Three thoughts

1. Recently I've read - twice - a short essay by B. B. Warfield titled the Theology of John Calvin. Free in this collection:

https://www.monergism.com/sermons-and-essays-works-b-b-warfield-ebook

If it was in book form it'd be 10 pages. He really gets at the poetry of Calvinism, which is Christianity, and what I call the hard truth mysticism of it. He points out that Calvinism isn't different in kind from other theologies (like Lutheranism) but in degree. It goes further and deeper. Warfield is a sharp writer. Each paragraph follows perfectly to give you the impression he's getting across. Theologians have tried to articulate the center or main subject of what Calvinism uniquely is and failed. Warfield gets at it succinctly and comes across as very on the mark. 

Reading it I can see how and why I've been a Calvinist. I've always said regeneration is the main thing. Warfield says that is very Calvinist and explains why. Also, I've never been troubled or afraid of the supernatural, as many modern theologians are, and that too is very Calvinist, and Warfield shows why. 

There is more. The way he describes the worldview of a person who can see and accept and understand Christianity as Calvinism describes it, it is hard truth mysticism-like, in the sense of the state one is in when praying is the constant state of a Calvinist when moving and acting and being in the real world. It's worth reading.

P. S. - Warfield wrote many short pieces on Calvin, so make sure you read the right one. The Theology of John Calvin. It's toward the end of that collection.

2. I've been thinking, when you've read the Bible complete 9 times, and you know doctrine to the nth degree, what do you do with the Bible now? I think you just have to meditate on it.

My facsimile 1611 has the chapter summaries at the beginning of each chapter. They give you the sections of each chapter very clear. And they interpret boldly. Like in the O. T. this is Jesus. This is the church. Like Isaiah 63 -

1 Who  is this that cometh from  Edom, with dyed garments from  Bozrah? this that is glorious in his  apparel, travelling in the greatness  of his strength? I that speak in  righteousness, mighty to save.  

The chapter summary says this is Jesus. It's obvious, but you can just read through that and not think it. 

So I can use these summaries to meditate on sections of the Bible.

3. Why is an old Buddhist monk looked at with such awe by the world? Because of his spiritual exercises. He doesn't have the truth, but he practices his religion. You don't see this with Christians. Maybe Athanasius or Augustine. But not the modern pastor or seminary professor. Nobody looks at them with awe. They look worldly. And kind of like, academic or insurance salesman worldly. 

I also think your outward apparel is going to manifest your inward life. I don't mean adopting an affected style, but over time subtle changes in your outward appearance should take place if you are truly practicing the faith in some real way. Some hoakey black robe when you're at the podium is not the same thing. In our time I don't know what this would look like though. Muslims pull it off, though...

Layered clothing. The length of the clothing. The simplicity. The colors. Something. 

Main point: a Christian should look like a pilgrim in this world, not of this world. And should have the vibe of spiritual disciplines.

The Elements of Being a Christian

1. The word God designates fundamentally the almighty Spirit who is worshiped and whose aid is invoked by men. Religion is, shortly, the reaction of the human soul in the presence of God.

2. Regeneration (being born again) is effected by the living, quickening word of God (the Bible) and the Holy Spirit.

3. Faith is belief in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is God/man, who fulfilled the law and paid the price of death for the sin of Adam and all born from Adam. This faith is a threshold crossing from being under the federal head of Adam (King Adam, which became, in effect, the Kingdom of Satan) to being under the federal head of Jesus Christ (King Jesus). From darkness to light, from the bonds and curse of the law to the liberty of the law of Christ in the Kingdom of God.

4. There is a fourfold Kingdom of God mentioned in Scripture:

(1) The kingdom of his power, which reaches over all the world. The subjects of this kingdom are all creatures whatsoever. 'His kingdom ruleth over all.' It reaches from the highest angel to the meanest worm that creeps on the earth. It is a vast dominion, comprehending earth, seas, and hell, and all that in them is.

(2) The kingdom of his gospel. This is not so large as the former. It is erected within it, but comprehends the whole visible church, in which God has set up the light of the gospel and Christ's name is known, and men profess subjection to him. 

(3) The kingdom of his grace. This is yet narrower than any of the former, and comprehends only the invisible church; for it is not an external, but an internal kingdom, in which grace, saving grace, reigns in the hearts of those who belong to it; for, says Christ to his disciples, 'behold the kingdom of God is within you.' The subjects of it are believers, true saints, and they only; and they commence subjects of this kingdom in the day of Christ's power on their hearts. This kingdom consists not in outward observances, but inward graces, whereby the soul is conformed to the image of Christ.

(4) The kingdom of his glory. This is the blessed state of eternal happiness in the other world. This kingdom is now a-gathering, but shall fully come at the second coming of Christ.

The above is the cosmos that the Christian lives within.

5. The Christian, in his journey from this world to the world to come, on this spiritual battlefield, is to be awake, and love his enemy. Or, conscious labor, intentional suffering; emulating Jesus. Prayer and gratitude over resentment for everything all the time, also, is the royal state of a Christian, who is a prophet, priest, and king.

6. The word of God will be read complete until parts in relation to the whole understanding of it is attained, understanding law and gospel and the covenants of works and grace.

7. Keeping the eye on the unseen things of God and away from the temptations and illusion of this world.