“You learn to write by writing….The only way to learn to write is to force yourself to produce a certain number of words on a regular basis.” [Zinsser, William Knowlton. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction. New York: HarperCollins, 2006. p. 49]
I have been encouraged recently to start writing — real writing, not just memos, cleverly crafted emails, or edits of others’ material. While writing is a challenge to me, I love learning, especially through reading. I find great joy in sharing my discoveries with others (motivated, I’m sure, by mixture of teaching gift and selfish pride, in various proportions). I am passionate about what I learn about, especially the wonder of God, His love for us in Christ and our present and future hope.
Therefore, in response to my friends’ encouragement and preparation for potential doctoral work I’ve begun studying the art and craft of writing. Everything that I have read thus far echo Zinsser’s quote above: learning to write requires writing a lot and writing daily. I felt defeated before even beginning, especially because of the time involved.
I was fortunate to find Joshua Mann’s blog in which he outlines the benefits of creating an Academic Blog. Joshua’s advice tipped the scale for me to launch the Cornovum blog last week.
Cornovum.net is a work in progress. Thus far, I feel that I am thrashing about in content as I force myself to write regularly, but ask your patience and indulgence as I “learn to walk” in this new discipline. I will share from the treasures that I am finding along the way as you and I grow in our understanding of and love for God.
So, today I offer two thoughts from the weekend. The first was sparked by Matthew Browne’s sermon yesterday at Roswell Community Church. The written Word of God is the primary object of our study. Why? Because it is the testimony of the Living Word of God. Love of the Living Word should move our hearts to love the Written Word (and vice versa). All subsequent study (theological, historical, philosophical, etc.) should be grounded in, and in response to, God’s love for us revealed in His Word.
The second thought comes from Deuteronomy. Chapters 4 and 7 have stood out to me, especially the heart of God and the love of God. The words “love,” “loved,” and “loving” occur 22 times in this book. See, for instance, how those words are piled on in these few verses:
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations….” (Deut 7:6-9 ESV)
Likewise, when we were “dead in our trespasses and sins” Christ “brought us out from [the house of slavery], that he might bring us in and give us the land [of promise]” (Deut 6:23) — our justification and sanctification. (cf John 3:16)
“God chose what is low and despised in the world, … so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, righteousness, and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Cor 1:28-30 ESV)
As Cornovum.net progresses, Lord, may the only boasting be how You have lavished Your love on us for Your glory and our good through Jesus Christ. Amen.