THE HERO'S PORTION

Here is a fine and ancient tradition which sadly goes awry all too often . In the Gaelic tongue of Ireland it was called Curadmír. In our common English, it is known as the Champion or Hero's portion.

Essentially, the individual who accomplished the most heroic feat out of the war band was given an additional allotment, and extra helping from the choicest meat and drink at the chieftain's table.

It was a noble plan, to award the finest and most accomplished for deeds well done. The concept is not without biblical precedent.

"Then Israel said to Joseph, 'Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and bring you back to the land of your fathers. And I give you one portion more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and my bow'" (Gen 48:21-22).

"But he shall acknowledge the first-born, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; to him belongs the right of the first-born" (Deut 21:17).

"For the LORD’S portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance" (Deut 32:9).

"Now he gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah, according to the command of the LORD to Joshua . . ." (Jos 15:13).

Where this notion seems to collapse, both the biblical idea as well as the Celtic practice, is that jealousies often quickly follow. The hero may have his portion, but many others feel slighted and succumb to envy. Jacob's son Joseph is a great example of someone favored by his father and by God, yet deeply resented by his brothers. The young hero David was persecuted by King Saul. Jesus' parable about the prodigal son (Luke 15:22-32) provides one more illustration.

In short, the "extra portion" has seen the rise of a type of class envy, with the masses deciding that what someone favored has been granted really isn't fair. It is — in its own way — what has plagued God's Chosen People throughout the ages as the Jewish nation has, in every generation, been prey for persecution and genocide. Why? For no other reason than they are the apple of God's eye (Zec 2:8).

Here is the takeaway value from this noble plan. 1) Award those who have achieved excellence. Acknowledge their deeds, with wisdom, judicious insight, and without favoritism. From spouse to child, sibling to co-worker, your praise will be as cool water to a parched throat to the one who receives such honor.

2) Do not envy those who have been chosen to receive honor. Celebrate with them and you will double the blessing of the "hero," for yourself, and likely gain a friend in the process. Covetousness does not become a noble man or woman. In fact, it is contrary to the noble-minded. Choose instead to celebrate and rejoice at others achievements.

3) If you are the champion being celebrated, receive your gifts and accolades with grace and humility. And should you find that you are honored too often, advise giving the portion to another well-deserving person who may know the joy and satisfaction of a job well done.

Awarding the Curadmír — the hero's portion — is a noble plan, and it can achieve valiant outcomes and blessings. If handled poorly, it can lead to disastrous ends, so use wisdom and prayer in your quest for what is right.





"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands."
– Isaiah 32:8

SOVEREIGNTY

In the Jewish calendar, today is Tishrei 1, 5770, or Rosh Hashanah. For many engaged in synagogue observance, Rosh Hashanah carries with it the overtone of God's Sovereignty, the time of year to overtly recognize that God is the King of kings (Rev 19:16).

Sovereignty is not talked about much in today's world, expect perhaps in the political area where national sovereignty is hotly debated. Those debates show that step-by-step, sovereignty is growing out of fashion. Even the British monarchy experiences resurgent movements to dethrone the Queen.

We as a people, particularly in the United States, are used to a degree of independent freedom. And yet even in our Declaration of Independence, when we asserted ourselves as a free people, there was — and continues to be — an acknowledgement of a higher authority:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God . . . .

This is no attempt to preach on politics, or the nation's founding documents. But it does serve to draw our attention that even when declaring freedom, there was and is an acknowledgment that there is yet a higher, Sovereign Power.

Drawing once again on the religious wisdom of our Jewish friends, countless of their prayers open with the eloquence, "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe . . ." There is, within their community, a ceaseless reminder through their words and traditions of the Sovereignty of God.

So today, on this God-ordained day, let us too be reminded that our noble plans must yield to the Will of our Sovereign King.

"Kings will bring gifts to Thee" (Psalms 68:29b).





"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands."
– Isaiah 32:8

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING?

We live in a world filled with limitless distractions: things that tug at our attention: news, sports, the Internet, books, urgent matters at work, urgent matters at home. And you don't have to have Attention Deficit Disorder to fall victim to the ceasless volleys sent to keep you from doing the "important" things in life.

Let's take a look at King's David's life:

Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem (2Sa 11:1-27).

If you go on to read the rest of the story, you know that this ultimately ends in deep turmoil for David and Bathsheba, and death for Uriah.

David's sin with Bathsheba could have been avoided if he had been doing what he was supposed to be doing: "in the spring, at the time when kings go out to do battle." The king was not supposed to have idle time on his hands. He let himself get distracted.

War is an ugly business, make no mistake. It's brutal. Perhaps David didn't want to face more of that trauma. Maybe he was sick of war. Nonetheless, it was his job — no one else's.

The sin that eternally marred David's reign could have been avoided entirely if he had stayed on target and done what kings were supposed to do. His inaction opened the door to transgression.

As you go about your noble plans, make sure that you are doing what you are supposed to be doing — even if it is distasteful. Don't let yourself get distracted. Don't let yourself fall prey to all the possibilities the world has to offer to derail you and keep you off plan. Ultimately, keeping your obligations as righteous men and women of God is much more fulfilling — but more than that — it's just the right thing to do.

(Painting of King David and Uriah by Richard Serrin)

"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands."
– Isaiah 32:8

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

The song "The Impossible Dream," is once again in the headlines as it was performed at Senator Ted Kennedy's memorial service this week. This is no commentary on the late senator, but rather on the lessons learned from that inspiring song's story: Man of LaMancha.

If you've never seen the show, rent it. It is a powerful presentation not only of what is noble, right, and good, but of how the world-at-large wages war against the virtue of nobility.

Don Quixote, the main character, is cracked and there is no avoiding that fact. But, his dementia is such that he believes himself a valorous knight, righting wrongs, saving damsels in distress, and dispatching dragons (even when the "dragon" is only a wind mill). But what comes through time and again in the program is: Don Quixote sees good in almost everyone.

His demeanor at first alarms and then woos many to actually believe in themselves, and to have their lives transformed by this odd, but ever-so-noble man.

There are the other people in the story, however: those who are embarrassed by this nut of an uncle. They set out to bring him back to reality, to abandon this "noble nonsence" and get back to the real world. Ever know anyone like that? Life's wet blankets?

As you set out to live your noble plans, there will be those who embrace what you have to offer with a hunger and thirst. Everyone thirsts for the knowledge of Truth. Everyone is hungry to know that they can make a difference. Everyone has a spark within them that yearns for nobility.

He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor. — 1Sa 2:8

Yet there are others who feel such sentiments as noble living are an impossible dream, that they are unrealistic and absurd. Be forewarned and ready my friends. If it were impossible, then Christ never should have, never could have come. If you are of the household of faith, then you are a princess or a prince of the Most High God, and no nay-sayer can decry you. And if they do, it is only because 1) they have lost hope and desperately need your inspiration — though they will hide their starvation behind fat pride and corpulent masks or 2) they envy who and what you are and just as in number 1, they need you to feed their souls.

If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. — Ro 12:20

So as you go about your day-to-day routine, try being quixotic. You don't have to be a nut case, just perform random acts of kindness and beauty. And when your critics rise, bless them and realize how terribly hungry and thirsty they are.




"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands."
– Isaiah 32:8

GOLDEN GOBLETS

It is better to drink a wholesome draught of truth from a humble vessel than poison mixed with honey from a golden goblet
— Nennius, 9th Century

Packaging: it's all around us. Books are in fact judged by their cover. Wine sells not on the reputation of the vintner, but by how attractive the label looks. Ad mail arrives in your mail box designed to get you to open the envelope. And on and on and on.

Packaging has been used for a very long time: from the forbidden fruit in the garden, repurposed by the serpent to offer undeserved promises to Eve, or in Nennius' case, poison in a golden goblet. From the cars we drive to the fashions we wear, we are all "packaged" to convey a message to those who see us.

Not all packaging is evil, of course. In and of itself, packaging is neutral — neither good nor evil. How it is used by people, whether for ignoble or noble plans, helps determine the moral outcome.

How are you packaged? What message do you convey with your life? What is the moral outcome? What kind of goblet are you?

Wisdom says, ". . . drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding" (Prov 9:5-6).


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands."
– Isaiah 32:8

SPIRITUAL GRAVITAS

From Noble Plans

It seems that to be someone today, you need gravitas. From a worldly perspective, having gravitas is how you get ahead. But what about spiritual gravitas? Take a look at Philippians 4:8:

"Finally, . . . whatever is noble. . . think about such things." That's a noble plan!

Yes, there is a lot more to that verse, but I assume you have a pretty good grasp on the rest of the list: whatever is true, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. And when Paul uses the term, "finally," he is summing an important lesson.

The Geneva Commentary on this verse reads: "Whatever things are such that they beautify and set you apart with a holy gravity."

A-ha! Spiritual gravitas!

One step more, this time from King Solomon: "As you think in your heart, so you become" (Prov 23:7, my paraphrase).

Now you know how to build spiritual gravitas — think on such things as truth, nobility, righteousness, purity, loveliness, excellence, and praiseworthy — think on them, and so you will be!


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands."
– Isaiah 32:8

[The photo is my own leaf from a 16th Century Geneva Bible, with a favorite verse of mine, Deuteronomy 13:2]

FREEDOM!

One of the most memorable moments in Mel Gibson's cinematic hit Braveheart (1995) was the movie's theme of freedom. Even after 14 years, William Wallace's final bellow into the crisp blue sky, "Fr-ee-ee-ee-dom!" still rings in my ears and heart.

Freedom is a theme in the Scriptures as well: "To proclaim liberty to captives, And freedom to prisoners" (Isaiah 61:1). Yet even as far back as the 16th Century—as England was still reeling from the wounds of political and religious persecution—biblical scholars recognized that this had little to do with political freedom and everything to do with fallen man. The Geneva Bible commentary states that freedom to prisoners was a message to those "who are in the bondage of sin."

There is much in the news these days about freedom and liberty. Some feel that they are under ardent attack here in the USA. Others feel this is the time — from their world view — to expand freedoms. There has been no meeting of the minds, only an increasing friction fed by flippant speeches resulting in civil unrest such as I have not witnessed in my adult life.

I think Oswald Chambers, author of My Utmost for His Highest gets right to the heart of the matter in his book Biblical Ethics:

Paul continually dealt with people who under the guise of religion were libertines; they talked about liberty when what they really meant was, “I insist on doing what it is my right to do, and I don’t care a jot about anyone else.” That is not liberty; that is lawlessness (96 R).

We live in interesting times, to be sure. How does one rise above the fray and exhibit nobility? Once again, Oswald Chambers shares some insight:

We call liberty allowing the other fellow to please himself to the same extent as we please ourselves. True liberty is the ability earned by practice to do the right thing.
(Biblical Ethics, 96 L)

I think Paul would back up Oswald's "True liberty is the ability earned by practice to do the right thing." "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Gal 5:13).

Peter understood it as well: "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God" (1Pe 2:16).

There you have it: a noble plan for navigating the tide of incivility that threatens to stream around you. It may not be easy. Doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do is almost always difficult, made even more challenging when your way of life is being tasked with or without your consent. So as your heart calls out, "Freedom!"— avoid lawlessness, live nobly.


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands."
– Isaiah 32:8

OF CROWNS AND KINGS, & NOBLE THINGS

Few symbols represent royalty so well as a crown. They seem to have an uncanny power to bedazzle and impress. Maybe that is one of the reasons our Sovereign King, the Lord God Almighty, promises his loyal subjects a crown of their own.

• “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).
• “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1Pe 5:4).
• “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life? (Rev 2:10).

The promise seems quite clear, crowns await the faithful.

A favorite of mine is Isaiah 62:3: “You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” The Geneva Bible commentary on this verse reads, “He will value you as dear and precious as a king does his crown.”

The signs of nobility, of noble living, are found throughout the Scripture like ornaments of golden thread. Sadly, our modern culture has lost some of its savor for the symbols of sovereignty, but you are able to recapture it!

“I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your crown” (Rev 3:11).

This passage from the Book of the Revelation, with Christ’s message to the church in Sardis, clearly indicates that their crown is a foregone conclusion — if they hold fast to their faith.

Here’s a noble plan: live your life today as if you already wear your crown. Not as one who lords power over others in some arrogant, condescending way, but as a noble woman or man who bears the crown of life, the crown of glory, the crown of beauty, and the crown of righteousness. Live today as a princess or prince of the Most High God, representing His Throne and His Will here on earth. It can change your perspective on how you view yourself and others.

“There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2Ti 4:8).


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands."
— Isaiah 32:8

LESSONS FROM CAMELOT

I love stories about King Arthur and Camelot. In fact, I'm re-reading Stephen Lawhead's Pendragon Cycle right now. Since I was a boy—as I think is true of many boys—the adventures of the Knights of the Round Table captured my imagination.

Today, as I see the adventures through the eyes of age and experience, I see the stories with new understanding. The epic battles are still engaging, but the parallels to mankind's modern dilemmas are ever-present. We think we have "evolved," but even after 1,500 years, we share much in common with the characters of Camelot.

From the book Noble Plans:

It seems that in every generation, a new voice arises to this sense of nobility, or at least the desire to experience it. In the 1960’s, we had the Kennedy Whitehouse. Though I was a young boy at the time, the country seemed alive with a new sense of vigor and hope placed in the new “Camelot.” Yet as the years have gone by, all that glimmered was not gold. Decades later, the Kennedy administration is often remembered more for scandal and philandering than the noble ideals of Arthur’s Round Table. However, the dream of the Kennedy Camelot lives on unabated, revisited briefly in the 1990s during the Clinton Administration and hinted at again in the current Obama White House.

Camelot is ingrained into our cultural consciousness. Her ideals are indefatigable. We all yearn for the Kingdom of Summer where right trumps might. But for too many, they are only ideals, a glimmering wish for our troubled times.

British Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher once said, “Unless we change our ways and our direction, our greatness as a nation will soon be a footnote in the history books, a distant memory of an offshore island, lost in the mists of time like Camelot, remembered kindly for its noble past.”

The Bible is far more succinct: "Pride goeth before the fall" (Pr 16:18). When might supersedes right, when justice is redefined to fit the situation rather than the rule of law, when morals are defined by politicians rather than the Supreme Authority, then we all risk being that "footnote in the history books."

The Bible points to a realm greater than Arthur's, a majesty far beyond Camelot: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God" (Mt 6:33). Evil found Camelot arrogant, and wrought ruin upon Arthur and the Golden City. Mankind has yearned for it ever since. But the Round Table was only a symbol, a shadow whose reality is cast by Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven, our true home and the answer to that deep yearning.

Behold, a king will reign righteously, And princes will rule justly.
And each will be like a refuge from the wind, And a shelter from the storm, Like streams of water in a dry country, Like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land.
Then the eyes of those who see will not be blinded, And the ears of those who hear will listen.
And the mind of the hasty will discern the truth, And the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak clearly.
No longer will the fool be called noble, Or the rogue be spoken of as generous.
For a fool speaks nonsense, And his heart inclines toward wickedness, To practice ungodliness and to speak error against the LORD, To keep the hungry person unsatisfied And to withhold drink from the thirsty.
As for a rogue, his weapons are evil; He devises wicked schemes To destroy the afflicted with slander, Even though the needy one speaks what is right.
But the noble man devises noble plans; And by noble plans he stands (Isaiah 32:1-8).

"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands" (Isaiah 32:8)

LOYALTY & NOBLE PLANS

From Noble Plans

Back in the day it was called “fealty,” a French word from the Latin fidelitas, where we also get our word “fidelity.” Unless you’re reading a medieval treatise or novel though, you don’t encounter “fealty” very often. Today’s close approximation is “loyalty.”

Again, back in the day, everyone, from peasant to lord owed fealty—loyalty—to the king. At times this was assumed, as from a peasant to his noble. At others, it was a service performed by nobles to their monarch (sometimes a new king), when oaths of loyalty were sworn and enforced. To break a vow of loyalty could mean death.

Today, unless you’re talking about your dog, loyalty is not given much thought. Employees and employers are often only interested in loyalty as far as the law requires them to be loyal. Brand loyalty, a much sought-after trait by marketers of yesteryear, is passé as everyone hops from one deal to the next best deal. For some, even friendships and marriages deserve loyalty, but only as long as the relationship meets their perceived needs and keeps them “happy.”

For the Christian, loyalty can be a lonely business. Sticking to your convictions can cost friends and even family members. It can cost you your business, your happiness. In short: loyalty costs.

Oswald Chambers, I think, helps put it all into perspective: “Christian service is not our work; loyalty to Jesus is our work.” You can have all the noble plans in the world, but if your loyalty is misplaced, focused more on the plan than on the Person, then your noble plans have forgotten the key component. Even God tells us, “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice,” (Hosea 6:6).

As you pursue life and your noble plans, it is good to keep in mind that “He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness, and honor” (Pr 21:21).

How loyal are you?


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands" – Isaiah 32:8

THE YEARNING

“The yearning for regal bearing is there, deep within our hungry souls, but the actualization, the manifestation of that truth is often resigned to children’s fairy tales, myth, and surrendered to the realm of legend”—from the upcoming book, Noble Plans.

When I share my heart behind Noble Plans there are generally one of two responses. There are those who immediately grasp the concept because it has been playing in the back of their minds for years. They latch onto the virtues of noble living as if they had needed permission.

Then there are those who glance at me askance as if to say, “Yea, right. You go on telling yourself that, but life doesn’t work that way.” They are the ones who somewhere deep inside yearn to make noble plans, but have relegated their regal calling to the realm of fairy tales and legend.

I cannot blame the second group. Most of them have be taught, either by those in authority or by life’s hard knocks, that regal living is myth. Their skepticism has its reasons. Sadly however, it denies the words of Scripture:

• “You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings” (1 Corinthians 4:8).
• “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness . . .” (Matthew 6:33).
• “For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble” (1 Corinthians 1:26).
• “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory” (1Samuel 2:8).

The Bible holds many, many more such examples.

If you are eager to embrace a noble life, then do so. If there is a yearning burning inside you to live as a princess or prince of the Great High King, then wait for no one — embody those principles!

If on the other hand, you think the ideal is fine, but the actualization too far a stretch, then reexamine the Scriptures. Has God called you spiritually to live as a prince or as a pauper?


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands"

PROOF AND APPROVAL

If you have seen the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,* did you happen to catch this exchange between King Peter and Queen Lucy? The region of Narnia (it’s been stripped of kingship) is in perilous trouble, and Peter is staring at a mural of Aslan, the Great Lion and Sovereign over all. When they had faced danger before, Aslan came to their rescue and guided the kings and queens with his wisdom. It’s been over a thousand years since anyone has seen Aslan, and even King Peter is beginning to have doubts.

Peter: You've seen [Aslan]. I wish he'd just given me some sort of proof.
Lucy: Maybe we're the ones that need to prove ourselves to him.

It is so easy, isn’t it, to want proof that we are on the right path; making the right decisions; following our calling; or making noble plans that glorify the King of kings? We are a society of women and men who are evaluated routinely on our performance, as people, as workers, as parents, siblings, children, from the boardroom to the bedroom and everywhere in-between. We yearn for approval, for “proof” as Peter put it, because we have been trained up from a very early age to perform.

In his bestselling devotional My Utmost for His Highest,** Oswald Chambers writes: “God’s revelation of Himself to me is influenced by my character, not by God’s character.” That was part of High King Peter’s problem. His doubts about himself transferred into his doubts about Aslan.

That is routinely our problem too.

Queen Lucy had the perfect answer; “Maybe we're the ones that need to prove ourselves to him.” That is the crux isn’t it? In most cases, we have the tools. We often have experience. But when things get rough, we’re busy seeking approval when in fact; we have already been approved as witnessed by another Peter . . .

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Peter 2:9).

If you are struggling today, needing a hand up, then think on this: if Christ is your King, then you have already been chosen as an ambassador, an heir, a princess or prince of the Throne of the Most High. You have what you need. You are approved.

So be encouraged. Go, act on what you know is right in the eyes of God and His Word, fulfill your noble plans, and as you go, tell others, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat 10:7).


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands" (Isaiah 32:8).

*The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) Walden Media
** My Utmost for His Highest, Discovery House Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI

HONOUR AND THE NOBLE PLAN

Excerpted from Noble Plans and the chapter "On My Honour":

In the medieval period, a lord or lady’s honour was the group of manors or lands he or she held. “The word was first used indicating an estate which gave its holder dignity and status.”* For a person to say “on my honour” was not just an affirmation of his or her integrity and rank, but the veracity behind that phrase meant he or she was willing to offer up estates as pledge and guarantee. (Excerpted from Noble Plans)

The meaning of honor has changed over time, hasn't it? What about the biblical definition?

One Hebrew word for "honor" is kabad, and like a coin, this singular word has two sides to it. Side one: honor, glorify, abundance. The other side: heavy, burdensome. Think about that for a moment, that biblically, one cannot come without the other. Perhaps that brings some clarity to Exodus 20:12, were we are instructed to "honor/kabad" both father and mother.

Again, time has greatly diluted the early understanding and application of "honor." Is there a way to recapture some of the old "recipe?" Can life be lived so that when we give our word, it has the full pledge of all we are behind it? Can honor be received knowing and accepting the burdens that come with it?

Here is something to think about as you make your noble plans: "But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no, no" (James 5:12). As fellow sharers in the inheritance of the Great High King, our word is our bond. When you say "yes," stand by your word. When you say "no," mean it and do not stray. You are the Sovereign's ambassador in this world (2Co 5:20 ). He would not waiver, He would not change His Word. As His appointed ambassador, bearing the honor of the Sovereign King, should you?


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands"

*A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases, Christopher Corédon, ©2004, D.S. Brewer, Cambridge

NOBLE PLANS - WHY SOME JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND

Have you read C. S. Lewis’ book The Weight of Glory? If not, there is a host of gems, a treasure-trove of wisdom waiting for you in that 198-page book. You’re heard it said, “Never judge a book by its cover.” The axiom certainly applies to The Weight of Glory. *

Yesterday I finished the chapter “Translation,” and today, I have a new perspective on my fellow man and sadly, the failings of my own human condition. I better understand why, even after decades of trying to be a Christ-like example to friends, neighbors, and relatives, they still see the faith as “foolishness” (1Co 1:23). Even among my believing friends, the pursuit of noble plans is often viewed with blank and sometimes amused stares. And of course, as I have tried to comprehend why God has trudged me down some of the difficult paths He has taken me, I begin to grasp why I am inadequate to the task.

Despite a great yearning, I could never articulate the context as well as C. S. Lewis, but to reiterate what I can in my own words: imagine that you are on a team of explorers into the deepest of unknown jungles. There, you stumble upon a young man, perhaps in his twenties, who has never met another human being. He sees you, he sees that you have arms, legs, faces, and hair . . . he hears you uttering sounds from your lips.

But there the associations come to a startling halt. Nothing else about you is familiar: the “words” you speak are gibberish; the clothes you wear are a complete and total shock. The tools you hold are beyond his frame of reference and appear “magical.” In short, he cannot understand you. He sees that you are similar, and he wants to understand, but he cannot.

On the other hand, in sheer moments upon meeting the lad, you have a total comprehension of his situation. Not only do you understand his predicament, your brains are filtering through a world of knowledge and questions at your disposal: “Where did he come from?” “Is he a survivor from that crash 17 years ago?” “Would he be the son of professor so-and-so?” These are questions and concepts the young man has no ability to understand, let alone ask himself.

“But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1Co 2:14).

To share a more contemporary example, in the 1967 episode of Star Trek, “Mirror, Mirror,” Captain Kirk and his companions return from an alternate universe, where he and his ship were responsible for what would be unspeakable crimes in our universe. During the episode, “good” Kirk was transported into their reality and the “bad” Kirk and companions were brought here. As the program draws to a close, Kirk asks his first officer Spock, how he knew the “bad” Captain Kirk was not him. Spock’s response? “It was far easier for you as civilized men to behave like barbarians than it was for them as barbarians to behave like civilized men.”

In short, those who do not have the ability to see the world from a biblical worldview, will always have a difficult, if not impossible time grasping its meaning. In its place they will attempt to fill it with every form of counterfeit and seemingly noble plan, yearning as that young man in our jungle story would have: to relate, to share, and to partake. And sadly, barbarism may rise in the vacuum of biblical literacy, as has been the case in modern history (i.e. Nazi occupied Europe, Bosnia, Iraq, Yugoslavia, and the list goes on).

The take away:

1) In the Scriptures, the faithful are often referred to as “the elect” or “the chosen” (ref: Ps 105:43, Isa 43:20, Mt 24:22, Mt 24:31, Lu 18:7, Ro 8:33, 1Pe 2:9). Think on that, my friend, and with new eyes understand what that means! Beyond your salvation, ponder the incredible gift that God has elected you to share! Paul understood and speaks across the eons to us today, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1Co 2:14). God has called — or is calling you — out of that darkness and into His light (2Co 4:6).

2) You may not now — or ever — comprehend why your life is as it is, why the hardships and trials you have had to endure have happened, or perhaps even why your life has been so trouble-free when you witness such agony around you. Take hope, friend. “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known” (1Co 13:12).

3) Have compassion on your fellow man. It can be frustrating even to the point of anger and abandonment to share your spiritual convictions with those outside the fold (and few things anger them more than to realize that their intellect is not up to the task). What compassion would you shower on a youth found in the jungle? It would be great! It would be rich with hope, love, and patience. So let it be for those in your network of friend and family, your neighbors and co-workers. “Have mercy (compassion) on some, who are doubting” (Jude 22 – parenthesis mine). This is a noble plan.


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands"

*The Weight of Glory, C. S. Lewis, HarperOne, ISBN: 978-0060653200

LETTERS PATENT

From Noble Plans

In the medieval period a noble document meant to be read publicly were called Letters Patent.

"These were royal letters, sent open with a seal and pendant attached Their contents were not considered to be secret. Such letters authorised an action or instructed for instance, a sheriff to act. "*

In this day and age of e-mails, tweets, and instant messaging, it would be a rare and exotic thing indeed to receive a parchment bearing a message written in ink by quill, emblazoned with a wax seal and a pendant.

Yet I am reminded of the words of Rabbi Saul of Tarsus in 2Cor 3:2-3 where he refers to Christ's disciples as living letters, "known and read by all."

That means you, beloved. You are that rare parchment, sealed with the noble and eternal sign of the King of kings. You are His Letter Patent, bearing the seal and sentiment of your Sovereign.

When people read you — and they most certainly do — what do they read?

Being God's Letter Patent is a noble part of being an heir of the King, and an important aspect of any disciple's noble plan.


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands"

* (A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases, Christopher Corèdon with Ann Williams, ©2004, D. S. Brewer, Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK, p. 175)

LOOK AND REMEMBER

In Numbers 15:39, God instructs his people to tie fringes to the corners of their garments to "look upon and remember." In fact, the spiritual principle of "look . . . remember" occurs often in the Scripture. Why?

I believe it is because we humans have a remarkable capacity to forget. God knows this, which is why we are so often called upon to "remember" (Ex 13:3, Deut 5:15, Deut 8:18, Ps 105:5, John 15:20, 2Ti 2:8). So we have cycles of seasons and holidays, rituals, and reminders, from festival favorites to wedding rings, from calendars to bobble heads: all of which serve to remind us of those things which are important, of things about which we are passionate.

While desktop wallpaper certain does not rank up there with Scripture, nor should it, it can serve a positive purpose, and for those seeking to live noble lives and make noble plans, these can be constant reminders so you "look and remember."

Here are free desktop wallpaper files for you to download, to help you in your quest to make and remember your noble plans.


Noble Plans Desktop No. 1

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Noble Plans Desktop No. 3

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Noble Plans Desktop No. 4

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Noble Plans Desktop No. 5

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"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands"

MY SPEECH – MAY IT PRAISE YOU

"My speech – may it praise you without flaw:
may my heart love you, King of Heaven and of earth."
This prayer from 12th Century Ireland shows that in any epoch, watching the tongue is crucial.

James’ letter says much the same thing, but from the negative perspective: “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison” (James 3:8).

The next time you find yourself on the verge of letting go with some restless evil full of deadly poison, no matter how much you think old so-and-so deserves it, I’d like for you to try something if you would.

Look at whomever you’d like to give a piece of your mind, and see them through the eyes of compassion. If you do, if you truly do, I think you’ll find your anger melts away with the compassion of Christ. You can probably still get your point across, but by taking a path of compassion that heals and doesn’t hurt.

We’re going to explore “compassion” more in the near future, but for now try seeing others through compassion’s eyes. It’s a noble plan.


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands"

THANK YOU STEPHEN LAWHEAD

I grew up in the age of astronauts landing on the moon and first-run episodes of Star Trek. And while my enthusiasm for space and that final frontier has never abated, my heart is continuously stirred by the age-old stories of knights and daring-dos: of staring down the gullet of a fire-breathing dragon with only your wits and a sword. Of noble women and men putting everything on the line out of loyalty to a righteous ideal.

Even as I write this, the very thought of such noble deeds make my heart beat a little faster.

Few authors have fully captured the nuances, depth, and “reality” of nobility as Stephen R. Lawhead. His books kindled a fire in me many years ago and frankly, he cannot write fast enough to curb my appetite.

Stephen Lawhead is a best-selling author, largely in the fantasy genre. He also has an uncanny ability to slide biblical principles in under the radar so his works are equally popular in both the Christian and secular marketplaces. He weaves fiction together with history and culture, stitched together with elegantly believable characters, to create a artfully crafted and colorful tapestry.

Yes, if you cannot tell, I like his work. But Stephen Lawhead has accomplished far more than to merely entertain me. As I read, and re-read his texts, he was planting a hunger in me, a yearning for nobility in my daily life. I didn’t know it at the time. I had no idea he was covertly conspiring with the Holy Spirit to mold me.

But he did.

Here’s a sample:

I have seen a land shining with goodness where each man protects his brother’s dignity as readily as his own, where war and want have ceased and all races live under the same law of love and honor.

I have seen a land bright with truth, where a man’s word is his pledge and falsehood is banished, where children sleep safe in their mother’s arms and never know fear or pain.

I have seen a land where kings extend their hands in justice rather than reach for the sword; where mercy, kindness, and compassion flow like deep water over the land, and men revere virtue, revere truth, revere beauty, above comfort, pleasure, or selfish gain. A land where peace reigns in the hearts of men; where faith blazes like a beacon from every hill and love like a fire from every hearth; where the True God is worshiped and his ways acclaimed by all.*

I still feel a tug in my soul when I read that.

Thank you, Stephen Lawhead. You, along with J. R.. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and others have added such richness to my life, my family—and most of all—to my faith.


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands"

*Arthur: the Pendragon Cycle by Stephen R. Lawhead, ©1989, Crossway Books, p.136

ALL THAT IS GOLD

From Noble Plans: Chapter Two

The very notion of everyday people owning anything gold would have been inconceivable not too long ago. In a season where home ownership is an American ideal, we forget that in mother-Europe, landowners were few and serfs or peasants who worked the land were esteemed the disposable and renewable resource. Property, gold, silver, rubies, and diamonds, the very symbols of royalty have, like so many other things in our modern culture, lost much of their intrinsic value by virtue of becoming commonplace—so commonplace that TV networks run round-the-clock sales.

Regretfully, commonness has also overcome holiness. It has been diluted to the point that it bears little semblance to what it once did . . . .

. . . There is a constant call on God’s people for holiness. That does not mean worship only or service only, though those are crucial and worthy aspects of the life of the faithful. It means exactly what it meant in the age of the Bible: the consecration and separation of a Holy Bride for a Holy Bridegroom, the King of all the earth. Our modern distance from regal devices and sovereign rule do not give us leave to do as they did in the days before God established His temple in Jerusalem. “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). Proverbs tells us, “Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts (Prov 21:2, italics mine).

How would you be, if he, that is the top of judgment,
should but judge you as you are?
O, think on that;
and mercy then will breathe within your lips,
like man new made.
–William Shakespeare


"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands"

[Photo: St. Edward's Crown]

NOBLE PLANS – THE BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

Behold, a king will reign righteously, And princes will rule justly.

And each will be like a refuge from the wind, And a shelter from the storm, Like streams of water in a dry country, Like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land.

Then the eyes of those who see will not be blinded, And the ears of those who hear will listen.

And the mind of the hasty will discern the truth, And the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak clearly.

No longer will the fool be called noble, Or the rogue be spoken of as generous.

For a fool speaks nonsense, And his heart inclines toward wickedness, To practice ungodliness and to speak error against the LORD, To keep the hungry person unsatisfied And to withhold drink from the thirsty.

As for a rogue, his weapons are evil; He devises wicked schemes To destroy the afflicted with slander, Even though the needy one speaks what is right.

But the noble man devises noble plans; And by noble plans he stands.

(Isaiah 32:1-8, NASB)