When I read a book, I don’t read details and individual points.  I read general concepts.  This is how I do it.  This is who I am.  So when I tell someone I’ve read a book I’ve enjoyed, and they totally believe it’s blasphemous or heretical or even absurd, then they proceed to show me why on pages, 22, 47, 89, 217, and of course, 666, I am wrong for enjoying the book.   I don’t even read there emails or letters in depth.  I read, “Wow, they are against that book in a way that I am not.”

In truth, I am a bit envious of people like that.  People who can take the time and have the skill set to completely parse each corner and section of a passage written by an author, then tell me what’s good and/or bad about said topic as far as each section/line of the book.

I also wonder how they’re not bipolar (see “A Beautiful Mind”).  For no human can possibly get everything right, and I’m sure there are agreements and disagreements about every human author’s writings, namely because there are agreements and disagreements between the writings of the book inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.

With that said, On December 28th, 2009, I began to read the Bible within a 90 day period.  Some called it B90X, after the popular and intense workout video series.  I wouldn’t suggest this type of reading for everyone, because it’s not for everyone.  I would say its for people who are like me.  They read quickly and take away the one or two main concepts of the book being read.  Reading an average of 16 chapters a day probably wouldn’t work for those prone to taking apart every line they read every time they read.

But for those like me, I found the quick trip through the Scriptures refreshing and wonderful, learning things and seeing things I had never seen before.  From the beginning of time when God’s amazing creation breathed its first breath to John’s last apocalyptic visions, I was introduced to a story like no other, all of which I’d heard before, but never in an entire complete scenario at one condensed time period.  In this reading, for the first time in my life, the writings of Moses and Samuel and David connected so tightly with Luke and John and Paul that I could see the family resemblance.

The Gospel of Jesus came to life once again, as I read about how my Saviour, the Messiah, would live and serve, then apparently be crushed and killed, then be raised again to be with His Father, but not until after He spent a bit more time teaching those He had walked with  and discipled for three years.

The best way to describe this way of reading through Scripture is the difference between Watching “Lost” week to week for years and years, and the watching it on DVD through the whole story in one short portion of time.  If you’ve ever sat together with your spouse or a friend and watched episode after episode and season after season of a show, this is the way it feels.  It comes to life in one shot!

For me, this way of reading the Bible is going to be a habit, for it screams of my best chance to learn and grow from that reading.  This is who I am.  If you’re an adventurer, I suggest you try it out once and see how you like it.  If you don’t, stop.  But I suggest that a regular reading of the Bible is important, not only because of what God did those many years ago in Creation to the redemption of the world through Jesus, but because of what He’s doing now in our world.

You can find a 90 day Bible reading plan or another 29 or so plans at youversion.com, a ministry of Lifechurch.tv

Bible reading rocks!

Many people don’t know that they can find my blog at martyholman.com.  I think this is important information because everyday people find my blog using the search words, “Marty Holman.”  Come on peeps, just put those words together and slap a .com at the end.  Walaa!

Things are going amazing right now at Fellowship Church, and I’m so proud of my church for the way they have banded together in their life groups and in their service teams and on Sunday Mornings @ Fellowship to lead other people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.  There is such a kingdom-mindset right now, and I’m privileged to be the pastor of this outstanding group of Christ followers.

At the forefront of this group is several leaders who have sacrificed of themselves to spearhead this movement of God.  I’m so proud to be working on a regular basis with guys like Steve, Al, Billy, Jeff, and Jay.   They are inspiring and teachable, ready to work and ready to wait, and most of all, they have been available for God to use them in a great way.

I put out a challenge to our team back in January that I wanted our church to grow in every way in the summer of 2008.  Seem ordinary?  I want you to know that in the 9 years that I’ve been here now, our church has never grown in the summer, and I have been praying,and I think it’s about time God changes all that.

So if you are a member or an attender of Fellowship Church or you just follow one of our blogs, would you begin praying for this to happen here in Holden, Massachusetts?  We’re starting to see momentum happen on a weekly basis, and God is moving here – no doubt!

One more thing.  I’ve also been praying about being involved in this in June.  It seems like hundreds, if not thousands of churches across America are taking part in it (which is not a reason in and of itself to do it), but I really want God’s direction here.  Please let me know if you have any thoughts on the subject.  Unless of course you are a natural critic and just think that anyone who would do this hates God.  Then you can keep your comments to yourself.  But if you have any constructive thoughts, good or bad, throw them in. 

Anyone have any thoughts on it?

Until next time…