Talk to the Greats

Who would you talk to if you could? I mean, a heart to heart conversation--just the two of you. My wife used to imagine what it would be like to sit on the porch with Billy Graham and a glass of lemonade. You and Abraham Lincoln? Queen Elizabeth II? Martin Luther? And of course, there's King David, Daniel, and Mary Magdalen. 

And there are those modern icons you might find interesting. Whether you see the world as they do or not, you could have some interesting chats. Imagine asking Warren Buffet what it's like to know the financial markets hang on your words. Or asking Billy Joel what he felt the first time he heard Piano Man on the radio. Or asking the Duchess of York what was her favorite moment with Queen Elizabeth. 

The limitations of time and space often make these conversations impossible. It's so much about who you are and who you know. 

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. (Proverbs 4:7 NLT)

It sounds redundant; getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do. Yet that's what the book of wisdom teaches. Go after wisdom. Not just information. Anyone can scroll through information on google for hours. But wisdom? It takes some getting. It takes a pursuit. 

Maybe you and I can't sit down for an hour with Abraham Lincoln and ask about leading in crisis times. Or ask Larry Burkett about managing money and investing. But in another way, we can. When you sit down with a book and read what Lincoln did during the civil war and what his priorities were, you are gaining wisdom. When you read what Burkett did during a recession, you are pursuing wisdom not just information. This is more than knowledge. It's learning from the experiences and mistakes of others. 

Can I challenge you to read a little bit every day? Here at the beginning of a new year, commit to just 10-15 minutes a day and you'll have read about 12-15 books this year. Imagine the difference it would make in exchanging 10 minutes of doom scrolling for the wisdom of Solomon or Billy Graham! Instead of comparing your life to the rich and famous who haven't finished living, consider the experiences of lives well-lived--like Elisabeth Elliot, C.S. Lewis, or Hudson Taylor.

 You can talk to great men and women. Read their books.    

Six Simple Steps to Becoming a Better Parent

My parents are in their 80's and every now and then they talk about regrets in parenting: "We just didn't have the resources you have today. We would've done it differently." I'm sure they would. And there are plenty of "Top Ten Mistakes Parents Make." But my parents did a lot of things right. Here are some of those with a few I've picked up from other great parents. 

1. Read to your small children. The research proves it. Parents, especially Dads and Granddads, who read to their small children will nurture a lasting bond. Not only that, you will jump-start their love of reading.

2. Eat together and ask open-ended questions at the table.  A family who eats together more than twice a week will have fewer breakdowns in relationship. Stop asking "How was your day?" and say, "Everyone, let's hear about either the best thing or the hardest thing that happened today."

3. Have a "just you and me" night with each of your kids once a month. Take them where they want to eat or play. Put a limit on the budget so they learn to choose wisely. 

4. Pray together often enough that it's a habit. Pray about the hard stuff and thank God for the good stuff.

5. Have a family discussion about vacation and include everyone in the planning. Surprises are great but it's also helpful to learn about time constraints and how we can't do everything we want to do.  

6. Be diligent about a weekly Sabbath. No work. No homework. Instead, worship. Play. Prepare for Sabbath the night before and talk about it like it's something to look forward to.

How about you? What did your parents do right? Sound off. 

Why I (You) Need to Read What Dead Guys Said

Looking back on the nearly fifty books I read this year, I am seeing how important it is to read dead guys. While there is something appealing about the latest, greatest, brightest author, I sometimes ask myself, "Will this book pass the 100-year test?" When the author is dead and this computer is in the electronics graveyard, will this book still hold the same worth? 

How many books have you read that are at least 100 years old? Yep, it's harder reading. Our language has changed. Street lingo has replaced the more stiff and proper English that's ten decades old or more. I'm not saying that we need to go back to that kind of writing and speaking--just acknowledging that it is more difficult to read, takes more concentration and may require a dictionary at your fingertips. But it's worth it. And if you're like me and find that English almost too pithy to understand, get a modern translation of the ancient work and you'll still get the benefit of reading an author who has outlived his life.

Take this quote from Augustine of Hippo from somewhere around the 5th century: For I was not yet lowly enough to hold the lowly Jesus as my God, nor did I know what lesson His embracing of our weakness was to teach. For Your Word, the eternal Truth, towering above the highest parts of Your creation, lifts up to Himself those that were cast down.
Augustine, Saint. The Confessions: A New Translation (2017) (Kindle Locations 1914-1916). UNKNOWN. Kindle Edition. 

Here, Augustine speaks of his pre-conversion thinking. Augustine, trained in rhetoric, a brilliant student of philosophy, could match the wits of most any know-it-all of his day. Yet on reflection, he realizes his pride prevented him from embracing the One who made Himself nothing. 

I need to hear this and you do too. If you're intrigued by information like I am, by the clever, brilliant minds of the 21 century, try steeping yourself in the thought-life of Augustine, Paul Bunyan, John Owen, or even a younger dead guy like C.S. Lewis. No, not exclusively. But now and then we need to read something that is older than we are. 

Stuff I'm Reading

Maybe you don't care, but in case somebody does, here's a few things I've been reading:

• Living By the Book. LBTB is a great book for anyone who wants to get more out of personal Bible Study. It will fire up your devotional time! This is a supplemental text I'm using in the C3mi class I'm teaching on Hermeneutics (which means to interpret/translate). Howard Hendricks known as "Prof" at DTS is widely respected and has taught many well-known speakers like Chuck Swindoll, Andy Stanley and Chip Ingram. (How about having that list as people you've influenced!)
• Between Two Worlds. BTW is a great book for anyone who communicates through preaching/teaching. One thing John recommends is having a resource group that reads a book a month that represents contemporary issues. In the meeting, they discuss the Christian implications/response. Great idea. This man has a passion to get the message across. John W Stott is respected world-wide by many Christian pastors. A faithful, man of integrity who pastored All Souls Church in London most of his life. He turns 80 this year.  
• What Your Contractor Can't Tell You by Amy Johnson. Becki and I have looked at remodeling or building and this book is amazing. It arms you with the background info you need when talking to a contractor or architect. If you're building something, you need this book.
• Act Like a Lady, Think like a Man by Steve Harvey. Months ago, I knew I'd be doing a series on Original Design and God's Good Gift so I picked up this book. Not really for advice obviously, but to hear another contemporary perspective on male/female issues. He's a funny guy. Not always appropriate. But I did find the book helpful as a window into another guy's mind. 

I'm looking for a great fiction or a book on a contemporary issue. If you have a great suggestion, shoot it my way. 

Classic Books Every Christ-Follower Should Read Besides the Bible

In no particular order...

• The Pursuit of God (A.W. Tozer)
• Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis) 
• The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis)
• The Knowledge of the Holy (A.W. Tozer)
• How to Pray (R.A. Torrey)
• Abide in Christ (Andrew Murray)
• The Practice of the Presence of God (Brother Lawrence)
• My Utmost for His Highest (Oswald Chambers)

Do you have any classics you would add? (By definition, it needs to be ~50 years old)