Today was "Beautification Day" at Northridge. I hadn't heard that term used to describe what I had previously known as "Work Day." However, after looking at the results, I think it may be an apt description. Several of the faithful here at Northridge gathered at 9:00 this morning to spruce up the church grounds for summer. All who attended had some gardening skill or tool proficiency, well, nearly all. I was there, too. With the tool talent and skill that I have, I was given the task of first pulling weeds and then spreading the mulch. It was a job that required desire, but very little talent. In other words, it was right up my alley. Our work crew labored hard and when we finished, the church looked, I think, a little nicer.
Later, on my way to a hospital visit in Columbus, I was thinking about "Beautification Day" (as well as how my Bible Bowlers had performed today, but that's for another time). I thought about how we spend quite a bit of time making things look nice around our houses and yards. There were a lot of people out on Wil Mar Drive today working. I am positive that throughout the city, state and in many parts of the country people spend a lot of money, time and effort to make houses and yards look as nice as they can. I don't see anything wrong with this (other than I have limited ability). I was wondering, though, how much time and effort we spend on "Beautification Day of the Soul." Do you like that term? I hope so. Do we concern ourselves as much about the condition of our spiritual lives as we do about the flowers and the grass? Do we spend our time and treasure in an appropriate proportion to how much we value our walk with the Lord?
Paul writes in Colossians 3, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1 NKJV). Jesus says, as found in Matthew 10:28, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell" (NKJV). In both of these passages, the emphasis is on prioritizing the things that have eternal significance. Make sure that you're taking care of the things that will last.
What would "Beautification of the Soul Day" look like? I'm not sure, everyone's yard is different and everyone's life is, too. However, it probably begins with a thoughtful look at your walk with Jesus Christ. It may involve prayer, spending time in His Word, being in church, worship, serving and a host of other things.
I thought "Beautification Day" at Northridge was a success. I hope that you'll try a "Beautification of the Soul Day." Thanks for reading....
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Does it matter if I go to church?
I've heard quite a few folks say "I don't have to go to church to be a Christian" and, for the most part, I agree. Being in church no more makes you a Christian than standing in a garage makes you a car. Having said that, though, there are some good reasons why a person should be involved in and going to church. Hebrews 10:24-25 say, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This passage is a powerful reminder of why Christians need to meet together. Let's look at a few of the reasons noted here.
First, we are to "spur" one another on toward love and good deeds. The word "spur" in the Greek is a word that means "to sharply provoke or jab." The idea I think the Hebrew writer is expressing is that Christians need to meet together to challenge and inspire each other to love more and do good. Meeting together allows us the opportunity to sharpen one another as "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17). Coming to church is a chance to be motivated for service. I think, many times, we can become complacent in our faith. We do what we always do and we often to it without thinking. It is good, sometimes, to be challenged and stimulated to serve the Lord in new and creative ways.
Second, we are to meet together to encourage one another. The implication here is that we need to meet together to get strength to face the challenges of daily living. Meeting together with other Christians (going to church in the American vernacular) is a way to get "filled up" with the love and courage needed to face the struggles of life. This works both ways. If you are down and discouraged, you can come and allow the love of Christ and others to fill you. If you are doing all right, you can come and be a part of helping one who isn't doing as well.
Finally, we need to be meeting together because the "Day" is approaching. The "Day" here, is one that Bible scholars have debated, but, as I see it, "the Day" here is a reference to the "day of judgment." We need to be in the habit of meeting together to celebrate Jesus, to praise, worship and thank him for all he's done. We need to do it to encourage and stimulate each other.The time of Jesus' return is coming. When he comes, all things will be new and different. Until then, though, meet together.
I hope that this Sunday finds you meeting with some brothers and sisters in Christ. You need them and they need you. See you Sunday and thanks for reading....
First, we are to "spur" one another on toward love and good deeds. The word "spur" in the Greek is a word that means "to sharply provoke or jab." The idea I think the Hebrew writer is expressing is that Christians need to meet together to challenge and inspire each other to love more and do good. Meeting together allows us the opportunity to sharpen one another as "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17). Coming to church is a chance to be motivated for service. I think, many times, we can become complacent in our faith. We do what we always do and we often to it without thinking. It is good, sometimes, to be challenged and stimulated to serve the Lord in new and creative ways.
Second, we are to meet together to encourage one another. The implication here is that we need to meet together to get strength to face the challenges of daily living. Meeting together with other Christians (going to church in the American vernacular) is a way to get "filled up" with the love and courage needed to face the struggles of life. This works both ways. If you are down and discouraged, you can come and allow the love of Christ and others to fill you. If you are doing all right, you can come and be a part of helping one who isn't doing as well.
Finally, we need to be meeting together because the "Day" is approaching. The "Day" here, is one that Bible scholars have debated, but, as I see it, "the Day" here is a reference to the "day of judgment." We need to be in the habit of meeting together to celebrate Jesus, to praise, worship and thank him for all he's done. We need to do it to encourage and stimulate each other.The time of Jesus' return is coming. When he comes, all things will be new and different. Until then, though, meet together.
I hope that this Sunday finds you meeting with some brothers and sisters in Christ. You need them and they need you. See you Sunday and thanks for reading....
Friday, April 19, 2013
Do you really know Jesus?
I don't know if you have ever heard of Matthew Staszak. I doubt it, unless you are a model train enthusiast who is "in the know." Staszak, who passed away in February of this year, was a leader in the St. James Model Railroad Club in St. James, New York, a small town near Long Island. I ran across an article that spoke of Staszak's love for model trains this week and was impressed by it. Fellow club members spoke of his passion for model trains. He loved sharing his knowledge and collection with his grandsons and with other members of the club. In the article, club members referred to how much Staszak was "the backbone of the club" and how much he knew about them.
Though I had a train set as a boy, I would not call myself a model train person. I admire, though, someone who is so into something that they really know it and are passionate about it. I have been reading through and studying the book of Philippians for the last several weeks. Philippians 3:10-11 really struck me this week. Paul writes there, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead." The word for "know" in the verse is the Greek word "gnonai" which means to ascertain, especially from personal experience. Paul's desire in this passage is to really, personally know Jesus Christ. Involved in that would be the power of his resurrection and the connection of sharing in his sufferings. There are quite a few things that could be pulled from this passage, but for the moment, I want to focus on Paul's desire to "know Jesus." I wonder sometimes how many Christians really want to "know Jesus." I am confident that several know about Jesus. I am certain that there are people who really want to feel Jesus in their lives. I am sure that quite a few want to be able to call on Jesus when trouble hits. I dont' know, though, how many really desire to know Him. What does it mean to know him?
Looking at what Paul wrote, I think it is clear that to know him means to experience the power of his resurrection. I think this might mean to have the resurrection be real in your life. Have you died to sin and been resurrected a new person? Do you know what it means to become a "new creation?" Are you living for Christ or do you still tend to live for yourself? Paul continued to say to know "the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings." I think this might mean that we need to be so changed from the rest of the world that we might actually suffer for his name.
This is a real challenge, I think. I want to know Jesus, too, but when I write or say that, I ought to be aware of what that means. It is more than just having knowledge of Him. It involves being so "into Him" that my life is changed from the inside out and I am willing to suffer because of my faith.
I hope that all of us will consider our own walk with the Lord and honestly desire to "know Jesus." Thanks for reading and have a blessed day....
Though I had a train set as a boy, I would not call myself a model train person. I admire, though, someone who is so into something that they really know it and are passionate about it. I have been reading through and studying the book of Philippians for the last several weeks. Philippians 3:10-11 really struck me this week. Paul writes there, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead." The word for "know" in the verse is the Greek word "gnonai" which means to ascertain, especially from personal experience. Paul's desire in this passage is to really, personally know Jesus Christ. Involved in that would be the power of his resurrection and the connection of sharing in his sufferings. There are quite a few things that could be pulled from this passage, but for the moment, I want to focus on Paul's desire to "know Jesus." I wonder sometimes how many Christians really want to "know Jesus." I am confident that several know about Jesus. I am certain that there are people who really want to feel Jesus in their lives. I am sure that quite a few want to be able to call on Jesus when trouble hits. I dont' know, though, how many really desire to know Him. What does it mean to know him?
Looking at what Paul wrote, I think it is clear that to know him means to experience the power of his resurrection. I think this might mean to have the resurrection be real in your life. Have you died to sin and been resurrected a new person? Do you know what it means to become a "new creation?" Are you living for Christ or do you still tend to live for yourself? Paul continued to say to know "the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings." I think this might mean that we need to be so changed from the rest of the world that we might actually suffer for his name.
This is a real challenge, I think. I want to know Jesus, too, but when I write or say that, I ought to be aware of what that means. It is more than just having knowledge of Him. It involves being so "into Him" that my life is changed from the inside out and I am willing to suffer because of my faith.
I hope that all of us will consider our own walk with the Lord and honestly desire to "know Jesus." Thanks for reading and have a blessed day....
Friday, April 12, 2013
When Life Is Hard...
Lately I've been around quite a few folks that are going through some difficult times. The loss of a loved one; the scary results of a medical test; an upcoming surgery; broken homes and relationships; questions about job security; court dates; the list seems endless.
At a funeral this week (one of those incredibly tragic things on the list), I heard two songs by the Christian group Mercy Me. Both songs, I thought, were inspiring and made me think. Sometimes, when things get incredibly hard, we need to focus our eyes on heaven. The first of these songs, "I Can Only Imagine," helped me do that. It was a wonderful reminder that as hard as life may get here, there will come a day "with no more pain and no more tears." The apostle John saw what that day looked like as he wrote in Revelation 21:3-4. "God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things is passed away." A day is coming when all sadness, sorrow, pain and death are no more. Can you imagine...
** no more car accidents
** no more reports of cancer
** no more fatal shootings
** no more wheelchairs or walkers
** no more pill bottles
** no more Alzheimer's units
** no more divorce
** no more financial uncertainty
** no more layoffs and closings
These things will be gone in the new order. That leads to the second song I heard, "Homesick." It speaks of an intense longing to go home to be with the Lord and loved ones. I think this captures very well my feelings at times, and maybe your's, too. There are times when the events of this world and the awful things that occur make us want to get away from all the ugliness and sin. I'm not advocating rushing that "get away." God has a plan for each one of us here and has numbered our days. I do, though, get the longing of the disciples and of countless numbers of Christians over the ages who have longed for His coming. I join them in saying, "Maranatha." "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus."
I hope when life is hard for you that you'll look to the Lord and to heaven. Thanks for reading and have a blessed day...
At a funeral this week (one of those incredibly tragic things on the list), I heard two songs by the Christian group Mercy Me. Both songs, I thought, were inspiring and made me think. Sometimes, when things get incredibly hard, we need to focus our eyes on heaven. The first of these songs, "I Can Only Imagine," helped me do that. It was a wonderful reminder that as hard as life may get here, there will come a day "with no more pain and no more tears." The apostle John saw what that day looked like as he wrote in Revelation 21:3-4. "God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things is passed away." A day is coming when all sadness, sorrow, pain and death are no more. Can you imagine...
** no more car accidents
** no more reports of cancer
** no more fatal shootings
** no more wheelchairs or walkers
** no more pill bottles
** no more Alzheimer's units
** no more divorce
** no more financial uncertainty
** no more layoffs and closings
These things will be gone in the new order. That leads to the second song I heard, "Homesick." It speaks of an intense longing to go home to be with the Lord and loved ones. I think this captures very well my feelings at times, and maybe your's, too. There are times when the events of this world and the awful things that occur make us want to get away from all the ugliness and sin. I'm not advocating rushing that "get away." God has a plan for each one of us here and has numbered our days. I do, though, get the longing of the disciples and of countless numbers of Christians over the ages who have longed for His coming. I join them in saying, "Maranatha." "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus."
I hope when life is hard for you that you'll look to the Lord and to heaven. Thanks for reading and have a blessed day...
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Take A Stand
In the last few weeks I found myself taking a stand for something that most people today do not view as a big deal. While I don't think I have ever run from a good discussion, I did not find it pleasant or enjoyable to take a position that so many others do not. I am in the doctoral program at Lincoln Christian University and am taking a class in church history. Throughout this discussion, I have taken heart in those who "took a stand" before me. I orignially wrote this for that class, but decided it could go here, too.
It's sometimes hard to take an unpopular position on a particular issue. In my work with students in both middle and high school, it seems to me there are many concerns about how one is viewed by one’s peers. Being different for any reason is tough. Being different because of your faith may well be doubly difficult. Young people, in today’s culture, are pretty blunt and can be harsh to those who are different, especially those who swim upstream against the permissive culture of our day. If you are willing to take a stand for your beliefs, you will be looked as different, but you will not be alone. There have been many who have taken a stand. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs is challenging and inspiring reading. You can find several good stories of men and women who were willing to give their lives for their beliefs. The pages of church history also give us some good examples.
From the website, English Bible History (http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/martin-luther.html), consider this about Martin Luther.
Luther's Protestant views were condemned as heretical by Pope Leo X in the bull Exsurge Domine in 1520. Consequently Luther was summoned to either renounce or reaffirm them at the Diet of Worms on 17 April 1521. When he appeared before the assembly, Johann von Eck, by then assistant to the Archbishop of Trier, acted as spokesman for Emperor Charles the Fifth. He presented Luther with a table filled with copies of his writings. Eck asked Luther if he still believed what these works taught. He requested time to think about his answer. Granted an extension, Luther prayed, consulted with friends and mediators and presented himself before the Diet the next day.
When the counselor put the same question to Luther the next day, the reformer apologized for the harsh tone of many of his writings, but said that he could not reject the majority of them or the teachings in them. Luther respectfully but boldly stated, "Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."
On May 25, the Emperor issued his Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw.
Luther was willing to take a stand. He wasn’t always right, but he was true to his convictions. It’s a good example for all of us. Know what you believe. Know why you believe it. Then, no matter what opposition may come, stand. You can’t go wrong.
It's sometimes hard to take an unpopular position on a particular issue. In my work with students in both middle and high school, it seems to me there are many concerns about how one is viewed by one’s peers. Being different for any reason is tough. Being different because of your faith may well be doubly difficult. Young people, in today’s culture, are pretty blunt and can be harsh to those who are different, especially those who swim upstream against the permissive culture of our day. If you are willing to take a stand for your beliefs, you will be looked as different, but you will not be alone. There have been many who have taken a stand. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs is challenging and inspiring reading. You can find several good stories of men and women who were willing to give their lives for their beliefs. The pages of church history also give us some good examples.
From the website, English Bible History (http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/martin-luther.html), consider this about Martin Luther.
Luther's Protestant views were condemned as heretical by Pope Leo X in the bull Exsurge Domine in 1520. Consequently Luther was summoned to either renounce or reaffirm them at the Diet of Worms on 17 April 1521. When he appeared before the assembly, Johann von Eck, by then assistant to the Archbishop of Trier, acted as spokesman for Emperor Charles the Fifth. He presented Luther with a table filled with copies of his writings. Eck asked Luther if he still believed what these works taught. He requested time to think about his answer. Granted an extension, Luther prayed, consulted with friends and mediators and presented himself before the Diet the next day.
When the counselor put the same question to Luther the next day, the reformer apologized for the harsh tone of many of his writings, but said that he could not reject the majority of them or the teachings in them. Luther respectfully but boldly stated, "Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."
On May 25, the Emperor issued his Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw.
Luther was willing to take a stand. He wasn’t always right, but he was true to his convictions. It’s a good example for all of us. Know what you believe. Know why you believe it. Then, no matter what opposition may come, stand. You can’t go wrong.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
2011 Book List
It has been a long time since I posted here, but I hope you'll forgive me. There have been a few things happening that have prevented me from visiting again. I hope all of you who read here have a blessed and wonderful 2012.
I wanted to end the year by providing you the list of books that I read over 2011. I will note the "Billiam" or "Best Book" in each category and award what I think is the best book I read this year. Here is the list of what I read...
Juvenile Fiction:
Gathering Blue- Lowry
Messenger- Lowry
Where The Red Fern Grows- Rawls
A Wrinkle in Time- L’Engle
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry- Taylor
Island of the Blue Dolphins- O’Dell
The Outsiders- Hinton
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas- Boyne
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth- Kinney
Heroes Don’t Run: A Pacific War Novel- Mazer
Soldier’s Heart- Paulsen
Milkweed- Spinelli
Fair Weather- Peck
A Year Down Yonder- Peck
A Season of Gifts- Peck
The Amber Spyglass- Pullman
The Firework Maker’s Daughter- Pullman
Holes- Sachar
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever- Kinney
Fiction:
Animal Farm- Orwell
Twelve Angry Men- Rose
Pudd’nhead Wilson- Twain
The Confession- Grisham
Cattle Annie and Little Britches- Ward
The Color Purple- Walker
Christian Fiction:
Face of Betrayal- Wiehl and Henry
Hand of Fate- Wiehl and Henry
Skin- Dekker
Adam- Dekker
Heart of Ice- Wiehl and Henry
The Priest’s Graveyard- Dekker
Christian Devotional/Study:
Jesus: The Greatest Life of All- Swindoll
Finding God in Unexpected Places- Yancey
The Lord’s Supper- Marty
Slaying the Giants in Your Life- Jeremiah
In Every Pew Sits A Broken Heart- Graham
Heaven is for Real- Burpo
Finding Favor with the King- Tenney
Theology for the Community of God- Grenz
God’s Story Your Story- Lucado
Non-Fiction
The Hardball Handbook: How To Win At Life- Matthews
Invasion- Malkin
Heroes of the Holocaust- Zullo and Bovsun
Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government- Beck
Obama’s Wars- Woodward
The Yankee Years- Verducci and Torre
Common Sense: Paine
Extraordinary Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family- Rice
Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight- Rove
Change We Can Believe In- Obama
On the list you will find a total of 50 books. Here are the awards for each category.
Juvenile Fiction: A Season of Gifts- Peck This book was just a really good read. I enjoy Peck's writing style and his characters, in my opinion, jump off the page. The message of this book is uplifting and warm. I read it twice this year.
Fiction: The Confession- Grisham I am a big fan of John Grisham and this one did not disappoint. He is a bit more liberal in his political views than some others, but his stories always cause me to think. I believe Grisham to be the best current American fiction writer.
Christian Fiction: The Priest's Graveyard- Dekker I confess that this year my selections in this category were limited. I really like the Triple Threat series by Lis Wiehl, but Dekker wins. I read this one at the beginning of the Bible Bowl summer season. It was solid.
Christian Study/Devotional: God's Story Your Story-Lucado. I am a fan of both Yancey and Lucado and both of their books that I read this year were very good. I know I am aging myself a bit by going with Lucado as opposed to some of the more current and cutting edge writers, but I really enjoyed this one and read it in two days.
Non-Fiction: Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight- Rove I really liked several of the books in this category. Of note were the Condoleeza Rice book and Joe Torre's book. Both of these I read this last summer and liked a lot. Courage and Consequence, though, revealed more about Karl Rove than I had known previously. I have come to respect him even more and think he has some good ideas for our country.
The "Billiam" or the "Best Book" in my opinion this year is Richard Peck's "A Season of Gifts."
I hope you will invest your time reading this year. May God bless you and thanks for reading here at "Bill's View."
I wanted to end the year by providing you the list of books that I read over 2011. I will note the "Billiam" or "Best Book" in each category and award what I think is the best book I read this year. Here is the list of what I read...
Juvenile Fiction:
Gathering Blue- Lowry
Messenger- Lowry
Where The Red Fern Grows- Rawls
A Wrinkle in Time- L’Engle
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry- Taylor
Island of the Blue Dolphins- O’Dell
The Outsiders- Hinton
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas- Boyne
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth- Kinney
Heroes Don’t Run: A Pacific War Novel- Mazer
Soldier’s Heart- Paulsen
Milkweed- Spinelli
Fair Weather- Peck
A Year Down Yonder- Peck
A Season of Gifts- Peck
The Amber Spyglass- Pullman
The Firework Maker’s Daughter- Pullman
Holes- Sachar
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever- Kinney
Fiction:
Animal Farm- Orwell
Twelve Angry Men- Rose
Pudd’nhead Wilson- Twain
The Confession- Grisham
Cattle Annie and Little Britches- Ward
The Color Purple- Walker
Christian Fiction:
Face of Betrayal- Wiehl and Henry
Hand of Fate- Wiehl and Henry
Skin- Dekker
Adam- Dekker
Heart of Ice- Wiehl and Henry
The Priest’s Graveyard- Dekker
Christian Devotional/Study:
Jesus: The Greatest Life of All- Swindoll
Finding God in Unexpected Places- Yancey
The Lord’s Supper- Marty
Slaying the Giants in Your Life- Jeremiah
In Every Pew Sits A Broken Heart- Graham
Heaven is for Real- Burpo
Finding Favor with the King- Tenney
Theology for the Community of God- Grenz
God’s Story Your Story- Lucado
Non-Fiction
The Hardball Handbook: How To Win At Life- Matthews
Invasion- Malkin
Heroes of the Holocaust- Zullo and Bovsun
Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government- Beck
Obama’s Wars- Woodward
The Yankee Years- Verducci and Torre
Common Sense: Paine
Extraordinary Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family- Rice
Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight- Rove
Change We Can Believe In- Obama
On the list you will find a total of 50 books. Here are the awards for each category.
Juvenile Fiction: A Season of Gifts- Peck This book was just a really good read. I enjoy Peck's writing style and his characters, in my opinion, jump off the page. The message of this book is uplifting and warm. I read it twice this year.
Fiction: The Confession- Grisham I am a big fan of John Grisham and this one did not disappoint. He is a bit more liberal in his political views than some others, but his stories always cause me to think. I believe Grisham to be the best current American fiction writer.
Christian Fiction: The Priest's Graveyard- Dekker I confess that this year my selections in this category were limited. I really like the Triple Threat series by Lis Wiehl, but Dekker wins. I read this one at the beginning of the Bible Bowl summer season. It was solid.
Christian Study/Devotional: God's Story Your Story-Lucado. I am a fan of both Yancey and Lucado and both of their books that I read this year were very good. I know I am aging myself a bit by going with Lucado as opposed to some of the more current and cutting edge writers, but I really enjoyed this one and read it in two days.
Non-Fiction: Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight- Rove I really liked several of the books in this category. Of note were the Condoleeza Rice book and Joe Torre's book. Both of these I read this last summer and liked a lot. Courage and Consequence, though, revealed more about Karl Rove than I had known previously. I have come to respect him even more and think he has some good ideas for our country.
The "Billiam" or the "Best Book" in my opinion this year is Richard Peck's "A Season of Gifts."
I hope you will invest your time reading this year. May God bless you and thanks for reading here at "Bill's View."
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Whew! It Has Been Busy!!!
The last few weeks have been incredibly busy. I suppose that might be true for quite a few folks. I've been immersed in finishing teaching New Testament Survey for Dallas Christian College; working on Systematic Theology and Hebrew 1 for Lincoln Christian Seminary; teaching three different groups of students at Union Middle School; teaching Character Education to the number two ranked football team in the state of Missouri; leading open gyms for middle school basketball; and coaching both Bible Bowl and Beginner Bowl at First Christian in Washington. In addition to that I have been learning a lot about writing from my editor at White Feather Press, Mary Mueller. I have a novella coming out in November with White Feather Press and getting that ready had been a challenge. I thought I'd share a few observations about that process in this edition of "Bill's View."
First, we ought to realize that none of us is perfect. Paul reminds us of that truth in Romans. He notes, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). I have certainly been reminded of that by Mary. I thought I was a decent writer. I know that some of you might raise an issue here, but, for the most part, I think I can put subject and verb together. Not long ago I sent Mary my best work on this story that I've had for four years and just sold to White Feather Press. I reworked it and had two friends who are very good at editing clean it up even more. It was my best work. Mary sent it back to me with over three hundred corrections; all in red. My finest work wasn't good enough.
There is a spiritual lesson here. I think sometimes we feel like we can "polish ourselves," then present to God "our best" and think it will be all right for him. The truth is our best is never good enough for God to just accept us. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can come to God.
Second, this process has shown me that it is all right, however, to keep working on something until it is right. I've had a tendency in the past to just write something and think it's "good enough." I'm beginning to learn hard work and being willing to go over something again and again moves it from being "good enough" to, dare I say it, "good." Now, I won't say my story is good, nor will Mary. It is, though, better. I hope, when it comes out, some of you (maybe a lot of you) will read it.
The application here is that I need that same tenacity in my life and walk with the Lord. My salvation is not dependent upon my being "good," but I think I too often settle for "good enough" when, with a little work, discipline and patience, I might get to "good" in my walk and serving Him. I see this in how I observe my quiet time; how I handle my prayer life; how I enter worship; how seriously I take my Bible reading and memorization; and how my attitude is serving others. We can't make ourselves clean enough for acceptance, but once we are accepted, shouldn't we give our best? We are to do whatever we do "as unto the Lord" (Colossians 3:17). He deserves my striving for "good" and not just my "good enough."
I don't think I will stop being busy for a while and probably that's true for a lot of you. That's ok, though. Let's keep the Lord first in our thoughts and on our "To Do" lists. Have a great day and thanks for reading...
First, we ought to realize that none of us is perfect. Paul reminds us of that truth in Romans. He notes, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). I have certainly been reminded of that by Mary. I thought I was a decent writer. I know that some of you might raise an issue here, but, for the most part, I think I can put subject and verb together. Not long ago I sent Mary my best work on this story that I've had for four years and just sold to White Feather Press. I reworked it and had two friends who are very good at editing clean it up even more. It was my best work. Mary sent it back to me with over three hundred corrections; all in red. My finest work wasn't good enough.
There is a spiritual lesson here. I think sometimes we feel like we can "polish ourselves," then present to God "our best" and think it will be all right for him. The truth is our best is never good enough for God to just accept us. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can come to God.
Second, this process has shown me that it is all right, however, to keep working on something until it is right. I've had a tendency in the past to just write something and think it's "good enough." I'm beginning to learn hard work and being willing to go over something again and again moves it from being "good enough" to, dare I say it, "good." Now, I won't say my story is good, nor will Mary. It is, though, better. I hope, when it comes out, some of you (maybe a lot of you) will read it.
The application here is that I need that same tenacity in my life and walk with the Lord. My salvation is not dependent upon my being "good," but I think I too often settle for "good enough" when, with a little work, discipline and patience, I might get to "good" in my walk and serving Him. I see this in how I observe my quiet time; how I handle my prayer life; how I enter worship; how seriously I take my Bible reading and memorization; and how my attitude is serving others. We can't make ourselves clean enough for acceptance, but once we are accepted, shouldn't we give our best? We are to do whatever we do "as unto the Lord" (Colossians 3:17). He deserves my striving for "good" and not just my "good enough."
I don't think I will stop being busy for a while and probably that's true for a lot of you. That's ok, though. Let's keep the Lord first in our thoughts and on our "To Do" lists. Have a great day and thanks for reading...
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