Month: January 2022

Scripture is the Best Script

Not too long ago, I saw a live dramatized recitation of “Revelation” performed by Marquis Laughlin.  From memory, Laughlin recited the entire Biblical book called Revelation, word for word.  He used no props that I recall, but his inflections and voices, sound effects, physical motions and posturing presented a powerful rendition of God’s Word and only God’s Word!  The theatrical performance of “Revelation” lasted about two hours, in two acts, but it was spellbinding throughout!

Marquis Laughlin delivers a theatrical rendition of Revelation. Learn more at actsoftheword.com

As part of the program, Laughlin shared some of his story and how he got into dramatic recitations of the Bible.  Early in his life and career, Laughlin wanted to be an actor.  He went to California to pursue an acting career.  While in California, a faith in Jesus Christ was born in his life.  He began to grow and mature in his new Christian faith.  He wondered how his beliefs would impact his acting career.  Eventually, Laughlin concluded “Scripture was the best script” and he began his work in theatrical performances of the Bible.  His ministry, for over two decades now, is “Acts of the Word.”

Marquis Laughlin’s story illustrates the transformative power of the Gospel.  Among other things, for him, it meant a shift in his career plans.  As one deepens in true Christian faith, beliefs will permeate all aspects of one’s life.  Social choices, finances, lifestyle, education, health issues and more are surrendered to God.  With Laughlin’s career redirection, it could wrongly be assumed that all Christians must go into some kind of ministry work.   This is not at all what I believe God requires.  Instead, our faith infuses whatever career God leads us to!  That is why there are great Christian chefs, electricians, scientists, artists, medical personnel, you name it!  As my father once wrote in a pamphlet on careers, “Every human activity provides a way for your light to shine.”*

A few years ago, I had my Bible rebound. The result was beautiful; a treasure preserved.

“Scripture is the best script” reiterates the theme and place where I always like to land in “A Writer’s Daughter.”  The Bible is the most useful textbook, manual, or script ever written.  Read the script, study the textbook whenever you can, for every reason.  I have added a new tab to my blog:  “How to Read the Bible,” for those of you who may need direction with Bible reading.

*Kucharsky, David E. (1995)  Where in the World Are You Going? [pamphlet].  Christian Publications, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

 

 

 

 

Cynicism in 2022

A while ago, a friend sent our family an article of my dad’s that he had come across.  It is interesting for me to see glimpses into my father’s writing; I did not read a lot of what he wrote at the time and much of his work was on the editing and publication side.

The scan of my dad’s article doesn’t photograph well, but we appreciate the thoughtfulness of the one who sent it.  My niece recently came upon some of my dad’s work in her graduate research.  It delights us to discover this legacy!

The piece was on the topic of cynicism and was written in 1975 for a Christian magazine**.  Cynicism is a timeless subject; my father noted that cynicism “was everywhere these days.”  His examples of cynical responses included politicians dodging difficult issues, dismay over declining product quality, and sports teams like the Washington Capitals always having losing seasons – it was decades before the Caps won the Stanley Cup!

Dad’s article traced the origins of cynicism to ancient Greece, where a group called Cynics, founded by Diogenes, sought virtue and a life close to nature.  But one member acted rather cynically as we would understand the term, going “about the streets with a lantern in broad daylight, looking for an honest person.”  That search is eerily applicable today!

Cynicism has several close cousins:  sarcasm, skepticism, apathy, despair, and negativity, to name a few.  It can be comic or bitter.  The full title of my father’s article was “The Sport of Cynicism: Is it a game Christians should play?” His advice was to not allow “a sense of caution [to] deteriorate into a sneering manner.”  To do so, he said, was an evil influence.

As we begin this new year of 2022, one could feel very pessimistic.  The on-going pandemic and the continued division over its management are only the tip of the troubles we face.  As believers in God and in His sovereign plan for us, we should not feel hopeless.  My father’s article suggested two responses preferable to cynicism.  The first was gratitude.  I couldn’t agree more.  Genuine thankfulness prevents complaints and discontentment.  The second was patience; patience with difficult people and patience in continuing adversity.  The Lord gives these two perspectives to those who pray and seek Him, submitting themselves to His work in their lives.

And in a conclusion that should be completely familiar to readers of “A Writer’s Daughter,” my dad ended his piece quoting Scripture: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.”  (Colossians 3:16)  As God’s wise Word fills our minds and hearts, cynicism and fear cannot take hold.

I am thankful for my heritage.

**We looked into various periodicals that we thought dad’s piece might have been published in, but we were unable to determine that.