WE ALL NEED A BRYCE AND A LORETUS: COMMENTARY ON R. J. LARSON'S BOOKS OF THE INFINITE TRILOGY (REPRINT)

Fightmaster Loretus from R. J. Larson's Book of the Infinite Trilogy.

Those on Facebook may, like me, get a daily memories list of previous posts. I found one that I thought was a good topic. Originally, it was a "note" I posted on Facebook. I had forgotten that I posted it Mid-February, 2021. But it definitely is a favorite of mine.

At the end of King, the finale of R. J. Larson's Books of the Infinite trilogy, she had a question on our favorite supporting characters. I mentioned four, and shared it with the author. One was a Destroyer (an overgrown horse) named Scythe, though a main character chose to call him Pet. Larson mentioned that was a popular answer. My other three characters got a combined one mention: That was Tsir Aun, a gentle milatry commander who became a prime minister, and who always commented that Ela the prophetess (the character I referred to above) was always getting into trouble.

My favorite was Bryce. The other main charater, Kien Lantec, found himself appointed to govern a region of Siphra in the second book, Judge, as a reward to saving King Akabe's life...an unwanted reward. Bryce was assigned as a steward. What I liked is that Bryce was loyal, had Kien's back, but would not hear of Kien backing out of his role. Kien told him not to call him "Lord", and Bryce wouldn't hear of it. Bryce also appeared in King, but it was his role in the first story that won me to him. 

Another was Fightmaster Loretus, who I considered honorable mention. He also was introduced in Judge, assigned by King Akabe to train Kien for battle. The thing that impressed me -- in King, you can see that Loretus was no less loyal, probably no less fond, of Kien as Bryce was. But he had a different role. Bryce was the companion who fought beside. Loretus' job was to toughen Kien up, a job Loretus relished. And while Kien wouldn't admit it, I'm sure he knew Loretus was a faithful friend as well.

We all need a Bryce and a Loretus in our lives, both in general and especially in ministry. We need someone who has our back and supports us ... except when we want to step away from what God has called us to do. One who will defend us to the death, but will not hear of us retreating or surrendering. And we also need someone who will test us -- not to break us but so we're ready for the real battle.That's what church is about. It's where we meet with our Bryces and Loretuses. That's why we're not to forsake our assembling of ourselves together.

But whether our church needs a Scythe/Pet is another matter.

SUNDAY PSALMS PART 47 OF 48 - PSALM 149

 

Yavapai County Courthouse, Prescott, Arizona

1   Praise the LORD! 

    Sing to the LORD a new song, 

    And His praise in the assembly of saints. 

2   Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; 

    Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 

3   Let them praise His name with the dance; 

    Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. 

4   For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; 

    He will beautify the humble with salvation. 

5  Let the saints be joyful in glory; 

    Let them sing aloud on their beds. 

6  Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, 

    And a two-edged sword in their hand, 

7   To execute vengeance on the nations, 

    And punishments on the peoples; 

8   To bind their kings with chains, 

    And their nobles with fetters of iron; 

9   To execute on them the written judgment-- 

    This honor have all His saints. 

    Praise the LORD! 

                        Psalm 149:1-9, New King James Version

Yes, I've talked about some of my favorite Psalms. But if I would pick one Psalm, gather together a half to a full dozen of my theologically minded friends, and discuss that Psalm and what it means and how to apply it, this would be that Psalm. Allow me to highlight three points of the Psalm that put it in this category.

1. Verse one tells us to sing to the Lord a new song, and to sing it to the assembly of the upright. What is meant by a new song? I'd love to hear the above mentioned 6-12 friends give me their interpretations, and I'm sure at least one would  give the meaning of the original languages and the cultural setting, but I'll suggest it might include those that God has given the talent to write songs may compose new songs. I also love the concept of the assembly of the upright.
2. Verse four is an encouragement - that the Lord takes pleasure in His people and will beautify the humble with salvation. Isn't that a wonderful hope?
3. The passage that I want to discuss with those 6-12 friends (could they be considered an assembly of the upright) is the last half of the Psalm. It starts out with them receiving glory and singing praise to God. But then in verse 6, it mentions letting the high praise of God be in their mouth (which is typical in the Psalms) and a sharp two edged sword in their hand (not typical for the Psalm). It goes on to say that they'll punish the nations, bind the kings and execute on them the judgment. It then adds, "This honor have all the saints. Praise the LORD."

Wouldn't that be an interesting discussion?

Note. This is part 47 of 48 of my Sunday Psalms series. However, I'm taking a four week break from this series, and will conclude it on New Year's Eve.

SUNDAY PSALMS PART 38 OF 48 - PSALM 122:1

 

Christians United Church, Indianapolis

I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go into the house of the Lord."
Psalm 122:1, New King James Version

Aren't you glad when people say to you, "Let's go to the house of the Lord?" If so, why not?

Yes, unfortunately there are churches who love hurting people while others love hurting people. Wheat and tares are gathered together in the same sanctuary, and it's often there that the tares become recognized. When that happens, it's understandable why they don't want to darken the door of the church. 

However, does our experience take precedence over the words of the author of Hebrews: "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembly of yourselves together as is the manner of some, but exhort one another, and so much more as you see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)? Because of the sin of others, are we granted permission of living in disobedience ourselves?

Is part of the problem that we're focusing on our own interests and ignoring the interests of others, contrary to Philippians 2:4? We're expecting others to love us, but are we loving each other? Maybe if we are treating each other as we should, they would be built up. Likewise, maybe we're called to stand up to those who are hurting others.

One thing to remember - the people we're either assembling with in church or avoiding by not assembling will be with us in heaven. Plus, they're all people Christ loves. And didn't Jesus say that if two or three are gathered together in His name, He's in the midst?

I don't know about you, but I'm glad when they say to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."

 
 

WE ALL NEED A BRYCE AND A LORETUS

This was originally a "note" on Facebook. Well, today, I found out that the notes section was missing. I was able to dig this up, and hope this is a more permanent form. It's one of my favorite blogs that I've written, and so I wanted to share it. I did edit it a little.

At the end of King, the finale of R. J. Larson's Books of the Infinite trilogy, she had a question on our favorite supporting characters. I mentioned four, and shared it with the author. One was a Destroyer (an overgrown horse) named Scythe, though a main character chose to call him Pet. Larson mentioned that was a popular answer. My other three characters got a combined one mention: The lucky one was Tsir Aun, a gentle milatry commander who became a prime minister, and who always commented that Ela the prophetess (the character I referred to above) was always getting into trouble.

One of the other two was Bryce. The other main charater, Kien Lantec, found himself appointed to govern a region of Siphra in the second book, Judge, as a reward to saving King Akabe's life...an unwanted reward. Bryce was assigned as a steward. What I liked is that Bryce was loyal, had Kien's back, but would not hear of Kien backing out of his role. Kien told him not to call him "Lord", and Bryce wouldn't hear of it. Bryce also appeared in King, but it was his role in the first story that won me to him.

The last one was Loretus (pictured above). He also was introduced in Judge, assigned by King Akabe to train Kien for battle. The thing that impressed me -- in King, you can see that Loretus was no less loyal, probably no less fond, of Kien as Bryce was. But he had a different role. Bryce was the companion who fought beside. Loretus' job was to toughen Kien up, a job Loretus relished. And while Kien wouldn't admit it, I'm sure he knew Loretus was a faithful friend as well.

We all need a Bryce and a Loretus in our lives, both in general and especially in ministry. We need someone who has our back and supports us ... except when we want to step away from what God has called us to do. One who will defend us to the death, but will not hear of us retreating or surrendering. And we also need someone who will test us -- not to break us but so we're ready for the real battle.

That's what church is about. It's where we meet with our Bryces and Loretuses. That's why we're not to forsake our assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:24-25). We're supposed to be stirring up one another to love and good works and exhort each other, exactly as Bryce and Loretus have done for Kien.

But whether our church needs a Scythe/Pet is another matter. He's got a bit of a rebellious streak. And he takes up a lot more space.

Do you have any Bryces or Loretuses in your life? (Or a Scythe/Pet for that matter?) 

Let Us Stir Up Love And Good Works!

"And consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, but exhort one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25, NKJV)
We're probably familiar with verse 25, which starts with the word "not". We may not be as familiar with the preceding verse, which actually begins the sentence. And we may put the emphasis on the "don't forsake the assembling" instead of "exhort one another."

Likewise, we may look at our well organized church service as fulfilling that passage. But Hebrews is not a pastoral epistle. It is talking to the whole church. The leadership's job is to equip believers for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-12). We should be involved in this as well.

Let me move to the writers and musicians and artists. Are we focused on stirring up love and good works in our talents? 

One thing I miss in church services is special music, though I think special music could go deeper. Often, it is a singer singing a song everybody knows that some established singer or group has previously recorded. To me, it could be a 3-4 minute sermon with musical accompaniment. Also, it could be an opportunity to develop songwriters in the church.

We are in a time where there are limits on indoor meetings, and in California singing is banned because of COVID. But are we able to meet in small groups? Can we work together to meet urgent needs? 

What are ways we can stir up love and good works?