Have you ever felt so far behind you have a to-do to organize your to-do’s?

I started the detective gig at the beginning of summer and it’s been a fascinating change. Plus, I get to go home to my wife and children every night. The big adjustment has been to cope with the number of active cases. Not to mention the carry-over effect of cases I’ve already closed due to a lack of leads only to get a tip months later. When I worked patrol, when I ended my shift, I ended my shift. Paperwork was handed in, squad car refueled, shower, change and done! No to-do’s that carry over, no pending, done, done. Now, unlike the movies, a detective carries 15, 20, even more active cases at a time. You get a case a day and your goal is to solve each case. So, I decided I had to get organized. I now have a running set of thoughts, ideas and “to-do’s” for each case. I’ve found it helps me simplify and focus. Plus, I have a one-page sheet that summarizes where I am on each case. Now I feel like I have a handle on every case. I can see at a glance what’s critical, what’s due, what’s not, what’s pending AND know that if I get a hot tip, I can bolt for the carriage and follow-up while the trail is hot and the quarry is a foot.

Hmmmm, we talked a couple of weeks ago during the Sunday sermon about having a sense of balance in our lives, our time, our spending, our relationships, and so on. My house? We’ve been slowly simplifying, focusing. During the last couple of weeks, we’ve enjoyed taking the entire evening to watch a volleyball game and then taking our youth and their friends/fans to eat on an impulse decision. Why? It’s fun . . . it’s our goal!

There are some great English translations of the Bible out there and here’s a quick note about English translations of the Bible and recommended study Bibles.

I read from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible on Sundays. It’s accurate and readable. It’s the one I read in my devotional time.

I also recommend the New American Standard Version (NASV). Another great translation, just doesn’t flow quite as well due to the translating team’s desire to keep a bit more of the ancient languages word order. The NASV is the Bible I recommend lining up next to the NIV for study.

Another thought on study time, scholars have tended to use the Revised Standard Version for years, probably a slight step-up from the NASV for study. If you can find it, the New Revised Standard Version is the latest update. I just bought one.

Finally, the Message is a wonderful translation. Peterson’s a pastor who went straight for the meaning. If you add the Message to the mix, especially in your devotional time, you will be able to dig deep into God’s Word.

Study Bibles? There was a time when I would buy one and read through the notes during a year or two. It’s like being in a Bible class in college. The one I use is the NIV Study Bible. The NIV Study Bible is kinda the swiss army knife of Study Bibles, it’s all there in one package. I have also recommended the Life Application Study Bible over the years. When you go shopping, pay attention to the writers and publishers of Study Bibles to know where their thoughts are coming from.

I just bought the new English Standard Version Study Bible. The new English Standard Version and Study Bible are being pushed by some well know conservatives and I thought I’d take a look. Give me a few months and I’ll let you know.

Keep digging in!

Your brother,

brad