Deus Misereatur

(The picture is from a book I finished reading recently) Someone I know emailed me recently asking me to lend them some advice. He was wondering about ways he could become a better reader. My friend then said, "You seem like someone who reads a lot and then really utilizes your reading. Would you mind taking a few minutes just to share some thoughts or tips on how you approach reading? What do you read? How often? How do you process it and share it with others? That sort of thing." I thought it might be worth posting my response. Maybe others will find it encouraging and helpful. Here is how I replied: ------ (1) I read multiple books at once. If one really snags my heart, I put the others aside until I finish that one. If none snag my heart, then I read a chapter of one, play an online chess game, then read a chapter in another. At that pace I can finish two books in two to three weeks. (2) I mark my books up like crazy, and write in the margins every so often wh...

(This congregational/pastoral prayer is drawn from Psalm 33) Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. O God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, our hearts are glad, and we continue to lift our voices in thanksgiving and praise! And we now pray in Jesus’ name: For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD. As your upright word goes forth from your preachers, evangelists, pastors and teachers, may it not return to you void, but accomplish what you please and prosper in the thing for which you sent it. May your church, including this congregation, as well Mayfair Church of Christ, Memorial Rd. Church of Christ, Midway Church of Christ and Northeast Church of Christ, display y...