7 Quick Takes: 2011 #5

-ONE-

This year's Holy Week has been refreshing and insightful.  I finally decided to attend all the services Good Shepherd has to offer this year and I haven't been disappointed.  Throughout the week, I have come to a few convictions and have a better understanding on how wide and powerful His forgiveness can be.

-TWO-

As per tradition of previous 7QT, I'd like to publicly congratulate Kellie and Albert on their recent decision to be committed to each other in  relationship. May God's presence be abundant and guiding for both of you in this new season of life.

-THREE-

Although the weather hasn't actually been "warm and springy," Spring Fever has come over the Kovac household.  We're rearranging our belongings, opening windows and painting surfaces to look fresh and new. We are hoping to also start a bigger project, but I still have to petition for the landlady's permission.  If it pulls through, you'll certainly hear more about it.

-FOUR-

My ankle, although better, still isn't fully healed.  I've embraced the fact that I need a support brace and frequently rotate through two of them as they both challenge the rehabilitation of my ankle differently.  However, the doctor wasn't joking around when she said it'd take the rest of the month.  I thinking a full recovery by mid-May would be a tremendous blessing.

-FIVE-

Playoff hockey is alive and well.  Last Wednesday was the opening night of the NHL playoffs, and I have been delighted to see the Penguins take a 3-1 games lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning.  All rounds of the playoffs are best-of-7 series.  With the fifth game scheduled tomorrow, I'm expecting a series victory for the Black and Gold, and earning themselves well earn rest before the second round.  Games should start to get much more interesting and stressful as it is almost certain that the Pens will be underdogs from here on out - just how we like it.

-SIX-

Statistics is almost (finally) over.  By far and large, it's the hardest material I've encountered in my young career.  It's a class needing high level mathematics, but also a high level of literacy.  Both qualifications seem to be lacking in most of my students this semester.  Furthermore, its unlike other math disciplines because it isn't absolute in nature; there is plenty of gray area in statistics, especially when it comes to interpreting in context.  If I'm offered to teach it again, I definitely will, however, I will be trying a new approach.

-SEVEN-

Because I haven't stumbled across a brilliant link lately, I'll default to the KenKen website.  Enjoy!

How to Read the Bible for All its Worth

If you're going to title your book as such, you better have the ability to deliver on that promise.  Fee and Stuart doesn't disappoint.  Perhaps more impressive than the content is how they manage to incorporate and value all types of denominations in this book.  Regardless where you stand spiritually, you'll learn (a lot more) about your Bible, regardless if you own a study Bible or commentary already.

Fee and Stuart take a systematic approach in teaching you how to maximize your Bible reading.  Before even cracking open the Bible, the co-authors dedicate three chapters on the importance of interpretation and how different translations of the Bibles are better suited for different types of interpretations.  This point can not be stressed enough.  If you don't believe me, take a familiar section of Scripture (about 3-4 verses) and try reading it in different translations; this is a great practice and can be done easily on BibleGateway.

The rest of the book structures around understanding the Bible as a whole by its document type.  Namely, they are epistles, OT narratives, Acts, the Gospels, parables, OT Laws, prophetic, psalms, wisdom books, and Revelation.  And although each section can be read apart from the others, techniques learned in earlier sections are sometimes utilized in later ones.  Also, I would argue that it gets more difficult to appreciate the fullness of each document type as you progress through the list.  For example, when I wanted information about the prophetic books or the Psalms, I had to go back and reference techniques learned in the epistles section.

One impressive feature of this book is that they provide numerous and often exhaustive examples.  As they are instructing how to read a broad section, it is almost always accompanied with an actual example from Scripture.  So if you learn through more theological explanations, or through hands-on examples, both are provided here.  And when they offer a suggestion before reading further, I found that it is really a  requirement than a suggestion.  Although it will take longer to read through the book, I was grateful for the exercises they suggested because my Bible reading was deeper and richer than it had been previously.

Another enjoyable and humbling aspect is that they don't pretend to know everything.  Throughout each section and in an appendix in back, they offer a number of high quality resources and references such as commentaries and other books similar to their own.  It would probably take a lifetime to actually read them all.

Although, this book has a small downside to it.  Its diction is necessarily challenging. I agree with the cover's claim that it is easy to read; you certainly don't attend seminary to get the complete experience.  However, they will challenge you with some high-level vocabulary and ideas, but its necessary considering the content.  Remember the Bible is a collection of documents containing the very thoughts of God through prose and poetry, thus the wording needs to be both precise and accurate.  If you can manage that, this book will be a spiritual and intellectual safari.

So in conclusion, I'm giving this book my highest recommendation to all Christ Followers or anyone who has read the Bible and found it unsatisfying.  Personally, I see myself going back to reference this book often, and I'm certain that I will read this book again in the short-term future.  And for those who don't know me well, that's a huge compliment because I rarely reread anything unless I must.

Bacon Rating: 4.5 out of 5

   

7 Quick Takes: 2011 #4

Haven't done one of these in a while!

-ONE-

When I was substitute teaching Last Friday, I sprained my ankle while playing dodgeball with the kids in gym.  The actually day I was injured was rather painful and intense, but what is surprising me most is that this injury is more annoying, nagging and demanding of my care then any other injury I've had.  And yes, that does include my previous 4 broken arms.  In other words, I'm learning the virtues of not being reckless with one's own body, and it's frustrating me to no end...

-TWO-

... But that didn't stop me from going geocaching the next day with Adam and Anna!  Much to my wife's disdain and disapproval, the four of us went out anyway to Airport Road in Binghamton, NY to conduct our searches.  Anna found her first and second caches on her first and second tries; needless to say, she was quite excited about her finds:

Anna's first find ever!

And just to show how carefully hidden some of the smaller caches are, take a look where Adam (aka "Boy Scout") found our third of the day:

Boy Scout finds our toughest caches.

About 4 feet up, on the backside of the tree.

-THREE- 

Although I wasn't too excited about it at first, I lost a statistics class to BCC's convocation day.  Since their first projects were due at the end of the week, I extended my office hours this week.  In a turn for the awesome, not only did many students show up for office hours and turned in the project, but I also finished all my lessons and wrote the unit test - which will last me to Spring Break.  After grading the projects all weekend, I'll be enjoying a week of relaxing foolishness on the couch with my sprained ankle.

-FOUR-

News Flash: This is upstate New York.  We aren't guaranteed snowless, 50-degree days until May.  Any nice, warm days we receive before the first of May is given to us by the great Weather God's generosity or twisted, dark-humor.

-FIVE-

Mission Group on Wednesday nights have continued to go amazingly well.  Since "The Merger" (no, this isn't Survivor), conversations have been Spirit-filled, fellowship has been deep, and I am starting to notice my own and other people's spiritual growth.  Best news yet, you ask?  We just hemmed in a recent believer in Christ who is passionate to know more about following Christ and isn't afraid to ask (lots of) questions.  I like it that way; it's refreshing.

-SIX-

Had an unexpected visit from my Best Man, Kenni, on Tuesday night.  In an ever-so-fortunate situation, he had a friend visit another friend who lives in Binghamton.  Kenni bummed a ride from him and I got to spend about 7 hours with him, which included some much needed catching-up and, of course, watching Penguins hockey.  However, he was quick (and right) to remind me that I haven't visited him up in Rochester yet.  Sounds like a summer weekend trip is long overdue.

-SEVEN-

Since I haven't included a link yet, check out this little nugget that's been hanging around the Internet for a while. It's an awesome look at the width, breath, and depth of God's amazing creation.

As always, feel free to check out Jen's takes.