My Ninety Days Experience

It has been both a quick and long ninety days. I think I can some up my experience in a few things that I've learned over the past three months:

About Myself
-I need accountability: I'm not sure I would have completed it had I not known people cared about my accomplishment. Big thanks to Justin for venturing on this journey with me as well as all of you (if there are any) readers out there. The assumption that hundreds of readers were waiting on my daily insights often caused me to pull through...even though there were probably like three people who actually read it.
-I need to return to studying more: As I was flying through some of these passages I was intrigued and wanted to gain a better understanding. The two letters to the Corinthians will probably be my next project.

About the Bible
-It really can be hard to read: I'm convinced that our culture is not poised to be able to really study literature. Soundbites, status updates, and headlines have conditioned us to get to the point and forgo any textual research. The Bible was written a long time ago and to understand it better we need to study Biblical culture, geography, and literature. That's one of the reason's my wife and I plan on teaching a class on studying Scripture this fall at South Side! Please come!!

About Worship
So much of worship through Scripture seems to be associated with obedience. Daily we choose to do what God wants us to do or what we want to do. Worship is NOT a list of songs or an hour on Sunday morning. We've got to get away from that narrow concept. In my life I need to be more obedient to God and particularly the Spirit. I'm afraid I often simply don't care to listen to his promptings. I hope to change that.

Finally I'm glad to say that I've accomplished this. I would encourage anyone to aspire to achieve it. If nothing else you will have exposed yourself to all of God's Word and that has to be a good thing.

Revelation 18 - 22

"IT IS FINISHED!" These words are both echoed in this section of Revelation as well as in my head. I will offer one final post summing up my experience during the past three months.

Aside from that this final section of reading offers a very encouraging account of what it will be like some day. I hate to even use the word "day" because time really has no bearing in eternity. To think what worship will be like...

"I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty - but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."

Jude - Revelation 17

For as weird as Revelation is there is a lot about worship in it. It's because this book of prophecy articulates some of the activities in heaven. Worship is obviously described then.

One of the hallmark phrases of worship in general is found in Revelation 4. This chapter describes an incredible scene with thrones, gemstones, creatures...it's really crazy. There is a group of creatures that are commissioned to continually cry out a phrase as they worship God.

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty - the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come."

I love the way time is described in this statement. To think - we have the opportunity to worship God who has always been, who is now, and who will be in the future. That simply baffles me. I'm thankful for God's power, omnipresence, and overall magnificence.

James 3:13 - 3 John

Wow - so close. Only two more posts remaining. Technically I should have posted this reading yesterday but I keep finding myself a day or so behind. Perhaps I'll catch up today...or I may take a nap.

Either way this morning's sermon by LCU president Keith Ray has fit in nicely with one of the predominant themes of 1 John. Obedience.

It's one of the most basic expressions of our faith and our worship to God. Often he has called us to live a certain way - a way of selflessness. Selfless in our time, love, money, talents - you name it. But then our pride, arrogance, and selfishness enters into the picture.

Through my entire reading I feel like I know more about the Bible and how it all fits together. I have gotten a good review on lots of things that I've already known and even read things for the first time. The real question is will I be obedient. Will I obey when I'm offered the opportunity to "take my cross." Will I treat my life like Christ treats his church? Will I sacrifice all things for the sake of the Kingdom.

Lord help me to be obedient. Help me to see how your Word needs to continue to manifest itself in my life.

Hebrews 1 - James 3:12

I have always enjoyed Hebrews. I think part of it was due to my Hebrews class and teacher - Jeff Snell. Jeff is a great teacher and really fostered an appreciation in my for the book of Hebrews. It does so much to bridge the gap between the Old and New Testaments.

Towards the end of the book the writer makes a strong case for Christ now serving as our High Priest. This role allows all who believe in him to enter into his presence.

"But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises."

1 Thessalonians 1 - Philemon

It is so easy to worship money. It seems so natural to climb the latter, get the promotion, and accept the pay raise. Why is that? We are we so drawn to possessions and status?

There are so many studies that follow the miserable lives of those who have won the lottery. Typically the life becomes much harder - not easier. This portion of 2 Timothy 6 illustrates this point well.

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Galatians 3:26 - Colossians 4

Praise God for Jesus Christ! Here's a great portion of Colossians 1.

Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

1 Corinthians 15 - Galatians 3:25

After finishing both First and Second Corinthians I think those may be my least knowledgeable books in the New Testament. Perhaps a self-guided study is in order following my marathon of reading (which only has five days remaining).

I really liked how Paul summarized the Gospel in Galatians 3. I especially liked the NLT's translation of it...realizing that it may have a few glitches...again more study may be needed. Here it is:

Is there a conflict, then, between God's law and God's promises?s Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it.22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God's promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. 23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.

Romans 15 - 1 Corinthians 14

Emily and Audrey are in Iowa for a week so I'm at home (on vacation) busy working on little projects in our house. It's mostly painting which is why I have dubbed this my "paintcation."

You would think it would be easy to get my reading done in the midst of an empty house, but my to-do list has stolen my attention. Hopefully I'll be able to make up for my day off during the next few days.

Today I read most of 1 Corinthians. Paul spends a considerable amount of time talking about worship. He goes into even great detail as he talks about speaking in tongues. My conservative Christian Church formative years has pretty much relegated this topic to the list of things that we just don't understand or mention much. I must be honest I've never witnessed this event live, but I'm told it is an active part of many corporate worship gatherings.

I also cannot deny the stories that some of my missionary friends have shared with me as they have served in various cultures where the practice is prevalent. I'm still going to settle on the fact that I don't understand it, but it does seems to exist - both in Paul's day and in current times. Perhaps if I keep my eyes (and ears) open I'll be able to experience this worship activity that seems...well just plain weird to me.

Romans 1-14

I read most of Romans today which is crazy to think that I spent an entire semester covering it in college.

When I got to Romans 12 I was reminded of a passage I spent many hours on in a class called Principles of Interpretation. In that class we had a project called an exegitical project where we looked at cultural/literary context, word studies, commentaries, and other sources to try to determine the Author's Intended Meaning or AIM.

The text reads, "I plead with you to give you bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This truly the way to worship him."

Now any time the Bible says this is how "you truly worship" I want to listen. The funny thing is (and thankful to my interpretation class) it doesn't really say that. It my researched opinion it says this is your "reasonable act of service."

In other words because God has given so much to us it is logical and reasonable to serve him, allowing our bodies and our actions to be a sacrifice. In that class I learned that there are three words translated "worship" in the New Testament. One means "to bow down." This is the most common thought we have when we consider that word. Another is in terms of a "liturgical service." This one is more in the context of "serving."

So when you read it under that light it kind of sounds a little different. I know this has been a long post but my wife and I will be teaching a class on Biblical Interpretation at our church on Wednesday nights. This topic excites me. You should come!

Acts 17 - 28

I finished Acts today. Nothing really stuck out in regards to worship practices. One thing however that is admirable is Paul's devotion. In the last half of the book of Acts we see what was a religious zealot, eager to kill all Christians turn into a leader in the Church. I guess when people express concern about God not being able to "handle" their past you can point them to Paul.

Another aspect of Paul's life is in his devotion. This is no doubt a byproduct of his commitment to worshiping God. Several times he is beaten, whipped, and imprisoned but yet he never chooses to deny the name of Christ. That is bold faith.

Acts 7 - 16

In Acts 16 we read the account of Paul and Silas in prison. The text reads that they were "praying and singing hymns." Eventually there's a big earthquake, the guys are left unchained, but they don't go anywhere. As a result the jailer asks, "What must I do to be saved."

Talk about evangelism! So many times I look at my set list and wonder what a new person in our church would think. Too fast, too slow, too boring, too peppy. There's as many opinions as there are people. The funny thing is I doubt if Paul and Silas asked each other what their "set list" should be. It was their actions - their obedience - that ultimately led the jailer to want to give his life to Christ. I think sometimes there is too much emphasis placed on the mechanics of our services, and not the impact of our actions.

John 15:19 - Acts 6

If John 3 is the essence of describing God's love then Acts 2 is the same when it comes to articulating a worshiping church.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Suppers), and to prayer.

We place so much emphasis on that text. The part that always confuses me is that sometimes the church looks so different than the church of Acts 2. To think that their whole lives centered around those actions. Is that difference just a typical cultural difference, or are we being disobedient in some aspects? I'm sure good arguments could be wagered for both sides.

John 6 - 15:18

As I'm reading in John it really is startling how different the writing styles are from the other two Gospels. It just seems as if John had an entirely different purpose.

Another one of those accounts I have read a few times now has been where Mary and Martha were hosting Jesus. You may be familiar with it. Mary is engaged in conversation with Jesus while Martha is busy doing work in the kitchen. If Mary and Martha were to take personality tests today I'm guessing Mary would have been very relational while Martha would have been Type A and task-oriented. Just guessing...

I am so Martha sometimes. I like checking things off the list and priding myself in a job well done. I don't think that's all bad...in fact I'm convinced that is how God made me. On the flip side though I realize this is a huge hazard when it comes to relationships. Relationships with my family, friends, and ultimately God.

As I've mentioned already in this blog I'm afraid that sometimes my motivation has been more to prove my self-discipline then to study and read all of God's Word. As the final days draw to a close (only 11 left) I hope and pray that the Holy Spirit will allow all that I read to really penetrate who I am and who He wants me to be.

Luke 20:20 - John 5

"And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle."

I've often wondered what my job would be like if we were still living under the Old Covenant. I guess I'd work at the Temple and have some sort of role in it's maintenance or sacrifices. I'd doubt I'd be High Priest, but I'm guessing I'd be around the Temple.

I have now read three versions of the above passage and I always try to imagine the scene. This curtain kept all the normal people...the sinners out. The sanctuary was only meant for those who were consecrated and made holy.

Once Jesus died this was torn (and it seems that it was with violence and drama) so that all could access God. Jesus is now our High Priest and we are no longer dependent on an earthly go-between.

Yes being a worship minister in the new covenant is likely very different.

Luke 10 - 20 19

Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

I think this is the MOST important concern currently facing the American Christian.

Mark 9:14 - Luke 9

I just realized that I did not post yesterday. I did read, but I guess I forgot to post. Anyway, I'm going to break my own rule and post one thought for both day's reading.

Throughout the Gospels there seems to be this trend of Jesus going up on a mountainside and being alone. The Scriptures say he worshiped God alone. I think our culture has lost a lot of what it means to be alone.

Often we hear of people having "alone time" but many times it is to feed themselves...which isn't all bad. What I'm concerned about is my desire to have alone time with God...for him to feed me. After 70-some days of intense reading I realize that my desire is often to check this off my list...not to allow God's word to transform me. Perhaps we should evaluate our alone time and what's the real motivation for having it...especially compared to Jesus' example.