Memorizing

In preparation for my upcoming series on 1 Peter, I've been memorizing the first chapter. I've done Bible memorization during certain periods of my life, especially when as a kid to win prizes in VBS or Sunday school. This is one of a few times that I've done this kind of memorization, consecutively through a chuck of text. It's been spiritually invigorating for several reasons:

  • The only way I can memorize it, since memorization doesn't come easy for me, is to understand the logic and flow of the passage in greater and greater depth.
  • The more I understand the flow and get the content down, the more I begin to look at life through the lens of the passage. In verse 6, Peter writes, "So be truly glad." Why? Because of all that leads up to that point. It's incredible and gives perspective. And I've got it in my head.
  • But it also goes deeper into my heart. The more I understand the passage and get it down, the more I worship. It leads to worship. Can't help it.
  • It's summer, a great time to break from routines. By the end of the summer I'll be craving my older routines and I'm refreshed.

Here's a recent post by Dave Kraft, Leadership Development Pastor for Mars Hill Church:

7 Things I’m Doing to Simplify My Life and Ministry:

  1. Turning down opportunities that might be a good use of who I am but not the best use of who I am. Just last week I said no to two people who offered me a great chance to do something.
  2. Never saying yes to anything over the phone, but buying time to think and pray about it.
  3. Practicing the theology of enough. I have no list of things that fall into the category of: I would be happy if______.
  4. Asking God to deliver me from an unhealthy appetite for acclaim, approval, position, power, and honor that would push me to do more and more for the wrong reasons.
  5. Praying to be released from the restless, gnawing greed for more money and more stuff.
  6. Daily reminding myself of who I am and who I am not—being content to be me.
  7. Carving out sufficient time alone with God for humble contemplation—to give him opportunity to quiet my anxious heart and keep me focused on my “few themes.”

It’s not easy living “simply” in a culture that demands more, rewards competition, and admires power and position. But, by God’s grace, I’m going to live in biblical simplicity.