Bible Bored

Are you going through a dry stage in Bible reading? Lost you ardor for the Word? If so, you can:
1. keep on keeping on and benefit just from the discipline of being in the Word; or,
2.take a break from it and lose out on the nourishment; or,
3.take a more aggressive stance.

Suggestions for a more aggressive pursuit:
Write out the Scripture, Wilson Green suggests, getting a small journal and asking the Lord what passage He would have your to write. Write between seven and 10 verses per day, focusing and meditating on what you’re writing.

Another thought: read Psalm 119, section by section, on a daily basis. Pray that God would revive your zeal for the Word.

Try different translations of the Bible.

Summarize on paper one of the shorter books.

Mentor someone younger using Scripture as your guide.

Establish a new mind set about the Bible. See it not as a list of laws but as God’s love letter of grace and mercy meant to show us the path of abundant living.

Jesus said, “I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” Learn more about it by being a person of the Word.

Biblical Meditation

The following post on Biblical meditation is adapted from Donald Whitney, author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, and who is a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Why don’t people meditate on Scripture? Some reasons: they are not a follower of Jesus Christ; or, the pressures of a busy lifestyle take precedence; or, some believe the benefit is not worth the time involved. Some of us have trouble remembering what was read. The conclusion is either bad memory or God’s distant and not speaking. This person doesn’t think it is worth the time involved, hits and misses Bible reading, feels frustrated and somewhat guilty. The real problem according to Whitney is lack of biblical meditation. Learning how to meditate may be the key that will unlock the joys of Scripture and the life-changing power it contains.

Begin meditating. This is not an exercise of daydreaming or Eastern meditation but a focused, intentional desire to consider Bible truth. Reading, rewriting the verses in your own words, or a host of other techniques. Such meditation is never an end in iteself. Deep thinking on spiritual truth is th key to obeying God, and to putting Scripture into shoeleather.

While meditating on Scripture, ask your self questions like;
Does this text reveal something I should …
Believe about God?
Praise or thank God for?
Pray about for myself or others?
Change my attitude about?
Make a decision on?
Do for the sake of Christ, others or myself?

When you have concluded your time of Bible mediatation, you should be able to name at least one definite response you have made or will make. Rather than reading and forgetting the truth, or worse, reading and ignoring it, you are prepared to be a doer of the Word.

And the result is success according to Psalm 1. Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither,and they prosper in all they do.

Joshua 1:8 emphasizes the same success truth: Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Value of the Bible

The advantages of a profound depth of Biblical knowledge are numerous. “It is the storehouse of God’s promises. It is the sword of the Spirit, before which temptation flees. It is the all-sufficient equipment for Christian usefulnes. It is the believer’s guidebook and directory in all possible circumstances.” F.B. Meyer

Meyer suggests:
1. Make time for Bible study
The Divine Teacher ought to have fixed and uninterrupted hours. He deserves our freshest and brightest thoughts, and we must give Him our undivided attention. Therefore, we should aim at securing at least half an hour each day for the leisurely and loving study of the Bible.

2. Ask for understanding
AS we open the Book, ask the Holy Spirit who inspired the Writing, to: Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:18

3. Develop a plan
Many plans have been suggested for study of the Bible:
a. read through the Bible in a year
b. read the Proverb of the day (according to the day of the month), along with a Psalm or more and then something out of the New Testament.
c. Dig into a book, verse by verse with study guides in hand
d. Do a character study. Study the life of Moses, or …
e. My favorate is topical study. Before I wrote the Anger book, I looked up every verse I could find under the topics of anger, bitterness, wrath, malice, etc. In preparation for writing the Self Esteem book, I sped read the Bible looking for passages that spoke to how a person thinks of himself (or as a Christian how he “should” perceive self). The words “self esteem” are not in the Bible, but passages speak to it, like, “created in the image of God.” Romans chapter 6-8, Epheians 1-3, Colossians 1-3, Philippians 2-4 and others speak to the real identity of a follower of Christ.
f. Read an entire book of the Bible in one setting
Meyer suggests to let the Bible be its own dictionary, its own interpreter, its own best commentary. It is like a vast buried city, in which every turn of the spake reeals some new marvel, while passage branch off in ever direction, call for exporation.

4. Read with pen in hand. Underline significant passages. Make notes in the margin. For example, in James it says, “Humble yourself before the Lord.” I have written in the margin, “play golf.” Golf is my humbling exercise!!! The employment of the pen can later bring back precious memories of bygone hours recording the history of our inner life.

5. Seek your personal profit. Allow the Book to bring focus to your own heart. “What does the Holy Spirit want me to learn from this portion? How can I work this into the fabric of my character?”

6. Turn reading into prayer. “Entwine the climbing creepers of the holy desire about the lattice work of Scripture.” I personally don’t feel like I can adequately praise the Lord. So when it is time for me to praise Him, I quote a praise passage, like Psalm 34 or Psalm 100. And there are many more.

7. Practice what you learn. “IF we will turn each holy precept or command into instant obedience through the dear grace of Jesus Christ our Lord, God will keep nothing back from us. He will open to us His deepest and sweetest thoughts.
Joshua 1:8 says, Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Adapted from Revive magazine.

Scripture for Guidance

An inspiring comment came from yesterday's post. Satcom padawan said...
Indomitability. I like it. The Father is always up to the most wonderful and most substantial things. I love Him. I love His world. I love being here. - Russ
(If this is Russ W., please tell me where you are and what you're doing.)

Study the Bible for direction. The Psalmist tells us that “Your Word is a light to my feet and a lamp to my pathway.” For direction and guidance, search the Word!
Not only search the Word for guidance, but pray for it. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5
As we read the Word and pray for direction and guidance, Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

The message is clear: immerse yourself in the Word so that God can change the way you think. Then you will know God’s will for you – sometimes at the last minute. To stretch our faith and to increae our desire to seek Him, He often waits until that last moment to guide us in our decision-making.

“I don’t know what God wants me to do,” is an often heard cry for guidance. I am convinced that the all-powerful God is capable to let us know about a decision we are to make – which step to take. However, most of the time it seems He allows us to search all the facts and take responsibility in decision-making which increases our depth of maturation.

We can legitimately pray, “God, I’ve searched all the angles I know to make a wise decision. I’ve studied the facts. I’ve sought counsel from wise folk and it seems like this certain way is the path I should take. If this is not of you or not what you want for me, close the door. Make it clear.”

If we don’t get a distinct direction from reading the Word or prayer, then I’m convinced God wants us to do what we think is best. As was mentioned earlier, our maturation process is enhanced as we learn about life through decision making.

Again, “let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you.”

Value of Scripture- 3

Study the Bible for MATURITY.
Second Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” That is maturity on the highest plane.

Hebrews 5:13-14 also addresses the issue of maturity. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

Spiritual milk is listening to others expound on the Gospel – written or verbal. Nothing wrong with that. Just go on to add to the milk, meat. Meat, meaning digging into Scripture, meditating on it, memorizing it, studying it, producing a maturity that is stable and growing.

Maturity is best tested in adversity. How we handle the curve balls life throws at us is a measure of emotional / spiritual development. James 1:2-4 gives us a seemingly unattainable challenge in navigating tumultuous waters.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

The Message gives an interesting slant to the James passage. “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

Did you hear that? “Mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” Mature.
To “get out of anything prematurely” is a natural response. Who doesn’t want to get out of pain or turmoil? Even Jesus in Gethsemane prays, “take this cup from me;” or, “I’d sure not prefer going through this crucifixion plan, Father.” That was His human response and initially that will be ours also. However, Christ set the bar when He said, “not my will but yours, Father.”

Initially our response to a pain of some sort is, “ouch. I want out.” But as we grow in our knowledge of God and know increasingly deeper His love and care for us our maturity passes the test when we can say, “Father, I’d prefer not going through this. However, you are sovereign, all powerful, and could prevent this experience from happening. So show me how I can benefit from the trauma I’m experiencing.”

How sweet it is when we can know and trust God so well that we can face anything that life throws at us with an expectant, positive attitude – that all is well.

The Bible for Growth

Study the Bible for:
1. Knowing God better and the subsequent results available. 2 Peter 1:3- By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

We find out in the following verses that just knowing God isn’t the total answer. We have responsibility in our growth process.

2 Peter 1:5-10 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10 So, dear brothers and sisters,[c] work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Bible is the most important resource for receiving spiritual nourishment – without which, there is no growth. I personally think that we need at least 30 minutes most every day in Bible and prayer to keep our hearts and minds tuned to God’s voice for our direction. This is not a legalistic trip to gain God's acceptance, but a neccesary discipline to place ourselves in a position to hear from our Creator.

More in the next post.

Importance of Scripture

Eighty two percent of Americans profess to be Christians according to the Barna Group, with three-fourths not believing that the Bible should be the standard for their decisions. Application of truth is optional.

Sometimes we are so caught up in defending the inerrancy or inspiration of the Bible that we miss its central point: obedience. Byron Paulus, executive director of Life Action Ministries, says that, “Admittedly the greatest struggle I face in my walk with God is not learning more truth, but obeying the truth I already know.” He adds, “Could it be that the Bible’s power is only unleashed when it is lived out by God’s people?

Del Fehsenfield, Senior Editor of Revive, takes it a step further when he says, “The truth of God’s Word must be applied in relationship with others. Without their input I will become hardened to the truth and decieved in my thinkng. It’s a startling thought, but if you’re only applying the Bible by yourself, you’re walking a path toward spiritual ruin.The Bible was meant to be received and understood in community.”

It seems we have become an individualistic society less prone to seeking the authority of Scripture. “When there is no authority in religion or in politics, men are soon frightened by the limitless independence with which they are faced. They are worried and worn out by the constant restlessness of everything, “ states Alexis de Tocqueville about the 19th century Americans. I doubt if this century has seen any change. The authority of Scripture seems not to be a significant issue.

Howard Hendricks of Dallas Theological Seminary states: “The greatest problem in the church today is that we have an increasing number of Christians who are under the Word of God but not IN IT for themselves. Being under the Word of God should be a stimulus – not a substitute – for getting into it for yourself.”

The Bible says of itself:
Psa. 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psa. 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
2 Tim.3:16-17 LB The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.

The Bible is my guide and my light for effective living. It is the mirror that reflects that part of me that needs growth so that I am becoming “fully equipped to do good to everyone.”

More in the next post on the value of Scripture.

Football and Marriage - 3

This is our last posting on football and marriage, swiped from Jon Strain.
Scoring: Understand that men and women score differently in marriage.
How men score: Men think certain things produce 6 points, others 3 points. For example…

Taking out the trash 0 points
Romantic dinner 15 points
Pick up your clothes 0 points
Surprise trip to Hawaii 30 points
Buy a big house 35 points
An unexpected hug 1 point

How women score: You only get one point for all things, big or small. For example

Taking out the trash 1 point
Romantic dinner 1 point
Pick up your clothes 1 point
Surprise trip to Hawaii 1 point
Buy a big house 1 point
An unexpected hug 1 point

Implications for the man as quarterback of the team:
1. To win, you have to score throughout the game, and doing the “little things” is a Big thing.
2.You can’t come from behind (35 points in the fourth quarter) and expect to win.
3. The woman’s scoring system is the only one that determines a “W” or and “L”.
4. If you don’t “get it” and build this into your Game Plan you’ll have a rought first half and may not make the second quarter. If you “get it” you’re pretty much guaranteed a “W”. Every Hall of Fame husband, marriage coach and wife knows this. Do you get it?
5. P.S. Forgetting important dates like birthdays, anniversaries, valentines, mothers’ day, etc. is a “safety” – two points against you. In this scoring economy, you can’t afford them.

Family Planning (With the USC fan in mind.)
Remember the Trojans as they are useful for family planning. (Does this need to be explained? What kind of team would name themselves after a prophylactic?)
It’s football season. In marriage it is always football season according to Jon Strain.

I would add to Jon’s metaphor.
A touchdown is scored when the man says, “honey, take the weekend off. I’ll take care of all your responsibilities around the house.” A WOMAN’S TOUCHDOWN is her saying, “Let’s be intimate.”
Extra points: To score an extra point after a touchdown is made, the ball must be kicked through the two uprights. Men, we score an extra point if we know what pleases our wife and we do that something for her unexpectedly. Women, you know what to do to score an extra point with your husband. Need I say more?

Football and Marriage - 2

Continuing Jon Strains ode to marriage via football.
Injuries and setbacks. They happen. Prepare to make adjustments and don’t play the “blame game.” Chris Petersen, coach of the fifth ranked Boise State football team says, “When you’re going through adversity and crisis, there’s no real gray area on things. You either go right to God for power and strength and help or go the other way. We are such control guys…trying to control everything and you just can’’t control everything. Then you say, ‘I can’t do this. I need help.’”

Defense is essential to win the big games.
Defend yourselves against “crawling seperateness.” The couple that plays together stays together. Defend yourselves against growing resentments. Humble yourself and talk stuff out. Read and react: Know the enemy’s game/schemes to defeat you. Your mate is not the enemy!!!

Penalties
Holding: Don’t try to control them; release them to be who they are. You can bump and get in their face; just don’t grab them and hold them back from their uniqueness and calling.

Enroachment/off sides: Give appropriate space and respect; for every weakness there is a corresponding strength.

Clipping: no hits in the back … talking about your spouse negatively to others, behind their back. Talk your spouse “up” in front of others and behind their back.

Unsportsmanlike conduct: This penalty gets you ejected, especially if repeated.

Roughing the QB: no cheap shots when the other person is vulnerable in thier role.

No celebration in the end zone when it’s at the expense of the other personl No one wins when we retaliate and take dark pleasure in it.

“Red Zone” Play calling: Realize that there is more resistance and field restriction in the place where the important things are on the line…like scoring points. That’s where you stick to fundamentals and reach deep into the resources of heart and character. Important things are often the hard things.
If you don’t make a total commitment to whatever you’re doing, then you start looking to bail out the first time the boat starts leaking. It’s tough enough getting that boat to shore with everybody rowing, let alone when a guy stands up and starts putting his jacket on.” Lou Holtz

Time outs: Take time-outs to figure out what you’re doing so that you can strategize together, make adjustments and play together.

One more tomorrow.

Football and Marriage

Marriage and football. There really is a connection. Jon Strain, director of Search Minsitries of Boise, wrote the following "Marriage Playbook and Rules (For Football Fan(atic)s that was presented to a young couple at their wedding ceremony.

HUDDLE BEFORE EVERY PLAY

Discuss what you're going to do and your position/roles so that you're moving the ball down the field together. "If a team is to reach its potential, each player must be willing to subordinate his pesonal goals to the good of the team." Bud Wilkinson

Check to see if there's a play being sent in from the head coach or you won't have a prayer. Or, if you don't pray, you won't have a play ... worth running, that is. The man's play: 1 Peter 3:7. Woman's play: Ephesians 5:33

Be prepared to run different offensive plays during different seasons of your marriage.

PROTECT THE FOOTBALL

The football is your relationship.

More football / marriage in the next blog.

Marriage: Love or Law

I’m wondering. Is a marital relationship based either on law or on love? If a married couple are both Christians and there is no Biblical cause for divorce, and no significant abuse in the relationship, then resentment or divorce are not options for them. It seems that either law or love will carry them through the tough relational times. Let me throw some virgin thinking at you and see what you think.

A love relationship seems to have four ingredients to tap into when working through conflict.

1. Legitimate expectations of your spouse. (morally faithful, responsible parenting, etc) ,

2. Selfish expectations (to “die to.”) Expectation of the other to maintain a certain weight or a certain bank account figure. “I die to, or give up, the expectation of _____ (whatever.). There is a difference between selfish expectations and desires. Expectations are premeditated resentments. Desires, on the other hand, are not a requirement.

3. Desire of the spouse to be communicated from a position of identification with Christ (dead to selfish self, alive in Christ). “I’d like for you to accept me like I am.” Or, “I wish for you to have a passion for me and for our relationship.” Not a demand or expectation, but a desire.

4. What I’m willing to do to grow – for my sake and for the relationship’s sake. (Read certain books; have a consistent devotional life, be in a small group, receive mentoring, etc.)

If these “love ingredients” are not adhered to, it appears that law must take over to avoid divorce or a build up of resentment. Law would look something like this:
1. What I’m willing to change for our relationship’s benefit.

2. What I’m asking you to change.

3. If you don’t change, here are the consequences. For example: “you rarely spend time with the children. I realize that is what you experienced as a child, but your absence from the children is hurting them. I can give you some ideas to solve this if you like. If you don’’t implement a plan for change, I’ll bring in an elder of the church to talk with you about it. If that doesn’t do the job, I’ll _________. (Natural consequences.)

Where love does not prevail, law would emphasize a contractual relationship.

This is initial, virgin thinking. What do you think? What is your response?
rburwick@mindspring.com.

Norskfest

After 3000 miles, part of which was driven through a snow storm in Montana, we're back safely, for which we are very grateful. There were cars in the ditch and ambulances on the road between Bozeman and Billings.

What a great time. The Norsefest in Minot, ND was a sight to behold. 1700 RVs were registered on the grounds just the first day.Thousands of people wall to wall in this huge fairgrounds building wasn't real comfortable but the entertainment was supurb, the Norweigan carvers were great (from which I stole some ideas). Gotta keep the Norweigan roots growing in Idaho!

An interesting by-product: when we returned last night, I called some friends and spoke with a norweigan brouge AND DIDN'T STUTTER! This ol' norweigan/estonian may have discovered a new clinical technique for speech fluency!!

Had a great time with my sister Linda (who is at this moment under the knife for knee replacement) and her husband Roger who live at Lake Metagoshee. Experienced a reuniting of Burwick cousins and two aged aunts - about 30 of us there. Saw my ol' childhood stomping grounds. Participated in the Dickinson State University Homecoming watching the BlueHawks disassemble Mayvile State, 47-0.

And best of all, undivided attention for Ray and Theresa to connect while covering the 3000 miles. Man, am I blessed with a great wife.

Back in the saddle again tomorrow with more thoughts on the value of memorizing Scripture.