Thoughts on getting deeper into the Scriptures

I found this post on another site, and would like to share it with you ...

And I will show you a still more excellent way ...

I'd like to share a happy discovery I've made since I've been back in my home state of Texas. My family and I came here a month ago to spend the holidays with our families. And here, as in Scotland, I've been reading a lot of church history and theology, off- and online (mainly blogs). I want to highlight the most life-changing post I've read in months -- maybe ever. In it Justin Taylor cited Joe Carter, who had taken a strategy from a book by the late James M. Gray. Taylor's post was entitled, 'Four Steps to Transform Your Life'. Here they are:

1. Choose a book of the Bible.
2. Read it in its entirety.
3. Repeat Step 2 twenty times.
4. Repeat this process for all 66 books of the Bible.

To make a long post (that has very little to do with the Puritans) short, I decided to take Gray's/Carter's/Taylor's advice, and I'm now beginning my 15th reading of 1 Thessalonians. The results? Well, I haven't been caught up to the third heaven or had any epiphanies.

But I can say, without exaggerating, that I've experienced more sublime peace and gained more insight and encouragement reading Paul's heartfelt epistle these 14 times than I've ever known scouring the musings of men in print or around the blogosphere.

In fact, since I started following this plan I've come to the conviction that an intimate knowledge of God's sacred Word -- the kind of familiarity I believe anyone with a 6th-grade education can obtain by simply following these four steps in earnest -- is many times more valuable and profitable than any education any theological institution can offer. Don't get me wrong: I've had eight years of formal theological training, and I still recommend a (conservative) seminary education to anyone thinking seriously about going into full-time ministry. But if you finish all of that and you don't know and love the Scriptures, I can't help but think it's all an expensive waste.

This program isn't a magic formula for spiritual maturity. In its essence it's simply a way to master the Bible, one book at a time. And it's effective.

Read books, read blogs, read the news, read whatever you feel edifies you -- but you'll never find rest for your harried soul until you return to the pages of God's Word and make it your home. If you're preparing for vocational ministry or are already immersed in it, I can think of no better way to train yourself than to follow the four steps above prayerfully and obediently. I guarantee that if you do, you'll never lack the power or resources needed to feed the Lord's flock. By God's grace you'll be a holy powerhouse. Try it!

Girls Gone Wild

This week's edition of Newsweek has an article about the effect that celebrities and their actions have on teenagers. It is an eye-opening article that makes one reconsider how much influence and power we allow celebrities to have over our children. Should these people who we don't really know - all we know is the image they choose to put forth - be allowed to shape our children? From casual sex to casual drug-usage to their lack of clothing - is this who we really want our children to grow up to be, especially our girls, who tend to be more susceptible to this? Whatever happened to the shining example of the Proverbs 31 woman?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16961761/site/newsweek/

Please be aware that there is some frank talk in this article - and some pictorial slide shows that go along with it. Proceed with caution ...

Interesting Thoughts

A friend of mine, who is an ARP pastor in the upstate of SC, has a blog, and he posted this quotes - interesting thoughts to ponder on ...

Richard Baxter: "All churches either rise or fall as the ministry doth rise or fall, not in riches or worldly grandeur, but in knowledge, zeal, and ability for their work."

Charles Spurgeon: "Today there is not very much Gospel about; the church has given it up; a great many preachers preach everything but the living truth. This is sad; but it is a strong reason why you and I should teach more Gospel than ever. I have often thought to myself -- Other men may teach socialism, deliver lectures, or collect a band of fiddlers, that they may gather a congregation; but I will preach the Gospel. I will preach more Gospel than ever if I can; I will stick more to the one cardinal point. The other brethren can attend to the odds and ends, but I will keep to Christ crucified. To the men of vast ability, who are looking to the events of the day, I would say, 'Allow one poor fool to keep preaching the Gospel.' Beloved teachers, be fools for Christ, and keep to the Gospel. Don't you be afraid; it has life in it, and it will grow: only bring it out and let it grow."

John Calvin: "It is certain that if we come to church we shall not hear only a mortal man speaking but we shall feel (even by his secret power) that God is speaking to our souls, that he is the teacher. He so touches us that the human voice enters into us and so profits us that we are refreshed and nourished by it. God calls us to him as if he had his mouth open and we saw him there in person."