.

So, as God wills for all that may follow, know that if what I say is controversial, outlandish, outrageous or heretical, I want only the truth.

I want the truth.

I want to glorify God.

I want to show you the bible that declares itself without error.

I want the truth.

And when we know the truth I think we will see that God is given all the glory because He has done something more incredible and more beautiful than we could have ever thought possible.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God / And His righteousness, / And all these things shall be added unto you, / Allelu, alleluia.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you,
Allelu, alleluia.

Man shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God,
Allelu, alleluia.

Ask, and it shall be given unto you.
Seek, and ye shall find.
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.
Allelu, alleluia.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you,
Allelu, alleluia.

Update 2010-12-24: It appears the translation, used in the title, is in question. Apparently, most new translations say something like “good will toward those with whom He is pleased.”