Bible Reading Laziness

People everywhere are reading their Bibles... at least for a few more days. Thousands of guilt-avoiders have entered 2010 saying, "I should read my Bible more this year." As a Christian and pastor, I'm always thrilled when people read their Bibles. Lots of slipping is starting to take place - on the roads - and in our Bible study attempts. We are less than 2 full weeks into 2010 and there are untold numbers who have started slipping from their vague "read the Bible more this year" resolutions. It has become another chore or "to do list" item. It can and should be one activity that we really look forward to doing. I actively work to avoid the disease of "Bible Reading Laziness." Here's some things that I do to keep it fresh and exciting for me.
1) I develop a plan of what I will read today in the Bible. I have done many different plans over the years. Without an intentional approach, you'll stop sooner.
2) I pray that God will help me stay focused and interested. Don't forget, this is His word after all.
3) I work to understand what it meant when it was written before I seek to make personal applications. This is the hard part, but it is the key to becoming a Bible student.
4) I often read with a pencil in hand. My mind is much more focused and engaged when I am looking to circle or underline in my Bible (I like pencils b/c pens & highlighters too often bleed through the thin page).
5) I will sometimes read out loud. The words sink in when I see, hear, and say them.
6) I read (much) more than a chapter a day. I can read most chapters in 5 minutes or less. Spend some time reading more at once so it has a chance to sink in.
7) I always read a more "interesting" book when I'm in a tougher book. For instance, I recommend reading a New Testament epistle to supplement your reading of books like Leviticus or Ezekiel. (there are no unimportant books - but some are more straightforward and directly practical)
8) I view Bible Reading and Bible Study as two separate activities. All Christians should do both. Bible Reading is like doing an aerial tour of the Grand Canyon. Bible Study is like hiking through the Grand Canyon.
9) I look forwards to sharing what I learn with others. Why should I keep all this good stuff to myself?
10) I read the Bible through in a new translation every year. With true respect for those whom this appals, this helps me evaluate translations while experiencing true spiritual growth through the readily available resources of our day.

Dawg-Gone Disappointment

The profanity was profuse, the beer was flowing, and the deafening boos rang out. Welcome to Cleveland Browns Stadium. Of these activities, I participated in only one - the occasional "boo" of disapproval. It was my first NFL game, and I won't soon forget it. Monday Night Football. National TV audience. As predicted, the hopeful anticipation of the first half soon turned to dismal embarrassment. Final score: Ravens 16, Browns 0. I'm pretty sure that I was more entertained by the insane fans than the game itself. Clevelanders passionately love their Brownies. They also love having no leg room, sitting in the personal space of their neighbors, waiting 25 minutes for a piece of expensive pizza and coffee, and paying $25 to park. Amid all of the inconveniences (including the horrible team), thousands of those people live for evenings like that. In a joyless world of debt, stress, and frustration, people everywhere long for something to bring happiness and fulfillment to life. By the end of the 3rd quarter, tens of thousands of angry, disappointed, and drunk fans hit the exits like cattle being herded towards greener pasture. I actually felt bad for them. Not that their team is so horrible... I felt bad that so many lives are lacking true fulfillment. Sure, I left disappointed too, but I actually looked forward to getting up and going to work on Tuesday. I get to serve God. I am genuinely fulfilled in life because of my relationship with Him. I hope you know Him in a personal way and are finding true fulfillment in life by following Jesus. "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord." Philippians 3:7-8.

My Halloween Stitches

Ever wonder why scary Halloween monsters like Frankenstein and zombies always have stitches on their head or face? Do the stiches make the creature more frightening or repulsive? Or are they somehow a sign of manhood and toughness?

Like Frankenstein, I received some stiches in my head, just in time for Halloween. While they are frightening and repulsive, they are clearly a sign of manhood and toughness.

I took this picture of my stitched dome while hoping none of my collegues were secretly watching. Since you're asking, "what did you do to your head?..." let me say, my injury was intentional. That's right. I chose to have my bald head scarred for life. Before you assume I have a psychological problem, let me explain. I have noticed a weird bump growing on the back of my head under my skin. I was hoping my brain was growing, but Web MD said it was probably a cyst. For almost a year, LaVonna kept saying, "You need to go have that thing looked at." I finally obeyed her orders and off to the dermatologist I went. He agreed with my Web MD self-diagnosis: it was just a cyst, it wasn't going to disappear, and it should be surgically removed. So, I allowed the doctor to perform a partial decapitation on me... just in time for Halloween.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "I have learned, in whatever state I am... to be content." (Philippians 4:11) This verse assumes that sometimes life is inconvenient or even depressing. The verse doesn't mean that we're always happy about everything that happens. But Scripture does teach this principle: we need to accept the situation God allows for us. Complaining about it does no good. Getting mad at God is counter-productive. I can be content and secure in God's will for my life... even if it means having a partial head-amputation.

By The Way, You're Preaching Today

It was a relatively normal Sunday morning... for a while. Praise Team rehearsal at 8 AM. Teach my ABF class at 9 AM. Lead worship at 10:15 AM. We had finished rehearsal and it was ABF class time. I was mingling in my class around 9:10 and Neal Wheeler, one of our pastors, stumbled in the back door of the room. I rushed over to him because there was something obvious wrong. Neal muttered out, "John, I just got sick." Taking several reverse steps I said, "Oh, that's terrible... Oh, wait... you're supposed to preach today... Oh no... I guess I'm preaching today now." I sent Neal home. Poor guy. He was so pale. And poor me. The pressure was on. I told Jeremy, my class assistant that I'd be back in 15 minutes. Running to my office, my mind was racing about what I should speak on. I quickly located sermon notes of a message I used in another location about 2 months ago. I ran the notes up to my screen guy so he could throw together some PowerPoint slides before the service started. I ran back to my ABF and taught my class. Then I went straight to the Worship Center, retrieved my sermon notes from the screen guy, spent 30 seconds on my knees, and then led worship. Never have I been more thankful for a long choir song than on Sunday. I had 7 or 8 minutes to silently review my notes and read my text from the Bible before it was sermon time. I didn't communicate as well as I would want, but it was amazing how God used my meager, last minute message. For whatever reason, it was obvious God was in it. That message, as well as many other archived messages are available to hear at http://www.cantonbaptist.org/.

Later at home, LaVonna and I realized this: when an audience knows that a speaker is thrust into an awkward, under-prepared situation, they listen more intently. An audience like that generally understands the pressure, they're glad they're not in the speaker's shoes, but they want to see what the speaker will say on the spot. The bigger the crowd, the greater the pressure. I kept asking God to keep me focused and not think too much about what I was actually doing.

Life can sometimes make us reach for the panic button. We have to stay God-focused and others-oriented in ministry. Everyone wants to do a good job, but ministry is not about earning another's pat on the back. It's not about "doing a good job." Ministry is about encouraging people to trust God. His word is the key to that influence. Paul told Timothy, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season." (2 Timothy 4:2) We never know when God will thrust us into a key opportunity to speak His truth to another. The next time you're there, don't hit the panic button. Relax, draw strength from God, and let Him use you - as you use His word.

When the Heckler Won't Stop

Last night I had a disruptive visitor in my class. He was a Roman Catholic "expert" who came to my study on the dangers of Roman Catholic doctrine. Our topic was the Virgin Mary. This "expert" interrupted and disputed my teaching more times than I can remember throughout the evening. I am all for healthy discussion in class settings and am a big fan of interactive one-on-one conversations. In a class setting however, certain boundaries must be observed by everyone, and control must be maintained by the teacher. As the hour went on, the disruptive "Catholic expert" was clearly crossing the line and I knew I must maintain control. Several questions crossed my mind as I taught: 1) Do I ask him to leave? I almost did, but I really wanted him to hear Biblical truth. 2) How much do I allow him to talk? Sometimes I like the opposing point of view to be present because it reinforces why I'm addressing that subject. This definitely happened. It also gives God's Spirit a wonderful opportunity to correct faulty doctrine. But the opposition cannot take over. 3) How do I respectfully show him that he's Biblically wrong and that he's crossed social boundaries in the class? This is tough stuff. My goal was to reach him, but his goal was to publicly prove me (and the Bible) wrong. Once this became apparent to me and the 40+ others attending the class, I respectfully explained that his comments were no longer welcome. "I would be happy to dialogue with you individually, but I have a class of people who came to hear me teach, not you interrupt." 3-4 More times I had to make similar statements as his persistance mounted. Right up to my closing prayer, he insisted on rudely interjecting. The entire class was more than weary of him. I pray they felt sorry for him and are burdened for him. It was one of the most unique and memorable teaching hours I've ever led.

It is good for all of us to occasionally experience theological challenges. This one for me happened to be a public one (and I was sure glad I was well prepared!) We must remember that our goal is not to win - Even When the Heckler Won't Stop. God has called us to present Truth from the Bible, and to allow it to correct those who believe false doctrine. Sharing truth is not a pride competition between you and another person. We need to tactfully, lovingly, and firmly share truth. God alone changes hearts. God alone also holds the unrepentant opposition accountable.

One final thought: it is amazing how opposition makes the Body of Christ draw together in unity. I was very proud of our class and their increased desire to allow the Bible alone to determine what we believe and what we reject.

Backstage w/ Steve Green

In 10 minutes it would be concert time. The setup was complete. The worship center was packed. The busiest week of my life was almost over. I slipped back to Steve Green's private room to escort him to the platform. Steve was leading his band in prayer. He was unaware of my eves-dropping. He prayed - "Lord, help us to be a blessing to this church and the hundreds of pastors gathered. Give us genuine love in our hearts for them. We know that we will be flooded with people after the concert. Help us to be compassionate to each one and to love even the unlovely. Help us to love even those who might really annoy us... give us a love for them too. If we don't have love for these, then we are nothing more than Juan's (his drummer) cymbals. And they're nice cymbals... (laughs in the room)... but without love for these people we are nothing."

After hoping I was not one who was annoying to him, we headed to the platform. The concert was incredibly spiritually uplifting. Afterwards, I watched Steve interact with those he prayed about: the pastors, the floods of people, the unlovely, and the annoying. He treated them all the same. He patiently listened to the same words he'd heard a million times over from people saying: "we had your songs in our wedding!" "You've been my favorite singer since I was a kid!" "It is such an honor to meet you!" "Can I get a picture with you?" One missionary lady (who acted like a teenage girl talking with Elvis) said, "I can't believe I'm talking to you... I grew up on the mission field and your music was the only music we had to listen to!" He promptly, humbly, and sincerely replied, "I'm so sorry. There's so much better artists than me. But thank you so much. It really means a lot to hear you say that." I didn't see him blow off anyone all day. Steve Green is the same person on the platform as he is in a private setting. He set a living example to me of how to treat people in ministry. He prayed ahead of time for God to give him the strength to be loving and respectful - to everyone. Time and time again I got to see God answer that prayer. "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." I Corinthians 13:1

An Offer I Couldn't Refuse

After the overwhelming excitement of the kiddie roller coaster, the merry-go-round, and the ferris wheel, it was time for a more manly quest: the batting cages. I recently attended a family party at Tuscora Park, which is full of nice playgrounds, a few rides, and of course, the batting cages. With every revolution of the twirly swings, my brother, Eric and I were longing more and more to go take some real swings. We each had an embarrassing round or two before we got our timing down and really started hitting. While Eric was hitting in the 35-40 mph cage (the slowest one), a guy stepped out of the next cage down and said to me, "you can hit the rest of these pitches, I'm done." Free swings? I couldn't refuse. I soon realized these pitches were much more than I could handle. It was the 80-85 mph cage. They were coming fast and furious. Not once did I even make contact... in fact, not even close. It gave me much more sympathy for pro players when they strike out, and much more appreciation for them when they hit it well. I guess that's why I make the big bucks as a pastor and not a baseball player. "Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud." Prov. 16:19