Finding Profound Joy in an Amazing Place

When I was a boy, I attended church most Sundays with my family, but it wasn’t what we’d call a “Bible-teaching church.” The minister would solemnly read a passage from the Bible, but then he would basically preach whatever was on his mind. Sometimes it related to the passage; sometimes it didn’t. I don’t recall ever hearing him say the Bible is practical and relevant for everyday life. I had no idea that it was “living and active, sharper than a double-edged sword,” as it says in Hebrews 4:12.

 

Even into my early adult years, if you had asked me, I would have told you I thought the Bible was a manual for preachers, maybe someone with a seminary degree; certainly not for ordinary people. It didn’t help that the only edition of the Scriptures I knew of at the time was the King James Version, with lots of outdated language that made it difficult for me to understand.

 

When I was about 30, I took a job in suburban Houston, Texas and my family and I started attending a church where the Bible was taught and revered. Every Sunday the pastor would demonstrate the “unity of the Scriptures,” showing how different parts of the Bible could be used to “exposit” or explain what other passages meant.

 

There I was introduced to a modern translation of the Bible for the first time. Gone were the “thee’s” and “thou’s” and “begats.” The Lord, I discovered, spoke modern language. I was thrilled and overjoyed! This was the beginning of my life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, as I not only read and studied the Scriptures but also began committing verses to memory. As King David wrote in Psalm 119:11, "Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You." That’s what I wanted to do as well.

 

An Old Testament passage tells a story, brief but beautiful, about someone else who also had a sincere encounter with the Word of God for the first time. For many years the kings of Judah had acted and governed as if there was no God, doing “detestable things.” The Scriptures, as they were in those days, had been stashed away and forgotten for a long time.

 

Then came Josiah, the antithesis of his father Amon and grandfather Manasseh who had ruled wickedly, worshipping false gods and adopting the pagan practices of other peoples. Josiah was different. We’re told, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father [King] David, not turning aside to the right or to the left” (2 Kings 22:2).

 

We don’t exactly know why Josiah didn’t adopt the evil practices of his father and grandfather except that Amon was only 24 when he was assassinated and Josiah, just eight years old, was named to succeed him. Maybe boy King J hadn’t been around his father long enough to learn and mimic his sinful behavior.

 

When Josiah was 26, in the 18^th year of his reign, a special moment occurred. A high priest named Hilkiah found “the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord,” the sacred Scriptures (2 Kings 22:8). He gave them to the king’s secretary, Shaphan, who read them aloud to Josiah. 

 

His response was one of joy and grief at the same time: “When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.” He told his aides, “'Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah…. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book…'” (2 Kings 22:11-13).

 

Josiah’s enthusiasm wasn’t temporary. He didn’t just listen to the Scriptures, then shrug his shoulders and say, “That’s nice. Now let’s get on with business.” Instead, with a humble heart he led a revival among the people of Judah, reaffirming the covenant God had made with them many years before.

 

He destroyed all the articles of worship to false gods, got rid of the pagan priests, and restored the sacred festivals and requirements God had established in the Book of the Law. We’re told, “Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did – with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength…” (2 Kings 23:25).

 

Years ago, a good friend was discipling a young couple who had just come to faith in Christ. They’d never read the Bible before – didn’t even own a copy. So, my friend gave them a Bible and had them read 2 Timothy 3:16, which says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

 

When the wife read those words, she exclaimed with joy and amazing insight, “Wow! God wrote a book!” 

The Bible, the Lord’s love letter to His children, should be a continuing source of joy for us as well as we seek to plumb its depth and experience its power. We’re not expected to “tear our robes” when we read it, but we should appreciate what an amazing and timeless gift from God it is. 

Resolved: Not to Make Any New Year’s Resolutions

Congratulations to me! I’ve succeeded in keeping the one resolution that I made at the start of 2025: I resolved not to make any other resolutions. Success!

 

Most resolutions are like ice cubes in the hot sun. They don’t last long. They’re the paving material for the roads to good intentions and wishful thinking. ‘I’m going to lose weight.’ ‘I’m going to exercise regularly.’ ‘I’m going to get out of debt.’ ‘I’m going to start reading my Bible.’ ‘I’m going to travel more this year.’ ‘I’m going to become a kinder person.’ If you’re a resolutions maker, you can probably add to that list.

 

Unfortunately, when it comes to resolutions, it’s not the thought that counts. They lack staying power, and as soon as you break a resolution that’s it. Game over. ‘I knew I couldn’t do it!’

 

Spending consistent time in the 
Scriptures is a worthwhile goal.

Does that mean we should forsake all efforts to make personal changes and strive for improvement? Not at all. But I’d suggest that instead of all-or-nothing resolutions, set goals instead. Use them as targets to aim toward. Some are reachable very quickly; others require perseverance over the long haul – a year or even longer.

For example: Instead of making a resolution to always eat right and radically change your lifestyle to become fit, set a goal. One that’s reasonable, measurable and attainable. That way, as the adage goes, if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. 

 

Years ago, a friend showed me the value of setting goals for different areas of life. Such as physical, mental, financial, relational, vocational, and spiritual. At the time my family had considerable debt, so we established a workable strategy and goals for digging ourselves out. As Proverbs 22:7 observes, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” It took time but we eventually were able to extricate ourselves from financial servitude.

 

I’ve consistently set goals for other areas of my life, but perhaps most important has been the spiritual. What kinds of goals can you set for that? Reading through the Bible in one year is one I’ve been able to achieve a number of times. If you set a resolution, “I’m going to read the Bible every day,” and miss even once you might conclude, ‘Why even try?’ However, if you set it as a goal, even if you miss a day or two you can always catch up when you have more time. There are a variety of schedules can be useful for doing that.

 

Why bother reading through the Bible? The first of the Psalms speaks about this: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked…. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2). If we don’t determine to focus on God and His Word, our minds are sure to find something else to focus on.

 

Scripture memory has proved to be another very helpful goal, seeking to memorize Bible passages that had special meaning for me. King David wrote, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word…. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9-11).

 

We find a similar principle in Joshua 1:8, which God spoke to Joshua as he was preparing to succeed Moses as leader of the Israelites: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” We live in a world that bombards us with messages contrary to what the Lord teaches us through the Scriptures. Memorizing and meditating on the Word of God helps us to cultivate thinking that aligns with His will for us.

 

A much broader spiritual goal might be to know the Lord better and, in the process to become more and more like Him. For this reason, years ago I adopted the first portion of Philippians 3:10 as presented in the Amplified Bible for my own purpose or mission statement. In effect, the apostle Paul was making this his life goal: “That I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly.”

 

Obviously, this isn’t something to be accomplished through a one-time resolution; it’s a lifelong goal. As Paul stated just two verses later, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12).

As we proceed into another new year, filled with uncertainties, challenges, opportunities, and unexpected twists and turns, I hope you choose to set some definitive goals – perhaps very different from mine – that will enable you to grow and flourish in becoming and doing whatever the Lord puts before you. Happy New Year!  

Quit Reminding Yourself Not to Forget

Years ago, I enrolled in a brief but intensive course on time management. The term itself is a bit of an oxymoron because we really can’t “manage” time. All we can do is strive to utilize our minutes and hours effectively and productively, not to squander them. But what I remember most from those two days was a commonsense recommendation.

 

What was the recommendation? Simply, it was to write things down so you won’t forget them. The instructor cited a study that indicated much of our mental energy is expended trying to remind ourselves not to forget something. 

 

Whether it’s an appointment, an errand we need to run, an item we’ll need to get at the grocery store, or in my case, an idea for an article or book I’m working on, write it down. The sooner, the better. Then we won’t need to worry about our memory failing us. “Now what was that I wanted to be sure not to forget?”

 

I’ve lost count of the times I’ve awakened in the middle of the night with an intriguing idea rattling around in my mind. “I’ll have to write that down in the morning.” But when the next morning comes it’s gone, perhaps lost forever in the graveyard for great ideas that were forgotten. Now, if I wake up with “the best idea since sliced bread,” even though it’s a bit of a nuisance I get out of bed and write it down on a notepad. Then I can return to sleep, unencumbered by, “Remember, don’t forget….”

 

I’ve found this a valuable strategy for spiritual growth as well. When I hear a particularly memorable concept during a sermon or a speaker offers a clever insight during a conference, I write those things down immediately. Someone once said something about how physically recording what we hear reinforces the impact of the concept: “From the lips, into the ears, and out through the fingertips.” 

 

Otherwise, I might find myself perplexed trying to recall whatever it was I thought was so significant at that moment. Without jotting it down with my pen, it’s in one ear and out the other.

 

This is one reason we have the Scriptures compiled as they are today. Early Jewish tradition was to pass important ideas along orally, but by writing them down they could be recorded with exactitude – as well as more easily remembered. In 2 Peter 1:20-21 we read, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of men, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

 

The ancient yet timeless prophetic words we find in the Bible weren’t only spoken and then written to be read by the prophets’ peers but also for countless generations to follow. We have thoughts, reflections, and observations about Jesus Christ that His disciples witnessed firsthand. They spoke these wherever they went, but apostles like Matthew, John and Paul also put them in writing to be preserved for posterity.

 

Writing down what we’re trying to remember is also helpful in memorizing Bible verses. I’ve had many people tell me, “I can’t memorize things,” but in fact they do – stuff like phone numbers, addresses and other information important to them. Probably because they initially wrote them down. When I’ve been attempting to memorize a passage of Scripture, especially a long or difficult one, writing it down has greatly enhanced the process. 

 

Studies of communications have shown that the more senses involved in conveying a message, the greater the likelihood that it will be received successfully. For instance, when we hear someone say something of note, if we physically write it down and then look at it, we’re involving three senses – hearing, sight and touch.

 

I think of this when I read passages like Psalm 119:9-11, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word…. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” And there’s no better way to “hide” the Word of God in our hearts than not only to hear it, read it and intentionally try to commit to memory, but also to write it down so we can see it and create a mental image of the truths we desire to possess.

When we write down what we don’t want to forget, all we need to remember is to look at what we wrote. 

Never Underestimate the Value of a Good Name

Recently I took our grandson Mac to a summer camp program at his school. As I was registering him, a teacher handling the sign-in sheet asked if I was Mac’s grandfather. Then he asked if I was his mom’s or dad’s father.  

When I replied that I was the father of Mac’s mom, Sarah, the teacher said something that warmed my heart. “Oh, then you’re also Becca’s dad (another of my daughters). I’ve had both of her daughters in my classes, and they’re really good kids.” (Cue proud smile!)

 

Although I appreciated the compliment, I can’t take the credit. My daughters and their husbands do all the hard work, raising and trying to properly guide their children – our grandchildren, of whom I’m admittedly very fond. Nonetheless, it was nice to hear someone speaking well of our family.

 

Once upon a time, families took great care to ensure the protection of their “good name.” Family members understood their words and actions reflected not only on themselves, but also on the reputation of their parents and siblings.

 

There’s a huge difference between an enthusiastic “Hey, look, here come the McDougals!” and, “Uh-oh, here come the McDougals!” Our reputations precede us.

 

But is a good name all that important? Does it really matter what people think of us and our families? The Bible says it matters a lot. For instance, Proverbs 22:1 declares, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” 

 

King Solomon, who wrote much of Proverbs and is widely regarded as the author the book of Ecclesiastes, also asserted, “A good name is better than fine perfume…” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). Perhaps this is because you can always buy silver, gold or fine perfume; you can’t purchase a good name.

 

So, how do we earn – and maintain – a good name? It’s not a one-time thing. We have to be consistent, steadfast in our resolve to speak words and do things that reflect positively on who we are. Proverbs 25:9-10 offers this caution: “If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man’s confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation.” 

 

Since one’s reputation and good name are so closely linked, the same can be said of both: It takes a lifetime to build a solid reputation (and good name), but they can be destroyed in a single moment of foolish or reckless behavior. 

 

We need to have a clear understanding of those values we hold dear and the principles that dictate how and why we do and say what we do. Acting like one type of person in one setting but behaving like someone entirely different in a different environment is no way to build a good name – or solid reputation. Social chameleons aren’t known for their good names.

 

We’re advised in Proverbs 3:4, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:4). 

 

The psalmist presents us with this wise observation: “How can a young man make his way pure? By living according to [God’s] word…. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9-11). Interestingly, King David of Israel, who wrote many of the psalms, apparently didn’t always keep this admonition in the forefront of his mind, given his tragic moral lapses.

 

So, it seems a good name is something we should always be striving to establish and protect, but there’s no time to let down our guard. The junkyard of reputations has been filled by folks who seemed to be living upright lives – until the time they didn’t.

 

Putting the interests of others is one powerful means for avoiding calamitous stumbles. As the apostle Paul wrote, “‘Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24). If we can succeed at doing this consistently, our good name mostly likely will remain secure.

Not All There Is to Know, But All We Need to Know

How many books have you read more than once? It may seem bold to ask this question, since reading books is becoming a thing of the past for many people. What with all the channels on cable TV, the Internet, video games, text messaging and other distractions, who has time to read, right?

 

But for those who still enjoy the feel of a tangible book, the rustle of pages turning, the smell of paper and ink, and the adventure of discovering what the author has packed inside the book, I ask again: How many books have you read more than once? (Comic books don’t count.)

 

Personally, I’ve enjoyed reading a few classic novels a second or even third time. I’ve re-read George Orwell’s 1984 several times because his cautionary, dystopian tale appears to be unfolding right before our eyes, in real time. There are several books by Christian authors I’ve revisited, seeking to draw from their wells of wisdom again. 

 

There’s one book, however, that I have read cover to cover well over a dozen times. Perhaps you can guess what it is: the Bible. If I were to begin using adjectives to describe what the Bible – the Word of God – has meant for me over the years, I’d have to consult a thesaurus to cover all the bases. Words like amazing, incredible, and life-changing can’t begin to capture the impact of the Scriptures.

 

Why have I read it so much? Not because I expect any divine pats on the back or “extra credit.” It’s just that as I’ve read through the Bible year after year, I’ve found it kind of like peeling an onion – remove one layer and discover there’s another layer right below it, then another, and another. I’m convinced that an entire lifetime of reading through the Scriptures could barely begin to capture its vast treasures.

 

There are many reasons for this. Its length is one. One Bible I regularly use for reference has nearly 1,550 pages of purely biblical text – no footnotes, and not including the compilers’ introduction, table of contents, foreword, and index. Since it consists of 39 Old Testament books and 27 in the New Testament, written by dozens of different authors, there’s a lot to read from a variety of perspectives.

 

In the Bible we find narratives, history, poetry, letters, personal accounts, and other forms of writing, all pointing to one central theme: Jesus Christ and God’s plan for the redemption of His creation, most notably, humankind. That’s a lot to absorb.

 

But there’s another reason why the Scriptures are so compelling, so intriguing that they can be read again and again and again without ever seeming stale. The secret, I believe, is found in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judged the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

 

The best novel, or a classic book that has endured centuries, might be fun to read again, but it will always say the same things. The Bible, however, has the uncanny capacity to speak to us differently each time we read it. That is, God through His Word can speak to us differently every time. This is because as we continue in our journey through life, we encounter the Scriptures in new ways, depending on what we’re experiencing and how we’ve changed.

 

An old friend, an agnostic, once told me that he regarded the Bible as “a primer, something you read once, and then you move on to something more sophisticated.” No offense intended, but I think that might be one of the most ridiculous things anyone has ever said. Because nothing is more comprehensive, profound, penetrating, and timeless as the Word of God. Its principles, principles and truths have transcended the ages and will continue doing so until Christ’s promised return. 

 

At the same time, I have no problem acknowledging the Bible doesn’t tell us all there is to know about God. How could it? But it does tell us all we need to know about God.

 

I like how 2 Peter 1:3-4 expresses it: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires.”

 

Back in 1966, a movie came out called “Alfie,” starring Michael Caine. Its theme song asked, “What’s it all about?” This is a question that resonates with millions of people to this day. We ask things such as, “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” “What’s my purpose in life?” “Where do I find meaning?” The Scriptures, I can say without any reservation, answer each of these questions – and many more – if we’re only willing to give them an honest, open-minded look.

 

In the longest of the Psalms, the writer asks and then answers, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9-11).

 

We live in a world that seems spinning out of control. I believe it’s primarily because we’ve turned our backs on our Creator, the One who has laid out for us in His Word how we should live. As the King James Version puts it, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Another translation says it a bit differently – “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint.” But then the verse ends, “but happy is he who keeps [God’s] law.”

As wondrous as the Bible is, the divinely inspired Word of God, it’s barely the tip of the proverbial iceberg about all that is possible to know about Him. But it definitely tells us all we need to know about Him. 

You Can Get Help, But You’ve Got to Do the Work Yourself

There’s a universal truth that if there’s work to be done, someone has to do it – and sometimes that someone is you. A high-ranking military officer speaking at a college commencement advised graduates that the first thing they should do each morning is make the bed. Then they can go into the day knowing they’ve already accomplished something. It made such good sense to me, one of my daily habits is to get the bed made.

 

One of the problems lots of folks have these days is they want something done, but don’t think it’s their responsibility to do it. Whether it’s the government, their parents, or society in general, these people think they can “delegate” to others work that needs to be done.

 

Tim Kight, a noted leadership consultant and trainer, has a very different view: “Doctors don’t make you healthy. Nutritionists don’t make you slim. Teachers don’t make you smart. Trainers don’t make you fit. They help, but you must take responsibility and do the work.” He’s got a great point.

 

My drums won't play themselves - I've
got to practice and do the work.

As a teenager, I played drums in the high school marching, concert and dance bands. I had a nice drum set and played with some neighborhood rock groups. It was a lot of fun, but after my college years there was no time for this hobby, so I sold the drums. Early in 2020, tired of “playing the drums” on my car’s steering wheel, I bought an electronic drum kit. But my old drumming skills were covered with rust.

A couple months ago, despite my much more advanced age, I decided to take drum lessons again to enhance my enjoyment with the kit. My drum teacher was a touring professional, and he’s helped me improve a lot as a drummer. But even though my instructor can teach me what I need to do to get better at playing the drums, if I don’t practice and work at it, his expertise will be wasted.

 

Just about everyone we greatly admire, whether a top leader, speaker, athlete or performer, would have one thing in common: Even with some special abilities, they didn’t achieve success by wishing and hoping. They did the work necessary for what they desired to achieve.

 

The same is true for spiritual growth. It doesn’t come automatically or by osmosis. Becoming spiritually mature and fruitful takes time, dedication – and work.

 

When I went on staff with CBMC (Christian Business Men’s Connection) about four decades ago, I met many highly committed, godly people. Some seemed to know the Bible forward, backward and inside-out. I marveled at how they could quickly turn to pertinent passages on virtually any topic. ‘How do they do that?’ I wondered, dubious that I could ever approach such familiarity with the Scriptures. Their “how” was simple – they were willing to put in the work. 

 

I won’t describe myself as an “expert,” but after reading the Bible through more than a dozen times, memorizing many Scripture verses, reading books by seasoned Christian authors, sitting under excellent teaching, and then mentoring and discipling other men, I’ve made progress in knowing the Lord and applying His Word. Here’s a sampling of advice we can find in the Scriptures:

 

Late in his life, King David reflected on what he had learned about spiritual growth: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word…. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9-11).

 

The apostle Paul made similar observations in exhorting his young protégé, Timothy: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). As someone has said, be a person of the Book.

 

But there’s more to growing in our relationship with God than just acquiring knowledge and information. It’s also determining to put into practice what the Bible teaches. That’s why the apostle James wrote, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?... Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do” (James 2:14-18).

 

In like manner, Jesus taught that spiritual maturity is a byproduct of being a faithful steward of what God gives us. He said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (Luke 16:10). 

 

One might point out the context of this admonition is the use of material wealth, but as Jesus said in the next verse, “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” We don’t all have the same amount of money, but the Lord gives us all the same opportunity to acquire the “true riches” of knowing Him and living as His faithful and fruitful children.

 

In yet another passage, Paul wrote about the importance of not keeping to ourselves the truth and spiritual understanding God gives us. Addressing Timothy again, he said, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable (faithful) men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). What we have learned, the Lord expects us to pass along to others.

 

Would you like to become known as a man or woman of God? It’s not easy, it takes time and effort – lots of work – but it’s worth it. As God said through the prophet, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13).

The Habit of Hiding the Right Words in Our Hearts

How good of a memory do you have? I’d venture to guess it’s a lot better than you think. For instance, you know your name, address and phone number, the names and birthdates of close family members and special friends, and probably several passwords. You know the directions to all of your favorite places, and can recite the days, times and channels of the TV shows you wouldn’t think of missing.

 

How about the lyrics to your favorite songs? Or lines from your favorite movies? If you’re a sports fanatic, you can probably recite lots of information about your favorite teams and recall details of memorable games and individual player performances. Maybe you can recite at least portions of historic documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, or the Gettysburg Address.

 

We could suggest many other categories, but the point is simple: We have pretty good memories, as long as the things we’re remembering seem important enough to us. Which brings us to the topic I’d like to focus on: Scripture memory.

 

Scripture memory? I can almost hear some reading this responding, “Oh, I could never memorize Bible verses.” But in reality, you can – if it’s important enough to you. There’s no secret or magic to it. It’s just, as David wrote of the Scriptures available to him at the time, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9,11).

There was a time when I, too, would have insisted I couldn’t memorize passages from the Bible. But then I realized that I already had. Dating back to my elementary school days (back then we called it “grammar school”), I had learned a few of the Psalms, since we read them at the beginning of every school day, including psalms 1, 23 and 100. To this day, I can recite them – and it’s partly because of hearing them over and over before we started our classes.

 

Those days, of course, are sadly gone. In the supposed “wisdom” of the U.S. Supreme Court back in the 1960s, they determined the so-called “separation of church and state” – greatly misinterpreted, in my opinion – should prohibit prayer and Bible reading in public schools. It’s still done in many private schools today, but not in most public schools.

 

But I digress. At a marriage conference soon after I came to saving faith in Jesus Christ, the subject of Scripture memorization came up. It wasn’t a stern lecture or even a strongly persuasive presentation. The speakers that day simply pointed out that hiding God’s Word in our hearts is indeed a good idea, whether we’re striving to build a happy marriage, be effective parents, do well at our jobs, or just become good neighbors.

 

To help us, the husband-and-wife duo proposed our first memory verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which says, “Pray without ceasing.” That’s it – three words. I thought, “I can handle that,” and it became the first of many verses and passages I’ve etched into memory over the years.

 

If you think memorizing three words, along with their “address,” is too difficult, what about the verse immediately preceding it: “Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Actually, one Bible translation reverses the word count. In it the same verses say, “Be joyful always; pray continually.” The next verse is a bit more complicated, but very doable: “in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

 

The point is, why is it important – or meaningful – to stash such verses into our memory banks? I doubt if God will ask us one day, “And exactly how many verses did you memorize, My child?” But as David stated, it’s the way to “keep our way pure,” to learn how to consistently follow and live for the Lord everywhere and anywhere we go.

 

There’s much more I could say about my experiences with Scripture memory, but a key principle I learned is that the best way for securing them in our minds is to put them into use. For two years I participated in a small group discipleship study developed by The Navigators, and part of the commitment was memorizing specific verses and being able to recite them aloud. This might have seemed daunting to some, but being a goal-oriented person, I gladly accepted the challenge.

 

One week, however, the memory verse was lengthy. Even by breaking it down into sections, I was having trouble remembering it in its entirety. It was even printed on a small card so I could review it in my car – when I was stopped, of course. So one day I asked my assistant if I could review it with him, giving him the card to check my recitation. Saying the passage aloud, and sharing it with another person, was what I needed to cement it into my mind.

 

The verse was 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to ma;. and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 

 

That’s a mouthful, no question, but its message is also very important. How are we to respond when tempted, when sin tries to lure us in? This reminds us that we’re not unique in the temptations we face, and don’t have to submit to them if we turn to God and His power. And it’s helpful to have in our spiritual “filing cabinet” for easy access in times of need.

 

So do you memorize passages from the Bible? If you do, great. If not, you can – if you want to. If you’re not sure where to start, choose a simple one. How about John 10:35, “Jesus wept”? Easy enough for you? Or if you read a verse that seems to speak directly to you, or hear one during a sermon or radio message, try working on that one. Because it’s important to you. Who knows? The practice might be life-changing!

Winning the Ongoing Battle for the Mind

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” That popular advertising slogan of years past still rings true today. What we think, how we think, and the things that fill our minds make a tremendous difference in how we conduct our lives and what we experience: Our successes, failures, and attitudes.

 

I’ve heard many experts make reference to a “battle for the mind,” and there’s little doubt such a mental tug-of-war exists. Consider the potential influences: We have social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and new entries almost every week. Then we have TV – network, cable and the many streaming services that are emerging – not only the news and commentaries, but also the “entertainment” that shapes our culture and worldviews.

We have a plethora of print media, not only local and national newspapers, but also magazines designed to appeal to any interest and taste. A casual glance at any of them can reveal the values and biases they espouse. Even video games, literally at our fingertips, can have a significant impact on our minds.

 

The political scene has become so sharply divided it’s often hard to believe opposing parties are talking about the same things. It seems increasingly difficult to find common ground for civil discourse. And in many of our colleges and universities, the curricula for many disciplines are infused with political ideology. So yes, we’re engaged in a fierce battle for the mind.

 

What are we to do? Attempting to debate or reason on social media seems pointless. We can protest in different ways, but even how those are understood and reported can be distorted. I sometimes write letters to the editor, but I’ve yet to hear anyone say, “Wow, after reading what you said, I’ve changed my thinking entirely.”

 

I’ve concluded that even though I can’t control the way the world thinks, I can prevent it from controlling and molding the way I think. I like what the late Indian leader and human rights activist Mohandas Gandhi used to say: “I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.” What a vivid image!

 

The Scriptures have much to say about what we allow to influence our minds. Romans 12:1-2 speaks powerfully to this: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” I like the wording from one paraphrase of this passage: “Don’t let the world press you into its mold.”

 

Years ago I became convicted about the types of books I was reading. Some were in the genre of horror fiction, and while I found those entertaining, I had to admit they were taking my mind into realms of the occult and evil that were not healthy. When I asked my pastor about them, he wisely replied, “Well, when you read those books, are they pointing you toward the Lord – or away from Him?”

 

Exhorting believers in the church at Philippi, the apostle Paul expressed his concern that they also needed vigilantly keep their minds focused in the right direction: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – thing about such things”(Philippians 4:8).

 

This doesn’t suggest adopting a Pollyanna attitude, ignoring negative influences around us, but making certain we don’t let them dominate our thinking. As an old friend of mind used to say, “I can’t stop the birds from flying overhead, but I can keep them from building a nest in my hair.”

 

Perhaps King David shared this concern about the “battle for the mind,” because in one of his psalms he asked and answered his own question: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9-11).

 

Another resource the Lord gives to ensure our thinking is clear and right is the counsel of other trusted friends and colleagues. Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” And if we don’t? Another verse offers this warning: “Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge” (Proverbs 19:27).

 

The battle for our minds is real; it will continue, whether we like it or not. But God has given us the means for remaining on the victorious side. We just need to take full advantage of them. 

Is Your ‘Check Engine’ Light On and You’re Ignoring It?

Several weeks ago, my car spoke to me. Not in an audible voice, but in that special language auto manufacturers have created to alert drivers when action is required. It said, in bright orange letters, “Maintenance required soon.” 

 

Fortunately, it wasn’t signaling an emergency. It was just time for an oil change. Those pesky warning lights can be annoying, but they can be very helpful reminders, especially for those not inclined to check under the hood very often. Every car, no matter how new – or expensive – needs periodic maintenance. As the guy in the old auto repair commercial used to say, “You can pay me now…or you can pay me later.”

 

Wouldn’t it be nice if humans had a “check engine” light to let us know a personal tune-up is in order? To date, no baby has been born with a built-in warning light. However, in a sense, we could say we do – at least physically speaking. A fever, ache or pain signals when something’s amiss in our bodies. It might just represent a minor strain or a seasonal illness. But other times it can mean something of greater concern. If symptoms persist, we’re told, it’s best to consult your doctor.

 

When it comes to the less tangible parts of our lives – our mental and emotional well-being, even our spiritual condition – it’s much harder to discern when problems are manifesting themselves. That’s when a personal “check engine” light would come in handy.

 

The realms of the mental and emotional can be very problematic. It’s often difficult to assess objectively when our thinking or behavior gets out of kilter. Even when we do recognize such problems, we can’t always identify the cause. That’s why trained practitioners in those areas can be so helpful.

 

But we don’t have to be wizened theologians or learned seminarians to address our own spiritual well-being. Because we have direct access to what Jesus in John 14:16 and 15:26 called a “Helper” or“Counselor” (the Holy Spirit) to provide necessary discernment. The Lord said in John 16:8, “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.”

 

Not a visible “check engine” light, but a very real Guide for our everyday lives: Sometimes shouting to our conscience, and other times speaking to us in a still, small voice. In addition to the Holy Spirit, God has provided us with another kind of light to tell when we’re on track, and when we’re not: the Scriptures.

 

Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” The entire psalm – the longest in the Bible – affirms the importance of the Scriptures not only for the sweet by and by, but also for the nasty now and now. In Psalm 119:9-11 we read, ”How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

 

Another passage explains how the Word of God helps to advance our spiritual growth: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Proverbs 6:23 offers a similar perspective: “For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.”

 

Although we don’t have a physical check-engine light to warn us if we’ve gotten off course spiritually, God’s Spirit living in us and the Bible can serve in that way. The question is, will we devote enough time with the Lord and in His Word so that when critical junctures in life arrive, we can recognize the warning signals before disaster strikes? 

Taking Advantage of Spiritual ‘Muscle Memory’

One of the best decisions I made in high school was to take a class in personal typing. Back then we had to learn to type on real typewriters. Not even the electric kind. To press the keys, we had to use actual finger power. 

 

I remember the repetitive exercises we had to do: ASDF space, ASDF space. Learning the “home row” and later, the remaining keys on the keyboard. At times those exercises seemed monotonous and meaningless, but little did I know I was exercising a technique we now call “muscle memory.”

 

Over time, as my fingers learned to find their way around the keyboard, I discovered how to quickly write penetrating thoughts such as “the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” – a phrase designed to use every letter of the alphabet.

Although I didn’t realize it at the time, I was preparing for my career as a writer – first a newspaper reporter and editor, then magazine editor, and ultimately writing in many different forms, including this blog. I remember my first journalism newswriting class, learning to write an article on a tight deadline. While my fingers breezed across the keys, some of my fellow students utilized the law firm approach: Hunt & Peck.

 

Today, more than 50 years later, muscle memory enables me to record my thoughts very quickly. If you were to ask me to recite a specific key is, in all likelihood I couldn’t tell you without looking. But my fingers know. It’s all about muscle memory.

 

This is true for many other skills, whether it’s playing a musical instrument, knitting, competing in a sport, driving a car, even everyday tasks. Use repetitive motor skills enough times and our muscles become trained to somehow remember what they should do without our conscious instruction. Almost seems like they have little, individualized brains to control their actions.

 

Recently I was talking with a young man I’ve started mentoring, discussing what we might call “spiritual muscle memory.” In other words, training ourselves through practice to think, speak and act in desired ways, without having to always stop and wonder, “Now, should I do this…or not? What would God want me to do in this circumstance?”

 

The question is, how can we build spiritual muscle memory, so that living the way we know we should doesn’t always require an intentional decision? 

 

A passage from Proverbs, one of my favorite books in the Bible, offers some insight:

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).

 

This isn’t referring to something we do once in a while, an occasional impulse while we’re navigating through life. This is what is known as an “if-then” conditional statement – if something, then something else logically follows. In this case, if we do the things specified in these verses – store up God’s commands, and seek wisdom, insight and understanding – then we can expect to discover the fear of God (reverent awe) and gain knowledge from Him.

 

Psalm 119:9-11 makes a similar declaration: 

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

 

The way I understand this, as we consistently pursue a lifestyle of right living – empowered by God’s Spirit and guided by what we have learned from the Scriptures – we develop good habits (spiritual muscle memory) that enable us in times of uncertainty, crisis and stress to “default” to right thinking and living.

 

But this isn’t something that happens overnight. The adage tells us, “Practice makes perfect.” However, years ago I heard someone offer this clarification: “Perfect practice makes perfect.” Poor practice never leads to perfection. Learning how to live right requires thinking and doing the right things, over and over and over, until they become second nature. 

 

Spiritually speaking, they become part of our new nature: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Is this easy? No. But is it essential? No doubt about it! 

Perspective Makes A Profound Difference

"Son, how big is that plane up there?"

The story is told about the little boy taking a walk with his father when unexpectedly, the child asks, “How big is God?” Pausing for a moment before answering, the dad looks up at the sky, spots an airplane, points to it and then asks his son, “How big is that plane?” From his perspective, the young fellow replies, “Small. You can hardly see it.”

Then the father takes his son to a nearby airport and goes to an observation area. When they see a jet parked at the terminal not far away, he asks again, “And now, how big is this one?” The boy responds with excitement, “Oh, Daddy, it is huge!”

“So it is with God,” the dad says. “Size depends on how far you are from something. The closer you are to God, the bigger He will be in your life.”

Years ago I had a similar experience when I went to see the Grand Canyon for the first time. Standing along the canyon’s south rim, I saw what appeared to be a large bird in flight halfway across it. However, the Grand Canyon is 18 miles across – and that “bird” I spotted was one of the sightseeing airplanes that tourists often use. 

From afar, the plane looked miniscule, even though it likely was carrying several people my size or larger. Size depends on how far you are from something.

When we’re going through life and God seems distant – or even out of sight – could it be our fault? Have we been neglecting time with Him in His Word or in prayer? In Psalm 119:9-11, King David wrote these penetrating words, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word. I seek You with all my heart, do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

As for prayer, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says we should “pray continually,” and Philippians 4:6-7 tells us how we can overcome fear and anxiety, even in the most overwhelming circumstances: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Have we convinced ourselves that we can worship the Lord just fine on our own, even though the Scriptures admonish, “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…” (Hebrews 10:24-25)?

I’m reminded of a time when my parents and I went into a department store and I became distracted, wandering off to examine a toy or something. After a few moments, the thought came to me that I had drifted away from my mom and dad. Being small in that seemingly vast store, a wave of panic quickly set in. Until I turned around – and there they were. I had imagined them far away, but they had been right there all the time.

So, how would you answer that question: How big is God? If He seems small, or far away, might it be that you’re the one that has chosen not to draw near?

Snippets, Soundbites and Such

Don’t you marvel at how complex information can be condensed into neat little bite-sized packages? We live in a world of snippets and soundbites, with news programming covering major developments, ranging from press conferences to international crises, and reducing them to one or two-minute summations, kind of like a trash compacter for human discourse and experience.

Consider the recent debates between candidates vying for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2020. As one astute political observer stated prior to the two-day verbal brawl, the event wasn’t designed for depth and substance. The best candidates could hope for, he said, was to make a lasting impression by cleverly turning a phrase. To make their mark, hopefuls needed to tailor their communications for snippets and soundbites that could be replayed again and again.

That’s reflective of the society we’re in today. Long-winded essays and treatises of yesteryear have been replaced by tightly edited and pre-digested bits of information. Even with 24/7 coverage, the tyranny of immediacy has seduced us into believing a 90-second news report is all we need to know about anything.

With attention spans dramatically shortened, we seem unable to focus for more than a few seconds at a time. Notice the rapid shifting of scenes in movies, TV dramas and comedies. Even “Downton Abbey.” Our minds have become like grasshoppers hopping from one leaf to another.

Even though we’re accustomed to this, it’s troublesome for those who desire to grow and mature in our faith. Because you can’t microwave spirituality. We can’t treat the Bible like fast-food literature.

Not only is spiritual growth a slow process, but building a fruitful, faithful relationship with God also can’t be achieved by a few seconds here, a few seconds there. King David illustrated this vividly in Psalm 1, contrasting the righteous and the wicked. Writing about “the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,” the psalm writer then stated, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (Psalm 1:1-3).

A key idea is the term “meditates.” It doesn’t mean sitting in a lotus position, humming soothing mantras. It’s reading a passage from the Scriptures and then turning it over and over in our minds, trying to capture its meaning and then considering how to apply its truth to our lives.

I heard a Bible scholar compare this to a cow chewing its cud. It munches slowly and carefully, not gobbling it down as we would a Chick-fil-A sandwich and waffle fries on the run. In a similar way, we’re to study the Scriptures  and digest them thoughtfully and meditatively, not as if we’re trying to cram them down in the middle of a 100-yard dash.

Elsewhere in the Psalms, we read David offering advice for staying on track in our walk with God. He writes, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9-11).

This doesn’t prescribe when or where we should do this “treasuring,” or even how. But it’s clear that contrary to the dictates of modern society, being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ can’t be achieved in bits and bytes while hustling from one commitment to the next.

Our minds must be anchored in God and His Word: “firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in (our) faith…” (Colossians 2:6-7). Just as I trust the tall trees growing behind our house are firmly rooted and anchored whenever a strong storm blows our way, I want my life in Christ to be firmly rooted as well, able to withstand the winds and chaos of life’s ever-changing circumstances. 

But this doesn’t happen automatically or by default. It must be intentional – and consistent. When life’s tough times come, we should fit the description of Isaiah 26:3, “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.” For that to happen, snippets and soundbites just won’t do.

Utilizing the ‘MMA’ for Spiritual Growth

Are you familiar with MMA? If not, it stands for Mixed Martial Arts, a sport that includes boxing and a mix of other combative techniques. The reason I ask is because every day we are all involved a battle – spiritual in nature – and one way of achieving victory is through another type of MMA: Memorization, Meditation and Application.

Spiritual growth, I’ve discovered, isn’t a continual upward trajectory. Initially it might seem that way, but sooner or later everyone hits a plateau, maybe even slips back a bit. We and Jesus don’t just ride off into the sunset without ever looking back.

This can be disconcerting because we live in an instant, right-now society. We’d like to become spiritual giants immediately; we don’t want to go through the daily grind that maturing in our walk with Christ requires. But we don’t have any choice in the matter.

Many books have been written about the process of growing in our faith, so I won’t try to present a simple how-to here. But if we can get a handle on the importance of “spiritual MMA,” that would be a good start.

Years ago, The Navigators developed what they called the “Word Hand Illustration,” representing five methods for effectively taking in the Word of God. The five fingers represent hearing, reading, studying, memorizing and meditating. This have proved helpful for my own spiritual growth, and I’m going to focus briefly on the importance of Memorization and Meditation. But I think the “hand” might need a sixth finger - Application. Thus, the “MMA.”

Most of us have heard the Word preached and taught through sermons, or at conferences and retreats. Reading the Bible is an excellent habit some of us maintain on a daily basis. And the most industrious of us study the Scriptures, perhaps by reading slowly and thoughtfully or using supplemental tools like commentaries and concordances.

But when it comes to memorizing Scripture, or meditating on it, I suspect fewer of us are actively involved in these practices. And it’s to our detriment.

“I can’t memorize things!” people say. Really? We all know phone numbers, home addresses, names of family members and friends (sometimes even their birthdates), our Social Security number, and the days, times and channels our favorite TV shows come on. There are lots of other things we memorize. So the excuse, “I can’t memorize,” isn’t valid unless we have a true memory disability. It all comes down to this: If it’s important enough to remember, we can memorize it if necessary.

I used to fall into the “I can’t memorize Bible verses” camp myself, until I realized that through repetition I had learned passages like Psalm 1, Psalm 100 and Psalm 23 (“the shepherd’s psalm") even as a boy. That was when the Bible could still be read in public schools; too bad that’s no longer the case.

But as an adult, I still didn’t think Scripture memory was for me. Then my wife and I attended a marriage conference where the speakers said memorizing meaningful Bible verses would be helpful. They got us started by teaching 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without ceasing.” That was it – three words. In short order I had succeeded in memorizing my first verse. 

Then I found an even easier verse that immediately preceded the one I had just learned: “Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Wow! Two verses and five words launching my Scripture memory journey.

Soon afterward I got into a small group discipleship program that included learning a total of 65 verses over a period of two years. They weren’t all as simple as the first two I memorized, but this practice proved foundational for my spiritual growth early on. As King David wrote, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word…. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9,11).

That “hiding God’s Word in my heart” became real not only through rote memorization but also through meditation. No, I didn’t sit with legs crossed yoga-style, mumbling some mantra. But I did spend a lot of time pondering not just the words but also what they meant. This brought to mind a verse from one of those psalms I had memorized in my boyhood: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2).

Preacher Charles H. Spurgeon used to explain that in reviewing Bible passages for his sermons, he would ask, “What does it say? What does it mean? What difference does it make?” This led me to the third part of MMA – application. In fact, I realized that sometimes the best way to memorize a verse or Bible passage, particularly one that was long and complicated, was to put it into practice. 

One of the verses I found especially helpful in this regard was 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Pondering this verse I concluded that the Word of God is not only inspired by Him through His Spirit, but it’s also intended for practical use in our everyday life.

There’s much more I could say about this, but I’d like to close by asking: Are you taking advantage of “MMA” for the spiritual battles we face each day? 

In the sixth chapter of Ephesians, we read about the “armor of God,” and the one offensive weapon of this armor is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). Without striving for mastery of God’s Word, it’s like going to war with guns but no bullets. Is it time you got your ammunition?