Archive for Scripture
Imagination: Better than a Movie
Posted by: | CommentsIf my Amazon Widget thing were working off the right of my page, you would be able to see that I am currently reading The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. They are, quite simply, great books. Or I suppose I should say it is one great story, because it really is all one, divided as it may be. It has taken me a while to move through the work, and I still have a little less than a third to go, but I have enjoyed it thoroughly.
I have, however, run into one problem: I watched the movies first.
What a mistake this was. In hindsight, I think I would have been better off locking myself in a room for a few days and completing the entire book before headed out to see the films. The reason? Well, because I realize that my imagination has been hampered by watching the films. Rather than allowing the book to stimulate images within, I keep thinking about Elijah Wood and the guy from Rudy.
This isn’t to say that the movies were bad. No way. After finishing my reading, I am going to watch them again. It’s just to say that they can’t be as good as reading the book and using your imagination. At least first. Not to mention, the movie can’t tell the entire story, even when it runs three hours, as the films do. A good rule of thumb for any classic book made into a movie seems to be: Make sure you read the book first!
It’s a good rule, one that leads me to a greater appreciation for a good story and the importance of reading good stories. Even more, it helps me understand why the Bible is such a powerful book, for it is the work of the greatest Storyteller and indeed, when rightly understood and embraced, contains the greatest story every told. No film can capture that entire work, only bits and pieces, so we better make sure to read that one first.
Unbelievable?
Posted by: | CommentsCheck this out: The God of the universe promises to all who believe in Jesus Christ….
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- Isaiah 41:10
I’m apt to say that such a promise is unbelievable, but that isn’t the case, because it is written in the the Bible in order to be fulfilled and believed. Fulfilled through Christ and believed by all those who believe in Christ. Amazing, awesome. These are better words to describe such a verse.
If you are a follower of Christ, believe this Word. It’s for you. If you’re not, don’t you want to be able to believe such a promise?
Reasons to Study the Sermon on the Mount
Posted by: | CommentsThe Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ most famous sermon. It is recorded in Matthew 5-7. I am in the process of studying it and memorizing it. It’s a great exercise I cannot commend enough.
Anyhow, Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives these four reasons to study the Sermon.
1) The Lord Jesus Christ died to enable us to live the Sermon on the Mount.
2) Nothing shows us our need for God to work in our hearts by His Spirit more than the Sermon on the Mount.
3) The more we live and try to practice the Sermon, the more we will experience blessing.
4) Living the Sermon in increased measure is the greatest means of witnessing to the truth and beauty of Jesus Christ.
In all seriousness, I believe every Christian, at some point in their lives, should study this, Jesus’ most famous sermon. In fact, I suppose it would be wise for every person, believing or unbelieving, to do so. For no matter what your beliefs may be, it is worth checking out. For I think it can be faithfully said that this is the most famous Sermon in the history of the world.
Who’s Got the Problem?
Posted by: | CommentsWhen Elijah and I are at the sink and I am rushing him along to wash his hands, because I think he is moving too slow, I have to ask myself the question: “Is the problem really with him, or with me?”
I suppose it could go either way at times, but more times than not, I am probably the one with the problem. Sure, he might seem to be moving slow, but maybe that is because I am moving too fast.
While at the sink today, I couldn’t help but think that life is more enjoyable when lived at Elijah’s pace. For he even enjoys and soaks in the process of washing his hands.
It’s not the whole story, I know, but there is certainly something to it that is worth our reflection. We have a lot to learn from the little ones.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, i say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)
Endurance Through Focus
Posted by: | CommentsSo tonight I was on ‘snack’ duty with the kids, and I made the mistake of giving Elijah a small glass to eat peanuts out of before he sat down at the table. Naturally, (since I am making a post about it), he dropped the glass and it shattered into pieces. To which he cried out immediately,
Oh Daddy, my peanuts, I need some more peanuts!
I thought it was hilarious, because the glass shattering took me back a bit. But not Elijah. It was as if nothing happened to the glass. He was too focused on his peanuts.
This reminded me of the time when Abigail was writing on the concrete with chalk by my in-laws’ pool. She fell in to the bottom. Erin was right there so she reached down quick and pulled her right out, only to have Abigail cry out with tears, “Oh Mommy, my chalk, my chalk!” (For it had gotten all wet and may have still been at the bottom of the pool.)
I’m not sure what to attribute this kind of thing to. I suppose it could be some sort of weirdness my kids got from me. But it is interesting that in both instances, my kids were concerned about the thing they were most focused on prior to their ‘surprise.’ In Abby’s case, she slipped into the pool because she was so focused on her chalk. And Elijah, well, naturally he was focused on his peanuts.
At the very least, this leads me to believe that we are wise to focus on realities that will enable us to endure any amount of difficulty. For when our day of difficulty comes, our focus will determine our response. Of course, we should probably at least be aware of the difficulty. That is, we shouldn’t be like Elijah and keep crying over our peanuts without even mentioning the broken glass (he did this for real).
From a Christian perspective, the promises in the Word of God serve as a wise focus. For they will enable us to endure any sort of difficulty that comes our way. Provided we focus on those promises consistently before that day of difficulty comes. That is a definitely worth taking note of.
By the way, if you have any other ideas on the chalk or peanut focus phenomenon, I am all ears.
