Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Reflection - Number Our Days - Readiness

Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 49, "Readiness", Page 225.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.


If you know the enemy and know yourself, the victory is not at risk.
PHOTO: If you know the enemy and know yourself, the victory is not at risk.
- Sun Tzu, The Art Of War (c. 400 BC)

Our son Randy, whose business is to know such things, told me about the OODA Loop the other day.

The OODA Loop comes from Colonel John Boyd and his concept of decision making in battlefield conditions. OODA is an acronym for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act. In its simplest form it describes the process by which combatants react to an enemy threat: (1) they observe the threat as it occurs; (2) they orient themselves to the threat; (3) they decide what action they will take, and (4) they act. All of which takes a certain amount of time.

Boyd's theory claims that the key to success in an encounter is to shorten a combatant's reaction time by formulating a strategy ahead of time for dealing with specific threats. In other words, one thinks through the Loop before an encounter.

Success, therefore, depends on mental preparation: anticipating every strategy an opponent might use and deciding in advance what one's response will be so that when an attack occurs the appropriate action becomes instinctual and automatic.

This theory has an elegant simplicity that lends itself to many applications, not the least of which is our ongoing conflict with evil - within and without. It offers what the wise person needs, according to Proverbs: guidance for waging war and wise counsel for victory. (Proverbs 24:5-6)

It seems to me that Peter had something like Boyd's promise in mind when he enjoined us to "be self-controlled [think it through] and alert [in readiness], [for] your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) In other words, we must be mentally prepared and know what to do when under attack.

This readiness is what early Christians called solertia, a Latin word that means a process of deliberation by which an individual envisions an impending circumstance and prepares for it by deciding beforehand what she or he will do. Thus, when the crisis arrives the person is not driven by emotion and passion, but by calm. reasoned resolution. This is providentia (another word the early Christians used) or "seeing before" - envisioning what needs to be done before one has to do it and giving thought to what has to be done and how to do it.

Solertia means, among other things, taking time each morning to think through the day and anticipate difficult and dangerous situations so that our response to spiritual threats is immediate and instinctual. (Do I have a meeting with someone "unfriendly" today? What do I think he or she will say? How can I respond in truth and love? Am I facing sexual temptation for which I must be forearmed? What steps must I take to guard my thoughts and actions? Do I anticipate a challenge in my business in which I'll be tempted to bargain away my integrity? What will I do if I am told to lie and my job is on the line?) Having deliberated in advance, I can respond to moral crisis with calm convictions, for the decision has already been made.

It's not mere forethought that saves us, however, Jesus instructs us to "watch and pray" lest we fall into temptation, for we may be willing and resolute, but the flesh (our unaided humanity) is weak (Mark 14:38) It's not by decision and determination alone, but by prayer - utter dependence on God - that we prevail.

Before you go forth of your closet, after your
prayers are done, sit yourself down a little while,
and consider what you are to do that day, what
matter of business is like to employ you, or to
tempt you; and take particular resolution against
that, whether it be matter of wrangling, or anger,
or covetousness, or vain courtship, or feasting:
and when you enter upon it, remember, upon
what you resolved in your closet. If you are likely
to have nothing extraordinary that day, a general
recommendation of the affairs of that day to God
in your prayers will be sufficient, but if there be
anything foreseen that is not usual, be sure to be
armed for it, by a hearty, though a short prayer,
and an earnest, prudent resolution beforehand:
and then watch when the thing comes.


Jesus said to His disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come . . . So watch yourselves." (Luke 17:1, 3)
If you know the enemy and know yourself, the victory is not at risk.
- Sun Tzu, The Art Of War (c. 400 BC)


If you know the enemy and know yourself, the victory is not at risk.
PHOTO: If you know the enemy and know yourself, the victory is not at risk.
- Sun Tzu, The Art Of War (c. 400 BC)
Sunzi was a Chinese general and most famously the author of The Art of War, one of the first documents on military strategies.
Photograph by Charistoone-Images / Alamy Stock Photo
Picture posted by National Geographic
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https://media.nationalgeographic.org/assets/photos/262/373/c5636498-6c05-4547-a54a-f8522ba943b4.jpg
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/art-war/



Our son Randy, whose business is to know such things, told me about the OODA Loop the other day.

The OODA Loop comes from Colonel John Boyd and his concept of decision making in battlefield conditions. OODA is an acronym for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act. In its simplest form it describes the process by which combatants react to an enemy threat: (1) they observe the threat as it occurs; (2) they orient themselves to the threat; (3) they decide what action they will take, and (4) they act. All of which takes a certain amount of time.


The OODA Loop comes from Colonel John Boyd and his concept of decision making in battlefield conditions. OODA is an acronym for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act.
PHOTO: The OODA Loop comes from Colonel John Boyd and his concept of decision making in battlefield conditions. OODA is an acronym for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act.
Picture posted by USMC Archives, taken circa 1953 - John Boyd Climbing out of F-86 Cockpit, circa 1953

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1QXOlgtar0HL3qgEzDc0wUptkpjYJ3JXXV8ZR1TbKvRGUHProoXGXn3nM8ytOj92ZpOVdZ51RM3uvu8FBMaHK7bcHP-b0Z8m0LYaC6RgUFba8FogdVMZt76ZZb43HDRI_FDVCR3QntD7ffcw_pzcVRIIWTRQk8D6akKG182xbHpaG6gpz59FMs-4M=s2047
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49966608951_425700993b_k.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/usmcarchives/49966608951



Boyd's theory claims that the key to success in an encounter is to shorten a combatant's reaction time by formulating a strategy ahead of time for dealing with specific threats. In other words, one thinks through the Loop before an encounter.

Success, therefore, depends on mental preparation: anticipating every strategy an opponent might use and deciding in advance what one's response will be so that when an attack occurs the appropriate action becomes instinctual and automatic.


Success depends on mental preparation: anticipating every strategy an opponent might use and deciding in advance what one's response will be so that when an attack occurs the appropriate action becomes instinctual and automatic.
PHOTO: Success depends on mental preparation: anticipating every strategy an opponent might use and deciding in advance what one's response will be so that when an attack occurs the appropriate action becomes instinctual and automatic.
Picture posted by Rendezvény Világ

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https://rendezvenyvilag.hu/rendezvenyek-2/szabadido-eletmod-2/item/6135-nyolc-ev-utan-ujra-lesz-repulonap-kecskemeten-2021-augusztus-28-29.html



This theory has an elegant simplicity that lends itself to many applications, not the least of which is our ongoing conflict with evil - within and without. It offers what the wise person needs, according to Proverbs: guidance for waging war and wise counsel for victory. (Proverbs 24:5-6) [252]

It seems to me that Peter had something like Boyd's promise in mind when he enjoined us to "be self-controlled [think it through] and alert [in readiness], [for] your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) [253] In other words, we must be mentally prepared and know what to do when under attack.


Boyd's theory has an elegant simplicity that lends itself to many applications, not the least of which is our ongoing conflict with evil - within and without.
PHOTO: Boyd's theory has an elegant simplicity that lends itself to many applications, not the least of which is our ongoing conflict with evil - within and without. We must be mentally prepared and know what to do when under attack.
Picture posted and illustration by Emanu

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIrrlTvfq66-aQWIXic8Mcc0xnZ8k3IXaMaBbAv5qUGJB3XsnOhXN0XMzQMt4B5e_gBzg86y_fF9PUzTXdDaURz9672g1_fDeGcjQDFymsPDg46XG89HA0wcVNhBVOfgGcpE7GWRP4J-mwS1-wsYRaiaGVPl8itb90yCQJGXILkvhR87-QlU4RqhAs=s3000
https://tompkinscountystructuralracism.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/equality_hurdles.png
https://www.emanu.se/


 
This readiness is what early Christians called solertia, a Latin word that means a process of deliberation by which an individual envisions an impending circumstance and prepares for it by deciding beforehand what she or he will do. Thus, when the crisis arrives the person is not driven by emotion and passion, but by calm. reasoned resolution. [254] This is providentia (another word the early Christians used) or "seeing before" - envisioning what needs to be done before one has to do it and giving thought to what has to be done and how to do it.


This readiness is what early Christians called solertia, a Latin word that means a process of deliberation by which an individual envisions an impending circumstance and prepares for it by deciding beforehand what she or he will do.
PHOTO: This readiness is what early Christians called solertia, a Latin word that means a process of deliberation by which an individual envisions an impending circumstance and prepares for it by deciding beforehand what she or he will do. Thus, when the crisis arrives the person is not driven by emotion and passion, but by calm. reasoned resolution.
Picture posted by tryskell Atena on 14 June 2014 - Good against evil
Picture saved by Black Rose to Creepy
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https://i.pinimg.com/originals/60/e7/fc/60e7fcd7e9c0b9b3c67bf1df8addc685.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/569986896582628634/



Solertia means, among other things, taking time each morning to think through the day and anticipate difficult and dangerous situations so that our response to spiritual threats is immediate and instinctual. (Do I have a meeting with someone "unfriendly" today? What do I think he or she will say? How can I respond in truth and love? Am I facing sexual temptation for which I must be forearmed? What steps must I take to guard my thoughts and actions? Do I anticipate a challenge in my business in which I'll be tempted to bargain away my integrity? What will I do if I am told to lie and my job is on the line?) Having deliberated in advance, I can respond to moral crisis with calm convictions, for the decision has already been made.


Solertia means, among other things, taking time each morning to think through the day and anticipate difficult and dangerous situations so that our response to spiritual threats is immediate and instinctual.
PHOTO: Solertia means, among other things, taking time each morning to think through the day and anticipate difficult and dangerous situations so that our response to spiritual threats is immediate and instinctual. Having deliberated in advance, I can respond to moral crisis with calm convictions, for the decision has already been made.
Picture posted by sohappilyart - Hobbyist, Digital Artist | DeviantArt
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https://i.pinimg.com/564x/7d/24/dc/7d24dcf93f7a4ddb9dcf617a18aefab5.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/29836416272942989/



It's not mere forethought that saves us, however, Jesus instructs us to "watch and pray" lest we fall into temptation, for we may be willing and resolute, but the flesh (our unaided humanity) is weak (Mark 14:38) [255] It's not by decision and determination alone, but by prayer - utter dependence on God - that we prevail.


It's not mere forethought that saves us, however, Jesus instructs us to 'watch and pray' lest we fall into temptation, for we may be willing and resolute, but the flesh (our unaided humanity) is weak (Mark 14:38)
PHOTO: It's not mere forethought that saves us, however, Jesus instructs us to "watch and pray" lest we fall into temptation, for we may be willing and resolute, but the flesh (our unaided humanity) is weak (Mark 14:38).
Painting by Yongsung Kim - Yeshua in Gethsemane
Picture posted by Isabelle Esling

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http://encounterwithyeshua.blogspot.com/2016/03/yeshua-in-gethsemane-by-yongsung-kim.html
 

It's not by decision and determination alone, but by prayer - utter dependence on God - that we prevail.
Before you go forth of your closet, after your
prayers are done, sit yourself down a little while,
and consider what you are to do that day, what
matter of business is like to employ you, or to
tempt you; and take particular resolution against
that, whether it be matter of wrangling, or anger,
or covetousness, or vain courtship, or feasting:
and when you enter upon it, remember, upon
what you resolved in your closet. If you are likely
to have nothing extraordinary that day, a general
recommendation of the affairs of that day to God
in your prayers will be sufficient, but if there be
anything foreseen that is not usual, be sure to be
armed for it, by a hearty, though a short prayer,
and an earnest, prudent resolution beforehand:
and then watch when the thing comes.
[256]

Jesus said to His disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come . . . So watch yourselves." (Luke 17:1, 3) [257]


Before you go forth of your closet, after your prayers are done, . . . watch when the thing comes.
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, according to Colonel John Boyd’s OODA Loop theory, success depends on mental preparation: anticipating every strategy an opponent might use and deciding in advance what one's response will be so that when an attack occurs the appropriate action becomes instinctual and automatic.

This theory elegant simplicity applies to our ongoing conflict with evil - within and without. It offers what the wise person needs, according to Proverbs: guidance for waging war and wise counsel for victory.

Peter had something like Boyd's promise in mind when he enjoined us to ‘be self-controlled [think it through] and alert [in readiness], [for] your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’ We must be mentally prepared and know what to do when under attack.

Lord, help us to have this readiness, a process of deliberation by which an individual envisions an impending circumstance and prepares for it by deciding beforehand what she or he will do. When crisis arrives may we be not driven by emotion and passion, but by calm. reasoned resolution. Help us to be able to ‘see before’. May we envision what needs to be done before one has to do it and giving thought to what has to be done and how to do it.

We pray for your help to take time each morning to think through the day and anticipate difficult and dangerous situations so that our response to spiritual threats is immediate and instinctual. Help us to deliberate in advance, and be able to respond to moral crisis with calm convictions, for the decision has already been made.

Jesus had said to His disciples: ‘Things that cause people to sin are bound to come . . . So watch yourselves.’
Help us to follow Jesus instruction to ‘watch and pray’ in case we fall into temptation, for we may be willing and resolute, but the flesh, our unaided humanity, is weak.

It's not by decision and determination alone, but by prayer – utter dependence on God - that we prevail.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
"
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Reflection - Number Our Days - Readiness
Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 49, "Readiness", Page 225.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.




"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, ©
2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html



Reference
[1] From "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Copyright © 2008 by David Roper, ISBN 978-981-11-7184-0, Chapter 49, "Readiness", Page 225-228.

[252] Proverbs 24:5-6

[253] 1 Peter 5:8

[254] In moral theory solertia translates into giving wise forethought to truth. Once we grasp a truth we must "imagine what we will do with it" in various circumstances.

[255] Mark 14:38

[256] Taylor, "Agenda, or, Things to Be Done," italics added.

[257] Luke 17:1, 3. The word "watch" comes from prosecho, which means "to be in a continuous state of readiness to learn of any future danger, need, or error, and to respond appropriately." See Louw and Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.


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