Approaching Damascus

After posting Justin Taylor’s helpful suggestions for Bible reading plans, I have been asked by multiple people what plan I am going to use in 2012. First, let me say that I have used multiple plans in the past. Some were helpful and fit the way I think/read better than others. And there were a few plans that were just too complicated for me to maintain. I have seen other people succeed at both the most ambitious plans and the simplest ones. I don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all approach.

The most success I have enjoyed has been the straightforward approach of reading three chapters a day from Genesis to Revelation. That gets you through the Scriptures in about a year. Call me simple, but this has been my favorite method.

This year I am going to use a modified version of Don Whitney’s suggestion. My plan is to read six chapters a day, two chapters each from three places in the Bible. Here is what it looks like…

The three starting places are Genesis, Job, and Matthew. So the first day will be Genesis 1-2, Job 1-2, and Matthew 1-2. Day two will be Genesis 3-4, Job 3-4, and Matthew 3-4. The scheme is to keep reading consecutively from those three points and finish the sections (Gen—Esther, Job—Malachi, Matt—Rev) about the same time.

For me, this keeps things simple and also includes variety. It has a pace of finishing the Bible in less than a year, but also includes the flexibility to shorten and extend the daily readings depending on time and length of chapters (ever compared Ps 117 and 119?).

I have learned a lot about myself in previous years of Bible reading. For example, I know there are days that I miss. I hope I didn’t just lose all credibility. When this happens it is important that I get back into the Word the next day and not worry about making up for lost time, but meeting with God in His revelation. With the six-chapter approach there should not be much of a problem reading the Bible through in a year if the missed days are only exceptions.

I’ve also learned that it is a rare day that I cannot read more than what is planned. Who says you have to stop where the plan says stop? I like to think of it as an appointment with God for a certain amount of time and filling that time with reading and prayer.

One more thing I have found is that sometimes you come to a verse or passage in the reading that is so profound and has such intense application for your life that you just need to stop there and not concern yourself with reading any further.

There is actually a dangerous part of having a Bible reading plan. This is the pitfall of becoming a slave to it rather than seeking it as a time for personal worship. It is better to read one verse worshipfully than multiple chapters dutifully.

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Much has been written and discussed about technology’s encroachment on our lives. I’ve been greatly aided by friends who have looked at this problem with a theological eye (Note Tim Challies book, The Next Story and Al Mohler’s many blogposts on the subject). Most agree that computers, tablets, smart phones, and social media are not going away. In fact, we can expect the avalanche to get bigger (Have you chosen your circles for Google+ yet?).

This has made me think a lot as we stand on the porch of a new year. Kim and I have been talking about what Bible reading plan we are going to use this year. If you are undecided, Justin Taylor has some helpful options. And thinking about a new year of Bible reading has made me reconsider my schedule, which is always a humbling reflection of my priorities.

Looking back over the habits I’ve formed over the past year has, well, deeply disappointed me. The question I am asking myself is what is the first leaning of my heart when I wake up. I remember hearing C.J. Mahaney explain the battle he faces each morning when he wakes up and attacking his flesh with prayer at his first waking moment. I think we are all on the same battlefield.

So what is the first thing you do when you wake up? Here’s my problem. I find it easy to grab my iPhone and check my email, glance at social media notifications, see if there are any texts awaiting a response, and look at the news and sports feeds. There is certainly nothing wrong with doing these things. But my problem is that this is much easier and feels more urgent when I awake than addressing the thirst of my soul for God.

Back to the question, what is the first concern of your day?

I’m not much on New Year’s resolutions, but this is one area I want to focus on this year. Is there a better way to begin the day than with the thought of God? Maurice Roberts writes:

The thought of God should be the Christian’s panacea. It should cure all ills at a stroke. And what an infinity there is in the thought of God! Nothing can approach in beauty to the idea of the true and living God. That there exists a Being who is infinite in power, knowledge and goodness, that that Being cares for me with a perfect love as though I were the only man in existence, that He loved me before I was born and created me to enjoy Him eternally and that He sent his Son to suffer the agony of the cross to secure my eternal happiness—that, surely must be the thought to end all sorrow.

My prayer for my own soul, and yours, is that we develop the discipline of beginning the day with the thought of God, fed by the Word of God, for the glory of God, and enjoy the grace of God for our days.

Here are a few simple suggestions for starting your day before you even get out of bed.

1. Pray. Ask God for His grace to motivate you to approach this day as His holy child and faithful ambassador.
2. Think. Even before you begin this new day, revisit what you learned of God and the gospel yesterday. This will begin a chain link of Godward thinking.
3. Plan. How will you prioritize your reading of God’s Word today? Hopefully, this plan has already been made. But making a fresh commitment before your feet hit the ground to execute that plan will greatly increase your control over your day.
4. Say “No!” Every morning will bring new opportunities to do things other than spiritual disciplines. Learn to say “No!” to those things because you have another set of commitments to do before getting to them.

Much more could be said. You can add your comments below to help us in the discipline of beginning the day. For 2012, I want to have better beginnings to my days. I hope you do too.

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Let me admit from the beginning that I am incurable Enfield fan. I know each of the members of this band and can personally attest to their spiritual maturity and love for Christ. I also had the privilege of working with them in ministry for many years and heard their musical gifts each week. So when I knew they were putting together a Christmas album, I had high hopes. Those hopes were exceeded.

Some of these arrangements we have been hearing for a few years around Christmas as they led in musical worship. But this is way beyond that. For me, this is the perfect combination of musicianship, orchestration, arrangement, godly musicians, and an on-ramp for worshiping Jesus, God of God. It was produced by Brian Steckler, producer of Enfiled’s album O For That Day.

What follows is not a formal review. In fact it is unashamedly positive. It is simply a personal review for me to express what I love about this album. I hope you enjoy the project as much as I do. I would encourage you to purchase a CD or download it soon.

1.     Angels From the Realms of Glory

This opening song is a classic Enfield recipe. They take a song that is familiar, add fresh orchestration, put in a new chorus and bridge, and throw in a great guitar solo. Wonderfully old and entirely new… at the same time. The use of strings in concert with contemporary instrumentation gives this song (and all their work) a contemporary and timeless feel. John and Lisa Martin’s tight harmonies remind me of God’s sweet providence in their marriage that transfers uniquely into their music. Lisa’s sliding, melodic harmonies just make you smile. Listen for the swelling crescendos, punchy syncopation, tight phrasing, and some great playing.

2.     God of God

Leave it to Ryan Foglesong to find an old hymn and make it sound like it was written yesterday. The theology of this piece should drop any believer to his knees in worship or stand him on his tiptoes in exultation. Beautiful strings give a soft step to the marching cadence of this anthem. The break when John sings, “O God of God” (with an acoustic guitar backdrop), aptly captures the album’s title. You can sense he believes in the incarnation with that vocal. David Zimmer’s drums pull you along like a narrator of the story of the Savior’s birth. Being unfamiliar with this song worked to my advantage because it accented the words. Catchy melody, great theology, well orchestrated. I really like this song.

3.     Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

This is such a fun song to listen to and sing along with. The opening strings are huge. And they should be. Few Christmas carols are as rich in incarnational theology as this one. The string intro sets the table for the greatness of the lyrics. And the way the tambre drops as the vocals come in, very cool. David’s kit work is amazing in this song. I hear something new from the drums every time I listen to it. You’ve got to love the “Joy to the World” bridge into the key change… very cool. But the coolest part of this song is the way they use pizzicato to underlay the phrase, “Mild He lays His glory by.” This will be a classic on my iPod for years to come.

4.     Who is He in Yonder Stall?

I love this carol because it speaks of Christ’s whole life, not just His nativity. And Lisa sings it as a vocal biography of the Lord she loves. This time it’s John who adds the harmony. The acoustic guitar sets the mood so well in this song. The orchestration is deliberately understated which adds to the drama of the lyrics.

5.     O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Wil’s dissonant Mandolin intro melody invites the minor key that has always made this song sound like it’s supposed to, a longing for the Messiah.  Add to that Nick Brown’s electric guitar and the wistful violin fills and you have a haunting mood. This arrangement creates magnetism to John’s excellent voicing of the lyrics. The intended forlorn of the lyric is captured by the creativity of the orchestration. Superb interpretation of this song!

6.     Glory to God on High

The driving back beat and great percussion by David and Ryan make you want to hear this song from the opening measures (listen for an amazing drum fill at 2:02!). The key change works as well in this tune as any I know. You get the full range of John’s voice on this track. Wow is he gifted!

7.     O Come All Ye Faithful

This carol is on everyone’s favorites list. I think that is what makes it so special on this album. The familiarity presents a challenge to bring something new to the table. But, Enfield pulls it off. The changes in rhythm keep it interesting. And the new bridge is a welcome addition, both lyrically and musically.

8.     God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen

Okay, this is my favorite track on God of God. The layers of creativity are so cool on this song. Great acoustic grove to begin with, and the electric guitar fill between the verses sounds just, traumatic. The gang vocal in this song is just plan fun! I could listen to the last 1:16 of this song over and over without pause. This is what the B3 Hammond organ was made for. The way Scott Frankfurt resolves the Asus-to-A makes me smile every time! My iTunes says tells me I’ve listened to this one the most.

9.     Go Tell It on the Mountain

I have to admit, this carol has never been one of my favorites… until now. I think it reminded me of my 2^nd grade Sunday School class concert. David lays down a waterfall of percussion and Ryan turns his bass into a lead instrument on this track. There is more going on in the rhythm section of this song than happens from the lead of most other songs. Listen for some really cool piano licks.

10.  What Child is This?

I’ve never heard this carol quite like this. What I mean is that it sounds like John is singing the meaning more than the words. The intro violin sits you in a Middle Eastern stable looking through flickering light wondering “What child is this in Mary’s lap?” The highlight of this song for me is the dramatic harmonies Lisa adds (especially from 3:13-30, gives me chills every time). A minor key has never sounded so sweet.

11.  Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming

I’m not sure where to even start on this song. This is a beautiful vocal tribute to Jesus by Lisa. I’ve tried to count how many tracks are laid down in this harmony stack, and stopped trying. Great lyrics, amazing vocals. One of the most creative tracks on the album.

12.  O Holy Night

This song is usually arranged for a huge and dramatic crescendo from a tenor. Make no mistake, you will hear John’s gifted tenor voice. But it is so wonderfully understated that appropriate attention is drawn to the lyrics. Less is more here. Sweet, soft harmonies by Lisa blend into a staircase for worship. The string arrangement in the break is simply beautiful.

13.  Silent Night

Is it possible to have a Christmas album without this tune? Like others, the familiarity of this carol make a new rendition challenging. But the slight change in melody is really nice. The piano adds a fresh level of interest from the beginning. John’s voice finds its softer side with wonderful control and intensity. This song makes you want to sit by the fire and talk about the birth of King Jesus.

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