Psalm 119:135

To What Lengths Would We Go?

The following story reminds me of the perseverance of my father in his later years of life when he was legally blind. He'd still spend hours of his day in the Word, not just reading, but taking notes, too. It wasn't an easy task, and he had to use the aid of a lighted magnifying glass. When he died, not only did I inherit his Bible, but I also have some of those glasses he used to see the Words of God a bit clearer.

Those habits we make today of being regularly in the Word, of really studying It and meditating on It, will often be unbreakable, especially in times of severe crisis. We'll long for the Food that nourishes for eternity, and we'll go to whatever lengths to feast on It. Oh, for more grace to steadfastly be in the Word and treasure such a privilege!

Evangelist Robert L. Sumner, in his book The Wonder of the Word of God, tells of a man in Kansas City who was severely injured in an explosion. His face was badly disfigured, and he lost his eyesight as well as both hands. He had just become a Christian when the accident happened, and one of his greatest disappointments was that he could no longer read the Bible.

Then he heard about a lady in England who read braille with her lips. Hoping to do the same, he sent for some books of the Bible in braille.
But he was discouraged that the nerve endings in his lips had been too badly damaged to distinguish the characters. One day, as he brought one of the braille pages to his lips, his tongue happened to touch a few of the raised characters and he could feel them. Like a flash he thought, "I can read the Bible using my tongue." At the time Robert Sumner wrote his book, the man had read through the entire Bible four times. If he can do that, can you discipline yourself to read the Bible?

~Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Holy Hunches and Vaporous Mumblings

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man 

of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels."

~Proverbs 1:5

"Listen" does not mean, here or anywhere else in Scripture, to harken to a subjective, mystical, murmury, semi-revelatory inner voice of God. God has no intention of turning our attention within ourselves, of urging us to seek after holy hunches and vaporous mumblings inside our own deluded hearts. He categorically condemns such orientation (Prov. 28:26; Jer. 17:9). God knows all too well that dense foolishness is "original factory equipment" in our fallen minds, thanks to Great-Great-Grandad Adam (Prov. 22:15).

No, God is not speaking of our listening to the inscrutable mumblings of some spirit, as if it were His Spirit. Rather, here and everywhere God is urging us to listen to the Word of God (cf. 1:23, 33; 16:20; contrast 28:9). The content makes this unavoidable. Solomon means the wise man to listen to the words he is writing. Internal, lowgrade, spiritual "sweet nothings" would have been far from the inspired king's mind.
~Dan Phillips
God's Wisdom in Proverbs

More Sinister Than The Hunger Games

I write this post with a bit of a handicap. I haven't read The Hunger Games trilogy. I haven't seen the movies. But I knew the controversies would stir over this one. Many Christians whom we respect completely disagree with the assertion that there's ANY value in reading this series.

But, my son Ink, thought there was.

The point of my post isn't to defend or criticize The Hunger Games. There are plenty of other places to do that, so please don't miss what I'm saying because of your opinion about the books or movies.

When our children are little, we shield them from much of the ugliness, the sin of this world. It's our job not to let a 7 year old view content meant for a 17 year old. We ground them in the truth of the Word and the seeds of discernment grow ever so slowly. We can't preview every exposure, every book, every movie, every conversation they overhear. The goal is to equip them to stand fast and stay faithful, long after we're six feet under and unable to whisper cautions in their ears.

In our home, you'll find the Hunger Games trilogy on the shelf, but you won't find Harry Potter. I'll tell you we loved Saving Private Ryan, but can't stand Fiddler on the Roof or Secretariat and think they're much more dangerous than the gritty truth of the battlefield. My 11 year old daughter still hasn't seen Pride and Prejudice and won't for some time. Sometimes we, especially as Christians, cling to a pretty outside and completely ignore the heart of the matter. Are our children doing the same? Are they thinking they're "safe" because a book or movie they watch doesn't have language or violence, thus, it must be acceptable?

And how equipped are they to speak themselves what they believe?

I read a reply my Ink wrote to a concerned mother yesterday regarding the Hunger Games. Here it is in part:

For one thing, the books are remarkably well-written *and* thought-provoking. To my mind, they prove that YA fiction doesn't have to be dominated by wizards-in-training and love-struck vampires. On the one hand, they tell a gripping story; but underneath the story are a lot of ideas worth thinking about. In many ways, the books are a critique of big government (President Snow, the Capitol) and voyeuristic culture (the Hunger Games). Suzanne Collins' essentially imagines a future where our lust for entertainment trumps all moral and ethical boundaries, just like in the Roman games of old. It reminds me of Russell Crowe's line in "Gladiator" (2000), when he shouts to the crowd, "Are you not entertained?"

There are tons of other themes worth considering, too: lost innocence, the exploitation of children, abuse of power, self-sacrifice, and more. I also find it interesting how people recoil in horror at the thought on slaughtering children in an arena... and then have no qualms whatsoever about slaughtering them in the womb. This connection isn't directly made by Collins, but it's so plain it's hard to miss.

Now, here comes the caveat... I wouldn't hand "The Hunger Games" to just anyone. I guess I somewhat agree with Berit's assessment, and so yes, discernment is a big part of whether or not the books should be read. My age recommendation would probably be 15+. The first book is pretty grim and violent, and so is the second one. The third book is my favorite because I think it's the richest... but it's also the darkest and the most violent.

It troubles me that the books are marketed to 12 and 13-year-olds. Why? Because I think most of them read the books, get an adrenaline-high off the intensity of the Games, and totally gloss over the deeper themes. And when that happens, I fear they're desensitizing themselves to the very thing Collins in trying to sensitize them to.

Whether you agree with what he wrote, you have to agree he knows what he thinks about the books and why. That's not something I learned to articulate very well as I was growing up, and it's still something I struggle with today. I have a book review I've been wanting to write for months, BUT it's against a book that's endorsed by very wise godly men. Who am I to disagree? And, yet, I do. 

We're instructed in Scripture to have a teachable spirit, so I'm not equating knowing what you believe with the arrogance that says, "I have nothing to learn," but rather the firmness that says, "I heard what you've said. I've measured it by the Word. I've considered your concerns, and my position still stands because....." 

If what we teach our children is simply a parroting of what we hear from our favorite family-friendly organizations and not from the conviction of our hearts (which should be based on the Word) because we've studied the matter, then we offer our children a foundation that will quickly crumble. Opinions we form based solely on the opinions of others and not because we've learned to think through the matter for ourselves quickly collapse under the least bit of pressure.

This is one of the reasons good Christian children walk away from their faith when they walk out the door to be on their own. They've never learned to think through a matter for themselves, digging in the Word and owning what they believe. They've never had to struggle with, "What do I believe and WHY?" because Mommy and Daddy have never been quiet long enough to force the child to do so. They've never been taught that the most dangerous worldviews are often wrapped in the prettiest, most alluring packages, sometimes with "Christian" pasted all over them and lovely horses running in the fields or people dancing on the rooftops.

To leave our own children handicapped in such a way is a sinister thing, even though done in the name of loving and protecting. And the consequences are far more dangerous than the latest movie or book that stirs up controversy and disagreement.

With love,

Trisha

Take Possession of Those Covenant Mercies

"Faith is never happier than when it can fall back upon the promise of God. She sets this over against all discouraging circumstances; let outward providences say what they will, the voice of a faithful God drowns every sound of tear....When God has spoken, His divine shall, our 'I will,' becomes no idle boast, but the fit echo of the Lord's decree. Believer, up and take possession of covenant mercies."
~C.H. Spurgeon
Treasury of David

I Will Surely Do You Good

"I will surely do you GOOD!"

~Genesis 32:12

Though this promise was given to Jacob, it was not confined to him—but is intended for all his spiritual seed. It is thus that God speaks to US this morning. How gracious!

We know not what this day may bring forth—but we do know that our God, who superintends every event, will do us good.

We may mistake as to what will be for our good—but He is infinite in wisdom and goodness, and therefore cannot mistake. We may look at afflictions, losses, and crosses, and cry out, "All these things are against me!" But read the history of David. What a train of troubles attended him! Hear his acknowledgment: "It is GOOD for me that I have been afflicted!"

Your God will do you good—therefore He will try you, sift you, humble you, and prove you. He will give you needed bitter medicine—as well asfood. He will consider nothing too expensive, or too painful—if necessary for your soul's welfare.

Look at your trials, and say, "This also shall turn to my good!"

Look on the past, and acknowledge, "Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life."

Look to the future, and rejoice, "The Lord will surely give me that which is GOOD."

Look in every direction, and say, "Surely the Lord will do me good—I will trust, and not be afraid."

~James Smith, "The Pastor's Morning Visit
Grace Gems

Monday Facts~Bible Edition

It's a fact that my favorite version is the King James.

It's a fact that my husband is the only one in our home who reads from the ESV.

It's a fact I love my Cambridge Bible with the wide margins.

It's a fact that when my Dad died, I wanted his Bible.

It's a fact that when my children turn 17, they'll get their own Cambridge Bible.

It's a fact that these are my favorite pens for marking in my Bible. And yes, I use pink.

It's a fact that I no longer think I need to make one Bible last forever. Like Elisabeth Elliot and Nancy Leigh DeMoss, I can mark up several Bibles in my lifetime. (Eight would be good. Then my children won't fight over them. :))

It's a fact that I'm terrible at memorizing Scripture, though I desire so much to be able to do it. It's a fact that my children amaze me with their ability. It's a fact that I wish I had memorized chapters of the Bible when I was a child.

It's a fact that I pray my children would hunger for the Word and that they wouldn't be able to imagine going through a day without feasting on Scripture.

It's a fact that I read too much of what men have to say about God's Word and not enough of God's Word itself.

It's a fact that God's Word is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

It's a fact that reading your Bible on a Kindle or an iPad or a phone will NEVER be the same as holding and reading and studying the REAL thing. Let us not take for granted our printed Bibles.

It's a fact that randomly reading from God's Word each day is fine for awhile, but afterwards one begins to feel lost and unsettled. Reading through the Bible, all of the Bible, is the best way to see the "big picture."

It's a fact that I want to know God's Word AND do what it says.

It's a fact that I pray that God would give me a deeper love for His Word. I know I don't love it enough.

What about you? What's your favorite version? Do you mark in your Bible? What's one thing you would change about your Bible reading habits?

With love,

It's a fact you can read other fascinating facts at Seams Inspired!