April | 2012 | Yearn For God

Archive for April, 2012

How To Read 70 Books In A Year

Tony Reinke suggests the key to reading seventy books in a year is to read sixty minutes a day.

He writes:

“First, most people can find sixty minutes each day to read. It sounds like a lot, but it really isn’t: fifteen minutes in the morning, fifteen minutes at lunchtime, and another thirty minutes in the evening. No problem. At this pace, you can devote seven hours to reading each week (420 minutes).

The average reader moves through a book at a pace of about 250 words per minute. So 420 minutes of reading per week translates into 105,000 words per week. This book (Lit!) is roughly 55,000 words. Assuming that you can read for one hour each day, and that you read at around 250 words per minute, you can complete more than one book per week, or about seventy books per year.

Some weeks will provide more, or less, time for reading. But by carving little pockets of time throughout your week and by using your time well, it is not impossible to read a hefty stack of books each year.” (Tony Reinke, Lit!: A Christian Guide To Reading Books, 130)

2012: 04/27
CATEGORY: Books
reading
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3 Prayers God Will Answer

There are three prayers that God will in, in some way, always answer. Tim Keller refers to these are frontline prayers. He says “frontline prayer has three basic traits:

a) a request for grace to confess sins and humble ourselves,

b) a compassion and zeal for the flourishing of the church, and

c) a yearning to know God, to see his face, to see his glory.”

While God beckons us to bring all our requests, fears, worries, and desires to Him. I believe these kinds of prayers should always be at the top of our prayer lists.

HT to Ray Ortlund for posting the Keller quote from “Kingdom-centered Prayer,” Redeemer Report, January 2006.

2012: 04/27
CATEGORY: prayer
revival
Tim Keller
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Why You Shouldn’t Use iPad For Your Bible

To clear, I am a fan of iPad (Steve Jobs never said an iPad or the iPad just iPad). I am a fan of reading books, blogs, articles, magazines, and journals on iPad. I am a fan of bringing your iPad to church and using a Bible app to follow along and takes notes during the sermon. I use iPad daily for work, notes, and reading.

You get my point.

The one thing I am not a fan of using iPad for is reading the Bible on a regular basis. If iPad is your primary means of reading and studying the Bible you should repent now! Just kidding. I am not that serious about it. But let me share with you a few reasons why I’ve abandoned iPad as my primary means of reading and studying the Bible. I read the entire New Testament in 30 days using iPad and I’ve tried just about every Bible app available, so I speak from experience.

I am grateful for the people who’ve worked hard to provide the Bible for iPad, especially Crossway for the ESV app and YouVersion, both of which I refer to and recommend regularly. The benefits of reading on iPad are many. There is the convenience, the quick access to verses or chapters, and the pristine look of the words on the screen, to name a few. Again, I am totally for using the Bible on iPad, just not as the primary means of reading Scripture. With that said, here are my reasons for suggesting this.

Lose Touch With History

People bled and died for the Bible to be translated, copied, and put in the hands of ordinary Christians. There is something about reading the Bible electronically that, to me, loses touch with this. Being able to hold, touch, hear, and smell the Book connects us with thousands of Christians before us who either did the same thing or longed to do so. Reading primarily on iPad puts the Bible on the same level as any other book or blog you happen to be reading. While I don’t think dipping yourself seven times in the Jordan River is required to read the Bible, I do think there should be something that sets it apart from how we read other books. Again, just my opinion.

You Can’t Throw It

I must confess that during times of wrestling with God and begging Him to move in my life, I’ve gotten aggressive with my Bible. I’ve rolled it up. I’ve slammed it down. I’ve folded it open. I’ve tossed it aside in frustration. I’ve spilled coffee on it. While preaching I’ve lifted it up, squeezed it, slammed my hand on it, and probably turned the pages way too quickly. You can’t do this with iPad!

You Can’t Mark It

I know you can highlight and makes notes in Bible apps. But you are limited. You can’t actually take a pencil and write down notes or prayers. You can’t circle words or underline them or draw arrows to other words. Writing with your hand makes you slow down, think, ponder. Handwriting forces you to process what you are writing. Typing allows you to write more rapidly and increase productivity. But Bible reading is not about productivity, its about receiving, listening, and soaking in God’s Word.

Distractions

iPad alerts you for almost anything, emails, texts, news, tweets, messages, etc. Reading the Bible is spiritual warfare. Anything that can distract us, will distract us. I have enough distractions to fight through when I am reading Scripture. Reading from iPad gave me more so I put it down.

Deflections

Most Bible apps have social networking options for Facebook and Twitter. You can share or tweet verses as you read them. Of course I don’t want to assume that every tweeted verse is done from wrong motivations, but sometimes we can immediately share something too quickly and not ponder it ourselves. We can tweet or Facebook verses to remind others that we are reading Scripture, or perhaps use the Word to purposely offend someone we know will be reading our timeline. This can be dangerous.

No One Knows You’re Reading Scripture

If you are in public, say Starbucks or your office, reading the book of Romans from iPad, no one will know that you are reading the Bible. In some cases this can be a good thing. But a visible Bible can often stir up conversations from either non-Christians who might be wrestling with faith or with Christians who need encouragement and exhortation. iPad makes Bible reading incognito.

You Can’t Tear It Up

A missionary cannot tear iPad Bible apps into different sections and distribute them to Christians hiding from authorities in countries where Christianity is illegal or under severe persecution. I am not sure how often this happens, but I’ve heard stories similar to this.

You Read Too Quickly

iPad makes for quick reading. I can scan through blogs, Twitter timelines, and news apps at lightning speed. When I pick up iPad, I plan on doing something quickly. I noticed that when I read the Bible on iPad I did the same thing. My finger wanted to keep scrolling down the page at a pace my eye could not keep up with. Some people may be able to meditatively pick through chapter and verse, but not me.

You Can’t Learn Layout of Bible

An actual Bible allows you to see large portions of Scripture in a few pages. This way you can see what comes before and after a passage and the overall layout of the book. iPad limits how much of a chapter or book you can see. This makes it difficult to recall where certain passages are if you’re a visual person like me. I can’t always remember the exact verse or chapter where a particular phrase or sentence is found, but I can usually visualize where it is on the page in my Bible. Of course we want to memorize all we can, but the Bible is a big Book!

Your Children Can’t See You Reading Scripture

My son gets up pretty early in the morning and often he finds me in my chair reading the Bible. I realized one day when I was reading from my iPad that he had no clue I was reading Scripture. He knows what a Bible looks like now and I want him to see his dad reading God’s Word on a regular basis. I want him to know that no other book is more important than the Bible.

You Can’t Go Outside

The fatal flaw of iPad is that its terrible in sunlight. This makes reading the Bible outdoors very difficult.

It Probably Won’t Be At Your Funeral

This is perhaps the biggest argument of all. I want my worn, torn, and marked-up Bible to be used by the preacher at my funeral. I cannot imagine him using my iPad! I want a lifetime of Bible reading to be the legacy I leave to my children and grandchildren. As much as I like my iPad, it just won’t cut it.

The Bottom Line

I am sure there are objections to what I’ve said here. My goal is not to offend but simply to provoke thought. The main issue is that we are to be in the Word as much as possible. If iPad or some other electronic device is what works for you, then by all means use it. Perhaps what I’ve said here has been helpful though. Feel free to comment, critique, or commend. Just be nice.

2012: 04/26
CATEGORY: bible
Bible reading
Bibles
iPad
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Another Time Piper Almost Quit

At Together For The Gospel this year John Piper preached a message titled Glory, Majesty, Dominion, and Authority Keep Us Safe for Everlasting Joy where he reflected on the past 30 years of ministry. At one point he read from a journal entry from 1986. I recognized it because it appeared in a blog post from February 2010 called How I Almost Quit. Something about those kinds messages and posts deeply encourages me in my own ministry. I am reminded that even those that God is using greatly and who have influential ministries are not immune to despair and inner turmoil.

I preached on prayer recently and thought I would scan some of Piper’s sermons on prayer over at Desiring God. I found a sermon from 1987 called Sweet “Our” Of Prayer. Apparently the church had just gone through some kind of spiritual assessment. The results were not to be desired according to Piper. Here is what he said:

According to last Sunday night’s survey which 255 of those in attendance filled out, 40% of our people said they read the Bible fewer than three times a week. 46% said they read the Bible on an average of less than five minutes a day. And 59% of our people do not set aside a daily time for prayer.

In the several hours after I saw these results of our questionnaire I went through five stages of emotions—from the less to the more mature I think.

1. The Desire to Quit

My first emotion was the desire to quit. If six and a half years of work produces no more devotion than this, maybe I am not in the right calling after all. I think that was about 90% self-pity. And last Sunday night’s message about perseverance (1 Corinthians 15:58) had to be brought in for the counter attack.

2. Anger

My second emotion was anger—at the worldliness of so many hearts and at the forces of this world that hold so many Christians in bondage. That the Word of God and communion with him in prayer are so far down on the real life priorities of so many people is a sign of much love for the things of the world. But then I preached to myself the sermon on James 1:19 (“Be slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God”).

3. Grief

The third emotion that rose up in my heart was a kind of grief and disappointment that we will probably be powerless as a church to make any significant impact on this city if our dependence on prayer and our thirst for the Word of God is so small. It was a sobering postscript to last Sunday morning’s sermon about the possibilities of reforming this city.

4. Contrition

The fourth emotion was contrition—a sense of being rebuked and broken for thinking that Bethlehem is some kind of remarkable church, when in fact it is a weak and sinful church with a weak and sinful pastor, all in desperate need of the out-pouring of God’s Spirit.

5. Longing

And the final emotion that has begun to flicker is a longing, I believe the longing of love, that somehow by God’s grace I might be used to make the Word of God as attractive and enjoyable for you as it was for David when he said, “Oh, how I love thy law! I it is my meditation all the day . . . How sweet are thy words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:97, 103). (John Piper, Sweet “Our” of Prayer)

Once again I am encouraged. I am so thankful for Piper’s honesty about his own soul and the struggles he’s had in his ministry. I am also thankful for the constant reminder that God will always be enough for us no matter the circumstances and trials.

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24-25)

2012: 04/24
CATEGORY: John Piper
joy
suffering
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God’s Highest Purpose and Hopefully Ours

J.I. Packers says:

If it is right for man to have the glory of God as his goal, can it be wrong for God to have the same goal? If man can have no higher purpose than God’s glory, how can God? If it is wrong for man to seek a lesser end than this, it would be wrong for God, too. The reason it cannot be right for man to live for himself, as if he were God, is because he is not God. However, it cannot be wrong for God to seek His own glory, simply because He is God. Those who insist that God should not seek His glory in all things are really asking that He cease to be God. And there is no greater blasphemy than to will God out of existence. (J.I.Packer, Hot Tub Religion)

2012: 04/24
CATEGORY: enjoying God
glory
God
God's glory
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Why Im Reading The Hunger Games (And why you should too.)

I am currently reading Suzanne Collins’ post apocalyptic trilogy The Hunger Games. The film adaptation is currently at the top of the box office charts. My wife read the books several months ago and encouraged me to read them. I was uninterested. When the movie released we were there opening night and I have to admit that after seeing it, I was compelled to read the books. I purchased the first of the three books on my iPad and completed it in less than two days. On Friday afternoon I finished the second book Catching Fire. I plan to begin the final book this week. Of course I am in no position to evaluate the entire series, but if the final book is anything like the first two, it will be worthy of all the hype. So why should you read The Hunger Games?

It Is A Unique Story

Without giving away the plot line too much, let me just say that the story is unlike anything I’ve read. The setting is a post-apocalyptic America called Panem where 12 Districts are ruled by a highly advanced metropolis called The Capitol. To demonstrate their power and remind the Districts that they have complete control over them, each year the Capitol selects two tributes from each District (ages 12-18) and forces them to fight to the death in an event called The Hunger Games. I appreciate how fresh and unique this story is.

Its Popular

The Hunger Games is gaining popularity by the day. The movie is sweeping the box office. The books are being sold and read. They are currently on #4, #5, and #6 on Amazon who now has an official The Hunger Games Store. I asked our church during a sermon if any of them had seen the movie or read the books and more than half the people in the room raised their hand! Christians should read books that are topping the best-seller lists if for no other reason than the be able to dialogue with non-beleviers. To be sure, no one will become a Christian because you read The Hunger Games or Harry Potter, for that matter. But anything that can harbor and create opportunities to share the Gospel should be taken advantage of by Christians.

In addition, novels written by non-Christians (I don’t think Collins is a believer) can still give us a shades of truth and beauty. We can celebrate God’s common grace in this world and enjoy the great gift of story that seems to resonate with the deepest parts of who we are. Tony Reinke in his book Lit!: A Christian Guide To Reading Books, makes a strong argument for why Christians should read novels. I highly recommend it. To be sure The Hunger Games does not glorify sin and wickedness, but neither does it ignore and downplay them. Collins is not afraid to reveal darkness of the human heart.

Its a Quick Read

The books read like Tweets or text messages. The dialogue is quick and snappy. The story develops and moves rapidly. Each book is close to 400 pages, but can be devoured by the average reader in only a few days, if not sooner.

There Are Hints of Substitution

Again, I don’t want to give the story away, but there are hints of substitution woven throughout the book. While I don’t think the author intended this or that its even the focus of the books, as a Christian I cannot overlook the fact that someone else is taking the place of another in the Games. In one scene a 12 year old girl is chosen to fight for her District. The rules state that when a person is chosen, someone else can take their place to fight in the battle. When this girl, named Rue, is chosen Katniss says, “There’s no one willing to take her place.” As stated I have not finished the third book, but my guess is that this idea of “taking someone’s place” will become more important.

A Strong Male Influence

While the main character is a 16 year old girl named Katniss, there is a strong male influence in the books. Her father played a huge role in her life and she constantly remembers the things he taught her and modeled for her. There are two boys in the story who play a significant role, both of which display courage, humility, and devotion to their friends and family. This is something I really admire about the books.

The Human Heart Writ Large

The inner struggle and turmoil of Katniss, who is placed in the most difficult position of anyone, is the most revealing aspect of the story to me. The struggle between love and hate, pride and self-sacrifice, fear and courage is simply a commentary of the human heart. The heart is always at war. Furthermore, the entire story shows the depths of human depravity. The battle for control and authority and freedom reminds me of the fact that we are under the curse of sin and long for redemption.

The Main Weapon Is A Bow

On a lighter note, Katniss is Yoda-like with a bow and arrow. I don’t know what it is about a bow, perhaps I watched too much Robin Hood as a kid (and an adult), but I love any movie or story with a bow. Katniss is deadly with it! The movie did not do this skill justice in my opinion. But the bow alone was enough to intrigue me to give the books a shot (no pun intended!).

I could write more, but I’d rather finish the third book and perhaps do a follow up post to this one. These are a few of the reasons I’m reading The Hunger Games and why you might want to consider reading them as well. I would love to hear your thoughts about the books or anything I’ve said here. Feel free to comment.

2012: 04/23
CATEGORY: reading
The Hunger Games
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Slingshot Marksman

2012: 04/20
CATEGORY: Friday
Fun
slingshot
Uncategorized
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How To Be A Vain Preacher

Reading through Charles Spurgeon’s Lectures To My Students today reminded me how important prayer is for the preacher. He says:

The minister who does not earnestly pray over his work must surely be a vain and conceited man. He acts as if he thought himself sufficient of himself, and therefore needed not to appeal to God. Yet what a baseless pride to conceive that our preaching can ever be in itself so powerful that it can turn men from their sins, and bring them to God without the working of the Holy Ghost. If we are truly humble-minded we shall not venture down to the fight until the Lord of Hosts has clothed us with all power, and said to us, “Go in this thy might.” The preacher who neglects to pray much must be very careless about his ministry. He cannot have comprehended his calling. He cannot have computed the value of a soul, or estimated the meaning of eternity. He must be a mere official, tempted into a pulpit because the piece of bread which belongs to the priest’s office is very necessary to him, or a detestable hypocrite who loves the praise of men, and cares not for the praise of God. He will surely become a mere superficial talker, best approved where grace is least valued and a vain show most admired. He cannot be one of those who plough deep and reap abundant harvests. He is a mere loiterer, not a laborer. As a preacher he has a name to live and is dead. He limps in his life like the lame man in the Proverbs, whose legs were not equal, for his praying is shorter than his preaching.

2012: 04/18
CATEGORY: Charles Spurgeon
prayer
preachers
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How I Pray For My Sons

I have two boys. Cross just turned 3. Rhyse (pronounced rise) is 6 months. Here are some ways that I pray for them.

That they would grow in stature and wisdom, in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52)
That they would have an early trust in and knowledge of God (Psalm 22:9-10)
That they would continue to develop (sit up, eat, sleep, crawl, walk, talk). This is mostly for Rhyse.
Their physical safety. (Psalm 139)
That they would see God as their Joy not as a Divine Policeman (Philippians 4:4, Psalm 37:4)
That they would be pure and self-controlled (Proverbs 5:15-23)
That they would have an angst for life (Colossians 3:23)
That God would draw them to Himself (John 6:44)
Wisdom to discipline them and still be their friend
That they would sense a calling in their vocation (Genesis 2:15)
That they would resist idolatry (Psalm 73:25)
That they would honor their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3)
That they would learn to suffer well (Lamentations 3:25-31)
That they would see pride as their greatest enemy and humility as their greatest friend (James 4:6)
That they would be biblically masculine (1Corinthians 16:13-14)
That they would marry well (Proverbs 31:10)
That Jesus would be the greatest Treasure of their life (John 6:68-69)
That the glory of God would always be before them (1Corinthians 10:31)