Easy As A B C

I’m currently reading a book called Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. In one section of the book he talks about the power of stickiness and explains a lot about the background of Sesame Street. One reference that he makes is to the alphabet reading by James Earl Jones. You’ve probably seen and heard it over the years. Jones recorded the alphabet by saying a letter then pausing before saying the next. Of course it thundered in his big voice. Originally it was recorded this way so that in the pauses the creators on Sesame Street could insert activity to reinforce the letter. But what they found was that playing it with simply a picture of the letter caused children to start saying the name of the letter and associating it with the letter on the screen. When it was played multiple times children would begin anticipating the next letter, and effectively learn the alphabet from repetition and anticipation.

This has caused me to consider how scripture memory could be done in the corporate worship setting. The catholic church has obviously used the same type of systematic repetition to educate their parishioners. (i.e. Hail Mary, full of grace, etc.) And recently I’ve become aware of Joel Osteen leading his congregation in a recitation about their Bible. (i.e. This is my Bible, etc.) I’ve just been thinking about the opportunity that we have to memorize scripture together that in the tradition of doing church the way I’ve experienced it has been lacking.

I will, in the future, be leading a time of scripture memory with my congregation whenever I’m blessed with the opportunity to lead one. Scripture memory is putting the raw materials into our mind so that the Holy Spirit can use it to make some new for the Kingdom. I think it should have an effect not just in the individual, but in the congregation as well.

Now, if I could just line up some studio time with James Earl Jones to record some passages…

--Ben

God That Provides

Last week I attended National Community Church with a group of Valley Forge Students. The sermon was on the final test of Abraham, when God asked for Isaac to be offered as a sacrifice. Just before Abraham killed his son God stopped him and showed him a ram caught in the thicket to be sacrificed instead. And in that story God revealed something about himself. Abraham called God by a new name Jehovah Jireh – God that provides.

Over the last couple months of unemployment God has provided for me. And in some cases it has been from the unlikeliest of sources. I have received cards in the mail that contain gift cards for groceries, and received handshakes that contain cash. Last weekend someone dropped off a card anonymously expressing gratitude and encouragement for following God’s call on my life, and inside was money.

We’ve tried to be good stewards. We’ve cut our costs, and tried to be wise with how we handle our money. We practiced the principles that I’ve taught in financial series. Those habits of saving have now come around to help us, but in the end God is providing for us. I want to thank those of you that have been part of His provision as you’ve given to help meet our needs.

In my devotions recently I’ve been meditating on The Sermon On The Mount. Jesus says that in His Kingdom there is no reason to worry. Birds don’t worry about lodging. Lilies don’t worrying about clothing. Jesus’ people don’t need to worry about anything. He is Jehovah Jireh – God that provides.

--Ben

Psalm 119:99

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with the Rev. Dr. Barry Black, U.S. Senate Chaplain. In reflection of God’s word he shared that as a boy his mother would give him a nickel for every verse of scripture that he memorized. So he and his brother searched the Bible for every short verse they could find. But when they ran out of short ones they continued to memorize. A verse that stood out to him was from Psalm 119:99. The Psalmist says that he is smarter than his teachers because he as meditated on God’s words (Thy testimonies, KJV).

Daniel and his friends in exile in Babylon mediated and lived by the word of God. They were found to be ten times better than all the Babylonian classmates.

He recounted several times when he used the lens of God’s word to influence the policy of our nation and military at times when he was not a ranking officer or voting member of the Senate. This discussion just affirmed to me the value of memorizing God’s word.
--Ben

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

Needless to say this season is a different kind of time for my family as we flex under financial and vocational transitions. I noticed yesterday that God has given us a very precious gift in His providential timing. Ellie has started pre-school and attends five days a week as a perk of my wife’s employment at the school. Her class is memorizing Psalm 100. The teacher asked us to go over it at home periodically to help the children memorize it, so we adopted the passage as a family memory verse and repeat it together multiple times a day. Even in my own free time I find myself rehearsing it in my mind. Here’s what is says: (I’ll type it from memory so you can check my progress.)

Psalm 100 (KJV)
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord; all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord, He is God. It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him and bless His name.
For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Can I just say that there are a lot of issues that could seem really big right now, but instead I’m focused on the biggest thing that matters; my relationship with God. Do you know why? It is because He has given me this truth.

We can not have a better plan for our lives than God’s. Why? Because it is He that hath made us and not we ourselves.

We are not alone. Why? Because we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

God deserves my honor and attention, to be extolled and exalted, and to receive thanksgiving and praise. Why? Because the Lord is good. His mercy is everlasting. And His truth endureth to all generations.

Mmmm…Sometimes I just wanna PREACH.

--Ben

PS. The best part of memorizing is seeing the look on Ellie’s face when he has caught me messing up. She knows it the best out of all of us. I’m very proud of her. When you see her ask her to tell you Psalm 100.

My Schedule

I have had the weirdest schedule this week. I started a new job as a temp for an accounting firm in Annapolis, and have had to adjust to a morning commute. For the last four years, almost every day, my trip to the office was about thirteen steps down to my basement. Now I’m sitting on Ritchie Hwy in the morning’s wishing people knew how to drive in the rain. But I digress.

These first couple days have been like building a plane in the air. The feeling of imbalance because you don’t know where things are in the office and what the procedures and systems are is enough to really exhaust you. Each day has gotten a little better as I’ve learned, and I have received compliments from people in the office for how I’m picking up on things. (appreciated)

Because I’m less available in the mornings to help Corie with the kids before school we have really focused on getting them in bed early. Every night this week we’ve had the lights out in the house by 8:00. And yes, I’ve been in bed by eight so far this week. I have adjusted my sleep time to allow me to get up several hours before work to get myself ready, work on grad work, make breakfast for the kids, do my devotional reading and prayer, and whatever else I can do to alleviate as much pressure on Corie as I can. Of course, going to bed early is a lot easier without the distraction and time wasters of Cable and the Internet. Perhaps I’ll fill you in on that in my next post.
--Ben

New Posts Are Coming

I have very limited access to the internet, but I wanted to jump on and let you know that new posts will be coming soon. Thanks to those who are regularly checking in.

--Ben

Thy Brother’s Keeper

Gen.4:3-9 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let's go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”“I don't know,” he replied. “Am I my brother's keeper?”

Cain is remembered for his sin against his brother, but this week I’ve been reflecting on his sin against God. In the gospels, Jesus was asked a theological question intended to scandalize his reputation as a teacher. The question was, “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus’ answer has framed what we understand as the essence of obedience: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matt. 22)

Now, back to Cain. After Cain had murdered and put his brother in the ground, God spoke to Cain and asked where Able was. At this point two things stand out to me:

God already knew where Able was. God has a habit of asking questions He already knows the answers to.

God spoke to Cain. Remember God spoke with Cain’s parents nightly in the Garden, but that relationship had ended years ago. It was not a usual event for God to speak. How could Cain have been so flip?

Cain answers, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” And there is the root of Cain’s sin against God. He could not love his neighbor (brother) as himself. All my life I thought that was a perfectly acceptable and reasonable question. Surely we are not responsible for others. Right!?!

Loving your neighbor as yourself means that you do have a responsibility to be your brother’s keeper. We can’t live their life or account for their every moment, but, to the degree we’re able, loving them as we love ourselves means we are our brother’s keeper. Consider that in light of Jesus teaching on the greatest commandment our relationship with God is directly related to our relationships with others.

--Ben

Book Review: For Men Only

For Men Only
By: Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn

This week I was able to read For Men Only, a book on understanding the inner life of women. I read it, of course, to try to figure out the inner life of MY woman, and enjoyed it over a couple hours throughout my week.

Warning: This book has the all-to-typical sappy “I’m on your side” attitude that is apparently required when speaking to men about marriage.

The most important part about this book was the reference to their other book called, For Women Only. It is apparently written for women to understand a man’s mind, and I think that would be great reading for MY woman. I was so impressed with what I learned that I really do think that Corie would learn a lot that would probably help her in her effort in dealing with me.

Best single part of the book was a list of ways NOT to listen when your wife is upset:

• Tell her she’s overreacting.
• Question her version of the facts.
• Wonder aloud about the time of the month.
• Ask her to quit crying.
• Offer spiritual correction (“Are you sure you’re not just envious?”)

This was a good book for married couples. I would really recommend it. It has some fresh views on material I’ve read and learned elsewhere.

--Ben

Book Reveiw: Running Your Own Company

Yesterday I finished reading Running Your Own Company by Paul Riecks. This book, published in 2008, is a collection of columns that Mr. Riecks wrote for SmartCEO magazine. Each chapter consisted of a business question and his response. I’m a fan of short chapters so I really liked the format. It also gave me as a reader the chance to sort through information in the book that pertained to me, and some that I believe will never pertain to me. This book gave me a greater and greater respect for entrepreneurs that are able to succeed at what they love.

Of course, for my part, I read it through the lens of ministry. When he referenced best practices for companies I tried to relate how a church might use those practices and if they lined up with a biblical pattern of leadership. When he referenced employees, I gave thought to the implications for volunteers. One chapter that was particularly inspiring to me was called “Your Highest And Best Use”. It was not a new thought as I’ve read similar advice elsewhere, but it was a reminder that every person has a highest and best use in business or otherwise. We should be seeking our highest and best use. There is a word for this is scripture. It is Worship (Romans 12:1-2).

If you are a business owner, or are considering it, I would recommend this book as extra reading on the subject. It is not tedious, nor technical, but practical in its approach.

--Ben

And Away It Goes

Last week a church contacted me and asked me to submit a recent sermon on CD for their review. This morning it went into the mail. I'm thankful that last week I heard from two churches in response to applications. One is local and one is not. They are both very different positions, but both are interesting to me. I'm praying that I'll have discernment for where the Lord is directing me whether one of these opens or one I haven't heard about yet.

In the mean time all I can do is be faithful in the things I can do, and let God take care of the rest.

--Ben

How you can pray: Right now I'm really trying to find work temporary or otherwise. Please pray that a job will open up.

Currently Exploring

I'm currently preparing to begin a new chapter in my online journal experience. I think I'll put a cap on the Severn River years soon. Currently I'm working on an unabridged essay on the last six months, and I'll post that as a series of posts. After which I'll conclude posting.

I'm currently exploring new platforms to publish with. So when I'm ready to make the switch the BenjaminRainey.com domain will take you to the new spot. In the meantime I've shed the old template, and have settled into a more minimalist look. Special thanks to Drew Harrah for my last template, but off with the old and on with the next.

--Ben