The blog Bloom! posted the following conversation starter on July 8, 2010:
"In light of this week's articles concerning ways which we can help to alleviate injustice in the world, do you have a particular outreach ministry which you admire and respect?"
At first, I did not know what outreach ministry to name. I don't follow many ministries focused on alleviating injustice. I primarily follow Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Their motto is "Helping the Thinker Believe. Helping the Believer Think." The RZIM team travels the world giving a reasoned defense for the existence of God. Does this promote justice? Yes.
The Holocaust started with the intelligentsia. Friedrich Nietzsche said God was dead, and eventually men's actions conformed to their beliefs.
We must now restore the foundation of justice -- the belief that God exists. He created all men equal. He created us in His image, and we have value. Without that confidence, we will never have justice.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Bible Memory -- How well have I hidden God's Word?
Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You" (NKJV). Yes, I have hidden God's Word. Sometimes I have hidden it too well -- back in the recesses of my mind where I'll never find it again. How can we memorize the Bible so that we truly remember it? Here are a few of my favorite techniques.
1. Pick a good translation.
Obviously, you want to memorize an accurate translation. I do not want to start a Bible version debate on my blog. But we sometimes forget to mention that some versions are easier to memorize than others.
I am partial to the Old King James Version (KJV). It is poetic. The words have rhythm. When words flow together well, they are easier to memorize. I'm a musician -- it's all in the rhythm.
Some Bible versions are very hard to memorize. The Amplified Bible and the Message often use more words to express a thought than most standard translations. If your Bible uses twice as many words, you have twice as much memorizing to do. Beware.
For a general overview of Bible versions, go to http://www.apbrown2.net/web/TranslationComparisonChart.htm.
2. Schedule daily time for memorizing Scripture.
Find a time in the day when you can always (or almost always) memorize God's Word. I like to study verses while drying my hair. I have long hair, and drying it gives me just enough time to squeeze some Scripture into my head.
Also, pick a time in the day when your hands are busy, but your head isn't. This is a perfect time for reviewing verses you already know. You can do it while washing the dishes, making your bed or exercising. Daily review is crucial.
3. Print the passage you are memorizing in an easy-to-read format.
I like memorizing at least a chapter at a time. I print it at http://www.biblegateway.com/. Then I can carry it with me and study whenever I have a few minutes.
The KJV starts each verse on a new line. Many other translations group verses into paragraphs. I think the format of the KJV is better for memorizing. We have a visual memory. When I see each verse as a little section in itself, my visual memory kicks in more strongly.
If you prefer a different translation, you can always paste it into Word and reformat it yourself.
4. Print/write individual verses in prime memorization form.
I'm am currently memorizing Romans 6. Some verses in Romans are very long. I like to rewrite them with one phrase per line, indenting some lines to emphasize the structure. For example, I might write Romans 6:4 as follows:
Now I can see three main phrases, and each main phrase has two little phrases under it.
5. Read the verse out loud.
We have an aural memory. We remember what we hear. Read a verse out loud to yourself. Can you say it with rhythm, almost chanting the phrases? Can you read it expressively? Read it a couple times, emphasizing different words each time. Does this change the flavor of the verse?
6. Write down your verse.
Many people learn best by doing. When you write, you are actively involved in the process.
7. Post your verse in places where you will see it often.
Mom has a verse posted on the washing machine. You can put one on your mirror. Put Scripture on your refrigerator. You will be regularly reminded of your memory project.
8. Put the verse in your own words.
How would you explain this verse to a five-year-old? It is extremely difficult to memorize something when you do not completely understand it.
9. Meditate on the connecting words (and, but, for...).
The little words trip me up. But they are there for a reason. The word but shows contrast. What is God contrasting in the passage? Therefore shows a result or conclusion. Look at the previous verses to discover what came before. Because and for show the reason for something. Dig out God's logic. What is the thought flow of the passage?
10. Pray through your verse.
Talk to God about the verse you are memorizing. Is there anything you don't understand? Is there something in it that challenges you to live differently? Does it encourage you? Should you thank God for something in the verse?
11. Study the passage as a whole.
I like Kay Arthur's book How to Study Your Bible and Tim LaHaye's book How to Study the Bible for Yourself. These books give general guidelines for studying any passage of Scripture. For example, find the main point of the passage, find the key words (words that are used often), outline the passage, list your questions and look up the meanings of words.
You can also purchase a Bible study book for the book of the Bible that you are interested in. A Bible study book gives questions to answer and can keep you focused on your study.
12. Measure success God's way.
Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (NKJV). Our goal is to be conformed to God's image as we meditate on God's Word. God does not measure success by how many verses we can quote word-perfect. Have I spent time in the Bible? Has it changed my heart? That is success, and it pleases God.
Do you have any memory techniques that you like? Please add them in comments to this post.
1. Pick a good translation.
Obviously, you want to memorize an accurate translation. I do not want to start a Bible version debate on my blog. But we sometimes forget to mention that some versions are easier to memorize than others.
I am partial to the Old King James Version (KJV). It is poetic. The words have rhythm. When words flow together well, they are easier to memorize. I'm a musician -- it's all in the rhythm.
Some Bible versions are very hard to memorize. The Amplified Bible and the Message often use more words to express a thought than most standard translations. If your Bible uses twice as many words, you have twice as much memorizing to do. Beware.
For a general overview of Bible versions, go to http://www.apbrown2.net/web/TranslationComparisonChart.htm.
2. Schedule daily time for memorizing Scripture.
Find a time in the day when you can always (or almost always) memorize God's Word. I like to study verses while drying my hair. I have long hair, and drying it gives me just enough time to squeeze some Scripture into my head.
Also, pick a time in the day when your hands are busy, but your head isn't. This is a perfect time for reviewing verses you already know. You can do it while washing the dishes, making your bed or exercising. Daily review is crucial.
3. Print the passage you are memorizing in an easy-to-read format.
I like memorizing at least a chapter at a time. I print it at http://www.biblegateway.com/. Then I can carry it with me and study whenever I have a few minutes.
The KJV starts each verse on a new line. Many other translations group verses into paragraphs. I think the format of the KJV is better for memorizing. We have a visual memory. When I see each verse as a little section in itself, my visual memory kicks in more strongly.
If you prefer a different translation, you can always paste it into Word and reformat it yourself.
4. Print/write individual verses in prime memorization form.
I'm am currently memorizing Romans 6. Some verses in Romans are very long. I like to rewrite them with one phrase per line, indenting some lines to emphasize the structure. For example, I might write Romans 6:4 as follows:
Therefore we are buried with Him
by baptism
into death:
that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead
by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk
in newness
of life.
Now I can see three main phrases, and each main phrase has two little phrases under it.
5. Read the verse out loud.
We have an aural memory. We remember what we hear. Read a verse out loud to yourself. Can you say it with rhythm, almost chanting the phrases? Can you read it expressively? Read it a couple times, emphasizing different words each time. Does this change the flavor of the verse?
6. Write down your verse.
Many people learn best by doing. When you write, you are actively involved in the process.
7. Post your verse in places where you will see it often.
Mom has a verse posted on the washing machine. You can put one on your mirror. Put Scripture on your refrigerator. You will be regularly reminded of your memory project.
8. Put the verse in your own words.
How would you explain this verse to a five-year-old? It is extremely difficult to memorize something when you do not completely understand it.
9. Meditate on the connecting words (and, but, for...).
The little words trip me up. But they are there for a reason. The word but shows contrast. What is God contrasting in the passage? Therefore shows a result or conclusion. Look at the previous verses to discover what came before. Because and for show the reason for something. Dig out God's logic. What is the thought flow of the passage?
10. Pray through your verse.
Talk to God about the verse you are memorizing. Is there anything you don't understand? Is there something in it that challenges you to live differently? Does it encourage you? Should you thank God for something in the verse?
11. Study the passage as a whole.
I like Kay Arthur's book How to Study Your Bible and Tim LaHaye's book How to Study the Bible for Yourself. These books give general guidelines for studying any passage of Scripture. For example, find the main point of the passage, find the key words (words that are used often), outline the passage, list your questions and look up the meanings of words.
You can also purchase a Bible study book for the book of the Bible that you are interested in. A Bible study book gives questions to answer and can keep you focused on your study.
12. Measure success God's way.
Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (NKJV). Our goal is to be conformed to God's image as we meditate on God's Word. God does not measure success by how many verses we can quote word-perfect. Have I spent time in the Bible? Has it changed my heart? That is success, and it pleases God.
Do you have any memory techniques that you like? Please add them in comments to this post.
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