A Different Kind of Crazy

Prince of Peace

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:40:00 +0000

This Sunday's sermon is based on Mark 1:1-8 (which echoes Isa. 40:1-11), and the subject is peace.

Here's what I've got so far.

Many people have an unsettled feeling about their lives. We deal with stress at work, conflict in relationships, anxiety about the economy, and our country is at war. Most often we look for solutions outside ourselves. If work would slow down, we’d be less stressed. If the enemy would surrender, we’d have peace.

When Jesus came, life was perhaps even more unsettled. According to Mark, Jesus came to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy about a the great Messianic age of peace. To prepare for that time, John called people not to take control of their schedules, understand their finances, or sort out their relationships with others—he called them to repent.

So the balance we are seeking in life, in relationships, in finances, in the world begins with our relationship with God. To people who are stressed, worried, anxious, hostile or otherwise have their lives out of balance, Mark brings this message: You don’t have to live that way anymore.

I’m thinking this message might apply to people who—

• Feel stress about the holidays because they have too much to do
• Are angry about the election because they think the country is on the wrong path
• Are dealing with a difficult marriage and feel rejected or betrayed
• Worry that their retirement portfolio will no longer support them
• Face conflict at work because they deal with difficult people or demanding assignments

The message could be something like this—

• Don’t look to other people to make your life better, look to God.
• Quit trying to control your circumstances, because you can’t.
• Rather than finding fault with the world, examine yourself.
• Be at peace with God, and you will be at peace within yourself.
• Then you will have peace with others.

Some actions people might take based on this message might be to—

• Examine their inner thoughts to see the real sources of the stress they face.
• Admit that they are partly or fully to blame for the problems they face.
• Forgive others for not being perfect.
• Relax.
• Seek to know Jesus better and to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
• Forgive someone in particular against whom they’ve held a grudge.
• Humble themselves and seek reconciliation with another person.
• Trust God to provide for them.

What do you think?

Am I on the right track here?
Does this scratch where anybody itches?
Do you have any thoughts or ideas that would help to illustrate these points?

Let me know what you think.

Advent Series

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:32:00 +0000

Thanks to everybody for comments on this weeks sermon prep (also rec'd via Facebook & e-mail). It'll be streamed from the Fall Creek web site in a day or two.

I won't be preaching on Nov. 30, as Heather and I will be in Canada for one her speaking engagments, plus a visit with family.

After that, I'll be developing a series on the remaining three Sunday's in Advent. The themes for those weeks are:

Dec. 7 Peace
Dec. 14 Joy
Dec. 21 Love

This week I'm gathering thoughts, pondering Scripture texts, and forming ideas. Next week, I'll begin bearing down on what may be the toughest theme for these times--Peace.

Your thoughts are welcome.

Book Review: The Truth About You

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:10:00 +0000

The Truth About You
Marcus Buckingham
$29.99; Kit w/ Booklet, DVD, Notepad; 112 pp.

This kit contains several good ideas that are certain to aid people in analyzing their temperament, discovering their strengths, and working themselves into more satisfying jobs. Unfortunatley, there is probably not enough new content here to justify the $29.99 price tag.

The author’s aim is to coach readers through a series of exercises that enable him or her to identify strengths (as opposed to skills or talents), the things that produce energy and satisfaction.

He also dispels several commonly held beliefs that may keep people trapped in boring or unfulfilling vocations. Most notable is the idea that you should work to improve your weaknesses—Buckingham contents that this is pointless and we’re better of playing to our strengths.

However, several of Buckingham’s points (such as the one regarding the futility of improving weaknesses) have been well made elsewhere, including in the author's previous work.

Also, Buckingham’s central point—that only you can know yourself thoroughly enough to identify your strengths—directly contradicts his previous book Now Discover Your Strengths, which includes access to an extensive online survey aimed precisely at diagnosing the reader’s strengths.

The 20-minute DVD includes nearly all of the material contained within the scant 110 page booklet. This material has the feel of a workshop or half-day seminar that has been packaged as a consumer product.

Buckingham’s thesis has merit, but anyone familiar with current business or self-improvement literature will have heard most of this before.

Listen Online

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:05:00 +0000

Hey All ... Fall Creek Wesleyan Church (where I've been preaching this fall), is now streaming sermons on the Web. Or is it podcasting? I'm never sure.

MP3 file of last week's sermon is here.

What Does It Mean that "Jesus Is Lord"?

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:08:00 +0000

This week is Christ the King Sunday, the day in our church year when we celebrate the reign of Christ in the world and in our lives.

I'm struggling a bit on this one because there is so much that we could say ... I need to narrow down my thoughts. Here are three directions this message could take.

A. The Deity of Christ. This idea is doubted in our culture and even among Christians. Do you have to believe that Jesus is the son of God in order to be a Christian? Does it matter? If I were to speak on this theme, I would choose a text like Eph. 1:15-23.

My goal would be to convince Christians that Jesus is the Son of God and must have authority in their lives.

B. The Reign of Christ in the World. Jesus commissioned us to be his "hands and feet" in the world. His Kingdom comes to the extent that we make it come by doing the things he has commissioned us to do. I would use a text like the Parable of the Sheep and Goats to show how serious Jesus was about us extending his ministry.

My goal would be to inspire Chrisitans to transform the world.

C. The Lordship of Christ. People come to Jesus for lots of reasons. Some want to be forgiven. Others healed. A few even want him to "crack the whip" on people with whom they disagree. But Jesus always refuses to conform to our agenda. He is our Lord rather than vice versa. I would use a text like Matt. 7:21-23 to show how strongly Jesus asserted his authority, and how important it is for us to respect him.

My goal would be to challenge believers to submit their entire lives to Christ.

So what do you think? Which one do you think is most needed in the church today? Which would you preach? Any other ideas?

Thanks for sharing ...

What If We All Walked on Water?

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:00:00 +0000

This coming Sunday (Nov. 16) I want to dig a little deeper into the idea that we really can live as Jesus lived.

Is that true?

If so, then can we ... heal the sick? Multiply food? Walk on water? Here's what I'm thinking so far.

I'm going to key on Peter's experience in the Miraculous Catch (see Luke 5:1-7)and look at the incredible result of Peter saying "Because you say so" to Jesus. I hope to challenge peope to seek God’s vision for specific ways in which they can bring peace, justice, and healing to the world.

Imagine what the world would be like if we all walked on water--that is, if we all believed the God really would do anything through us. I think the reason we don’t do accomplish more is not because we lack power; it’s because we lack faith.

Jesus prayed “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” He intended that his followers would transform the world through the power of God. Yet our lives often seem powerless, mired in personal issues, family problems, and social problems.

It doesn’t have to be that way. We really can change the world ... if we trust God.

What do you think?

Is this idea on target? Is it faithful to the text?
What could happen in our lives (think suburbia) if we believed this way?
What's the biggest problem that Christians are doing nothing about?
Where does the power to change come from in the Christian life?

Was Jesus Crazy?

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:00:00 +0000

Next Sunday I'll be exploring the Sermon on the Mount, especially the Beatitudes, in my message.

Here's what I've got so far ...

Many people live safe, predictable lives because they’re afraid to act on their deepest convictions.
Jesus wasn’t.

He showed us a completely new way to live—radically devoted to God, selflessly available to others, completely free from fear and doubt. Love your enemies, he told people. Bless those who curse you, and thank God when you are persecuted for being righteous.

People thought he was crazy. Were they right?

I'd like to challenge people to examine their lives to see if they really are living the way Jesus taught us to live ... and to ask the question, "If not, why not?"

Here are some questions I'm wrestling with--

What does it mean to be an "authentic" follower of Jesus?

Do you know people whom you would consider to be truly Christlike? What are they like?

Am I right in thinking that a lot of us play it safe when following Jesus? Is it realisitc to expect people to enact the lifestyle Jesus teaches in Matt. 5-7?

What's the most challenging thing about living the way Jesus lived?

What images, metaphors, or illustrations might get at this point?

Let me know what you're thinking . . .

Help Write a Sermon on Baptism

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:21:00 +0000

In a couple of weeks we'll be baptizing a dozen or more belivers at Fall Creek, and I'm working on a sermon based Eph. 4:1–16. I'll be keying on verses 4-5:

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

The Big Idea: Christians are members of a community and cannot remain healthy outside it.

Many Christians think of participation in a local church as optional and their commitment to fellow believers is low. But without the benefit of strong relationships in a community of faith--that is, the church--Christians really cannot grow (in spite of what Barna may say ;-) We are made for each other. Every Christian has a role to play in the life of the community, so church isn't primarily about what we gain but about what we contribute to others.

This is a totally foreign concept to most Christians, since the way we generally approach church is based on our own preferences--whether we like the music, preaching, kids' programs, etc.

So . . . . give me a hand on this one.

Does this concept make sense? Is it biblical?

Which ideas here need to be emphasized?

What creative ideas would help communicate this concept? (e.g.., images, graphics, music)

In particular, how would this apply to the life of a 15-year-old kid? A 40-year-old parent?

What would motivate anybody (you?) to get more deeply involved in the community of faith?

What do you think?

Knowing God

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:50:00 +0000

Most of the people I know are on a diet, which shouldn't be surprising. I've read that some 61 percent of adults are on a diet at any given time, with nearly 1 in 5 dieting constantly. We spend some $35 billion a year on diet products, and I recently saw that three of the top 20 books on Amazon.com were diet books.

Oddly, we don't lose weight. About 98 percent of us gain back all we lose from dieting. Some 90 percent gain back more! It could be that we know what to do (eat less), but just don't do it. Clearly, if weight loss could be found in a book, we'd all be thin.

I notice a similar phenomenon in spiritual life, in which we seek the answer to our problems in best-selling books. In particular, we seem obsessed with books about finding God's blessing and our purpose. If the numbers are right, we've consumed over 40 million copies of such books in the last decade.

So why do so many of us continue feel unsure that our lives are not exactly on track or that we've discovered our purpose? As with dieting, it could be that what we need isn't found in a book. Not the books we're reading, anyway. What we need is to know God.

Ahh, but how to do that?

A.W. Tozer, a spiritual giant of the last century who wrote such classic books as The Pursuit of God, said this about knowing God: "The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian."

In other words, if you would know God, know his Word. God wrote a book, so read it.

Oddly, the best-selling book of all time, the Bible, may be the least read. I've seen stats saying that 93 percent of households contain a Bible, and the average number of Bibles per home is three. Everybody who wants a Bible has one. Yet we spend a good deal of our time doing other things in an effort to know God, besides reading Scripture.

As both an author and publisher of Christian literature, I've got no beef with reading things other than the Bible. Your reading habits pay a lot of the bills around here. Yet we have neglected what Abraham Lincoln called "the best book God has given" to us.

Scripture--along with prayer and corporate worship--forms one leg of the iron triangle of spiritual formation. You cannot know God without knowing his Word.

When was the last time you read it?

Book Review: Through the Storm

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:10:00 +0000

Through the Storm by Lynne Spears with Lorilee Craker
Thomas Nelson
$24.99, Hardcover, 212 pp.

Abraham Lincoln is supposed to have written a book review that reached the dubious conclusion, “People who like this sort of thing will find it the sort of thing they like.”

He might have been describing celebrity memoirs of the current era, particularly this as-told-to rehearsal of the rise and fall of Britney Spears by her mother, Lynne.

Beginning with her own upbringing in the rural south, Lynne Spears describes her family’s life and the ascent to celebrity of her daughters, primarily Britney. The theme of the book is that the elder Spears was too trusting of people and unprepared for the deluge of attention by the public and manipulation by industry insiders that accompanied her daughter’s rise to stardom.

That theme wears thin as Lynne Spears seems to assign responsibility for all events in her life to someone other than herself. The phrase “against my better judgment” becomes a mantra that she invokes when describing nearly every choice she made, from decisions concerning her marriage to her alcoholic husband to the choices that advanced Britney’s career.

The book climaxes with Britney’s temporary committal to the UCLA Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation, an event which Lynne describes as the catalyst for freeing her daughter from her most manipulative handler and regaining control over her life.

Despite her too-much-protestation of naïveté concerning the ways of the world, Lynne Spears comes across as a sincere woman who values family and wants the best for her children. The book is a poignant reminder of the fact that tabloid celebrities are not the cardboard cutouts presented to us but are real people with families, hopes, and dreams—just like the rest of us.

If you like that sort of thing, you'll probably like this one.

Get BibleBuzz on Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:40:00 +0000

Lots of my friends are using Twitter, so I created BibleBuzz, a micro-version of my daily Bible Blog for that forum.

If you are using Twitter, or if you would like a daily nudge to read your Bible, delivered via text message, check it out here.

(My personal Twitter updates are here.)

Advice on Writing a Memoir

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:27:00 +0000

“Will you publish my memoir?”

As editorial director for a Christian publishing house, I get asked that question quite often. Generally, the questioner has had a life-changing experience and is eager to share it with others. This profoundly affected me, they figure, so it will interest everybody. Often, they've written a personal journal that they hope to rework as a book.

My standard reply is that memoirs are a hard sell with the reading public. That statement is met with universal skepticism. “Ever heard of Eat, Pray, Love?” they ask me. Or, “Seems like it worked pretty well for Tim Russert.”

It’s true that some memoirs can be highly successful. In fact, my wife, Heather Gemmen Wilson, is primarily known for her best-selling memoir, Startling Beauty.

But unless the writer is extremely well known or the experience is truly unique, most readers will not be interested in a book about someone else's personal experience. Here are five questions to ask yourself before getting to work on writing your memoir.

1. How many people know you?

Billy Graham, Barak Obama, and Bill Clinton have all had successful memoirs, partly because they were well known to begin with. Sadly, if people don't know you, they probably won't be interested in your story. Name recognition is a tremendous advantage.

So if you’re not a celebrity or don’t have a significant speaking platform, can you still sell your story? Sure, as long as you’ve got a compelling experience.

2. Is your experience unique?

Remember that Tragic and unique are not the same thing. A great many people have been divorced, lost a mom to cancer, or survived child sexual abuse. Those experiences alone are not sufficient to make a memoir successful.

What’s unique? Losing your husband on 9/11 after he galvanizes the nation to resist terrorism with the words, “Let’s roll!” (Lisa Beamer, Let’s Roll). Or being tortured by your parents, kept as an animal and finally treated as a slave but surviving to discover what real love is (Dave Pelzer, A Child Called It).

What if your story is not spectacular, can it still make a good memoir? You bet. But if it is not unique, it must at least be a compelling story.

3. Does this make a compelling story?

Many of the memoirs pitched to me are really a collection of interesting experiences. Many people, especially if they've been through a war, a family breakup, or a serious illness, have had experiences that are genuinely terrifying, tragic, and even humorous. Usually, that's the extent of it. Their story isn’t really a story; it’s a series of random events.

To make a compelling memoir, the book must be have all the elements of a good drama—a hero (you, probably), a central conflict, a cast of characters, and a climactic resolution. A good memoir reads like a novel. BTW, that's exactly what got James Frey into trouble with his “memoir” A Million Little Pieces. It actually was a novel.

What is the central conflict of your story? “God helped me cope,” “I eventually got over my trauma,” or “I learned that God is good” probably don’t count as a compelling dramatic conflict.

So if I’ve got a great story of triumph, survival, discovery, or achievement; will that get me published? Maybe. If you can write your story well.

4. How well do you write?

Even if you do have a unique experience, you have to be able to tell the story well. Publishers generally are unwilling to pay for writing that they have to rewrite in order to put into print. If you cannot write extremely well, you’ll probably have to hire someone to write for you—which is completely legitimate. Many memoirs have two names on the cover.

Get feedback on your writing form someone who doesn’t care if they hurt your feelings (i.e., not your spouse, your mom, or anybody at your church).

So, what if my prospects for getting published appear slim, should I write my story anyway? Good question. It depends on your answer to our last query.

5. Why are you doing this?

There are lots of reasons to write besides becoming a best-selling author. In fact, that’s the worst reason to pick up a pen—since it probably won’t happen. Other reasons are:

To support your speaking ministry
To process your thoughts and feelings
To practice writing
To preserve a record of your experience
To share your experience with friends and family

A publisher can tell you whether or not they will publish your book, but nobody can tell you not to write it. That’s a decision for you to make.

So will I publish your memoir? Probably not, because we don't specialize in that type of writing. But lots of people do, so keep trying. And good luck!

Book Review: The Faith of Barack Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:59:00 +0000

By Stephen Mansfield
Hardcover, 164 pp., $19.99
Thomas Nelson

Who is Barack Obama?

Most of us in the Christian faith community (what we, in simpler times, called the church) are more used to asking that question about Jesus Christ.

That the character of a person, especially a presidential candidate, is primarily understood in terms of his or her personal faith is a revealing of these times.

That fact is also what makes Barack Obama, in Stephen Mansfield's view, the Everyman of the new millennium. He is a spiritual pilgrim who talks as openly of his faith as of his political views and, indeed, insists that the two cannot be fully separated.

Mansfield's brief book surveys Obama's early life, his association with Trinity United Church of Christ and it's controversial former pastor Jeremiah Wright, and his current view on the relationship between faith and public life. What emerges is a man of decided religious faith, but one that cannot be neatly defined by labels such as evangelical or mainline. The author pictures Obama as an aggregate of races, classes, and Christian theologies--not unlike the millennial generation from which he has drawn such avid support.

The book helps to understand Obama's faith and, to an almost equal extent, the current landscape of church/state politics. Two especially helpful chapters are one that contextualizes the controversial Jeremiah Wright in the landscape of Black theology and another that places Obama in a quartet of faith portraits alongside John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and George W. Bush.

Mansfield's conclusion is that Obama may be in a unique position to heal the national wounds by bringing faith and politics together in a kinder, gentler way.

The significant weakness of the book is that it relies so heavily on Obama's own book that it at times feels like a book report for The Audacity of Hope.

Overall, an interesting and helpful book.

Why I'm in Publishing

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:33:00 +0000

My son called from Iraq at 5:00 this morning. Uriah is a lance corporal serving with the Marines. He'd gotten ahold of some talk time on a satellite phone, and he called to say hello.

"Where are you?"
"Out in the desert. Sitting in a humvee."
"Oh. What are you doing?"
"Nothing much. We just blew up a bunch of C4 that we captured. That was pretty cool."
"Hmm."
"So what's going on at home."
"The usual. I got a haircut. Probably mow the lawn later."
"Cool. Well, I better get going. There's a bunch of tanks rolling by, and I can't hear too good."
"Ok. I love you."
"Love you too. Bye."

That was it. We used one of the most amazing communications devices ever produced to talk halfway around the world in real time about nothing. Which is exactly what most of us do with most of our words all the time. Think of the typical content of a cell phone call or an IM or a text message.

"Wasup"
"idk"
"brb"
"k"

We have communicators that Captain Kirk never dreamed of, and we use them to transmit nonsense to people who are in the same room. The main reason we use instant messages in my house? To call kids to supper.

Yet there is something comforting and good about hearing my son's voice from a war zone. Even if his only thought is that he's bored. And there's something healthy, even necessary, about getting a text message from my wife that says "ily" while I'm sitting at yet another airport.

Beyond the words themselves, these devices allow us to touch one another over vast distances and great barriers. And if the content of our messages is mostly routine, that could be because most of our thoughts are rather normal. So what? The important thing is that we share them with one another. There is incredible power in saying simple things like "I'm OK," "Talk to you later," "Please come here," and "I love you."

Words inspire us, comfort us, challenge us, and enliven us. Whether written or spoken or drawn in the sand, it is words that connect us with God and connect us with each other. We can't live without them--or at least not very well

When people ask me why I'm in publishing (as they do with surprising frequency, as if this were an odd thing to do with my life), I tell them that words have incredible power--for good or evil--and I want to broadcast as many good words into the world as I can.

Sometimes, those words are delivered by a text message that says "imy bby, c u soon." Sometimes they're in a book that says, "Your life matters to God, please don't waste it." And just occasionally, they're on a satellite phone call that says, "I love you son, and I'm proud of you. Come home soon."

Either way, I know that my words matter--and yours do too.

Do We Need More Bibles?

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:29:00 +0000

An Interview with Dr. Joseph Coleson

Most of my authors are reasonably smart people—church leaders, college professors, pastors, and the like. Even so, I was intrigued to learn that one of my writers was not merely an expert in biblical Hebrew but also a translator of what has become the fastest-growing new version of the Bible—the New Living Translation (NLT).

Joe took a break from his summer writing schedule to answer a few questions about Bible translation in general and the NLT in particular.

What was your involvement in translating the NLT?

My initial involvement was as a member of the team responsible for Hosea through Zephaniah in the Minor Prophets. Then all team members were invited to make suggestions where we wished, especially as version 2.0 was in preparation. Since then, I’ve done study notes on Joshua and Ruth for the study Bible coming out in September, and am nearly finished with Joshua for the commentary series.

What’s the distinctive of this translation?

The distinctive still remains the flavor, or tone, of Ken Taylor’s original Living Bible. The change in creating the New Living Translation was to make that paraphrase a real, bona fide translation. All the reports I hear from around the world (not all from Tyndale House, by a long shot) are that the NLT is an inviting, readable version, attracting people who’ve never before read the Bible for its own sake, just because they want to.

What were the aims of the translation team?

Our first mandate was, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”; Tyndale wanted (rightly) to preserve and update the readability of the Living Bible—which did, after all, lead the way in many respects in the renewal of interest in Bible translation in the mid-20th century. Where it needed to change to be a dynamic translation, rather than a free paraphrase, we were to suggest the changes we thought would do that.

What do you like about the NLT?

I think we accomplished those aims; the NLT is a translation, not a paraphrase, but it retains and updates the fresh, exciting, compelling voice of the “old” Living Bible.

Do you have any criticisms of the translation?

I do wish it were gender inclusive where the Hebrew and Greek texts call for that—which is a great many places most folks don’t suspect. I’m not talking “politically correct” here; I’m talking accurate translation so the Bible speaks as it was intended to speak, and as ancient readers understood it, or should have.

Why have we seen so many new translations recently?

It began out of real need. No translation ever again will last as long and as well as the KJV did. Now the active life of almost any translation will be perhaps twenty or thirty years at most, unless it’s updated, as many “new” translations have been and are being. A less honorable motive for a few new translations is profit, or marketing. (Notice I didn’t say “dishonorable,” only “less honorable.”)

Some might say the NLT is not an “accurate” translation. How would you respond to that?

Except for the gender accuracy issue, I rate it at just under the NRSV and the NASB (NASB is not gender inclusive, either), and above several others I won’t name here.

Gender inclusion is a bit of a hot-button with some. What’s your opinion?

I seem to have anticipated this one, haven’t I? But I can’t say it too strongly: not to reflect the text accurately at points where the text is intended to include both men and women, is to betray the text and its Author. (Is that strong enough?) The places where non-gender-inclusive English is a betrayal of the Hebrew or Greek text are more numerous than one may think, if one’s only language is English.

With respect to God, we should leave masculine pronouns in the text as masculine pronouns. We also should find a word or phrase that translates Shaddai for what it is, the major feminine title for God in the Hebrew Bible—“the God who Nourishes,” “the God who Sustains,” or something like that; literally, it is “the breasted One.” (We should retire the misleading Almighty, as a translation of Shaddai.)

Which translation do you favor for serious study?

I allow my students to choose their own versions, with a few being off limits. When they ask, I rate as I mentioned above—NLT just a bit below NRSV and NASB, perhaps because NLT does represent a bit more the “dynamic equivalence” translation philosophy; the other two, more the “formal equivalence” philosophy. That can make a difference sometimes (though less often than one may think) in word by word and phrase by phrase reading and study.

Many of us read a variety of English translations from time to time—for what specific readership or use would you recommend the NLT? (i.e., devotional reading, study, preaching preparation, etc.)

I recommend it for all three purposes you mention. But I wouldn’t use NLT (or any other) by itself for close study and/or sermon prep. In those contexts, for those who don’t have Hebrew and/or Greek, I recommend using and comparing several translations together. For the kind of daily reading you’re encouraging on your blog this summer, NLT is excellent. When I want to read straight through a book in one or two sittings, I use NLT.

Do you see any theological biases in the NLT?

Not much, and nothing that’s particular to the NLT. In most cases, claiming bias in mainstream Protestant translations may say more about the one making the claim, than about the translation.

Do you see a need for any other English translations at present?

“At present,” no, we don’t “need” more. But we shouldn’t stop the process; it takes a long time to produce a new translation. Those available now probably can minister to my grandchildren, who are acquiring their language skills now. But their children may need new ones.

If we don’t need more, why will we continue to see new English versions appear?

Though produced originally in other languages, the Bible remains the greatest treasure of English literature. We’re not going to stop people who love both Bible and literature from translating it, nor should we try. Rather, we should expect high standards—including the complex preparation required in many fields, and integrity, to name only two—of those who offer us new translations.

Any chance of creating a translation by Wesleyan scholars?

I would like to see a translation produced by Wesleyan scholars. Maybe we are the ones who “need” a new one, as we are the one theological tradition not well served, at a few important points, by the translations currently available. Among the Wesleyan/Holiness denominations and those in the UMC who’ve maintained or recovered their Wesleyan roots, I think we have enough OT and NT scholars now that we could pull it off.

Are you still excited about Bible reading after all these years?

Yes! I began my own journey of Bible translation in Dr. Leo Cox’s first-year Greek class forty-three years ago this fall. Since then, I’ve studied and taught most of the Semitic languages (and Greek, too)—Hebrew for over thirty years now. It just gets better and better! I continue to be amazed at God’s redemption purposes revealed so beautifully in the word, written—because it points to the Word, Living.

How to Keep Up on Reading

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:35:00 +0000

“I don’t have time to read!”

That church leaders’ mantra is confirmed by a recent study commissioned by Duke Divinity School’s Pulpit & Pew project. Clergy from eight denominations reported spending an average of only four hours a week reading other than for sermon preparation. Episcopal clergy were highest at five hours per week; Nazarenes were lowest at two hours. Just over 10 percent of all clergy reported that they spend one hour or less.

We are confronted with millions of words each day from news sources, books, blogs, magazines, journals, and other media. And leaders in ministry must keep current with thoughts and trends, just like leaders in any other profession.

Here are five ways to stay informed.

Use a Feed Aggregator

The blog has replaced the professional journal as the medium for peer communication. There are now some 30,000 “high authority” blogs compared with only 17,000 magazines in print. Use a feed aggregator such as Google Reader or Bloglines to gather your favorite voices into a daily feed. This includes online news services. Limit yourself to 30 minutes a day perusing these sources.

Read a Little Each Day

Giving up on books is not an option. Whether in hard copy or in new media such as the Kindle or Sony Reader, books are still the place where major ideas are explored and paradigm-shifting concepts are unveiled. Feed your mind with ideas in the same way you sustain your body with food—in daily portions. Establish a 30-minute reading time each day for books. That will yield 3.5 hours a week, enough to consume one or two books a month.

Use Audio Books

The average commuter spends 48.8 minutes going to and from work each day. By listening to audio books while driving, you could gain four hours of reading time each week. If you jog or use a treadmill for exercise, use that time to take in information as well.

Seek Recommendations

The single greatest factor influencing the purchase of a book is the name and reputation of the author. Recommendations from friends are a close second. Shorten your reading list by finding out what other leaders are reading. Read reviews of books before spending hours on the books themselves.

Vary Your Sources

Reading from only one source or in a single genre produces boredom, then burnout. Read a variety of material including news, opinion, books, blogs, and even fiction. Above all, maintain the daily habit of reading the Bible. Solomon’s advice is still good: “Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body . . . Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccles. 12:12–13).

The church leader who doesn’t read has no advantage over the one who can’t. Enlighten yourself and those around you by establishing the daily habit of reading.

So what’s on your nightstand?

How to Write Life-Changing Devotionals

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:25:00 +0000

Good devotionals are easy to read but hard to write. As editorial director at Wesleyan Publishing House, some of the best writing I see—and some of the worst—is submitted for our daily devotional, Light from the Word.

I keep a close eye on this periodical because I know that while it lacks the jazzy appeal of a hot new book, it is read by tens of thousands of people each day. I’m rabid about making this little piece a great value for Christians seeking a deeper spiritual life.

Here are some tips for writing great devotionals, either for our publication or for your own church newsletter.

Devotional Do’s

1. Stick to the Assignment. Nearly all devotionals are written by assignment, and the format cannot be varied. Always, always, always submit the right number of words in the format requested by the publisher. Editors are dogmatic about this because (a) the published format is set and cannot be varied, and (b) readers expect consistency.

2. Start with a Strong Lead. This is especially important in a short format like a devotional (ours are 220–230 words). Grab the reader early and never let go.

3. Use a Three-Part Structure. It’s real simple: Life/Scripture/Challenge. Start with a brief sketch of a common spiritual problem. This is where first person writing can be highly effective if done well. What's the question, problem, foible, or experience that we all face. Then state the biblical truth that bears on the point. You've got three or four sentences to make your case, so be concise and avoid repetition. Finally, challenge the reader to apply that truth to life. How will my life change if I take this learning to heart?

4. Use First Person Carefully. It’s okay to use a first-person illustration, especially if it is unique or truly funny. But beware of making yourself the star of the devotional. People don’t read to find out about you—they’re looking for God.

5. Challenge People. People don't read a devotional because they want to be shallow Christians with their spiritual life stuck at zero. Devotional readers want to reflect on their relationship with God and be caused to grow. Show your readers something important about God, themselves, or the world.

6. Close with a Bang. The last sentence of your devotional should be your best writing. Seal home the truth with a memorable sentence so that readers always want to read through to the end.

7. Tighten Your Writing. Revise, revise, revise. You have only 225 words to work with. Make every single letter pull its weight. Flowery words, cutesy images, and vague expressions will have to go. Let your voice be strong and clear.

Devotional Don’ts

1. Don't Use Trite Personal Stories. For example, don’t talk about cute things that your children have said (everybody’s kids are precious), mundane answers to prayer (does God do anything besides help people find parking spots?), or common personal traits (nearly everyone is afraid of heights). Say something original—that’s what the reader is paying for.

2. Don't Criticize Others. Do not use the devotional to complain about “some people,” “so-called Christians,” or “many in our world today.” Nobody reads devotionals to discover that sin is a problem—they’re looking for the solution. Aim to inspire your reader to holy living rather than criticizing the shortcomings of others.

3. Don't Use Urban Legends or Trite Sayings. If you begin with “The story is often told” or “It has often been said,” choose a different illustration or quotation. These are marks of lazy writing.

4. Don't Rely on Jargon. If you’re tempted to add the words blessing, by faith, in Christ, from above, or other Christian code words, ask yourself why. Find a way to express these valuable ideas in other words.

5. Don't Rehash the Scripture Verses. Assume that your readers have read the verse you placed before them. Don’t retell it in your devotional; simply comment upon it.

The worst devotionals I see are trite, sloppy, unoriginal sentimentality lathered up with religious jargon or else shallow, vindictive rants about the writer’s pet peeve.

The best devotionals to cross my desk are tightly written, poignant, appropriately self-revealing essays on spirituality that cause me to see truth in a fresh way. They always inspire me, and often they convict me. I’ve been brought to my knees more than once while editing a daily devotional.

Never take a contract assignment for granted. Your words will be taken to heart by thousands of people. Choose them well.

Florida Christian Writers Conference Makes Gains

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:19:00 +0000

The best way to get nowhere is to keep doing what you've always done. Unless, I suppose, your name is Jerry B. Jenkins or Max Lucado.

For most of us who write--or in this case, who coach writers--being successful depends on finding ways to do what we do better. That's why I was delighted to hear that the Florida Christian Writers Conference has made some changes that will make it an even more valuable event for writers.

For starters, the venue has been moved from an aging facility with limited space to to the Lake Conference Center near Leesburg. The larger (and nicer) space will draw more editors, which will draw more writers, which will draw more editors. You get the idea.

Second, scholarships for this year's conference are now available because of the generosity of one author – “the man behind the words” – Cec Murphey. Way to go, Cec.

As a writer conference director myself, I'm impressed with Billie Wilson's vision and leadership. Kudos to you, Billie. And y'all come down to Florida Feb. 26-Mar. 1, 2009

Why We Teach the Bible

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:24:00 +0000

I got a call from Catherine today. She's a Sunday school teacher from Michigan who wanted to share an idea for improving the Wesley Bible Studies, which I produce. She also shared a bit of her life and the challenge she faces in living the way Jesus lived.

"As I was studying the lesson for this week," she said, "I broke down and wept. This message is so important for our group, and so challenging. For those of us who are older ... I just don't know if we can do this."

The lesson is based on 1 Corinthians 8, which urges Christians to be tolerant and loving in spite of having different convictions on certain issues. For the gang at Corinth, the issue was eating meat sacrificed to idols. Some would, some wouldn't and the tension threatened to divide the church.

Recently my own denomination faced similar questions over the use of alcoholic beverages. Other Christians are wrestling with the ordination of women, changes in worship styles, and the rise of postmodernity.

These are challenging times not only for Catherine but for all of us who are dealing with the screaming pace of change in the church. Boomers and busters. Moderns and postmoderns. Traditionalists and progressives. Can we learn to focus attention away from ourselves, onto Jesus, and be tolerant of each other when we disagree?

I hope so. And I'm thankful that we have Paul's advice to guide and convict on this very point.

Scripture enlightens us. It comforts us. And just occasionally it kicks us in the pants—as it will this week, when some 38,000 people study this lesson and are reminded that "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."

"I want to thank all of you," Catherine said, "for producing these lessons for us. It helps us so much to study God's Word."

And I want to thank you, Catherine, for doing what you do. Studying God's Word—and teaching it to others—is best tool we have for being transformed to become like Jesus.

Giants in the Land

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:29:00 +0000

Last week we passed a huge milestone as two great men in my denomination retired on the same day.

The day was more significant to me because both are family. My father, Norman G. Wilson (left), retired after 33 years as speaker on "The Wesleyan Hour" radio broadcast. By God's grace, he has preached the gospel to millions upon millions of people on six continents of the globe.

My uncle Earle L. Wilson also retired after 24 years as a general superintendent in our church and over 50 years of ordained ministry as a pastor, college president and spiritual leader.

When you're around great men every day, it is easy to take for granted the wisdom, stature, and spiritual power that they have been given. Moments like these clarify the scope of their achievement and value of their gift to the kingdom. I'm blessed to be part of this family and this church.

I was ordained to preach the gospel 21 years ago, and in 21 more years I will be close to the age these men are at retirement. As I enter the last half of my ministry, I'm reflecting on the lessons from these two faithful lives.

Do One Thing

Dad is a preacher, and he has done that consistently and well for some 50 years. He was, in fact, the only person ever hired by the denomination (as opposed to a local congregation) only to preach the gospel. Over the years, various management tasks were added to his responsiblity as General Director of Communications for the church. But he saw himself as a preacher first. He still does.

Earle has been a leader, as anyone who has seen him chair a meeting or speak to a large group can tell you. He moves people. Don't confuse that with being an administrator or manager. (I'd hate to show you some of his garbled emails!)

Each man knew his calling and stayed strictly within it. This is the key to effectiveness in any realm, especially the kingdom.

What is the gift you have been given? What can you do best to advance the cause of Chrsit?

Do that, and don't quit.

Seek Kingdom over Self

My father has been an author and international radio speaker for over three decades. If he had chosen to use that platform to enrich himself, he could easily have done so. Some of the wealthiest people in the church are media preachers.

Yet my dad has been content with his (extremely modest) denominational pay, and the copyrights of most of his books are held by the church. Ignoring the advice that we editors so often give to writers, he has been concerned only with getting the message out, never with building his reputation, protecting his rights, or garnering royalties.

This is one reason he has enjoyed such a long and influential ministry--he has been willing to seek first Christ and his kingdom.

Persevere

You won't complete 50 years of anything without a few battle scars. That is true also of serving Christ, as Paul or John or Peter could also testify. Some of Dad's war stories seem humorous now, after 30 or 40 years, but they they were painful then.

We would like to believe that our moment of greatest effectiveness for the kingdom will coincide with our moments of greatest personal comfort, acclaim, or reward. That's not necessarily true. In fact, it is more likely that our greatest moments of triumph and pain will occur together--as they did for Jesus.

To finish well, you have to finish. To finish, you have to persevere.

Know Your Moment

Both my father and my uncle said "yes" at the right moments. Dad was offered "The Wesleyan Hour" as a part-time job while pastoring a large congregation. It would have been easy to say, "I'm too busy here in the local church to take on any other chores." (Many large church pastors do that today, which is one reason we often have difficulty filling denominational leadership roles.)

But Dad knew when to say when, and he moved from what was one of our most prestigous pulpits at the time to an even greater place of service.

It's also important to know when to stay. Frankly, many people urged my uncle to retire four years ago. He refused, believing that the next four years would be a critical time to exercise leadership. He was right. His replacement by another person of great spiritual stature would have been unlikely four years ago. This was the time.

Discerning which opportunities to take and which to leave alone is no easy chore. It requires vision, focus, and intimacy with Christ. Pursue these, and the yes/no questions become easier.

Remain Faithful

I am proudest of the fact that there is not one ethical or moral blemish on the record of either of these two men. They have had their detractors--even opponents--but no one can lay a charge of improper conduct against them. Here is the definition of holiness: purity leads to spiritual power.

Thankfully, there is grace for those who fail. I revel in it. Let's all aspire to the spiritual authority that comes from a holy life. This is the fuel for effectivness in ministry.

I have perhaps 20 years of ministry remaining, and I don't know for sure what they will bring. I do know what will characterize my effort, however. I will do one thing, do it well, and keep doing it as long as God allows me.

That is my heritage, and I trust it will be my legacy as well--a lifteime of serving Christ.

How to Double Your Reading Time

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:04:00 +0000

“I don’t have time to read.”

That mantra is taken as gospel by anyone who works for a living or is raising a family. Even pastors and teachers, legendary book consumers, complain that they seldom read as much as they’d like to. The average person spends only 108 hours a year reading books compared to 1,698 watching television.

Here are five strategies increasing your diet of words without re-ordering your life.

Read Audio Books

Nobody drives in silence, and it seems every jogger owns an MP3 player. We fill the space in our commuting, exercise, and down time with music, proving that we have time to consume words—if not to read them.

And with the growing availability of books and Bibles in audio form—871 million units sold last year alone—we have more options than ever for "reading" good books.

Start using audio books, and your reading intake will probably triple.

Read at Lunch

Reading for 30 minutes a day on your lunch break would more than double the amount of time the average person spends reading each year. Adopt this strategy, and you'll read about 10 more books each year.

Read on the Clock

If you're in management, staying informed is part of your job. While you might not get away with reading a suspense novel at your desk, a business book is fair game. Add reading to your annual goals and put it on your to-do list.

Join a Discussion Group

Give yourself a reason to read by joining a book club or discussion group. The accountability factor will boost your reading time. Deadlines really work.

Turn off the Tube

The average person spends 15.7 more hours watching television than reading. Give up just one show per week in order to read, and you'll more than double your reading intake.

Of course, all of this assumes that you want to read more than you do. If that's not the case, then no strategy will be effective. Reading is both a leisure activity and a discipline that must be practiced. You must choose to read.

How to Generate Spiritual Growth

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:35:00 +0000

How can people grow spiritually without knowing God’s Word?

The answer is that they can’t.

While that may seem obvious to any serious Christian, it’s a lesson lost on an increasing number of Christ followers. Perhaps influenced by the quick-fix, gotta-have-it culture around us, we have developed a love for simplistic solutions to the challenge of making fully formed disciples.

Best-selling books and celebrity videos have their value, but no 40-day program is adequate for fulfilling our mission to make lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ, teaching them to obey everything He commanded. To grow spiritually, people need more than occasional Bible bytes; they need a steady diet of God’s Word (see Heb. 5:14).

Here are four ways to help people get involved in studying the Bible.

Create Space

Bible study has been crowded out of church life not by the devil but by the calendar—or are they the same? To add the intentional study of God’s Word to a church’s program will require the sacrifice of some other worthwhile activity.

First, challenge people to create space in their lives to move beyond one-hour-a-week spirituality. Then, challenge yourself to create a place on the church’s busy agenda for the study of Scripture.

Create Groups

People seldom have success studying Scripture alone. They need the fellowship of a group. The more groups you start, the more likely it is that people will join one.

Don’t put all your eggs in one Bible basket. Use a variety of approaches: DVD-based studies require little expertise from the leader, Sunday school offers the consistency of a through-the-Bible approach, men’s or women’s groups feel safer to some while others prefer a home-based small group.

The more Bible study opportunities you offer, the more people will study the Bible.

Create Teachers

People don’t need a Ph.D. in ancient near eastern languages to coordinate a small group Bible study. The only thing required is a willingness to show up with a Bible and ask questions. The Holy Spirit does the actual teaching anyway.

Your job will be to recruit, motivate, and equip those who might be willing to guide others through the Word. Provide a range of teaching materials—everything from Sunday school curriculum to small-group Scripture guides to pray-and-press-play DVD Bible studies. Let people choose the approach that they feel comfortable with.

Create Application

If the Bible never gets past the brain, it might as well stay on the shelf. God doesn’t want people simply to read the Bible; he wants them to do what it says. As the leader, it is your job to focus on application. You can do that by constantly asking, “How will this truth change our lives if we choose do apply it?” We have to do the Word.

Peter states that those who do not add knowledge to their faith will become ineffective and unproductive (2 Pet. 1:5–9), and Amos warns of a “famine” of the Word of the Lord (Amos 8:11).

Don’t let that happen on your watch.

While others are looking for up-to-the-nanosecond techniques for doing church, you can bring back the only thing that has ever been successful in forming disciples—the spiritual discipline of Scripture.

Gadgets don’t work. Gimmicks don’t last. But when the Word of God gets into people, they are changed. Try it and see.

Let's Read the New Testament This Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:14:00 +0000

I've started an initiative on my other blog that I'd like to share with you.

My men's Bible study is in the tank until fall, but I don't want to get out of the Word. That's why I'm going to read the New Testament this summer (May-Aug), reading about 2 chapters at a time. I figure that's maybe 10 minutes of daily reading—very doable.

Here's my plan.

I'm not going to read straight through from Matthew to Revelation. Instead, I'm taking the New Testament in four chunks, centered on the four Gospels.

First, Luke, Acts, and the letters of Paul will give me the chronology of the early church.

Next, I'll read the "Jewish Gospel," Matthew, and the Hebraic books of the New Testament.

Then comes Peter, who is the voice behind Mark's Gospel. Combined with Peter's letters, this gives us a no-nonsense view of the Christian life.

Finally, John gives us the ethereal, cosmic view of Jesus, from the beginning of time to the very end.

Here's a PDF of the daily plan. (Tip: Choose "Page Scaling: None" on your print menu.)

Will You Join Us?

Kindle Update

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:12:00 +0000

I've had my Kindle for ahwile now, and I'm ready to add a few more comments to my earlier review.

Here's what I think after using the Kindle for about two weeks.

I'm Hooked

Reading in this format is enjoyable and convenient. I've been reading more lately because good reading material is more available to me. I like having the newspaper with me all the time. I don't sit idly in the dentist's office browsing People magazine. I read the New York Times or spend a few minutes in my current novel.

I'll be an e-reader from now on.

I'm Taking Wesleyan Publishing House with Me

Electronic delivery will be a significant part of the future of publishing. Print will exist, but e-delivery will gain market share. Remember the old business adage: Whoever gets there first with the most wins. Watch for our products in electronic form very soon.

Periodicals Fare Better Than Books

Just as in hardcopy life, newspapers and magazines are more often read because they are more current than books and require less time to consume. Same with e-reading.

The drawback is that, for now, e-ink is one color. That's not bad for newspapers, but magazines tend to be a little flat with only grayscale illustrations--and very few of those.

Navigation Is a Real Problem

This is my only realy gripe about the Kindle thus far. It's hard to get around within a long document. This problem could easily be solved by placing more internal links within long books, such as the Bible. Perhaps that's a problem on the publishing side (vs. the Amazon/delivery side). Either way, it's cumbersome to get from Psalm 23 to Philippians 2:11.

I'll put up with this because of the overall convenience of having all my books in one spot.

I'll Always Own Books

I can't imagine not owning a printed copy of the Bible, for example, or the Works of John Wesley, or a few of my favorite novels. Electronic delivery will not replace print in every setting. For my generation at least, and probably for others, publishing will be both/and--both print and electronic media, depending on the intended use.

My advice? If you feel the urge, go out and get yoruself a Kindle. The technology, experience, and price have all reached the 80 percent mark. Sure, there will be a next generation of better, cheaper product. But what we've got now isn't bad.

Kindle: Mixed Report

noreply@blogger.com (Lawrence W. Wilson) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 22:38:00 +0000

I got my new Kindle this week, the electronic reader from Amazon, and I've downloaded a couple of books, a couple of magazines, and two newspapers; and I've spent a total of about four hours reading.

Here are my first impressions.

What's Good

Size and Feel. The device is about the size of a small book or day planner, and it comes with a leather cover giving it the appearance of a real book. Actually, it feels like holding my Bible when it's closed. It's lightweight, and it feels good in your hand.

E-ink. The electronic ink is really cool. It looks just about like a book page, and it emits no light. It's much easier on your eyes than a computer screen.

Connectivity. The device is wired to Amazon via free wireless connection, so you can download reading materialy instantly, and I do mean instantly. I got the whole NIV Bible in about 10 seconds. The New York Times shows up automatically overnight thanks to my free 14-day trial subscription. You can also browse the web, though that function is a bit awkward to use

That's about it for the positives. You have access to lots of content in a portable, lightweight package that's not too difficult to read.

What's Bad

Navigation. The navigation was clearly designed by a Microsoft drone and not a Mac Head. There's nothing intuitive about it--lots of menus and a dopey scroll bar. Getting around inside a book is tough, too, because there are few shortcuts and no internal jumps.

For example, it seems as if you could press one button and jump to the next chapter within a book. No such luck. You have to back out to the contents, then back in to the next chapter. Or, you can manually add your own bookmarks for chapter heads, but even getting to those requires use of the scrollbar and two clicks.

If that sounds peevish, try finding your way around 2 Chronicles when all you can see is 200 words of text at one time.

Ergonomics. All the buttons seem to be in the wrong place. Pages are turned by means of a tab along the edges of the device. The function is smooth enough, but it's hard to pick the thing up or remove it from its case without accidentally turning a page. The keyboard is probably a little better than that on a PDA, but the leather retaining strap occludes the ALT key, which is used constantly. Finallly, the on/off switch is on the back, so you have to fumble around between the cover and the back of the machine to turn it on.

Contrast. The background of the reading screen is a dull gray, not really white, so there is not enough contrast with the letters, especially in low light.

Lock-in. If you own a Kindle, Amazon.com owns you. There's no other way to get content for it.

Overall, I'd say this is the 8-track tape of the digital reading world. It's a great innovation, but it is likely to be replaced by improved technology before long.

So should you buy a Kindle?

I'd say if you like to read on the go or you like the idea of having all your reading material packaged in one, compact device, definitely yes. Don't worry about losing the tactile sensation of holding a book. You won't.

However, if browsability and legibility are your two primary concerns, you'll likely be frustrated by awkward menu system and small screen.

Will the Kindle replace the book? Probably not. This is a breakthrough, not a tipping point. But something else will. Soon.