As far as reading goes, I’m big into using post-it notes (the smaller version of their page markers). It provides a convenient index to books that highlighting or underlining (by itself) doesn’t while preventing damage to the book from dog-earing pages. It also allows you to gradually unmark “sufficiently digested” material, leaving only the most important stuff.

This is Craig Johnson from Southern Seminary. I am now in Independence, MO at Sycamore Hills Baptist Church. In the book, “Brothers, We Are Not Professional”, John Piper wrote to attempt to read in 20 minute segments -morning, afternoon, and night. If you do this, you should read at least a book a month at a normal pace.

I read in the Bus on the way to work and sometimes at home if the book is AMAZING. Books help me get up in the morning!

That statement caught my attention. I don’t believe it is historically accurate–or at least I don’t think it is biblically accurate. I Chron. 251 Chronicles 25
[25:1]David and the chiefs of the service also set apart
for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of
Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with
cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their
duties was: [2]Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph,
Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the
direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of
the king. [3]Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah,
Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six,
under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who
prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the
LORD. [4]Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah,
Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah,
Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir,
Mahazioth. [5]All these were the sons of Heman the king's
seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him, for God
had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. [6]They
were all under the direction of their father in the music
in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres for
the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman
were under the order of the king. [7]The number of them
along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to
the LORD, all who were skillful, was 288. [8]And they cast
lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil
alike.
[9]The first lot fell for Asaph to Joseph; the second to
Gedaliah, to him and his brothers and his sons, twelve;
[10]the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
[11]the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
[12]the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers,
twelve; [13]the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his
brothers, twelve; [14]the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons
and his brothers, twelve; [15]the eighth to Jeshaiah, his
sons and his brothers, twelve; [16]the ninth to Mattaniah,
his sons and his brothers, twelve; [17]the tenth to Shimei,
his sons and his brothers, twelve; [18]the eleventh to
Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [19]the twelfth
to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [20]to the
thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
[21]to the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his
brothers, twelve; [22]to the fifteenth, to Jeremoth, his
sons and his brothers, twelve; [23]to the sixteenth, to
Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [24]to the
seventeenth, to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers,
twelve; [25]to the eighteenth, to Hanani, his sons and his
brothers, twelve; [26]to the nineteenth, to Mallothi, his
sons and his brothers, twelve; [27]to the twentieth, to
Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [28]to the
twenty-first, to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
[29]to the twenty-second, to Giddalti, his sons and his
brothers, twelve; [30]to the twenty-third, to Mahazioth,
his sons and his brothers, twelve; [31]to the twenty-
fourth, to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.
(ESV)

talks about a skilled set of musicians set aside for specific musical purposes. I would imagine it was for as much a spectator event as anything, though I could be wrong.

Anyway, as far as reading goes, I am such a grazer. I have several books I am trying to read at one time and rarely get into the flow of a book. I have many interests too so it’s hard to avoid starting new books! I, like you, have decided that pre-bed time is the best time to settle in and read at least a chapter or two of what I’m working through. At least I know I am going to sleep every night, so scheduling reading is a little like brushing my teeth before bed time!

I’m looking forward to ‘colouring in’ your book when it comes out Bob!

ps the ’someone’ in your post was John Piper:

“Books don’t change people; paragraphs do. Sometimes even sentences”

It’s on p.13 of “A Godward life book 1″ - I was able to find it because I underlined it!”