Wassup with Arthur?

I've been enjoying some holidays of late and consequently have devoured almost 5 books...all the same series I might add. The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead. It has been very enjoyable indeed. I am just beginning the last (and 5th) book; Grail.

You may think...ew... it's all magic and spooky stuff but that would be where you are mistaken my friends. Godly character is paramount in this book and runs as a constant theme throughout the series.

Don't get me wrong I absolutely love the time (5th - 6th century), settings (England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland), and the culture that surrounds these early British characters - barbarian and Lord's alike.

Imagine if you would...

Returning from a great victory battling the Barbarian hordes to a 3 day feast to honour the self-sacrificing feats performed on the field of honour. Whole beasts spit roasted and vats of cold dark frothy beer, rich mead and breads fresh from the ovens. Sitting at the board in the High King's Hall feasting on whole joints of meat and drinking from horns whilst listening to the Bards expertly playing their stringed instruments. They would spin lyrics in praise to the Most High God and His Son Jesu (Jesus) while re-telling stories of heroic battle feats and singing laments for the fallen faithful...ahh take me back.

King Arthur is a main character through several of the books and i'm sure most have heard at least something of him. Pulling a sword from a stone perhaps?

He has his failings as do we all, but it is His Godly character, honesty, steadfastness, courage and faith that i've really enjoyed seeing develop through this series.

Here's a quote or two for you...(from the Bible not Stephen Lawhead)

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. (James 1: 2-4)

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. (Romans 5: 3,4)

Now we get to the real point of this blog...CHARACTER.

I want to be a man of good and Godly character. Why? Because your character affects everything you do and I might add things you don't do also.

• Are you honest all the time? My wife is and I love her for it, even though sometimes the truth hurts.


• Do you gossip or pull others down with the words you speak?


• Do you continually seek your own pleasure or do you freely sow yourself into the lives of others?


• Do you only love those that love you?


• Will you stand up for right even at great cost?

The testing of our character comes in many ways, shapes and forms; but be assured it comes! How will you handle the next test?

I don't believe that you can suddenly say...'right - from now on i'm a man or woman of the highest character.' Check out Ralph Waldo Emerson's famous quote...

'Sow thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny."

But the good news is that if we begin to chop off bad thoughts (which come like it or not) we can prevent a bad action - habit - character - destiny.

If we take a leaf from King Arthur's book and bow the knee to the Most High God and His Son Jesu, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us then we might just reap an eternal destiny that far outweighs any trial or trouble we may experience in our earthly lifetimes.


So Be It!

Charge!