Learning a new routine. Reading the Sermon on the Mount a little bit at a time

by Jon C. Swanson

From the The way we live is a routine. When we get up, which path we take to work, what we do at work, how we spend our time when we have a choice, how we react when we don't have a choice. A routine is simply a set of thoughts and behaviors performed consistently. Gymnasts have routines. Parents create bed-time routines for their children. We often find our routines to be routine, unexciting. We want to change them, to find excitement. And change is exciting. It throws everything off. But eventually, even the novelty becomes a routine and becomes routine. Unless we find a template, a proven technique. Someone else’s routine. I’ve done this often, looking at time management tools, attention management tools, life management tools. So have you. When we’re done, we have built a collection of techniques. And we live our routine better, but sometimes we still wonder why we are doing this. That’s because routines are about how to live. They need to have a why. There are lots of whys available as well. And rather that look at all the options, I want to pick one and look at it. Matthew 5-7 is known as "the Sermon on the Mount." I invite you to spend some time with me looking at this sermon, this teaching, where Jesus describes learning a new routine. Jesus answers a simple What does the routine of the kingdom of heaven look like? What others are "I started reading this out loud. There were pages that made me smile, laugh and cry. I have to finish this and see how it ends. And then read it again. And share with others. And I heard voices as I was reading out Mine, which I am familiar with. Yours, which I have heard before when I read 300 words a day as my morning devotion. And God's voice too." -Scott Howard "Jon makes Jesus real. A real person, with real friends, doing real work. Jon understands the disciples as people, human in all their struggles and failings, continuing to miss the point of their Friend's guidance, support, advice and comfort. In so doing, he connects us not just with words or sermons or commands, but a framework for following Jesus and permission to get it wrong while working to get it right." -Rob Hatch

70 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2012

About the author

Jon Swanson is a chaplain, teacher, blogger, and introvert. After working in higher education for fifteen years, he became an associate pastor in 2000. And then, in 2016, he became a hospital chaplain.

Jon and his wife, Nancy, have two adult children.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Truth Notice: I received this book as a free Kindle download and I personally know the author. At one time Jon Swanson was one of my pastors. This review will also appear on Amazon.com.

Jon Swanson writes in a gentle, conversational tone just as he preaches. He invites you into the chat and encourages you on to the next step. I enjoyed reading his book about the Sermon on the Mount which he encourages his readers to see as learning and living a new routine. He defines routine as "simply a set of thoughts and behaviors performed consistently." (Kindle Location 103) As a pianist, that definition makes sense to me.

When talking about The Beatitudes, the author says, "But I think that when Jesus gave this list of blessings, he wasn’t creating a formula or a list. I think he was describing hope for people who are wrecked rather than creating formulas for people who think they're fine." (Kindle Locations 163-164) I also had to smile when Jon Swanson referred to the Pharisees as "The ancient version of snarky bloggers." (Kindle Location 252).

Recommended.

[Lisa VanHoose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

love all work by jon. simple but makes you think at the same time. Will read it again for sure