Word Before World

notesfromtheparsonage — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 12:49:19 +0000

I’m scrolling through Instagram when I wake up this morning and come across a hashtag that gets my mind rolling. #wordbeforeworld . Now, this isn’t the first time I had seen the hashtag. I have seen @wellwateredwomen posting it for several days now. But it was the first time I stopped and took note.

What is the first thing I do when I wake up? Usually grumble about the kids already being awake and lament how late I stayed up the night before. But the first thing I usually choose to do after pulling myself out of bed and getting ready for the day is grab my iPad and start checking social media. I choose to plunge into the world first. Always. The Word part normally comes when I’ve done everything else I need to do for the day. Sure, we get into the Word every morning during Morning Basket time, so I guess I could count that. But before I even do morning basket, I’m checking my social media accounts.

Of course, my mind went to Deuteronomy chapter 6. The people of God are being told not to forget who they are and what God has done for them. They are to teach their children, talk of them in their house, talk of God’s commands walking around going about their day. They are to write them on the doorposts of their houses. And they are to think of them when they lie down and when they rise up.

It got me thinking of the giving of the first fruits, something we remind ourselves when we tithe. We give God the first of what he has given to us. So, what is more valuable than our time? The days, hours, and minutes we have? Why wouldn’t we give the first of our time each day, too?

Essentially, when I choose social media before getting into the Word of God, I’m stating my priorities for the day. Connection, news, self-image- all those things we tie up in social media- I’m saying those are the most important for me. I’m saying that my FOMO (fear of missing out) on the world is more important than my FOMO on God.

I’m not saying there is anything wrong with social media. I think we, as Christians, need to remain engaged in social media as a way to influence our culture. But as all our youth pastor’s warned us, we need to be careful of how we let it shape us. So, I’m not saying we should all pull away from social media. I think a host of evangelism can be done through a screen in our culture.

I am saying that I found myself guilty this morning. I realized I’ve not been putting first things first. I’ve been putting them last. When there is time. At the bottom of the to-do list. And those priorities will never stand. The Word will never shape me because I’m not letting it take the rightful place in my life. That is not anyone’s fault but mine.

I had thought of New Year’s Resolutions in abstract terms. I knew I needed more discipline in my spiritual life and my physical life, so I was just going to abstractly focus on discipline. I now realize an abstract one word focus isn’t going to get me where I need to be. Sure, it will help me think of where I need to be. But I need action steps. I need firm commitments to being disciplined.

So, with discipline as my word of the year, my first practical step is going to be Word before World. That is my first firm commitment to the process of being disciplined. Word before World. I will seek Him first.

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ESV Prayer Bible Review

notesfromtheparsonage — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 17:27:15 +0000

Is the ESV Prayer Bible the right Bible for you? Let’s take a look at this Bible and see.

Right off the bat, let me say, the Pastor has worn this Bible slap out since I originally reviewed this Bible. It became his absolute favorite Bible for his personal devotional time. He has told quite a few people about this Bible. He LOVES it.

First Look

Crossway sent me this unique Bible to review. I have to say, this Bible is very aesthetically pleasing to me. It is a cloth cover with a look and feel like a church hymnal. It only has one bookmark ribbon which is pretty standard for a Bible. But it looks and feels very pleasant.

As far as I have seen, it only comes in this almost navy blue cloth hardcover, ebook, and brown imitation leather. It also does not come in a box, but with this half sleeve. So, while it is giftable– you don’t get a nice box.

Look Inside the ESV Prayer Bible

I really enjoy the artwork on the half sleeve and inside this Bible. The sketched portraits are a nice touch.

It does have a dedication page in the front should you choose to gift this Bible.

In the front of the ESV Prayer Bible, you have this introduction about the Bible and prayers. It includes information about praying through Scripture, which I think is a helpful addition.

Each book of the Bible begins with a small introduction. The format is single-column and very easy to read. It also has footnotes throughout. The reading experience is very pleasant and unencumbered.

Within the text, there are small prayers tucked among the Scripture. This is very much a devotional Bible and not a study Bible. If your daily Bible reading time looks more meditative and less “pull out the commentary and see what this word in Hebrew means”, this would be an excellent Bible for you.

Features at the End of the Prayer Bible

In the back of the Bible, you’ll find an author index where prayers are listed by author. This is an especially nice feature, especially if you’re looking for something specific. (What was that prayer I read week ago by Wilberforce?)

There is also a list of prayers by when they are placed through the Bible. As a Wesleyan, I did notice there were far more Calvin prayers than Wesley prayers. But John Wesley is at least represented. And I will say this is not as Reformed-centric as many of the Crossway Bibles I’ve reviewed.

There is also a reading plan in the back with an Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalm reading for each day of the year. (Except you get a day off on Leap Day every fourth year.)

Thoughts on the ESV Prayer Bible

Overall, this is a really unique Bible and very good resource. I’m not sure how much I would like this as my only Bible. As I said before, the Pastor does use it primarily in his personal devotional time. (His personal devotional time looks a lot different from mine.)

It does have footnotes and a concordance for study purposes, so it could be a study Bible. However, I do think it is primarily meditative and reflective in nature.

For homeschoolers, it would also make a lovely Morning Time Bible, since you could read Scripture and prayers from it to start off your day. Really, it’d be unique for anyone for that purpose.