How to Avoid "How to" Books

Near the line of cashiers at most home improvement stores or warehouses is a library of "How to" books. You can find anything from "How to Build a Deck" to "Plumbing a 70-Story Building for Dummies."

Actually, I'm not really sure what the titles are because I never pull over and pick one up. I only know they are there because I've glanced in that direction once or twice. I'm thinking of writing a book called, "How to Avoid 'How to' Books."

Why do I avoid those books? Because I know me. I wouldn't make it past the introduction page without trying to figure out who I could hire to do this project. Demolition and disassembly I can do without a manual. But construction, assembling, remodeling, or repairing turns me into Curious George. All I do is make messes and anger the man in the yellow hat.

It's not that I don't think plumbing, concrete, wiring, and construction are important. I do. I just want it all to be done right. I would even appreciate a lifetime guarantee that none of that stuff would ever fizzle or fall apart.

What do I do? I call a professional or a friend who has read the manuals and knows what he is doing. This stuff is too important to put in the hands of a Mr. Get'r Done whose tongue is dangling back and forth over his lower lip and says, "Let's put this thingy over here and that whatchacallit over there. That oughta work. Try it now."

I'm convinced some folks treat the maintenance and construction of their hearts and lives the same way I treat home repairs. The bookstores have volumes of advice on how to do life. But they're all written by tongue-dangling humans whose own lives have missing parts and imperfect performance.

There's really only one book on the shelf that gives accurate (even flawless) directions to the complexities and uncertainties of human existence: The Bible.

Which one? There's really only one. I know there are plenty of counterfeits. But there's really only one true Bible. It starts with Genesis, ends with Revelation, has no more than 66 books in it, and isn't published by the Watch Tower Society. Clear enough?

I find that Christians bypass reading the Bible for themselves for the same reason I bypass the "How to" books at Jowe's and The Domicile Depot. They are afraid they won't be able to understand. They feel overwhelmed and unqualified.

That's where the really good news happens. Let me illustrate. Let's say I walk into Jowe's because I need to repair a faucet. I walk over to the library of plumbing and pick up a book called, "Faucet Repair for the Totally Inept," read three sentences and get frustrated because there are no pictures except the ones with Chinese subtitles. Before I can slam the book shut, a guy in a blue frock wearing a smile and a name tag that reads, "Joe Lee Spearit" comes over and says, "Can I help you?"

Joe guides me through the repair manual, shows me the tools I need, and demonstrates for me exactly what I need to do to fix my faucet. I go home, fix the faucet, grunt, and raise my hands in tool man victory.

It is the same with God's Word. As you pick it up to read it, ask the Author of the Bible to guide you through it. God's authorized representative is God Himself who comes in the form of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will "teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things" (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit won't mislead you, either. He will "guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).

Be not afraid. Pick up The Book. Whisper a prayer for help and begin reading today.

You can do it. He can help.
Perry Crisp

Hand Over Your Cup!

Daphne made her way around the table filling coffee cups and chatting with some of her regular morning customers at the diner. As she was about to fill the fourth cup, Mack told the punch line of a joke and everyone at the table roared with laughter.

Daphne was laughing so hard she didn't notice Clyde's hand covering the top of his coffee cup. Clyde didn't want coffee. But he got it anyway. Hot coffee hit his hand, splattered up his arm, and ran down the table into his lap. It must've been instant coffee because Clyde was drenched before he knew it.

"Be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) is the daily challenge of every believer. The challenge is not due to the hesitancy of the Spirit, but to the hindrances of our own flesh. Like Clyde, our flesh gets in the way, makes a mess, and we get burned.

All the Spirit of God needs is an open, empty vessel. But too many times there's too much "u" in the "cUp."

Welcome to the table this morning. Have a seat. The Holy Spirit is pouring.

Who needs a refill?
Perry Crisp

Who's in the Driver's Seat?

A man hauled his truck into the shop to see what was wrong with it. After giving the truck a thorough inspection, the mechanic told the truck owner that the engine and transmission were shot. The battery, carburetor, and wiring were missing. The brakes were out. And rust had eaten a hole in the gas tank.

"But why won't it start?" asked the truck owner. "The key still fits, the doors open, and the scent in my pine fresh deodorizer is still strong."

The mechanic looked at the truck owner like he was an idiot. A deserving look...wouldn't you agree?

Yet so many Christ-believers operate their Christianity in similar form. "But I belong to a church, I can quote John 3:16, and I have my own pew! Why am I not getting anywhere in my walk with Christ?"

A believer who tries to live the Christian life without surrendering to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit might also deserve the "idiot look."

An automobile needs an engine, transmission, battery, carburetor, wiring, brakes, and gas to fulfill its function. And a believer needs the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to function effectively as a Christian.

Where does a believer find all these characteristics? "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..." (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)

They can only be found in the Spirit of God. Where is the Spirit? According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit lives inside the believer. So, if Christ is your personal Savior, His Spirit lives inside you. And if the Spirit is inside you, guess what else is inside you? All you need to have a meaningful, productive walk with Christ. Just ask God to let His Spirit live through you today.

The Holy Spirit is the only one with a driver's license when it comes to the Christian life. So give up the keys, slide out of the driver's seat, and enjoy the ride.

Tuned-up when I Turn it Over to Him,
Perry Crisp