Feb 20 2009

The Longest Chapter

Category: Blog

In our modern fast-food, immediate gratification society, we have become accustomed to getting what we want and getting it fast. It’s like everything has gulped down a triple espresso - video games, IM, internet speeds, just to name a few. The publishing world has bought into the idea of serving it up fast by preferring shorter chapters (a page or two in length) as opposed to the traditional ten to twelve page long chapters. James Patterson, the writer, has written his books with short chapters and has found great success. Recent research shows that we get bored if we have to concentrate too long on any given subject.

bible-compassA few days ago I discovered that I preferred the James Patterson shorter chapter method myself when reading. Recently I read this good book (by a different author) and found myself stopping in the middle of a chapter to see how many more pages before the chapter ended.

So then why is it I truly love reading and rereading Psalm 119 (the longest chapter in the Bible)? I guess it has to do with the fact that it repeats itself so many times it’s hard not to get the author’s point: Love God’s Word and obey it. I have found such comfort and strength when I read Psalm 119. Each of the 176 verses remind me of the importance of studying His Word and incorporating it into my daily life. He promises that we will be blessed if we keep His statutes and seek Him with all our heart (vs. 2). We can find comfort in our suffering because His promises preserve our lives (vs. 50). He promises that we will receive light as we unfold His Word (vs. 130). These are just a few of the verses that clearly illustrate just how important it is for believers to be well connected to His Word. Reading the longest chapter in the Bible is worth the perseverance it takes.

Would you be willing to set aside 20 minutes or so to read all of Psalm 119? I’d love for you to leave a comment and share which verse spoke to your heart and why.

Verse 112 is one of my favorite verses: “My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.” It reinforces my commitment to Him. It also reminds me that I cannot keep His decrees unless I read and study them on purpose.

Blessings to you! Melony


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construxlearning

Feb 04 2009

Our Economy Stinks

Category: Blog

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You’d have to be a hermit living in the deepest woods not to know that our nation is suffering in many ways. The economy stinks. The unemployment rate increases significantly every day. The nightly news is even more depressing than it once was because people are engaging in more criminal behavior just to put food on their table.

Many financial gurus have analyzed the data to death. What are they really gleaning from it? Rather than admit we all had a part in this economic downturn, many are pointing the finger of blame on the former president, the banks, and the person who handed them a pink slip. Very few are admitting that America sowed the seeds of excess and now we are reaping the consequences. The sowing-reaping principle has been around since the beginning of time.

Most Americans expect a quick fix. This is a very unrealistic expectation. Farmers don’t plant (sow) a seed one day and expect a full grown plant, ready for harvest, the next. Many are counting on the bailout to get us back to “normal.” Isn’t “normal” what got us in trouble in the first place?

Perhaps we should take this time of uncertainty to determine the difference between our wants and needs. Maybe instead of putting our latest want on the credit card, we should save and pay cash for it. Suppose we pay off the debt we already owe instead of incurring more. There are many things we could all do to make things better instead of complaining about how bad things are.

I would love for you to comment about how you and your family are adapting to this unstable economy. Maybe we can learn some new ways of thinking from each other!

While you’re here, vote on your favorite Bible character (to the right). THANKS!

I’ll go first: My family has been impacted by the decline in the housing market as my husband is a mortgage banker. It’s definitely caused us to evaluate our finances and spending habits. We’ve adjusted our budget, cut out the “extras” and had to make tough decisions between the things we want and the things we need. My boys have had the hardest adjustment to this new way of thinking. Perhaps because they’ve bought into the indulgence line of thinking, too.


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construxlearning