Keeping Score

Since The Bible in Rhyme was published, it's been really interesting as we try to keep score on how it's doing. We've kept track of downloads, sales, site visits, blog views, Amazon rank, Barnesandnoble.com rank, etc.

But I was reminded of John Ortburg's book It All Goes Back in the Box. He makes a great point that all the ways that we keep score - money, houses, cars, status...and yes, Amazon Rankings - don't count in God's eyes. He wants to see how we have worked for the betterment of those around us, and for our communities as a whole.

My hope with The Bible in Rhyme is that it will open up the scriptures to someone who needed it, who would not have otherwise read the Bible, and to people who were looking for another way to worship God.

I won't stop looking at my Amazon ranking. I won't stop keeping track of how many books I have sold or given away. I can't. Because no matter what, that IS a way that we keep score, and a game with no score is no fun. But I am going to commit myself to look at the score in a different way. I need to remember that it's not how fast the score can be run up. It's how many people can I reach with God's word.

We are not to put our lamp under a bowl and hide it. We are to shine it to the world. And when we do, we are supposed to remember how to keep score the right way. If I falter, I hope God helps me remember why it is that I'm doing this...for God's glorification, not my own.

Officially Launched

So October 6th marked the "Official" launch day for The Bible In Rhyme. It was pretty uneventful, actually, as the book has already been on Amazon for almost a month. And we have a PR campaign that is scheduled (how cool is that?!), but it just needs to get going.

What's also exciting is that my brother's website is up, www.bryceholt.com, and his book also hit Amazon & BN.com. Hooray! What a great day!

As an aside, I've been doing a lot of book signing lately, and I try to put in a passage that I think can resonate with someone. I've got 2 in particular that I really like. I figured I'd share them.

Isaiah 9:1 - 9:7

The gloom shall be lifted. Believers shall see.

In the future God’s glory comes from Galilee.

For those who have lived in the shadow of death,

the yoke shall be lifted. I shout with each breath,

unto the world a child is born!

A son shall be given. Great titles adorn:

Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace.

His greatness increases. His love shall not cease.

On David’s throne he shall reign and uphold

a righteousness that is both honest and bold,

and justice that no man upon Earth may sever.

And so he shall reign forever and ever.

(Read this section from the Bible)

Matthew 9:9 - 9:13

Jesus left and as he passed a tax booth,

he told the man there, “I tell you the truth,

follow me and you’ll gain much more than here.”

And so Matthew gave up his taxing career.

Then Matthew asked Jesus to come in and eat

with him so his friends could come there and meet

the Messiah. But when all the Pharisees saw,

they said, “Jesus scoffs and curses the law.

Look at this man who dines amongst sin.”

On hearing this, Jesus said, “Doctors treat men

who are sick, not the healthy. So let me be clear.

I want mercy, not sacrifice. That’s why I’m here.”

(Read this section from the Bible)

I'm so excited for what's to come - and I hope these passages speak to you like they do to me.

What a response!

I'm amazed. About 24 hours ago we posted the link so that people can download The Bible in Rhyme, and I've already had more than 75 downloads! I've had people download it from across the U.S., South America, and Asia already.

Thanks for all the thoughts and comments. You guys are amazing! It's awesome to see the spiritual power that this is causing just by making it available. I hope that people feel God speaking to them in new and powerful ways as they read it.

Today I took the list and prayed for each person individually that God would speak to them in a new way that touches their heart.

God bless you all!

Download The Bible in Rhyme

I just posted a link on www.thebibleinrhyme.com so that anyone can register to be emailed the download link for the PDF files. Go to www.thebibleinrhyme.com or go here to register and download The Bible in Rhyme.

Looking forward to seeing what you guys think!

The Bible In Rhyme Update

I apologize for my delay, but I am nearing the finish of all the development of the Bible in Rhyme. Please email me at kyle.holt@poweredbyu.com if you want a copy of it emailed to you. I want all to who love the Lord to have access to it. Email me if you're interested at all!!!

A Response to the 3 Year Plan

My last post was originally for a guest post at http://thoughtsofresurrection.wordpress.com/. A question was asked after the post went up:

"I really enjoyed your article on making a three year plan. Do you have a template or any type of tool to help with making a three year plan?"

What an excellent question! Ha! I guess I ought to come up with a solution, not just a suggestion!

As I think about how to best answer this, I would think of it more as a process and less as a template:

Maybe something like this:

• Take the Spiritual Gifts self assessment (see http://thewell.cor.org/detail.aspx?ID=44)
  
• Write down what you are doing today that you are good at
• Write down what you are doing today that you enjoy (not always the same thing)
• Write down your job
• Write down your talents
• Write down your interests
• Write down any goals you have
  
• Write down what you are NOT doing that you wish you were
• Write down the answer to this question: "If Jesus showed up and had a special job just for you, what would it be?"
  
• Write down anything you feel that God is calling you to (obviously this is extremely important, but also the most difficult)

It is very important to WRITE the answer to all of these things down. Don't just do it in your head. When things are visualized, they are also easier to accomplish.

Now start looking for overlaps. For some it may jump out at them right away. For others it may take several times through the process.

I haven't done a lot of studying on this. I just came up with this on the fly. Any suggestions or tweaks? What would you do if you had to put your 3 year plan together. By the way...now that I suggested the 3 year plan, I've got to go do mine!

A 3-Year Plan

I turned 30 years old in January, and it’s an age that should make any Christian pause and think. Jesus started his ministry when he was 30 and it ended 3 years later upon his death, but what he did during those three years has influenced billions of people over the last 2,000 years.

So what am I going to do in the next three years?

This is a question that we ought to be asking ourselves every day of our lives, but we get caught up in our own routines and forget this very important question.

I have a two-year old son, and I want to see him grow up. But if my death at thirty-three would bring billions (or even thousands) to God, wouldn’t it be worth it? It’s a scary thought, but Christ tells us that those who love their lives will lose them, and those who give up their lives for him will gain everlasting life. We’re not to martyr ourselves, but it is a call to be in the world, not of it.

Businesses and individuals often make 5 or 10-year plans. In the same vein, I would lobby that Christians should set forth a 3-year plan. The messiah completely redefined the world in three years. He was setting an example for us. As if to say, “I did it, and so can you.” Given, we are not the perfection that Jesus was, but if we strive to be, then we can reshape life as we know it.

If I live to be 75 years old, I have the opportunity to develop fifteen 3-year plans during the remainder of my life. What an opportunity! But in order to maximize that opportunity, I have to start now.

In 2006, I felt called to start working on my Bible in Rhyme project. It is my hope and prayer that God intends this to be a part of my 3-year plan. I pray that it is something that can work in the hearts, minds, and spirits of Christians and non-Christians alike. I don’t know what will happen, but I trust that God will guide me the way He wants me to go. And I know that it will require a lot of hard work on my part.

Besides, isn’t hard work what God asks from all of us? We are called to love and to believe, but that’s just the beginning. To really make something happen, we have to be ready to get our hands in the dirt and work for Him. To give up our worldly lives do His will here on earth.

So today, tomorrow, and definitely at each birthday, I recommend you ask yourself, “What is my 3-year plan?” Leave 5-year plans and 10-year plans to businesses. Make the 3-year plan God’s.