Accountability

Accountability provides training wheels for self-discipline.

Uncertainty

Recently my wife and I had our plans and dreams for the next three years or so dashed on the rocks. I think we've handled it pretty well. However, I'm beginning to see this: the slow nag of an uncertain future is worse than the shock of a huge setback.

Imagine you're about to be stranded on a deserted island...

I may not have mentioned it here before, but my wife and I plan to pack up our family and move around to the other side of the world for two or three years. Our departure date is a little hazy - but we're hoping and expecting it will be about a year from now.

We're trying to take action to prepare for this in a few different ways. For one, I'm trying to lose weight. So far I'm down about 25 lbs., but I have about 50 more to go. The other way in which we're trying to 'trim the fat' is to get rid of stuff.

A human being can accumulate a lot of stuff. And a book geek can accumulate a large library. So my mind of course turns to which books I can get rid of, which I need to store, and which some kind soul might like to "borrow" from me for three years.

What gets my pulse racing (again, book nerd), is thinking... "what books will I take with me?!" So, my new obsessive quest is to identify 10 books to take with me. It's kind of inspiring to think about really. I want to take books that I will enjoy. I also recognize this as an opportunity to 'force' myself to read something that I might not normally pick up. For example, I might take some old books with me, cutting out my ability to go buy the latest flashiest coolest book that appeals to me.

Here are some categories I'm considering:

• the Bible
• Bible reference
• other books about my faith that should prove beneficial
• books about the faith and culture of the people in our new region of the world
• other random books

The Bible

These days I try to write notes to my son in my Bible, and my wife pointed out that our host culture is one that would be offended at the idea that one would write on pages that are supposedly from God. So I'll need to have two Bibles. Additionally, I don't plan to leave home without my son's Jesus Storybook Bible. Which brings my count to three. Argh!

Bible reference

I'm not sure what to bring for this category, but I want some texts that could help me, even if I'm trapped in a world of slow or no Internet access. I've considered Carson/Moo/Douglas' Introduction to the New Testament, which gives an overview of each book. Not sure what else would be good

Other books about my faith

I may take two or three books on a common theme here - seeing and teaching Christ in the Old Testament. In fact, while looking through my library, I discovered that I already own a book that my friend Wes recommended on the topic - The Unfolding Mystery. (Apparently my wife owned it and I didn't know it! Awesome.) Additionally, I have started reading a collection of Spurgeon's sermons on the topic, from the Treasury of Spurgeon on the Life and Work of Our Lord series. This would qualify as one book that I wouldn't be very disciplined to persevere through sitting in my house in America. It is slow to read and at times hard to understand -- but I can't seem to go more than a few pages without a really helpful insight.

Books on culture

I'd love to take a biography or two, and some resources recommended by others who have lived among the same people.

Other random books

For some time I've wanted to pick up Kevin Mitnick's Art of Deception. It's about social engineering -- bypassing the human element of security. Which of these books does not belong, right??? :-) Also I might take the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Does that count as three? :-)

Help me

Let me know what you'd change about my list and tip me off of any must-take books. If you don't, I will be forced to write a script that analyzes all of my friend Steve's top 5 books lists and picks the most popular of each. And what fun would that be?

Another Running Effort

After a long lapse, I went for another run today. I followed the podcast that someone that someone made to help people follow the Couch-to-5K running plan. It provides music with a beat and queues for running/walking intervals.

Week one alternates 60-second runs with 90-second walks. I laugh to myself when I hear the voice telling me that I shouldn't be breathing hard and should be able to have a conversation during the running intervals.

I don't know what the best running attire for cold weather, but after the five minute warm-up I didn't feel too bad. I'm sure there are colder days ahead, though.

I finished the run and feel good.

Benefits of Duplex Living

Apparently some part of my neighbor's power box needs replacement - it could go out totally, soon. That in itself is not/would not be a problem for me. When it gets replaced, however, we will have a break in service.

We have electric heat, and my wife and I both work at home. So the question is, do we schedule the repair (and thus plan to be without power for a few hours) or wait to see if it will last, and maybe it won't break for a while.

Makes sense to go ahead and get it fixed, right, this time of year?

Except it's not my power that's broken, and it's not me that will be without power even when it breaks. Only when it's repaired. So the decision rests in the owners' hands, who live an hour away. They won't get cold when it gets repaired, and then tenant works out of the home, so it might not be too bad on her either.

The electrician knocked on my door today and explained the situation to me. He's supposed to keep me posted. I'm thinking that if it breaks at an inconvenient time (e.g. Christmas Eve), we just invite our neighbors to crash with us until we're "ready" to be without power.

Christ in the Old Testament

I am inspired in recent days to learn better how to recognize how Christ lies as the center of Scripture - whether it is obvious or not.

Tim Keller, in Preaching the Gospel (partial transcript):
Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience is imputed to us.

Jesus is the true and better Abel who, though innocently slain, has blood now that cries out, not for our condemnation, but for acquittal.

Jesus is the true and better Abraham who answered the call of God to leave all the comfortable and familiar and go out into the void not knowing wither he went to create a new people of God.
Listen to the whole message or read the fuller excerpt.

In the same teaching, Keller contrasts two ways of reading David vs. Goliath -- moralistic (we all have Goliaths, you too can slay the giant, here are three "stones" to help you, you can do anything with God's help) vs. Christ-centric (as young David was a champion over the unconquerable giant on behalf of the people of Israel, so was Christ the champion over sin and death on behalf of all who trust Him). Even before this I believe I have had enough discernment to past the pitfalls of an Osteen-esque, "4 stones to slay the giant in your life to make you happy and successful" reading of David. However, I am afraid that far to often pastors teach (or I have taught!) in a way that falls short of the fullest and most powerful meaning of Scripture.

Keller suggests a booklet by Sinclair Ferguson - Preaching Christ in the Old Testament (via) Aside from Keller's teaching, one of the sources of my inspiration is The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every story whispers His name.

I'm open to hear suggestions for either books, audio, or simply practices to help me grow into reading Scripture in this way.

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

Great phrase. I believe I first heard it from Neil McClendon. He may have drawn it from Eugene Peterson's book. Peterson apparently took it from Nietzsche.

Discipleship, marriage, sanctification. Even making code better. Even short steps, in the right direction, over a long period of time, takes on far toward success.