The Note Taker

It probably started in college, that three-year period in my life when I actually started trying to learn something from the classes I took. In my effort to remember something from all the stuff those professors required us to read, I'd go through the passages with a pen and highlighter at the ready. There are those who are appalled at the idea of writing in a book, but not doing so is like having fine china that never leaves a cabinet.

Lately, I've taken to rediscovering my markings. When I finish a book, I create a Word document and type in all the things I underlined or highlighted, as well as any notes or questions I wrote in the margins. At the top, I write down "key words" from the passages. My theory is that when I'm thinking or writing about a topic -- say "headship" as it relates to living out God's calling as a husband and father -- I can do a search of my "book quotes" folder and find relevant ideas from other authors.

There's another benefit, however. Typing out the passages that caught my attention allows me to think again about why they were important. I can reinforce the lessons or see if I still disagree with what I once saw as the author's "lame" point.

It's a slow but highly rewarding process. For instance, a few weeks ago I re-read Tender Warrior by Stu Weber, and last night I started typing up the underlined passages when I came upon the passage that the Holy Spirit used some 12 years ago to shake me from the trap of agnosticism and into the freedom of following Christ. Looking at it again and again, I realized it probably doesn't mean much to other men and that it certainly doesn't have the deep meaning and power that it had and has for me. But that's the wonder of words and, even more, the wonder of the Holy Spirit. He took these two sentences -- "God has given men a certain amount of authority. But they are first and foremost men under authority." Page 87 -- and totally changed my life.

For some, it's an interesting statement. For me, it's worth re-reading -- again and again and again and again ...