Read!

-



I would just like to take a moment to encourage you to read. I love reading, but I also know that it is good to do. I hope to inculcate the value of reading in all of my children and in as many other people as I can. 

Reading is important. It is part of growing as an individual and a Christian. The central source of our beliefs is a book. Think about that, and remember again why reading is important. 

Yes, I know, you have a reason. Something is stopping you from reading "as much as you want to."  Maybe you don't read, but wish you did. Maybe you just wish you spent more time reading. But, I am willing to bet that most of you would not tell me you have no desire to read more. I don't know why, but that seems to be the common response I get.  Then come the reasons. 

I'm too busy. 

Reading is difficult. 

I get distracted by (insert electronic device here). 

And so on. 

Fellow Christian, do not let these things stop you! Do not be robbed of this source of great blessing in your life by such things! You know how when you were growing up and you didn't want to finish your meal, your mom would say "children in Africa are starving" ? Remember that? Well, I can't resist. So let me say this: there are people all throughout history, and around the world, who wish they had the opportunity to read that you do. 

What I really want to say is that if you know how to read (and since you are reading this, you obviously do) you have been given a great gift. Do not take it for granted. 

Take the steps necessary to read more. In starting out, there is a good chance it will be more 'work' than you are used to during your free time. It is worth it. The idea that our free time is supposed to be about 'vegging out' is an insidious lie of television culture. Yes, we all need down time, but we also need to spend some of our time cultivating spiritual and intellectual growth in our lives. 

Let me give you some advice. Don't accept your own excuses; they are not good enough for you. Set aside regular time to read (of course, it has to fit your schedule to some degree, but if you have to shift your schedule then so be it). Start with easier books (easier is relative, you know what you need). Start with topics in books, or types of books, you enjoy (yes, that auto magazine counts if you actually read the articles). Then challenge yourself (you didn't think I was going to let you stay with just a magazine did you? Of course not!). Challenge yourself by reading more, and/or by reading something more difficult. You do not have to read quickly. You do not have to read a lot of books. You do not need a large library. You do not need to make sure you are reading the 'best books.' You just need to read. And as you go, make it your goal to read widely, read deeply, and read well. 

You can start a lifetime of learning and growing and maturing today. You should. 


Comments

adriel said…
Haha, Andrew! Since this post is about reading, I couldn't help but comment on the cute picture of Hannah sitting on the truck ledge. Beside it is a sign that reads "PLEASE KEEP OFF" lol! All in fun :)
2:00 AM
Andrew said…
I wondered if anyone would comment on that :)
9:28 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Forgiveness: A Hard Word From Luther

-
"Those who follow Christ grieve more over the sin of their offenders than over the loss or offense to themselves. And they do this that they may recall those offenders from their sin rather than avenge the wrongs they themselves have suffered. Therefore they put off the form of their own righteousness and put on the form of those others, praying for their persecutors, blessing those who curse, doing good to the evil-doers, preparing to pay the penalty and make satisfaction for their very enemies that they may be saved. This is the gospel and the example of Christ." - Martin Luther (Quoted by Miroslav Volf, Free of Charge, pg. 161-162)
Read more

Proper Confidence: Faith, Doubt, and Certainty

-
Image
Leslie Newbigin, Proper Confidence: Faith, Doubt , and Certainty in Christian Discipleship. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 1995. 105 pgs. In this gem of a book Newbigin takes the reader on a journey away from the idea of Cartesian certainty and towards a more proper scaffolding for thought and belief. He denies the possibility of ideal certainty with no doubt and concludes that seeking this ideal can only to skepticism (of an extreme sort) and Nihilism. The thesis of this book might best best be stated as follows: the proper confidence of a Christian is not the possession of indubitable knowledge but the confidence of one who has heard and answered God's call of 'Follow me.' In order to demonstrate this point, Newbigin first examines three 'paths' whose titles, which are his first three chapter titles, seem somewhat counter-intuitive. In the first chapter, 'Faith as the Way to Knowledge,' Newbigin argues that if knowledge, and God, are ultim
Read more

A Good Tree Bears Good Fruit....

-
Image
"Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit." - Matthew 7:17-18 "One of the most powerful ways to influence the behavior of a system is through its purpose or goal. That's because the goal is the direction-setter of the system, the definer of discrepancies that require action, the indicator of compliance, failure, or success toward which balancing feedback loops work. If the goal is defined badly, if it doesn't measure what it's supposed to measure, if it doesn't reflect the real welfare of the system, then the system can't possibly produce a desirable result. Systems, like the three wishes in the traditional fairy tale, have a terrible tendency to produce exactly and only what you ask them to produce. Be careful what you ask them to produce." - Donella H. Meadows, Thinking in Systems. 
Read more