Here goes nothing.

Well, this is an idea I've kicked around for a little bit so here it is. This blog is more than likely going to end up being a reiteration of my morning Bible studies.

We go to Resurgence Church (http://www.resurgencecommunity.com/) that meets in Evansville. I've got to say this is probably the best congregation I've had the opportunity to be a part of.

I'll recap Pastor Jeremy's method for Bible study. I've often wondered "how do I read this thing?" I've been churched my whole life but never had a pastor sit down and say "This is how you study the Bible on your own, without 'My Utmost For His Highest' or any other study guide. This way I can read whatever I am reading and be able to understand it. I know it helped me, maybe it will help somebody else. This is called the CLEAR Method.

C: Call On God. I usually use this portion for my morning prayers. I always start by thanking God for everything he's given to this fool, and Praising Him. This is modeled for us in The Lord's Prayer. I might do a study on that later. "Call On God" is a good time to ask Him for guidance while you read your Bible.

L: Look Into God's Word. One Thing. Don't try to get an entire concept or dissertation in your daily devotion. A lot of times just one thing is enough to wreck your life. I generally write down the scripture that hits me. It is not such a great idea to just open up your Bible, close your eyes and point. Maybe the first day, but after that you want some continuity. It will help with the next part.

E: Embrace. What is the context? You can't just pull a verse out of the middle of a page and expect it to do you a whole heck of a lot of good - especially since a lot of them pick up in the middle of an idea (especially the Pauline writings, boy could that guy write a run on sentence, you know, the kind your grammar teacher got onto you for doing because you're really supposed to have just one idea in any given sentence, except Paul used a lot of commas and several ideas and most of his sentences were an entire paragraph in and of themselves.)

This is a good time, if you have time, to do a little history research. It helps to at least have an inkling of what was going on at the time. However, you can glean a lot from the - wait for it - context. What was happening at the time the author wrote the letter or epistle? Who was the author? Where was he? Who was he writing to? What sort of no no's was the recipient involved in? You'll see, especially in Paul's letters, the more things change the more they stay the same.

A: Application. The inevitable question: How does this apply to me? I heard one time that's not a good question to ask. I don't remember when or where or who said it. If we can't ask "How does this apply to me?" then what good is it? This is a good time to do some soul searching. Remember the only people present when you do your study are you and God. God already knows what you've been up to so you don't have to pretend with Him. It's better that you didn't. If you really want your lunch handed to you, read Hebrews. That's where I am right now and I got reprimanded in a rather alarming way this morning.

R: Reaction. God makes the change. How many times have you said "I'll change I swear! I'll get right on it. Tomorrow." We can't do anything on our own and don't try to tell me otherwise. Everybody has their demon. Everybody knows that demon. Some of us are rather fond of that demon. Only God can beat the devil. Christians cannot beat the devil on their own, and they can't cast out demons on their own. Only through the power of Christ are we able to overcome Satan. This is the part where confession is a very good idea partly because we've just had a sin revealed to us.



So, this is how I've been studying my Bible. I can honestly say for the first time I am enjoying it. And, I am making sure I have time for it in the mornings. The longest this has taken me is about half an hour. How many people can say "wow I spent half an hour with God today. Wish I had that time back"? Me neither.

You may be wondering "so that's the Bible part, what about the briar part?" Well, I will probably from time to time do what we do on www.my-pipes.net. What's your pipe today? What's the blend today? I'm not going to try to sell anything, but I like to puff on my pipe while I study. I've always had a sort of absent minded activity to go along with something that has required thought. It helps me focus. Sometimes it's coffee. Sometimes a pipe. Seldom is it music anymore, I am beginning to cherish the quiet things in life.

Life has gotten so complicated as of late, especially with the advent of mobile devices, I have been enjoying the throwbacks to yesteryear. I have a halfway decent pipe collection. I shave with a straight razor. I drink my coffee black. I don't have a cell phone or a television and I listen to radio shows from the 30's and 40's. I take my Bible and Church very seriously.

Everything has become "rush rush rush", I think we need to slow down. A pipe - you can't rush. You'll hurt yourself and it's a loose/loose situation. Take your time, pack, light, tamp, light, puff. A straight razor you can't rush - you'll REALLY hurt yourself. Strop cotton, strop leather. Fill the sink with hot water, wet the rag and soften your skin. Lather the brush, gently shave. Black coffee you can't rush. Too much bitter too fast and you gag. Plus you'll burn your tongue then you can't taste your pipe. Old time radio shows are all about the dialogue. Listen.

Your Bible you can't rush. You'll miss the point of the lesson and a chance to better yourself.

Slow down, enjoy life.