So since I've been away for so long it's kinda hard to remember where exactly I left off and what was going on.
I'm really regretting stopping because it was hard enough to figure out initially and now it just seems impossible since it has been kind of hard to follow.
So I read my last post that was truly a summary of the readings and it was at the end of Judges. After reading my post and a few highlights of Judges I'm ready to move on.
According to my Chronological Study Bible Ruth is next then Samuel.
I think I've read some of these but I don't remember much so I will be re-reading if I have already.
Posts to come soon.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Are you there God? It's me...Kelly
This is exactly how I feel.
I have totally fallen off the wagon this past oh...geez...6 months. Ugh. That's pathetic. So I will blog some excuses for my behavior but they are really not acceptable in the long run.
You may recall from one of my last posts that I got a new job. I got a new job that is in a new field. Well I'm a nurse and I transitioned from being an ER nurse full time to being an ICU nurse full time and an ER nurse part time. It may seem to some that nursing is nursing and it is to an extent but there are differences in both.
I was stressing about this job change and the additional at home studying I would need to be successful. I was in the first week of hospital orientation when I got a phone call from the realtor and 2 1/2 weeks after placing our house on the market it was sold.
This was definitely not expected as there were several houses on our block that have been for sale and vacant for over a year.
Oh yeah...my husband got a new job too which required him to be out of town most of the summer. During the school year he's back to studies and will hopefully graduate within the next two years.
What do all these lead up to????? A loss of organization in my life and I've missed it. I've missed reading my bibles and their unique-ness. I spoke to a friend tonight who asked how my bible reading and blogging was going. I told her "Not worth a damn." (apparently my goal of cussing less has also gone by the wayside)
She encouraged me to pick it back up and I told her I kinda feel like I need to start over because I don't remember a lot. She said just pick it back up and you will be surprised what you remember. She also encouraged me to maybe start back up in the New Testament. I continue to remain adamant that I will go in order.
I told her it was like watching the last Lord of the Rings movie first....You just can't do it that way.
Well I lay here in bed frustrated that Amazon doesn't have my Chronological Bible in the Kindle version and debating on how much it will cost me to get the bible on my ipod for my long commute.
To all those that read this blog while it was active and worth reading I'm sorry for the past 6 months. I hope to return to my blogging and reading. I do want to let you all know that I really appreciate your kind and supportive words.
I have totally fallen off the wagon this past oh...geez...6 months. Ugh. That's pathetic. So I will blog some excuses for my behavior but they are really not acceptable in the long run.
You may recall from one of my last posts that I got a new job. I got a new job that is in a new field. Well I'm a nurse and I transitioned from being an ER nurse full time to being an ICU nurse full time and an ER nurse part time. It may seem to some that nursing is nursing and it is to an extent but there are differences in both.
I was stressing about this job change and the additional at home studying I would need to be successful. I was in the first week of hospital orientation when I got a phone call from the realtor and 2 1/2 weeks after placing our house on the market it was sold.
This was definitely not expected as there were several houses on our block that have been for sale and vacant for over a year.
Oh yeah...my husband got a new job too which required him to be out of town most of the summer. During the school year he's back to studies and will hopefully graduate within the next two years.
What do all these lead up to????? A loss of organization in my life and I've missed it. I've missed reading my bibles and their unique-ness. I spoke to a friend tonight who asked how my bible reading and blogging was going. I told her "Not worth a damn." (apparently my goal of cussing less has also gone by the wayside)
She encouraged me to pick it back up and I told her I kinda feel like I need to start over because I don't remember a lot. She said just pick it back up and you will be surprised what you remember. She also encouraged me to maybe start back up in the New Testament. I continue to remain adamant that I will go in order.
I told her it was like watching the last Lord of the Rings movie first....You just can't do it that way.
Well I lay here in bed frustrated that Amazon doesn't have my Chronological Bible in the Kindle version and debating on how much it will cost me to get the bible on my ipod for my long commute.
To all those that read this blog while it was active and worth reading I'm sorry for the past 6 months. I hope to return to my blogging and reading. I do want to let you all know that I really appreciate your kind and supportive words.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
What's the plan stan???
What's the plan?
Option A: Become one of the many people that started to read the bible but fell off somewhere in the middle and never finished.
Option B: pick up where I left off and attempt to continue down my chronological path behind schedule
Option C: regroup and form a new plan of attack. Possibly the Read the bible in 90 days plan.
Verdict??????
Possibly a combination of Option B and C.
Option B because I like the format of chronological and I won't feel like a failure. Even if I did option C with no complications I still would be a little disappointed because I didn't complete my goal of reading the bible chronologically.
Option C is a little more popular and even has an audio version on iTunes. This would be good for me as I accepted a new job with a 45 minute one way commute....this would allow me to listen to the bible. Something that would
a. keep me off my cell phone
b. make my drive go by faster
c. help me to achieve my goal
So what are your thoughts?
Option A: Become one of the many people that started to read the bible but fell off somewhere in the middle and never finished.
Option B: pick up where I left off and attempt to continue down my chronological path behind schedule
Option C: regroup and form a new plan of attack. Possibly the Read the bible in 90 days plan.
Verdict??????
Possibly a combination of Option B and C.
Option B because I like the format of chronological and I won't feel like a failure. Even if I did option C with no complications I still would be a little disappointed because I didn't complete my goal of reading the bible chronologically.
Option C is a little more popular and even has an audio version on iTunes. This would be good for me as I accepted a new job with a 45 minute one way commute....this would allow me to listen to the bible. Something that would
a. keep me off my cell phone
b. make my drive go by faster
c. help me to achieve my goal
So what are your thoughts?
Friday, June 10, 2011
confession time
I'm not sure I have mentioned this before but I went to a catholic grade school through the 4th grade. So, while I have led on that I am a religious novice...I have been to church a lot and said a lot of rosary's. I have also said a lot of hail mary's and our father's after confession. Why? Because even as a child...I cussed. Sometimes, no one knew except my little hoodlum friends at catholic school. But on certain Wednesday's the Priest knew what God already knew....I cussed. I liked to cuss. I thought it was funny.
It is interesting to me that so many people have issues with confession to a priest and say to me "you don't have to have anyone communicate to God for you"
I honestly don't see confession in that way. It seems a lot of people have issues with confession. I just see it as being held accountable. It is much harder telling someone that you know, someone who believes you are trying to be a good "christian/catholic/whatever" your sins. God already knows this stuff. You aren't telling God anything. You are telling someone a leader of your church that you have failed and that you will try hard not to fail again.
I believe that if you tell your mistakes out loud to someone that you respect there is much more accountability. You are much less likely to repeat these same sins. They are or should be embarassing.
Well here's my confession to my blogging community...I have failed in my attempt to continue reading the bible. My life has taken over and parts of me feel like I am so far behind I can't catch up.
I think I have failed for a few reasons... I have over-analyzed.
I tend to over-analyze things. I'm a science based thinker and I like to research things. That means I like to read multiple versions of the bible and compare/contrast. I like to research the archaeology to the bible....is this real or just a really good folktale. I also like to read other summaries, etc about what I've read....this means I was devoting at least 1-2 hours a day to my bible reading quest. As life took over my studying fell off and here I am over a month later completely disappointed that I've failed in my quest.
I don't take to failure very well. Horribly actually. But there is a little part of me that says I haven't failed completely.....I am still within the year and I could still read my bible. I just need to change my approach a little.
Sigh....
I will decide what to do and keep you/my blogging family updated.
It is interesting to me that so many people have issues with confession to a priest and say to me "you don't have to have anyone communicate to God for you"
I honestly don't see confession in that way. It seems a lot of people have issues with confession. I just see it as being held accountable. It is much harder telling someone that you know, someone who believes you are trying to be a good "christian/catholic/whatever" your sins. God already knows this stuff. You aren't telling God anything. You are telling someone a leader of your church that you have failed and that you will try hard not to fail again.
I believe that if you tell your mistakes out loud to someone that you respect there is much more accountability. You are much less likely to repeat these same sins. They are or should be embarassing.
Well here's my confession to my blogging community...I have failed in my attempt to continue reading the bible. My life has taken over and parts of me feel like I am so far behind I can't catch up.
I think I have failed for a few reasons... I have over-analyzed.
I tend to over-analyze things. I'm a science based thinker and I like to research things. That means I like to read multiple versions of the bible and compare/contrast. I like to research the archaeology to the bible....is this real or just a really good folktale. I also like to read other summaries, etc about what I've read....this means I was devoting at least 1-2 hours a day to my bible reading quest. As life took over my studying fell off and here I am over a month later completely disappointed that I've failed in my quest.
I don't take to failure very well. Horribly actually. But there is a little part of me that says I haven't failed completely.....I am still within the year and I could still read my bible. I just need to change my approach a little.
Sigh....
I will decide what to do and keep you/my blogging family updated.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Catching up
I'm going to try to catch up on my bible. I've missed reading.
Tonight I'm laying here in bed snuggled up to my laptop...
I was reading from Ruth (refreshing my memory of where I was in my readings)
I forgot how much I like this verse but how I never realized it was spoken to Ruth's mother in law. I always thought it was to a spouse. Ok...here's the embarassing part. I actually thought this was some Native American saying. I'm not sure why...I never realized this was a biblical verse. Learning more everyday.
"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”
Tonight I'm laying here in bed snuggled up to my laptop...
I was reading from Ruth (refreshing my memory of where I was in my readings)
I forgot how much I like this verse but how I never realized it was spoken to Ruth's mother in law. I always thought it was to a spouse. Ok...here's the embarassing part. I actually thought this was some Native American saying. I'm not sure why...I never realized this was a biblical verse. Learning more everyday.
"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Darn it life.....
OK well....here's the skinny on where I've been....
Life has taken over. I've been super busy. My school has been wrapping up and taking finals, etc.
I put my house up for sale.
I'm getting ready for a garage sale.
I got a new job.
Whew.
Lots of stuff going on and I have to admit I've been distracted from reading my bible. The other thing that totally doesn't help is oneyearbibleonline.com changed it's format and I had to renew and all sorts of other stuff so I don't get my daily link to my reading via email anymore....I need to change that because it was really helpful.
OK.....
Getting motivated again.....
I'll be posting more soon.
Thanks for your patience as life took over momentarily.
Life has taken over. I've been super busy. My school has been wrapping up and taking finals, etc.
I put my house up for sale.
I'm getting ready for a garage sale.
I got a new job.
Whew.
Lots of stuff going on and I have to admit I've been distracted from reading my bible. The other thing that totally doesn't help is oneyearbibleonline.com changed it's format and I had to renew and all sorts of other stuff so I don't get my daily link to my reading via email anymore....I need to change that because it was really helpful.
OK.....
Getting motivated again.....
I'll be posting more soon.
Thanks for your patience as life took over momentarily.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Coincidences
I'm not sure if things are a coincidence or if it is just that I have been completely non-observant of the religious world until this year.
I personally like to think it is divine intervention....haha....well I'm not sure about that but it would be fun to think.
So maybe I'm searching for things here...I don't know. 5 years ago...wait even 2 years ago....I never had a conversation about religion with anyone. I didn't talk the bible or anything else. I listened when my husbands family would pray before meals and during the christmas gatherings but until last year when my husband and I had to actually read from the bible I honestly hadn't opened one for more than 15 years (if ever)
I avoided the conversation because I felt it was inappropriate. I avoided it because I always said "religion and politics are two things you never discuss with friends you want to keep" Now, I still don't discuss it with them....they discuss it with me. Mostly all of my friends know what I'm doing and either pop into my blog or will ask me how its going. Some even ask me about a specific topic...most of the time I'm not there yet! Just yesterday in the car my best friend said to me "I don't know much about the bible. There's so much I don't know and I don't feel confident talking about to others" She said she always feels like what she thinks the bible is saying is not what it is really saying and she's reading it wrong. Despite my best efforts to encourage her to trust herself..I don't feel I made any progress. She attends church every Sunday and her kids go to Sunday school and I think she even participates in that and some awanas thing...(I'm not sure what that is)
I'm confused that someone who attends regularly and actively feels so uneducated about her bible and religion. I'm sure she knows more than she thinks...It's like I feel like there is so much that I have already forgotten but when I speak with others it just comes back to me.
I have no idea how many more coincidences will occur over the next year but I can't wait because they are kinda fun!!
I personally like to think it is divine intervention....haha....well I'm not sure about that but it would be fun to think.
- I find it odd that I have met people that think I'm an inspiration based on my quest and blog
- It's crazy to me that people I have never met know what I'm doing. I guess I forget that I have a blog putting it out there to the world!!
- that I met a someone that wrote a book about the bible and he sent me a copy based on our meeting
- that a nice lady I met at the bookstore way in the beginning of my quest recognized me and said she was thinking about checking my blog on her way to work today, thanked me for coming into the store and gave me a hug out of excitement that I was still on my quest.
- NPR happened to have a story on This American Life about a son questioning his faith and quoting versus from the bible that I have already read!
- Odd that the largest private collection of biblical artifacts including bibles will be on display a mere 5 1/2 hours away from me!!! click here to see the info about the display
So maybe I'm searching for things here...I don't know. 5 years ago...wait even 2 years ago....I never had a conversation about religion with anyone. I didn't talk the bible or anything else. I listened when my husbands family would pray before meals and during the christmas gatherings but until last year when my husband and I had to actually read from the bible I honestly hadn't opened one for more than 15 years (if ever)
I avoided the conversation because I felt it was inappropriate. I avoided it because I always said "religion and politics are two things you never discuss with friends you want to keep" Now, I still don't discuss it with them....they discuss it with me. Mostly all of my friends know what I'm doing and either pop into my blog or will ask me how its going. Some even ask me about a specific topic...most of the time I'm not there yet! Just yesterday in the car my best friend said to me "I don't know much about the bible. There's so much I don't know and I don't feel confident talking about to others" She said she always feels like what she thinks the bible is saying is not what it is really saying and she's reading it wrong. Despite my best efforts to encourage her to trust herself..I don't feel I made any progress. She attends church every Sunday and her kids go to Sunday school and I think she even participates in that and some awanas thing...(I'm not sure what that is)
I'm confused that someone who attends regularly and actively feels so uneducated about her bible and religion. I'm sure she knows more than she thinks...It's like I feel like there is so much that I have already forgotten but when I speak with others it just comes back to me.
I have no idea how many more coincidences will occur over the next year but I can't wait because they are kinda fun!!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Exciting times ahead
I am looking forward to the summer. Well, sometime after may 15th actually. I will be done with my spring semester of school in May and I've been having a lot of difficulty staying motivated. I am ready to get back to fun.
My bible reading has slipped this past week due to my husbands brother getting married. It was a lovely ceremony and I was thrilled to recognize some versus from Genesis that were used in the wedding.
Even more fun that my father-in-law turned back and smiled at me during the rehearsal when the verses were read. I just whispered.."I know this one!"
I did faulter in my efforts to become a better person over the weekend. I told my husband as we were emptying 5 full bags of table linens looking for a sweatshirt for a guest "I'm tired of good deeds. I need a break" He just laughed and said "no your not"
He's right but I wish the sweatshirt would have at least been in one of the bags!
I was taking my Dad to the VA yesterday for his yearly appointment with every department in the facility! At our final appointment with his new doctor the doctor asked if he takes one of his medicines before or after he returns home from church on sunday's. I replied "He doesn't go to church. He used to but not anymore." The doctor then said "so my expectation for you is to return to church and to stop chewing tobacco. Doctors order" We all laughed and my dad said "well she (pointing at me) and my wife do a bible study but they don't go to church either so I don't have anyone to go with." This resulted in an entirely too long conversation that evening regarding churches and attendance. I told him if he wanted to go to church which he said he enjoyed that no one was stopping him but him. He said he didn't like the priest so I got online and found another church a few miles further with a different priest. He then said "well, your mom doesn't want to go." Then I replied "She doesn't have to go if she doesn't want to. She went many years without you and if she feels she doesn't need or want to go to church but wishes to study the bible and follow her faith in that way....so be it!" I think it's getting harder for my dad to argue with me.
Here today I sit....lacking motivation for anything but sleep and surfing the web and what appears....
The largest private collection of bibles to be displayed in Oklahoma City Museum of Art!!!
Just click on the above in purple and it will take you to the OKC Museum website with more details.
I'm going!!! It's only going to be a 5 1/2 hour drive and I'm there!!! It is the private collection of the owner of hobby lobby. The collection will be on display in Oklahoma City, New York City and Rome.
Oklahoma City seems a little odd in comparison to the other two locations.....but I'm thrilled because I'd never make it to NYC or Rome despite them being on my wish list.
I think looking at these collections may give me all new inspiration for my other quest to handwrite the bible.
But for now....I just need to keep reading!
My bible reading has slipped this past week due to my husbands brother getting married. It was a lovely ceremony and I was thrilled to recognize some versus from Genesis that were used in the wedding.
Even more fun that my father-in-law turned back and smiled at me during the rehearsal when the verses were read. I just whispered.."I know this one!"
I did faulter in my efforts to become a better person over the weekend. I told my husband as we were emptying 5 full bags of table linens looking for a sweatshirt for a guest "I'm tired of good deeds. I need a break" He just laughed and said "no your not"
He's right but I wish the sweatshirt would have at least been in one of the bags!
I was taking my Dad to the VA yesterday for his yearly appointment with every department in the facility! At our final appointment with his new doctor the doctor asked if he takes one of his medicines before or after he returns home from church on sunday's. I replied "He doesn't go to church. He used to but not anymore." The doctor then said "so my expectation for you is to return to church and to stop chewing tobacco. Doctors order" We all laughed and my dad said "well she (pointing at me) and my wife do a bible study but they don't go to church either so I don't have anyone to go with." This resulted in an entirely too long conversation that evening regarding churches and attendance. I told him if he wanted to go to church which he said he enjoyed that no one was stopping him but him. He said he didn't like the priest so I got online and found another church a few miles further with a different priest. He then said "well, your mom doesn't want to go." Then I replied "She doesn't have to go if she doesn't want to. She went many years without you and if she feels she doesn't need or want to go to church but wishes to study the bible and follow her faith in that way....so be it!" I think it's getting harder for my dad to argue with me.
Here today I sit....lacking motivation for anything but sleep and surfing the web and what appears....
The largest private collection of bibles to be displayed in Oklahoma City Museum of Art!!!
Just click on the above in purple and it will take you to the OKC Museum website with more details.
I'm going!!! It's only going to be a 5 1/2 hour drive and I'm there!!! It is the private collection of the owner of hobby lobby. The collection will be on display in Oklahoma City, New York City and Rome.
Oklahoma City seems a little odd in comparison to the other two locations.....but I'm thrilled because I'd never make it to NYC or Rome despite them being on my wish list.
I think looking at these collections may give me all new inspiration for my other quest to handwrite the bible.
But for now....I just need to keep reading!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Literally?
I was listening to Public Radio the other day and stumbled across a story that struck my interest. It was on This American Life which I enjoy. The topic was knowing when to fold or retreat during big moments in one's life. It started out with a young man who was raised in an evangelical christian household went away to college to become a pastor, took theology classes and started questioning everything in the bible including it legitimacy. He argued every point as a literal interpretation. He brought up the following example.
Joshua 10:12
On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel:
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped,
till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,
as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!
So I have had this conversation with many people throughout my reading of the bible...Do you take everything in it literally?
I am still undecided on this part. The scientific side of my brain says absolutely. It is to be taken literally and this also proves or disproves it.
The other side of my brain (I don't have a name for it yet) says not to take everything literally. It may be poetically or symbolically written.
How does the NPR story end? It ends with the son attacking the father about how false his belief system was but instead of the father attacking or becoming defensive he replies (summarized)
father to son - I appreciate how much you have learned in school and how independent you have become. When I found faith I was desperate. I was at an all time low. Your Mom and I were about to get divorced and I couldn't find a reason to keep living. I went to the little evangelical church and at first I thought all those people were crazy. They had their arms in the air, they were yelling and they were hugging eachother. Well, I kept going and eventually I realized something. These people all genuinely cared for eachother. I learned about the bible and I learned that it gave me something bigger than me to believe in and a new way to live my life. Your Mom and I worked through our issues and we became closer. What is important about faith is how it finds you and how it helps you.
How great is that for an ending?
What do you think? Literal or not???
Joshua 10:12
On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel:
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped,
till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,
as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!
So I have had this conversation with many people throughout my reading of the bible...Do you take everything in it literally?
I am still undecided on this part. The scientific side of my brain says absolutely. It is to be taken literally and this also proves or disproves it.
The other side of my brain (I don't have a name for it yet) says not to take everything literally. It may be poetically or symbolically written.
How does the NPR story end? It ends with the son attacking the father about how false his belief system was but instead of the father attacking or becoming defensive he replies (summarized)
father to son - I appreciate how much you have learned in school and how independent you have become. When I found faith I was desperate. I was at an all time low. Your Mom and I were about to get divorced and I couldn't find a reason to keep living. I went to the little evangelical church and at first I thought all those people were crazy. They had their arms in the air, they were yelling and they were hugging eachother. Well, I kept going and eventually I realized something. These people all genuinely cared for eachother. I learned about the bible and I learned that it gave me something bigger than me to believe in and a new way to live my life. Your Mom and I worked through our issues and we became closer. What is important about faith is how it finds you and how it helps you.
How great is that for an ending?
What do you think? Literal or not???
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The rest of Judges.
I'm reading Judges right now. Chapter 6 introduces us to Gideon, yet another character that dedicates his life to turning the Isrealites back to the Lord. He dies and as soon as he was dead they were off searching for other Gods to worship. Ugh. Seriously These Isrealites are so annoying. I was discussing with a friend how little patience I have and chapter after chapter of the Isrealites that can't learn I'm not sure how much more I can take! (Don't forget I'm dramatic. I'm not going to quit reading but these Isrealites are frustrating!)
Next...
Abimelech who is one of Gideon's 70 sons..that's right...70 sons. Talk about a fertile family. This is kind of ridiculous actually. However Abimelech was one from a concubine. He went to his mothers family and convinced them to follow him and to kill Gideon's 70 sons. So God turns against him and he enters a few battles but what is his final blow?? He traps some people in a tower and a woman (that's right a woman!) drops an upper millstone on his head. He pleads to his troops to kill him so it cannot be said that he was killed by a woman....Well, I'm sorry Abimelech but in my opinion (which doesn't really mean anything) you WERE killed by a woman!!
Next...
The Isrealites worship false Gods (again)...are sold into slavery (again) and then beg for forgiveness and rescue from God (again)
Next.....
Samson (The Riddler) is born. He wants a wife from the Philistines. He gives them a riddle and places a bet on it. They cannot solve it so they coax his future wife to find out the answer and tell them. Since they then know the answer Samson kills 30 people to provide clothes as payment of his bet. He doesn't end up getting his future bride but ends up in a huge battle with the Philistines. He kills a thousand of them with a donkey's jawbone and provides yet another charming little riddle about it. He finds a prostitute and stays with her a night (charming) Then he finds Delilah and falls for her. The rulers then pay her to find out the key to his strength...so she (being so wise) says to him "Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued." That doesn't sound suspicious at all. But Samson tells her three different ways he can be tied. She does so and he breaks free. She gets mad and bothers him to the point he tells her he has to have his head shaved and all his strength will leave. So then the Philistines capture him and gouge his eyes out (true love shown by Delilah) They place him in prison and then bring him out for a show. He prays to the Lord to allow him to destroy the place the people are in (I picture this as some sort of coliseum) He ends up tearing down the entire place killing everyone inside including himself.
Next....
So I've been ambitious and now I'm on Judges 19....
OK...Judges 19:22 "Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him." Really???? I thought we were over all this. What happens...you guessed it....the old man who lives there offers his virgin daughter. Seriously....again...is this the story of Sodom and Gomorrah again. Seriously. This is completely messed up. So they send out the concubine and the daughter where they are raped and abused all night long. Then in the morning when the Levite is ready to go home he opens the door and there is the concubine at the doorway. Judges 19:28 "He said to her, "Get up; let's go." But there was no answer. Then the man put her on his donkey and set our for home. When he reached home, he took a knife and cut up his concubine, limb by limb, into twelve parts and sent them into all the areas of Isreal. The tribes of Isreal unite against this city. The Lord aids the victory over the Benjamites. Then they realize there are no women for the men so they invade Jabesh Gilead and kill every male and woman that is not a virgin. They are also to kill all children. These people sound great don't they....just kill people so they can have mates...lovely.
Well that sums up Judges...I'm not really sure what I think. I don't really think I'm a fan of Judges. Hummmm
Next...
Abimelech who is one of Gideon's 70 sons..that's right...70 sons. Talk about a fertile family. This is kind of ridiculous actually. However Abimelech was one from a concubine. He went to his mothers family and convinced them to follow him and to kill Gideon's 70 sons. So God turns against him and he enters a few battles but what is his final blow?? He traps some people in a tower and a woman (that's right a woman!) drops an upper millstone on his head. He pleads to his troops to kill him so it cannot be said that he was killed by a woman....Well, I'm sorry Abimelech but in my opinion (which doesn't really mean anything) you WERE killed by a woman!!
Next...
The Isrealites worship false Gods (again)...are sold into slavery (again) and then beg for forgiveness and rescue from God (again)
Next.....
Samson (The Riddler) is born. He wants a wife from the Philistines. He gives them a riddle and places a bet on it. They cannot solve it so they coax his future wife to find out the answer and tell them. Since they then know the answer Samson kills 30 people to provide clothes as payment of his bet. He doesn't end up getting his future bride but ends up in a huge battle with the Philistines. He kills a thousand of them with a donkey's jawbone and provides yet another charming little riddle about it. He finds a prostitute and stays with her a night (charming) Then he finds Delilah and falls for her. The rulers then pay her to find out the key to his strength...so she (being so wise) says to him "Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued." That doesn't sound suspicious at all. But Samson tells her three different ways he can be tied. She does so and he breaks free. She gets mad and bothers him to the point he tells her he has to have his head shaved and all his strength will leave. So then the Philistines capture him and gouge his eyes out (true love shown by Delilah) They place him in prison and then bring him out for a show. He prays to the Lord to allow him to destroy the place the people are in (I picture this as some sort of coliseum) He ends up tearing down the entire place killing everyone inside including himself.
Next....
So I've been ambitious and now I'm on Judges 19....
OK...Judges 19:22 "Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him." Really???? I thought we were over all this. What happens...you guessed it....the old man who lives there offers his virgin daughter. Seriously....again...is this the story of Sodom and Gomorrah again. Seriously. This is completely messed up. So they send out the concubine and the daughter where they are raped and abused all night long. Then in the morning when the Levite is ready to go home he opens the door and there is the concubine at the doorway. Judges 19:28 "He said to her, "Get up; let's go." But there was no answer. Then the man put her on his donkey and set our for home. When he reached home, he took a knife and cut up his concubine, limb by limb, into twelve parts and sent them into all the areas of Isreal. The tribes of Isreal unite against this city. The Lord aids the victory over the Benjamites. Then they realize there are no women for the men so they invade Jabesh Gilead and kill every male and woman that is not a virgin. They are also to kill all children. These people sound great don't they....just kill people so they can have mates...lovely.
Well that sums up Judges...I'm not really sure what I think. I don't really think I'm a fan of Judges. Hummmm
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Writing Out The Word: Presbyterian Pens Handwritten Bible
Writing Out The Word: Presbyterian Pens Handwritten Bible
This is a very interesting article. I am hoping to create my own handwritten bible starting this year. A few of my ideas regarding execution, etc.
1. Have people I love or that have contributed in some sort to my biblical experience write their favorite parts of the bible.
2. Divide the books up among smaller journals. For a few reasons - The huge content that must be transcribed, the possibility of having different parts being worked on simultaneously to lessen time in production, increase portability of the bible, Allow for notes or drawings from scribes.
3. I envision this as each scribe taking on their task of re-writing the bible and creating a beautiful piece of writing for not only their own, different connection with God but as a different connection with me.
4. Embrace errors or mistakes. We are human. I read numerous articles, blogs, etc that had people write on individual pieces of paper and if there were errors they started over. God loves our errors. It's not the error but the journey.
5. I need to/want to find leather bound journals for this task. Do I want lined or unlined? Unlined would allow for drawings, etc. but the writing may be more challenging without lines to follow.
I am sure I will have more thoughts, ideas and challenges as I continue down my path of creating a handwritten bible and if anyone else has ideas or thoughts please let me know!
This is a very interesting article. I am hoping to create my own handwritten bible starting this year. A few of my ideas regarding execution, etc.
1. Have people I love or that have contributed in some sort to my biblical experience write their favorite parts of the bible.
2. Divide the books up among smaller journals. For a few reasons - The huge content that must be transcribed, the possibility of having different parts being worked on simultaneously to lessen time in production, increase portability of the bible, Allow for notes or drawings from scribes.
3. I envision this as each scribe taking on their task of re-writing the bible and creating a beautiful piece of writing for not only their own, different connection with God but as a different connection with me.
4. Embrace errors or mistakes. We are human. I read numerous articles, blogs, etc that had people write on individual pieces of paper and if there were errors they started over. God loves our errors. It's not the error but the journey.
5. I need to/want to find leather bound journals for this task. Do I want lined or unlined? Unlined would allow for drawings, etc. but the writing may be more challenging without lines to follow.
I am sure I will have more thoughts, ideas and challenges as I continue down my path of creating a handwritten bible and if anyone else has ideas or thoughts please let me know!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Beginning Judges.
As we begin Judges according to my handy Chronological Study Bible we enter a new time. A time of great development and transition. Transition from tribes to a nation. The leaders change from tribal divinely appointed judges to a kingdom. In these terms these changes sound exciting. Gods chosen people will develop and advance as a society. The archaeological findings from the Canaanite cities show well built houses, paved floors, cities with public drainage systems and sophisticated pottery. The findings from the Isrealite settlements were very different. The homes were built with crude stones with no uniformity, the art and pottery was crude. According to the Chronological Study Bible this fits with the book of Judges that shows the Isrealites as a poor, oppressed people threatened by the superior cultures that were their neighbors.
As I have started Judges there have been some interesting methods of killing or injuring people. They have cut off thumbs and great toes and have driven tent pegs into the temple of a general. All very interesting however I'm good with not going into any more details. I know this may become a problem for me as I go on with my reading. I saw some previews for The Passion and the violence is one of the reason's I didn't go see it. I am honestly seeing that as one of my major obstacles far more than any boring law parts.
Deborah....who is this Deborah person...She is the first woman I've come across with a significant speech-y type few paragraphs. She's seems like quite the leader. She is a judge for the Isrealites. A female judge, a divinely appointed female judge. Cool. Anyway, She is instructed by God that they need to go to war. She calls to Barak but he won't go without her. (chicken) So she goes. SHE goes to war. OK...I'm really thinking she's pretty cool. She is a judge, God talks to her, and she goes to war because Barak is too chicken to go alone.
So I'm reading in my Women of Faith bible about this...I figured it would be a good resource. What does it go on to say...
It talks about Jael and how she drives the tent peg through Sisera's temple. It mentions that his people were brutally oppressing the Isrealites for years but does that make the way of killing him right? It then goes on to say
"Now God's judgement comes down through the act of a woman. Was the act God's will? Perhaps not. But it did fulfill God's purpose by ending the oppression of Isreal at the hands of the Canaanites."
Really??? Are you seriously saying that this perhaps was not God's will? It seems that he places people for a reason. He seems very deliberate in the people he chooses to do his work. It seems he wanted two women to have active roles. I refuse to accept that this was a mere accident that she happens to be at the tent...oh come on....would the guy walk up to another guy and say "Hey, can I lay down in your tent for a while."
Whatever Women of Faith Bible....I'm going with the thought that God had this planned. He used Deborah and Jael and they acted according to his wishes. I'm going with the fact that thus far these two women have acted as God has wished and hopefully they won't screw it up like the Isrealites seem to screw up everything!
As I have started Judges there have been some interesting methods of killing or injuring people. They have cut off thumbs and great toes and have driven tent pegs into the temple of a general. All very interesting however I'm good with not going into any more details. I know this may become a problem for me as I go on with my reading. I saw some previews for The Passion and the violence is one of the reason's I didn't go see it. I am honestly seeing that as one of my major obstacles far more than any boring law parts.
Deborah....who is this Deborah person...She is the first woman I've come across with a significant speech-y type few paragraphs. She's seems like quite the leader. She is a judge for the Isrealites. A female judge, a divinely appointed female judge. Cool. Anyway, She is instructed by God that they need to go to war. She calls to Barak but he won't go without her. (chicken) So she goes. SHE goes to war. OK...I'm really thinking she's pretty cool. She is a judge, God talks to her, and she goes to war because Barak is too chicken to go alone.
So I'm reading in my Women of Faith bible about this...I figured it would be a good resource. What does it go on to say...
It talks about Jael and how she drives the tent peg through Sisera's temple. It mentions that his people were brutally oppressing the Isrealites for years but does that make the way of killing him right? It then goes on to say
"Now God's judgement comes down through the act of a woman. Was the act God's will? Perhaps not. But it did fulfill God's purpose by ending the oppression of Isreal at the hands of the Canaanites."
Really??? Are you seriously saying that this perhaps was not God's will? It seems that he places people for a reason. He seems very deliberate in the people he chooses to do his work. It seems he wanted two women to have active roles. I refuse to accept that this was a mere accident that she happens to be at the tent...oh come on....would the guy walk up to another guy and say "Hey, can I lay down in your tent for a while."
Whatever Women of Faith Bible....I'm going with the thought that God had this planned. He used Deborah and Jael and they acted according to his wishes. I'm going with the fact that thus far these two women have acted as God has wished and hopefully they won't screw it up like the Isrealites seem to screw up everything!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Is this impending doom?
If you haven't been able to tell from previous posts. I can be dramatic. I'm more dramatic in speech/writing than in person I like to believe.
I like to say 50 people were in line when in actuality it was probably 8 or I like to say impending doom when really I mean dread regarding a topic.
Here's my dread...
I'm reading in my Archaeological Bible tonight about my upcoming book...Judges. As you know I'm reading Chronologically so some of my readings have come from other books such as Psalm or Chronicles so far but the majority is by book. Anyway, I was reading the little summary about Judges and here's a few little sentences from the Introduction that has me worried.
1. "Repeatedly the Isrealites broke their covenant with God, lost sight of their identity as his people and experienced punishment.
Ugh...really Isrealites??? Why do you do this? What is wrong with you people???? I don't get it. God was there with them...how much more divine intervention can you get than being brought out of slavery, provided with land and your success in war being guaranteed and aided by God. You still can't figure out that this is probably the one to follow and to listen to his rules?? Ugh
2. "It was common practice in the ancient Near East to pphysically mutiliate prisoners of war, thereby rendering them unfit for future military service."
- I'm hoping this is just a fun fact to share and not something that will be referenced in Judges...you can probably tell from previous posts that I don't like reading about war, killing or mutiliation. I don't watch it on tv and I don't like to read about it. It is because my imagination is really good. I end up having dreams involving these creepy punishments or wars so I like to avoid these types of things all together.
We will see what Judges has to say.
Happy reading to anyone that is reading along.
You can always find the reading plan and get e-mails sent to your inbox for each of the readings either daily or weekly at www.oneyearbibleonline.com
I like to say 50 people were in line when in actuality it was probably 8 or I like to say impending doom when really I mean dread regarding a topic.
Here's my dread...
I'm reading in my Archaeological Bible tonight about my upcoming book...Judges. As you know I'm reading Chronologically so some of my readings have come from other books such as Psalm or Chronicles so far but the majority is by book. Anyway, I was reading the little summary about Judges and here's a few little sentences from the Introduction that has me worried.
1. "Repeatedly the Isrealites broke their covenant with God, lost sight of their identity as his people and experienced punishment.
Ugh...really Isrealites??? Why do you do this? What is wrong with you people???? I don't get it. God was there with them...how much more divine intervention can you get than being brought out of slavery, provided with land and your success in war being guaranteed and aided by God. You still can't figure out that this is probably the one to follow and to listen to his rules?? Ugh
2. "It was common practice in the ancient Near East to pphysically mutiliate prisoners of war, thereby rendering them unfit for future military service."
- I'm hoping this is just a fun fact to share and not something that will be referenced in Judges...you can probably tell from previous posts that I don't like reading about war, killing or mutiliation. I don't watch it on tv and I don't like to read about it. It is because my imagination is really good. I end up having dreams involving these creepy punishments or wars so I like to avoid these types of things all together.
We will see what Judges has to say.
Happy reading to anyone that is reading along.
You can always find the reading plan and get e-mails sent to your inbox for each of the readings either daily or weekly at www.oneyearbibleonline.com
Another book finished!
I've finished Joshua.
Each time I complete a book I feel a little mental checkmark go off that marks one more thing done. It's this little accomplishment that I'm one book closer to having read the bible. While Joshua had it's points that were disturbing - all the killing, war and plumaging, it also had it's boring parts - land allotment but it was eventually all worth it in the final chapter. Joshua's farewell before I die speech.
Moses and Joshua both have had these big motivational (don't screw up my lifetime of work by continuing to be selfish idiots) speeches before their death.
A few interesting points in the last few chapters of Joshua.
Joshua 22: 10 When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.
Joshua 22:24 “No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? The LORD has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you—you Reubenites and Gadites! You have no share in the LORD.’ So your descendants might cause ours to stop fearing the LORD. “That is why we said, ‘Let us get ready and build an altar—but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.’ On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the LORD at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD.’
This chapter in Joshua is very interesting because the Reubenites built an alter. They said it's purpose was to have a symbol basically to remind them of God's presence. While the other isrealites were ok with this it does not mention if God approves or not. I am curious if this contributed to the formation and concept of churches. Recreating symbols of God's commitment to us, etc. I'm sure it will talk much more about churches but I'm imagining this to be the start of some very crude form of a church/gatehring location/reminder of man's commitment to God.
In Joshua 24:14 "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
HEY!!! Something I've heard and read before! Wahoo!
Kind of a cool quote really.
Good way to wrap up Joshua I think!
Each time I complete a book I feel a little mental checkmark go off that marks one more thing done. It's this little accomplishment that I'm one book closer to having read the bible. While Joshua had it's points that were disturbing - all the killing, war and plumaging, it also had it's boring parts - land allotment but it was eventually all worth it in the final chapter. Joshua's farewell before I die speech.
Moses and Joshua both have had these big motivational (don't screw up my lifetime of work by continuing to be selfish idiots) speeches before their death.
A few interesting points in the last few chapters of Joshua.
Joshua 22: 10 When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.
Joshua 22:24 “No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? The LORD has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you—you Reubenites and Gadites! You have no share in the LORD.’ So your descendants might cause ours to stop fearing the LORD. “That is why we said, ‘Let us get ready and build an altar—but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.’ On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the LORD at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD.’
This chapter in Joshua is very interesting because the Reubenites built an alter. They said it's purpose was to have a symbol basically to remind them of God's presence. While the other isrealites were ok with this it does not mention if God approves or not. I am curious if this contributed to the formation and concept of churches. Recreating symbols of God's commitment to us, etc. I'm sure it will talk much more about churches but I'm imagining this to be the start of some very crude form of a church/gatehring location/reminder of man's commitment to God.
In Joshua 24:14 "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
HEY!!! Something I've heard and read before! Wahoo!
Kind of a cool quote really.
Good way to wrap up Joshua I think!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
burning, plumaging and killing....argh
Today I'm behind. I'm covering Joshua 7:1-??? as much as I can to catch up.
Some things are interesting to me. The harsh punishments that are handed out to the Isrealites yet they rarely learn from the mistakes of others. However, everytime I become annoyed with the Isrealites complaining or lack of learning or respecting God's wishes I try to think of people of present day. We lack immensly too. I am quickly annoyed with our society today as well as the Isrealites of the Old Testament. The difference.....God was such a presence for them. He had a big cloud or fire or various other proofs of presence. He doesn't have these obvious signs today.
Joshua 7:25 "Then Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will now bring trouble on you.” And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies. They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day. That is why the place has been called the Valley of Trouble ever since. So the Lord was no longer angry."
While upon first reading I had mixed feelings...Too harsh or appropriate???
While it seemed harsh to stone the entire family I also feel this sets an example for the people regarding the expected behavior. I still find it interesting that these people need examples and reminders to behave.
Joshua 11:9 "Then Joshua crippled the horses and burned all the chariots, as the Lord had instructed."
Being an avid horse-lover I have to say...this verse is kinda harsh to me. Come on....what did the horses do???
Joshua 11:14 And the Israelites took all the plunder and livestock of the ravaged towns for themselves. But they killed all the people, leaving no survivors.
OK....Seriously....Joshua is like a pirate...plundering. It keeps talking about burning, killing, plundering and destroying cities, kings, animals, everything.
So the end tally....31 kings dead....and who knows how many people. I can only imagine the smell of all the burning and rotting flesh of the animals, people, and towns.
Joshua 13 - who gets what....important I guess but not very interesting...
Joshua 14 - more who gets what
Joshua 15 - ditto
Joshua 16 - again...more giving land away
Joshua 17 - ugh...seriously...at least these chapters are short because they are all the same.
Joshua 18 - land allotments
Joshua 19 - guess what......more land allotments
Well I can hardly wait to see what Joshua 20 is....I have a guess.....we will see if it's right or not.
Some things are interesting to me. The harsh punishments that are handed out to the Isrealites yet they rarely learn from the mistakes of others. However, everytime I become annoyed with the Isrealites complaining or lack of learning or respecting God's wishes I try to think of people of present day. We lack immensly too. I am quickly annoyed with our society today as well as the Isrealites of the Old Testament. The difference.....God was such a presence for them. He had a big cloud or fire or various other proofs of presence. He doesn't have these obvious signs today.
Joshua 7:25 "Then Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will now bring trouble on you.” And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies. They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day. That is why the place has been called the Valley of Trouble ever since. So the Lord was no longer angry."
While upon first reading I had mixed feelings...Too harsh or appropriate???
While it seemed harsh to stone the entire family I also feel this sets an example for the people regarding the expected behavior. I still find it interesting that these people need examples and reminders to behave.
Joshua 11:9 "Then Joshua crippled the horses and burned all the chariots, as the Lord had instructed."
Being an avid horse-lover I have to say...this verse is kinda harsh to me. Come on....what did the horses do???
Joshua 11:14 And the Israelites took all the plunder and livestock of the ravaged towns for themselves. But they killed all the people, leaving no survivors.
OK....Seriously....Joshua is like a pirate...plundering. It keeps talking about burning, killing, plundering and destroying cities, kings, animals, everything.
So the end tally....31 kings dead....and who knows how many people. I can only imagine the smell of all the burning and rotting flesh of the animals, people, and towns.
Joshua 13 - who gets what....important I guess but not very interesting...
Joshua 14 - more who gets what
Joshua 15 - ditto
Joshua 16 - again...more giving land away
Joshua 17 - ugh...seriously...at least these chapters are short because they are all the same.
Joshua 18 - land allotments
Joshua 19 - guess what......more land allotments
Well I can hardly wait to see what Joshua 20 is....I have a guess.....we will see if it's right or not.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
A surprising gift.
When I arrived to work today I had a gift in my box. It was a book written by the bible scholar I had mentioned before. He wrote that it was for me. He is related to one of my co-workers and they said he told them to give the book to "The religious girl named Kelly." They had no idea who that was but since he is a slightly stubborn man of 92 they took the book and said ok. They were baffled at who the religious Kelly was. They asked me about it and I told them I met him and honestly I find it comical that he thinks of me as "the religious Kelly" I wouldn't consider myself that. I guess because right now I am still at the stage of reading and trying to understand the bible. I haven't had that "ah-ha" or overwhelming feeling of sudden faith. I still find people's faith intersting. I'm now into Joshua and the overthrowing of cities and it's interesting the wording used.
Joshua 1:18 "Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
It seems to me that if one is of a different religion and heard these words they would think they were extremists. The actions that were taken were very harsh and extreme. The taking over of land in the name of the Lord is now considered terrorist activity.
I know that this is different and times were different then and they were acting directly on God's wishes it is just interesting how now people seem to misuse "acting on God's wishes" as an excuse for judgemental and extremist behavior.
Joshua 1:18 "Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
It seems to me that if one is of a different religion and heard these words they would think they were extremists. The actions that were taken were very harsh and extreme. The taking over of land in the name of the Lord is now considered terrorist activity.
I know that this is different and times were different then and they were acting directly on God's wishes it is just interesting how now people seem to misuse "acting on God's wishes" as an excuse for judgemental and extremist behavior.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Done with the Deut!!!
I thought the day would never come when I was done with the Deut.
Today is that day.
Numbers and Deut. have been tedious for me. I wasn't sure why until I was looking at my handly little bible overview and it said under the descriptions of each one key word...review...that's the problem. I think since I've been reading the bible and truly studying it the review of what I have already studied is tedious. I have a hard time with repetition especially if I have already read it and studied it with great attention. Considering I read most passages several times in multiple different translations/versions reviewing the same thing I have already covered once is challenging.
Well I have discovered a few oddities and new items in Deut.
Deut. 24:16 "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin."
This is reassuring however I think this only applies to people punishing people. Especially since God mentioned in Exodus that he would show love to those that showed love to him and followed his commandments for a thousand generations to come.
Deut 24:5 I found humerous and pointed it out to my husband it reads "When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken." My husband replied "Look how lucky you are you've been happy for 9 years!"
I have finished the Deut!! WAHOO!! Now off to Joshua...I think.
Today is that day.
Numbers and Deut. have been tedious for me. I wasn't sure why until I was looking at my handly little bible overview and it said under the descriptions of each one key word...review...that's the problem. I think since I've been reading the bible and truly studying it the review of what I have already studied is tedious. I have a hard time with repetition especially if I have already read it and studied it with great attention. Considering I read most passages several times in multiple different translations/versions reviewing the same thing I have already covered once is challenging.
Well I have discovered a few oddities and new items in Deut.
Deut. 24:16 "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin."
This is reassuring however I think this only applies to people punishing people. Especially since God mentioned in Exodus that he would show love to those that showed love to him and followed his commandments for a thousand generations to come.
Deut 24:5 I found humerous and pointed it out to my husband it reads "When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken." My husband replied "Look how lucky you are you've been happy for 9 years!"
I have finished the Deut!! WAHOO!! Now off to Joshua...I think.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Lead me not into temptation....
Lead me not into temptation....I can find it easily enough on my own.
what is temptation for you? For me...it's a bookstore. My local borders store is closing (tears) and it's now 40-50% off everything in the store. With an additional 10% off for borders rewards members (of course I'm one!)
So....my husbands request for me to not buy anymore bibles....well....it didn't happen. I can't help it.
Hello My name is kelly and I'm an addict.
It was 50% off!! How do you pass that up?
So I got the NIV version of the Women of Faith Study Bible. It's pretty. It's the only girlie bible I have aside from my pink first communion bible that is a NCV (new crazy version)and I don't like it at all!
This bible has nice little quotes from various women authors throughout the years. It's just kinda pretty it doesn't look like this picture because my bible is purple leather. Odd for me...I'm not a purple kind of girl.
I also discovered a really cool app for my iPhone too. The YouVersion of the bible. It has tons of different reading plans for the bible and many different translations you can choose from to read. You can post your favorite versus directly to your facebook or twitter accounts....Best Part??? It's FREE!! It was quite handy to be able to read the bible while I was waiting at the doctors office today!
So technically...I've really fallen off the no more bibles wagon...I now have a new womens bible and a new bible app on my phone.
Recognition is the key to recovery right?
what is temptation for you? For me...it's a bookstore. My local borders store is closing (tears) and it's now 40-50% off everything in the store. With an additional 10% off for borders rewards members (of course I'm one!)
So....my husbands request for me to not buy anymore bibles....well....it didn't happen. I can't help it.
Hello My name is kelly and I'm an addict.
It was 50% off!! How do you pass that up?
So I got the NIV version of the Women of Faith Study Bible. It's pretty. It's the only girlie bible I have aside from my pink first communion bible that is a NCV (new crazy version)and I don't like it at all!
This bible has nice little quotes from various women authors throughout the years. It's just kinda pretty it doesn't look like this picture because my bible is purple leather. Odd for me...I'm not a purple kind of girl.
I also discovered a really cool app for my iPhone too. The YouVersion of the bible. It has tons of different reading plans for the bible and many different translations you can choose from to read. You can post your favorite versus directly to your facebook or twitter accounts....Best Part??? It's FREE!! It was quite handy to be able to read the bible while I was waiting at the doctors office today!
So technically...I've really fallen off the no more bibles wagon...I now have a new womens bible and a new bible app on my phone.
Recognition is the key to recovery right?
Sunday, March 20, 2011
El Deuterino
I have been working a lot the past several days and I'm exhausted. I have been reading my bible and working on the Deut.
There's something about Deuteronomy....it's the name. I just can't get over it. Everytime I hear it or try to say it or try to abbreviate it I think of the Big Lebowski. Absolutely horrible I know but I can't help it.
Here's the link to the part I think of specifically.
Anyway. I've had a very hectic several days of work and so what I have read of El Deuterino I haven't mentally digested and I fear I will be re-reading it very soon.
I'm sorry for the scattered postings but I am still reading maybe slightly behind the set schedule but I'm not worried about it. I know I will catch up when I get to a really compelling part. That's the way it goes. Some days I read a lot and really focus well and don't want to stop but then there are other days when I am so tired I don't want to pick up my head let alone my bible. That's when I wish I had an audio version...then I could lay in bed and listen to the deut-ness.
Well happy reading to you and I'd love to know what you think of Deuteronomy.
There's something about Deuteronomy....it's the name. I just can't get over it. Everytime I hear it or try to say it or try to abbreviate it I think of the Big Lebowski. Absolutely horrible I know but I can't help it.
Here's the link to the part I think of specifically.
Anyway. I've had a very hectic several days of work and so what I have read of El Deuterino I haven't mentally digested and I fear I will be re-reading it very soon.
I'm sorry for the scattered postings but I am still reading maybe slightly behind the set schedule but I'm not worried about it. I know I will catch up when I get to a really compelling part. That's the way it goes. Some days I read a lot and really focus well and don't want to stop but then there are other days when I am so tired I don't want to pick up my head let alone my bible. That's when I wish I had an audio version...then I could lay in bed and listen to the deut-ness.
Well happy reading to you and I'd love to know what you think of Deuteronomy.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Entering the Deut.
I'm now into Deuteronomy. That word is daunting to me. I'm not sure why. I have no idea what to expect of this book. I've never read any of it.
I recently purchase a little flip chart type insertion for my bible. It's called the Bible Overview by Rose Publishings. It has neat little tidbits and overviews for each book of the bible. This is important and handy for someone like me who much of this is new and somewhat foreign. It is hard to keep everyone and everything straight.
Here is what is says about Deut.
Book - Deuteronomy
Who is the author - Moses
What is they type of writings - Sermons by Moses
Where was it written - Plains of Moab
When was it written - c. 1401bc - 1400bc
Why was it written - To remind the people what God expects from them
Outline -
- Sermon 1: Journey Review (1-4)
- Sermon 2: Laws (5-28)
- Sermon 3: Covenant (29-30)
- Final Farewells (31-34)
Key Verse
Hear, O Isreal:The Lord our God, The Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your strength. Deut.6:4,5
I have mentioned before that I have book addictions. When I see my mom and sisters I understand that I come by it honestly. We are all the same. We all have tons of books and many of which we have and enjoy for their beauty as well as their content. I have decided that one day when I win the lottery my home will feature a beautiful library.
In surfing for a picture for the bible overview I have a stumbled onto another book to add to my amazon wish list. Rose publishers have some really interesting books and this is one of them.
I'm thinking I could get away with purchasing this book because it technically isn't a bible. (Which my husband has nicely banned me from buying any more of.)
On a side note also related to bibles...The past weekend when spending time with my husbands family I was reminded by his aunt that she had given us a bible for our wedding present. I had an immediate sinking feeling as I didn't know where it was. I must painfully admit that at the time of our wedding I had no interest in the bible, nor had I ever before. So, honestly and selfishly I did not treasure the gift as I should have. During that weekend my mind began to race. Surely, I would still have the bible somewhere in my house. Was it on my bookshelves and I didn't realize it? Was it in a box with other wedding gifts? The location and mental searching continued the entire weekend. I must admit the mental searching and immediate guilt was thought consuming. When I got home I told my husband about the bible and that we absolutely had to find it. I had my search mentally narrowed to 2 different locations and began immediately. It was within minutes that I found the bible. Sigh of relief! I immediately floated upstairs to my husband and showed him the bible. Sent a message to his aunt that I found it. It now resides on my bedside table as it should. Here's a picture of it. I am thinking along with my library in my fantasy house I will also have a bookshelf next to my bed as I keep alot of special books there. Is it normal for people to keep their favorite or more treasured books next to their bed?
I've got to get back to Deuteronomy and I must say that since I have read that Moses will not be able to go to the promise land but can only see it from a mountain top I feel bad for him. He did God's work, put up with those whining Isrealites for over 40 years and wasn't able to even enjoy the promise land for one day.
I recently purchase a little flip chart type insertion for my bible. It's called the Bible Overview by Rose Publishings. It has neat little tidbits and overviews for each book of the bible. This is important and handy for someone like me who much of this is new and somewhat foreign. It is hard to keep everyone and everything straight.
Here is what is says about Deut.
Book - Deuteronomy
Who is the author - Moses
What is they type of writings - Sermons by Moses
Where was it written - Plains of Moab
When was it written - c. 1401bc - 1400bc
Why was it written - To remind the people what God expects from them
Outline -
- Sermon 1: Journey Review (1-4)
- Sermon 2: Laws (5-28)
- Sermon 3: Covenant (29-30)
- Final Farewells (31-34)
Key Verse
Hear, O Isreal:The Lord our God, The Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your strength. Deut.6:4,5
I have mentioned before that I have book addictions. When I see my mom and sisters I understand that I come by it honestly. We are all the same. We all have tons of books and many of which we have and enjoy for their beauty as well as their content. I have decided that one day when I win the lottery my home will feature a beautiful library.
In surfing for a picture for the bible overview I have a stumbled onto another book to add to my amazon wish list. Rose publishers have some really interesting books and this is one of them.
On a side note also related to bibles...The past weekend when spending time with my husbands family I was reminded by his aunt that she had given us a bible for our wedding present. I had an immediate sinking feeling as I didn't know where it was. I must painfully admit that at the time of our wedding I had no interest in the bible, nor had I ever before. So, honestly and selfishly I did not treasure the gift as I should have. During that weekend my mind began to race. Surely, I would still have the bible somewhere in my house. Was it on my bookshelves and I didn't realize it? Was it in a box with other wedding gifts? The location and mental searching continued the entire weekend. I must admit the mental searching and immediate guilt was thought consuming. When I got home I told my husband about the bible and that we absolutely had to find it. I had my search mentally narrowed to 2 different locations and began immediately. It was within minutes that I found the bible. Sigh of relief! I immediately floated upstairs to my husband and showed him the bible. Sent a message to his aunt that I found it. It now resides on my bedside table as it should. Here's a picture of it. I am thinking along with my library in my fantasy house I will also have a bookshelf next to my bed as I keep alot of special books there. Is it normal for people to keep their favorite or more treasured books next to their bed?
I've got to get back to Deuteronomy and I must say that since I have read that Moses will not be able to go to the promise land but can only see it from a mountain top I feel bad for him. He did God's work, put up with those whining Isrealites for over 40 years and wasn't able to even enjoy the promise land for one day.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Little progress
This weekend I made little progress on my completion of Numbers and how I wish I would complete Numbers. I have to admit that it is not my favorite. The Isrealites are frusterating to say the least.
This weekend was spent with my husbands family. Well just the women of his family. His Aunts, girl cousins, mother and sisters. We had a girls weekend at his Grandfathers Lake house. His grandfather passed away a year ago this week and as I have mentioned before he was influencial in my decision to read the bible. I was happy to go to his house and spend the weekend with such wonderful company. My husbands family is quite well versed in the bible and so I was thrilled to be able to have a little bible discussion during the weekend. Even though I didn't get much progress on my assigned readings I did make progress in other ways. I found 3 old bible's at the house. One of the bibles was a gift from Grandpa to Grandma. It was well worn with lots of writing in it and notes tucked inside. These are the types of treasures that I love. I love bibles that feel alive when you touch them. The one's that feel like a part of that person is tied in with the binding. I was in awe at this bible. I loved that he had written in it to her. He wrote God loves you and so do I. It was adorable. I can only imagine what this meant to her.
I'm not sure if others love and appreciate books as much as I do. I love books, old books, books with character and now that I have discovered bibles and their character I love them the most!
This is like stumbling across a piece of history that is so personal and fragile that you are almost afraid to turn the pages but you are so excited to see what verse they loved and underlined on the next page.
I spent an hour or two writing down some of my husbands grandmothers favorite verses and quotes from her bible. I wrote them into my bible and can't wait to share them with my husband.
During my weekend I looked at the bibles of his aunts and cousins. They are well worn with versus underlined, notes from their children and church bulletins stuck inside. These are personal and treasured items. They are priceless. As our weekend was priceless to me. I did discover they had and loved a bible that I hadn't seen before. It is the Life Application Bible. This has very interesting summaries, book information and references that help to understand different parts. On our shopping day I nearly purchased a Life Application Bible of my own but I resisted. I could hear my husband saying..."Honey, I know this sounds horrible but you probably should stop buying so many bibles and be sure that you will be able to read the one's you have." It stems back to my book addiction. That's what I'm blaming it on anyway.
Well anyway I resisted buying the bible. Partially because of my sweet husbands reasonable words and partially because they didn't have the New American Standard Version of the Life Application Bible which is really what I wanted. I don't have any bibles of the New American Standard and thought it would be a nice addition to my collection.
Well maybe someday I will get a Life Application Bible....who knows. Until then I will keep plugging away on my two favorite bibles The Archaeological Bible and The Chronological Study Bible.
This weekend was spent with my husbands family. Well just the women of his family. His Aunts, girl cousins, mother and sisters. We had a girls weekend at his Grandfathers Lake house. His grandfather passed away a year ago this week and as I have mentioned before he was influencial in my decision to read the bible. I was happy to go to his house and spend the weekend with such wonderful company. My husbands family is quite well versed in the bible and so I was thrilled to be able to have a little bible discussion during the weekend. Even though I didn't get much progress on my assigned readings I did make progress in other ways. I found 3 old bible's at the house. One of the bibles was a gift from Grandpa to Grandma. It was well worn with lots of writing in it and notes tucked inside. These are the types of treasures that I love. I love bibles that feel alive when you touch them. The one's that feel like a part of that person is tied in with the binding. I was in awe at this bible. I loved that he had written in it to her. He wrote God loves you and so do I. It was adorable. I can only imagine what this meant to her.
I'm not sure if others love and appreciate books as much as I do. I love books, old books, books with character and now that I have discovered bibles and their character I love them the most!
This is like stumbling across a piece of history that is so personal and fragile that you are almost afraid to turn the pages but you are so excited to see what verse they loved and underlined on the next page.
I spent an hour or two writing down some of my husbands grandmothers favorite verses and quotes from her bible. I wrote them into my bible and can't wait to share them with my husband.
During my weekend I looked at the bibles of his aunts and cousins. They are well worn with versus underlined, notes from their children and church bulletins stuck inside. These are personal and treasured items. They are priceless. As our weekend was priceless to me. I did discover they had and loved a bible that I hadn't seen before. It is the Life Application Bible. This has very interesting summaries, book information and references that help to understand different parts. On our shopping day I nearly purchased a Life Application Bible of my own but I resisted. I could hear my husband saying..."Honey, I know this sounds horrible but you probably should stop buying so many bibles and be sure that you will be able to read the one's you have." It stems back to my book addiction. That's what I'm blaming it on anyway.
Well anyway I resisted buying the bible. Partially because of my sweet husbands reasonable words and partially because they didn't have the New American Standard Version of the Life Application Bible which is really what I wanted. I don't have any bibles of the New American Standard and thought it would be a nice addition to my collection.
Well maybe someday I will get a Life Application Bible....who knows. Until then I will keep plugging away on my two favorite bibles The Archaeological Bible and The Chronological Study Bible.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
meeting the unexpected.
I met the most amazing and inspirational man this week. He is 92 years old and a bible scholar. A friend approached me and said I have someone you simply must meet. She introduced me to him and he was precious! Absolutely precious! There are few things more adorable than a sharp, intelligent and personable elderly man. I introduced myself and said I was reading and studying the bible for the first time this year. He said "We all have holy spirit in us. Jesus had THE Holy Spirit completely but we all have some. We just need to recognize it." We proceeded to talk for another 30 minutes. I could have talked to him for hours and I think (hope) he would have talked to me for hours too. He said he has always had "kids" come talk to him about it. He said he was non-demoninational. He said he always had a hard time with churches putting their spin on religion and the bible. Believing what they want out of it. I eagerly agreed. This is exactly what I thought too! He said it was always hard for him to find a bible study group that just wanted to study the bible and not study the views of their churches. Again, I'm sitting there eagerly agreeing! I probably seemed like a babbling idiot because here was this man 92 years old, immensely knowledgable about the bible and I've missed out on his wonderful bible study groups he used to have. He told me about these sessions lasting until 1am at times with people that are now "religiously pedigreed" as he calls PhD's
See this man is adorable!
He told me that before he had the nondemoninational study group he went to several church based bible studies and he was even kicked out of two churches. It just makes me laugh. I can appreciate a religious rebel.
I only wish I had met him during his prime. I'm sure he was quite the force to be reckoned with. He still just quoted off versus like nothing. We talked for a while longer and I could have talked to him for days I think.
It is amazing to me that since my quest to read the bible, I have met so many wonderful people and met so many sides to people I have never known before. I have lots of people that come up to me and ask how my reading is going and what I think of certain things. We all want a little fellowship but are too afraid of judgement or being told our interpretations of the bible are incorrect, or the church believes this or that. I wish I could find a non-demoninational bible study group that encourages the communication, understanding and appreciation of the many different interpretations of different parts of the bible.
That would be great!!
See this man is adorable!
He told me that before he had the nondemoninational study group he went to several church based bible studies and he was even kicked out of two churches. It just makes me laugh. I can appreciate a religious rebel.
I only wish I had met him during his prime. I'm sure he was quite the force to be reckoned with. He still just quoted off versus like nothing. We talked for a while longer and I could have talked to him for days I think.
It is amazing to me that since my quest to read the bible, I have met so many wonderful people and met so many sides to people I have never known before. I have lots of people that come up to me and ask how my reading is going and what I think of certain things. We all want a little fellowship but are too afraid of judgement or being told our interpretations of the bible are incorrect, or the church believes this or that. I wish I could find a non-demoninational bible study group that encourages the communication, understanding and appreciation of the many different interpretations of different parts of the bible.
That would be great!!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Numbers through chapter 21
I am truly amazed at the Isrealites. My frustration with them grows with each chapter. They have these truly amazing acts occurring before their eyes and the next day they complain that Moses is killing everyone.
Everyone warned me that I would tire of the laws of Leviticus and it would test my perseverance but Numbers is testing it far more. I find myself rolling my eyes (it's uncontrollable for me) with each new complaint from the Isrealites.
Numbers 19 discusses in more detail clean and unclean. I love these laws of cleanliness. I appreciate them. However, dead bodies making people unclean. Well, I can see this. If one dies from a plague or disease it aids in sanitation to encourage a little quarantine for those that touched the body. I appreciate the washing however 3 days after touching the body seems like a while to wait.
I prefer to wash that night when I get home from work after some of the dead bodies I touch. While I have never realized I was "unclean" for the next 7 days I will admit it probably takes me about 7 days to stop thinking about it. In nursing a prehospital work dead bodies are a guarantee. I've seen alot of them. They occasionally bother me. Some more than others. The very few scary movies I have seen have stuck with me. So, it takes me about 7 days or so for the random flashes from the latest dead body to stop popping in my head. Does this happen to every nurse or paramedic? I don't know but it happens to me. I can't guarantee that it's 7 days....I said about. The bad one's stay there a lot longer.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Numbers highlights and scrolls
Continuing our journey through Numbers today. I have been sick for several days and today I'm starting to have more energy to resume my study of the bible. I have been reading my assigned readings daily but have not been able to research, cross reference and ponder the readings as usual. So I've been going back and reviewing, researching, and reading my multitude of resources about my transitions from Leviticus to Numbers. While this is not a dedicated summary of my readings for the past few days it is a list of things I've learned or key items/versus that I enjoy.
I have been referencing my wonderful Archaeological Bible (which if you don't already own this bible...hop to Amazon and order it...I'll wait)
I will also be referencing the "People of the Covenant. An Indroduction to the Old Testament" which I have borrowed from our hospital chaplain. (Also highly recommended)
Highlights and things I've learned
1. Numbers....doesn't mean Numbers like counting numbers or we are counting people...Numbers is hebrew for "in the desert"
2. God has an amazing amount of patience with the disobedient and whiny Isrealites.
3. It is believed that the numbering system was different then based on the numbers provided and all those math minded people trying to figure it out. There may have been translation or terminology variations with regard to the actual number of people in the desert.
4. OK...This is really cool....
"In 1979 archaeologists unearthed a burial site at Ketef Hinnom just south of Jerusalem, near the Biblical boundary between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Excavated from within a burial repository were two small, rolled plaques of thin, pliable silver, each about the size of a credit card. When unrolled, they revealed delicately etched inscriptions that included a shortened version of the priestly benediction recorded in Numbers 6:24-26. One section has been translated as follows:
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and give you peace.
Archaeological and Paleographic evidence dates these plaques to the late seventeenth century BC, thereby making them the earliest written citations of Scripture." The Archaeological Bible.
5. It is interesting that despite the frequent disobedience God still remains with these people in the desert, guiding them, speaking to Moses frequently and creating the laws for their culture.
Verses I love:
Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord life you up His countenance upon you, And give you peace."
Numbers 10:9 "When you go to war in your land against the enemy who opresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies. Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God."
I have been referencing my wonderful Archaeological Bible (which if you don't already own this bible...hop to Amazon and order it...I'll wait)
I will also be referencing the "People of the Covenant. An Indroduction to the Old Testament" which I have borrowed from our hospital chaplain. (Also highly recommended)
Highlights and things I've learned
1. Numbers....doesn't mean Numbers like counting numbers or we are counting people...Numbers is hebrew for "in the desert"
2. God has an amazing amount of patience with the disobedient and whiny Isrealites.
3. It is believed that the numbering system was different then based on the numbers provided and all those math minded people trying to figure it out. There may have been translation or terminology variations with regard to the actual number of people in the desert.
4. OK...This is really cool....
"In 1979 archaeologists unearthed a burial site at Ketef Hinnom just south of Jerusalem, near the Biblical boundary between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Excavated from within a burial repository were two small, rolled plaques of thin, pliable silver, each about the size of a credit card. When unrolled, they revealed delicately etched inscriptions that included a shortened version of the priestly benediction recorded in Numbers 6:24-26. One section has been translated as follows:
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and give you peace.
Archaeological and Paleographic evidence dates these plaques to the late seventeenth century BC, thereby making them the earliest written citations of Scripture." The Archaeological Bible.
5. It is interesting that despite the frequent disobedience God still remains with these people in the desert, guiding them, speaking to Moses frequently and creating the laws for their culture.
Verses I love:
Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord life you up His countenance upon you, And give you peace."
Numbers 10:9 "When you go to war in your land against the enemy who opresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies. Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God."
Sunday, February 27, 2011
discussion and misc. stuff
Today, I had a chat after my ranting blog. I talked with my husband. I have never really mentioned him much on my blogs. Not for any particular reason but honestly we don't talk a whole lot about my blog and thoughts to it. I asked him if he has read it and he said no. He has some reservations about reading it and discussing it with me because he doesn't want to alter my writing. He wants me to be free to write what I feel and not to be impaired or hesitant to write anything based on what he might think. This is very nice of him. I'm not sure if it's totally accurate or not...maybe...he does know me pretty good so...hmm..
Before I get started on our discussion I should tell you that my husband is quite opposite of me. He's wonderfully optomistic. He thinks the best of people and always gives them the benefit of the doubt. He also knows much more about the bible than I do. He was raised in a christian household and attend sunday school stuff. It honestly is a topic we never really discussed much. Odd I know. Since we have been together for 13 years and married almost 9.
OK...back to our discussion.
I told him about my ranting blog. My frusteration with radical religious wacko's trying to get notches in their belt with the most recruits and flashing letters and promises of being healed or saved in some creek.
He told me to think about their intentions. Some of these people are excited and this is the way they show their enthusiasm for their faith. Some might have ill intentions but not all of them do. Some people are looking for that hope of healing and the flashing letters might just get their attention. It's different for everyone. But most importantly, they don't all have bad intentions. Just because it isn't what you are looking for doesn't mean it isn't what someone else is looking for.
Yep, that's my husband. He is better half for sure. He reminds me that there are good people and to not assume that the intentions are all bad.
So for my prior post I now realize that there is a lot that isn't for me and I'm still searching for what is me. What I am looking for and what I consider "normal" which everyone's definition of "normal" is different.
Back to something I stumbled across on a friend's facebook page and since we are wrapping up Leviticus I thought I'd get it on my blog before it's too late.
Yes, you are reading that correctly Leviticus 18:22 “You shall not lie with a male as one does with a woman. It is an abomination."
This person has so wisely (sarcasm) tattooed a verse from Leviticus that he must feel strongly that man should follow yet he chooses to ignore the following versus from Leviticus. You can't just pick and choose what to follow. It is not up to you to decide how God will judge us all in the end.
Leviticus 19:28
“‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:15 “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
Leviticus 19:16 “‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
“‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:17 “‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.
Leviticus 19:18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
I guess it is so much easier to look at other people and judge them rather than to change ourselves and judge ourselves. I know I commit sins and I know that God is probably not happy with my or my thoughts but at the end of the day I know that even though I might occasionally get mad about something I would never be extreme. I would never hurt someone for being different. I would never treat others poorly because of their lifestyle, race, gender, etc. I try to love your neightbor as yourself....ok well I may fail at the love part but I mostly succeed at tolerate. :) Occasionally I'm even nice! :) Keep in mind I work in an Emergency Department and run into some less than polite individuals at some of the worst times in their lives. My "love" for others I will be the first to admit doesn't always exist in these circumstances.
I will go on and try to be a better person.
As Gandhi once said "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
I will be starting another book in the next week or so. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I still am working on A Year of Living Biblically occasionally at night and Rethinking Life and Death: The Collapse of Our Traditional Ethics.
Before I get started on our discussion I should tell you that my husband is quite opposite of me. He's wonderfully optomistic. He thinks the best of people and always gives them the benefit of the doubt. He also knows much more about the bible than I do. He was raised in a christian household and attend sunday school stuff. It honestly is a topic we never really discussed much. Odd I know. Since we have been together for 13 years and married almost 9.
OK...back to our discussion.
I told him about my ranting blog. My frusteration with radical religious wacko's trying to get notches in their belt with the most recruits and flashing letters and promises of being healed or saved in some creek.
He told me to think about their intentions. Some of these people are excited and this is the way they show their enthusiasm for their faith. Some might have ill intentions but not all of them do. Some people are looking for that hope of healing and the flashing letters might just get their attention. It's different for everyone. But most importantly, they don't all have bad intentions. Just because it isn't what you are looking for doesn't mean it isn't what someone else is looking for.
Yep, that's my husband. He is better half for sure. He reminds me that there are good people and to not assume that the intentions are all bad.
So for my prior post I now realize that there is a lot that isn't for me and I'm still searching for what is me. What I am looking for and what I consider "normal" which everyone's definition of "normal" is different.
Back to something I stumbled across on a friend's facebook page and since we are wrapping up Leviticus I thought I'd get it on my blog before it's too late.
Yes, you are reading that correctly Leviticus 18:22 “You shall not lie with a male as one does with a woman. It is an abomination."
This person has so wisely (sarcasm) tattooed a verse from Leviticus that he must feel strongly that man should follow yet he chooses to ignore the following versus from Leviticus. You can't just pick and choose what to follow. It is not up to you to decide how God will judge us all in the end.
Leviticus 19:28
“‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:15 “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
Leviticus 19:16 “‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
“‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:17 “‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.
Leviticus 19:18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
I guess it is so much easier to look at other people and judge them rather than to change ourselves and judge ourselves. I know I commit sins and I know that God is probably not happy with my or my thoughts but at the end of the day I know that even though I might occasionally get mad about something I would never be extreme. I would never hurt someone for being different. I would never treat others poorly because of their lifestyle, race, gender, etc. I try to love your neightbor as yourself....ok well I may fail at the love part but I mostly succeed at tolerate. :) Occasionally I'm even nice! :) Keep in mind I work in an Emergency Department and run into some less than polite individuals at some of the worst times in their lives. My "love" for others I will be the first to admit doesn't always exist in these circumstances.
I will go on and try to be a better person.
As Gandhi once said "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
I will be starting another book in the next week or so. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I still am working on A Year of Living Biblically occasionally at night and Rethinking Life and Death: The Collapse of Our Traditional Ethics.
Finishing up Leviticus and starting Numbers
We are through Leviticus and I've gotta tell ya...not bad. Everyone warned me that it would be a challenging read and boring and potentially would bother me with all the rules but really it was entertaining in parts. I do have to say as a nurse a big thank you for those rules about cleanliness and frequent washings especially with regard to drainage/discharge. Although, it is apparent that some people have not read the bible and do not follow this rule. I honestly can say I'm not surprised at the correlation. Yet another reason we need to focus a little more on religion in our society. CLEANLINESS!!
Leviticus 26:44 "yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, nor shall I abhor them, to utterly destroy them and break My covenant with them; for I am the Lord their God."
I like this because it shows God's nature that even though he can be very harsh and has his expectations if you are in need he is always present. He will not turn you away.
Numbers - the census and continuing in laws (according to the little summary at the beginning of my Chronological Study Bible)
So it seems according to the numbers that there are possibly 603,550 men of age to fight in a war. So between the ages of 20 and above. It doesn't specify to what age and considering the amount of travel thus far and the living conditions in Egypt. I can't imagine they have a long life span. Anyway...thought it might be interesting to see where the Isralei military is now. 2000+ years later.
Here's their numbers according to my ever faithful Wikipedia. 187,000 active personnel and 565,000 reserve personnel, all isralei citizens male and female are required to join the military at age 18 unless there is a reason for them not to go such as being Arab, religious preference, physical or psychological reasons. Women are required to serve for 2 years and men 3 years. They have a very large number of "available for military service" numbers that can be utilized if necessary.
OK back to Numbers. The Levites were not counted in this census because they were assigned by God for a different task. They were to care for the Tabernacle of the Testimony, over all it's furnishings and all things related to it. While I'm sure war is not an appealing option nor is the wrath of God if you put one of those fiber vails in the wrong place.
After the census it just amazes me that all these people are just hanging out in the desert. They have to take up a lot of room even if this is the desert. That's a lot of people to stick in the desert to go unnoticed. How did Moses communicate with all these people. There weren't t.v's,newspapers, nothing. How did they all know that they were in the desert for a reason. A good reason and just keep hanging out. Surely they didn't all know that all the sacrificing of animals was going on...all 600,000 and that's just the men of war age...
How would they know anything that was going on. Was someone blogging all this??? Yep, that's how we ended up with the bible right?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
slight rant
It could be that I've been sick for 3 days and confined to my house and more specifically my bed and bathroom that is contributing to this post. If so, I'm sorry. (It is well known that I am far the likes of Job)
Here we go anyway.
What annoys me.....I was surfing around on the internet and looking for an online bible study group. (yes, a bible study group) anyway...what did I find. A bunch of crap. Annoying pictures of people in rivers being "saved" bright pink and blue flashing letters on the screen of "are you ready to commit to god" Oh come on....seriously. This is exactly what I despise about Religious fanatics and their access to the internet. The fact that they think I need flashing letters and rivers and some gray haired man telling me about washing away all my sins. (nothing against gray haired men but I swear it's always the same man in the river or putting his hand on people's foreheads healing them)
I know I will hit a chord on some of this but I never said my blog would be politicially or religiously correct.
But seriously don't treat me like a distractable 5 year old constantly looking for the next shiny object. PS...don't try to save me or cure me from some ailment either. Come On... You are not God. You are some cheeseball wanting to make some money by charging an arm and a leg to join your cheesy site where you will spam my email to death with crap about being saved and being the next winner of seven billion euros too. Ugh.
Why isn't there a decent/normal people bible study group for newbies that don't want to commit to some wacko fundamentalist church group with members that want to put the notch in their belt for recruiting this person or that person.
I just want to go online in the privacy of my house in my time and say, "hey what did you think about this verse or that." or have someone say "hey I always thought this verse meant this but maybe it doesn't?"
ok...that's my rant for the day. I'm done and going back to reading my bible all alone and posting to my blog and avoiding the internet for biblical study groups.
Here we go anyway.
What annoys me.....I was surfing around on the internet and looking for an online bible study group. (yes, a bible study group) anyway...what did I find. A bunch of crap. Annoying pictures of people in rivers being "saved" bright pink and blue flashing letters on the screen of "are you ready to commit to god" Oh come on....seriously. This is exactly what I despise about Religious fanatics and their access to the internet. The fact that they think I need flashing letters and rivers and some gray haired man telling me about washing away all my sins. (nothing against gray haired men but I swear it's always the same man in the river or putting his hand on people's foreheads healing them)
I know I will hit a chord on some of this but I never said my blog would be politicially or religiously correct.
But seriously don't treat me like a distractable 5 year old constantly looking for the next shiny object. PS...don't try to save me or cure me from some ailment either. Come On... You are not God. You are some cheeseball wanting to make some money by charging an arm and a leg to join your cheesy site where you will spam my email to death with crap about being saved and being the next winner of seven billion euros too. Ugh.
Why isn't there a decent/normal people bible study group for newbies that don't want to commit to some wacko fundamentalist church group with members that want to put the notch in their belt for recruiting this person or that person.
I just want to go online in the privacy of my house in my time and say, "hey what did you think about this verse or that." or have someone say "hey I always thought this verse meant this but maybe it doesn't?"
ok...that's my rant for the day. I'm done and going back to reading my bible all alone and posting to my blog and avoiding the internet for biblical study groups.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
stoning and an eye for an eye
Leviticus 24: 13 Then the LORD said to Moses: 14 “Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him. 15 Say to the Israelites: ‘Anyone who curses their God will be held responsible; 16 anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death.
17 “‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death. 18 Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution—life for life. 19 Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury. 21 Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a human being is to be put to death. 22 You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.’”
OK so the confusing part to me is Verse 16 says they are to be put to death while Verse 17 says anyone who takes the life of another is to be put to death. So the difference being if you take someone's life because they have not followed the rules of God versus if you take someone's life for another reason. However, it seems like there are a lot of reasons you can take someone's life and it's still ok with God.
Not that I'm looking for a reason to justify anything. I'm just curious. Mainly, because I try to think about and figure out those christians that justify their actions of murder.
Leviticus 25:3 For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. 4 But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. 5 Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest.
I like this part because it seems if we still followed this we would be grateful and mindful of our land more so than what we are. I get concerned that with the giant agricultural farms that the nature and original ways of the lands are lost. We cannot appreciate the beauty of nature and growth when it is so chemicalized that a cloud of chemicals fogs the land.
Leviticus 25: 23 “‘The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.
Maybe this is a midwest farm girl talking but I really like this verse. How can you not like this verse? I love the thought that the land is borrowed. It is not our land. It is God's and we should treat it as such.
Leviticus 26:1 “‘Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God.
Here we go with the idols thing again. Do not place a carved stone in your land to bown down before it....hmmm...
17 “‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death. 18 Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution—life for life. 19 Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury. 21 Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a human being is to be put to death. 22 You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.’”
OK so the confusing part to me is Verse 16 says they are to be put to death while Verse 17 says anyone who takes the life of another is to be put to death. So the difference being if you take someone's life because they have not followed the rules of God versus if you take someone's life for another reason. However, it seems like there are a lot of reasons you can take someone's life and it's still ok with God.
Not that I'm looking for a reason to justify anything. I'm just curious. Mainly, because I try to think about and figure out those christians that justify their actions of murder.
Leviticus 25:3 For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. 4 But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. 5 Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest.
I like this part because it seems if we still followed this we would be grateful and mindful of our land more so than what we are. I get concerned that with the giant agricultural farms that the nature and original ways of the lands are lost. We cannot appreciate the beauty of nature and growth when it is so chemicalized that a cloud of chemicals fogs the land.
Leviticus 25: 23 “‘The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.
Maybe this is a midwest farm girl talking but I really like this verse. How can you not like this verse? I love the thought that the land is borrowed. It is not our land. It is God's and we should treat it as such.
Leviticus 26:1 “‘Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God.
Here we go with the idols thing again. Do not place a carved stone in your land to bown down before it....hmmm...
Leviticus and how we should still follow this today.
Leviticus 15:4'Every bed on which the person with the discharge lies becomes unclean, and everything on which he sits becomes unclean.
'Anyone, moreover, who touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening; and whoever sits on the thing on which the man with the discharge has been sitting, shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening.
'Also whoever touches the person with the discharge shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening.
This is a great law. One that should probably be followed today. Little did I know that the laws of Leviticus were likely the first standards or written instructions on cleanliness and prevention of spreading of disease. Speaking as a nurse and paramedic people should refresh on these rules and consider following them!
As I'm continuing my reading of Leviticus. I appreacite the rules. I like rules. I have lots of personal rules some are just as odd as those in Leviticus but to me they make sense...so like in Leviticus the rules make sense to God. I am not sure however, with all these offering rules how one would ever remember them all and to prepare and present the correct offering.
Leviticus 18 - Simple enough and THANK YOU!! It pretty much said no incest. Lovely. Unfortunately it had to be written (thanks to Lot's daughters and others) but fortunately it was written.
Leviticus 19:11 You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear falsely by My name, so as to profane the name of your God; I am the LORD.
No lying, cheating or stealing...got it...easy enough. well the cheating and stealing. The lying is sometimes hard for me. Just little things. I'm not a compulsive liar and I don't lie about big stuff...well, I guess I need to improve on this part. No lying...ok I'm a work in progress on this.
You shall not swear falsely by My name. Oh boy. This is hard. I cuss and swear a lot. I use the Lords name...Ugh. This is definately going to take a conscious effort and time. Especially, during the stressful situations at work.
OK....work in progress....decrease the cussing and using the lords name in vain....
Leviticus 19:17 You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.
This also will take work. Yes, I know I shouldn't hate people and I know hate is a strong word but I will try to think of the people I believe I hate and see if I really mean that or not. Hopefully I don't really mean that.
Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take vengeance,nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.
no bearing grudges..really...none? I have a lot of work to do now. Especially if I want to improve mysef which is the whole goal Lot's of work to be done.
Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.
Excellent!!! I don't have to work on this one!! Wahoo!
'Anyone, moreover, who touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening; and whoever sits on the thing on which the man with the discharge has been sitting, shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening.
'Also whoever touches the person with the discharge shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening.
This is a great law. One that should probably be followed today. Little did I know that the laws of Leviticus were likely the first standards or written instructions on cleanliness and prevention of spreading of disease. Speaking as a nurse and paramedic people should refresh on these rules and consider following them!
As I'm continuing my reading of Leviticus. I appreacite the rules. I like rules. I have lots of personal rules some are just as odd as those in Leviticus but to me they make sense...so like in Leviticus the rules make sense to God. I am not sure however, with all these offering rules how one would ever remember them all and to prepare and present the correct offering.
Leviticus 18 - Simple enough and THANK YOU!! It pretty much said no incest. Lovely. Unfortunately it had to be written (thanks to Lot's daughters and others) but fortunately it was written.
Leviticus 19:11 You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear falsely by My name, so as to profane the name of your God; I am the LORD.
No lying, cheating or stealing...got it...easy enough. well the cheating and stealing. The lying is sometimes hard for me. Just little things. I'm not a compulsive liar and I don't lie about big stuff...well, I guess I need to improve on this part. No lying...ok I'm a work in progress on this.
You shall not swear falsely by My name. Oh boy. This is hard. I cuss and swear a lot. I use the Lords name...Ugh. This is definately going to take a conscious effort and time. Especially, during the stressful situations at work.
OK....work in progress....decrease the cussing and using the lords name in vain....
Leviticus 19:17 You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.
This also will take work. Yes, I know I shouldn't hate people and I know hate is a strong word but I will try to think of the people I believe I hate and see if I really mean that or not. Hopefully I don't really mean that.
Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take vengeance,nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.
no bearing grudges..really...none? I have a lot of work to do now. Especially if I want to improve mysef which is the whole goal Lot's of work to be done.
Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.
Excellent!!! I don't have to work on this one!! Wahoo!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Leviticus - offerings, clean and unclean and skin issues
Wow. Leviticus is weird right now. Lots of detail about offerings and how exactly it should be done. I hope this was written somewhere because it is so detailed I'm not sure how anyone got it done correctly.
It also goes into clean versus unclean animals and people. Also, lots of rules. I am pretty sure most everyone would be unclean for most of their lives and were offering up a lot of sacrificial animals. Maybe this was gods way to decrease some of the animal populations.
Then it goes into skin issues nearly as much as my education as a nurse. It was rather odd the different rules and if you were infectious or not.
I'm still plugging along. Frankly, there's not as much to write about in these parts and I have a new puppy who does not like to share my attention.
It also goes into clean versus unclean animals and people. Also, lots of rules. I am pretty sure most everyone would be unclean for most of their lives and were offering up a lot of sacrificial animals. Maybe this was gods way to decrease some of the animal populations.
Then it goes into skin issues nearly as much as my education as a nurse. It was rather odd the different rules and if you were infectious or not.
I'm still plugging along. Frankly, there's not as much to write about in these parts and I have a new puppy who does not like to share my attention.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
idols
I'm reflecting today. Well, I'm continuing my chronological journey through the bible but I had a wonderful day yesterday. I spent the entire day with my husbands cousin who is an absolutely wonderful person. She is extremely knowledgeable about the bible. She has had amazing faith and religious structure since age 9! We had so many fun conversations yesterday I'm not sure where to start.
We discussed so much regarding my journey thus far and my understanding (or lack of understanding) of so many different aspects of the bible.
We discussed idols at length because that has been plaguing my brain for quite a while.
Exodus 20:4 states “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
Exodus 20:23 "Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold."
In reading these statements I wonder why do we have crosses? Why do we have images of Jesus. Especially if Jesus is the son of God or in an image of God or...well. Can you tell I'm confused?
So these seem like idols to me. Should we not have crosses in the front of churches, should we not have crosses around our necks, hold rosary's with a crucifix on them.
These are symbols yes, but is a symbol an idol?
So according to Dictionary.com an
Idol is
noun
1. an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.
2. Bible .
a. an image of a deity other than god.
b. the deity itself.
Symbol is
noun
1. something used for or regarded as representing something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign.
Well according to this it would seem that these things (crosses, etc) are not ok.
I'm just going to put the rosary with a crucifix that is in my car in a drawer until I continue with my readings in the bible to see what else it says about the subject.
I will be posting more later as I continue my journey through Leviticus and Numbers.
We discussed so much regarding my journey thus far and my understanding (or lack of understanding) of so many different aspects of the bible.
We discussed idols at length because that has been plaguing my brain for quite a while.
Exodus 20:4 states “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
Exodus 20:23 "Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold."
In reading these statements I wonder why do we have crosses? Why do we have images of Jesus. Especially if Jesus is the son of God or in an image of God or...well. Can you tell I'm confused?
So these seem like idols to me. Should we not have crosses in the front of churches, should we not have crosses around our necks, hold rosary's with a crucifix on them.
These are symbols yes, but is a symbol an idol?
So according to Dictionary.com an
Idol is
noun
1. an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.
2. Bible .
a. an image of a deity other than god.
b. the deity itself.
Symbol is
noun
1. something used for or regarded as representing something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign.
Well according to this it would seem that these things (crosses, etc) are not ok.
I'm just going to put the rosary with a crucifix that is in my car in a drawer until I continue with my readings in the bible to see what else it says about the subject.
I will be posting more later as I continue my journey through Leviticus and Numbers.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
This weeks reading and impending doom
This week we finish up Exodus and move into Numbers and Leviticus. I feel the impending doom coming - Leviticus. Not because I know anything about Leviticus. To be honest I had never heard of it until I starting sharing with others my plan to read the bible. Then there became this knowledge of Leviticus. It seems it is full of controversial rules that may turn me off of the bible. We shall see!!! What is helping along this is the book The Year of Living Biblically by AJ Jacobs. I think that will help. He is following all of the rules of the bible for one year while living in New York. Its a great book with a lot of humor. He has talked some of the rules in Leviticus. Hopefully that will make it more interesting. I am also reading some from Numbers this week. Not sure what is in Numbers or how it got its' name. Seems kind of odd to me. Numbers...hmmmm Maybe my adventure this week I will to look up the books of the bible and how they got their names. I just looked and wow. There is a lot of books to the bible...over 60! Happy Reading to you this week!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Golden Calf and the not so Golden Isrealites
So I'm continuing my journey through Exodus and wondering how much more ridiculous the Isrealites can become. It seems with each page they are given food,water and provided for by God but the second something is uncomfortable or they have gone 30 minutes without some divine sign they are ready for a new God. While Moses is on the mountain talking to God and getting commandments the Isrealites are hanging around their tents bored and coming up with new Idols. They are like spoiled children. They are really kind of annoying to me.
God sees that they have made a Golden Calf as an Idol (a calf really?) and tells Moses he is going to show is wrath on those people and what does Moses do? He tells God...No don't do that. I'll go check it out and take the commandments with me. He gets to the bottom of the mountain where the Calf is and hears them singing about the calf, is furious, breaks the commandments (that GOD wrote....really Moses....you break those?......come on.....) and commands the followers of God to take their swords and kill those that do not follow God....
Really Moses??? Did you not read those commandments...Thall Shalt Not Kill....really? So you go command those to kill others. Ugh.
Then the Lord plagues whomever is left of the calf worshippers.
Exodus 34:17 - "You shall make no molded gods for yourselves"
So it is mentioned about 200 times that you shall not have any molded gods, no religious objects that you pray to. I'm curious if this stance will change as I progress through the bible. If not...I'm going to be very concerned about all those people that have crosses, figurines of Jesus, etc. It seems like (so far anyway) these items are a big No No. I know that God sent Jesus but still. Should the cross with Jesus on it or the cross be at the front of every church?
God sees that they have made a Golden Calf as an Idol (a calf really?) and tells Moses he is going to show is wrath on those people and what does Moses do? He tells God...No don't do that. I'll go check it out and take the commandments with me. He gets to the bottom of the mountain where the Calf is and hears them singing about the calf, is furious, breaks the commandments (that GOD wrote....really Moses....you break those?......come on.....) and commands the followers of God to take their swords and kill those that do not follow God....
Really Moses??? Did you not read those commandments...Thall Shalt Not Kill....really? So you go command those to kill others. Ugh.
Then the Lord plagues whomever is left of the calf worshippers.
Exodus 34:17 - "You shall make no molded gods for yourselves"
So it is mentioned about 200 times that you shall not have any molded gods, no religious objects that you pray to. I'm curious if this stance will change as I progress through the bible. If not...I'm going to be very concerned about all those people that have crosses, figurines of Jesus, etc. It seems like (so far anyway) these items are a big No No. I know that God sent Jesus but still. Should the cross with Jesus on it or the cross be at the front of every church?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Pondering the Ten Commandments
I've been pondering the Ten Commandments. I have never opened a Bible and read the Ten Commandments. Well two days ago I did and guess what...It was cool.
Exodus 20
I starting thinking about these commandments and here's where I'm at...I'd love to hear what you think.
The first two...no other gods before me. Easy enough.
# 3 You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. This is what I've been thinking about...If people really want to obey this commandment and teach their children not to use the Lords name in vain then it is not ok to say Gosh, Goodness or any other form in the same context as one would use the word God. So for example Oh My Gosh...well in my opinion you are insinuating the use of the word God so saying Gosh does not excuse the fact that you really want to and really mean to use God. It is the same way I feel about kids saying "fricking" it really means the other word and it is not acceptable to use this word either. To replace one word for the bad word doesn't make the intent not present. The intent for the original word is still there and isn't that the bad part?
I had a wonderful discussion with a co-worker about this commandment and my above listed thoughts. She lead a church group about this commandment and she saw the commandment as follows: We follow Christ as Christians which means "follower of Christ" if this is the case then we should represent Christ at all times. Therefore, not using his name or his actions in vain as being Christian. So treating others kindly, acting as Christ would as best as you can and leading a Christian life are all ways not to use the Lords name or Christ's name in vain.
I never thought of it this way but when she explained it I thought it was beautiful! Thanks Ali!!
# 4 Remember the Sabbath Day - I don't have a chance at this one...I work as a nurse so I work random days of the week and a lot of weekends. So, I need to think about the meaning behind this Commandment. Did he mean that he wanted us to always set aside one day of the week for reflection and devotion?
#5 - Honor your mother and father. I love this one. It shows the value of respect, honor and love to your parents. Loving your parents and loving your God.
#6 - Don't kill people....ok got it!
#7 - Do not commit adultry. No problem. I can't stand it. I have always felt that if someone will cheat on their spouse who is supposedly their true love then what would they do to their friends. Your spouse is supposed to be the person closest to you that you would do anything for aside from your children so cheating and hurting them seems to be so horrible. I often find that those who have committed adultry I have a hard time trusting because they do not even value the sanctity of marriage.
#8 - Do not steal. Easy enough
#9 - No false testimony against your neighbor. - ok got it don't tell lies about the neighbor. is this the no lying commandment? Does that exist or am I confused with the golden rules? Wait....what are the golden rules? Where did those come from? Uh oh....Google here I come!
# 10 - Don't covet thy neighbors stuff. So basically don't be jealous and wishful. Be happy for those with things you do not have. Hmmmm I think this is hard. America is all about keeeping up with the Jones' and that seems like a lot of coveting.
Exodus 20
I starting thinking about these commandments and here's where I'm at...I'd love to hear what you think.
The first two...no other gods before me. Easy enough.
# 3 You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. This is what I've been thinking about...If people really want to obey this commandment and teach their children not to use the Lords name in vain then it is not ok to say Gosh, Goodness or any other form in the same context as one would use the word God. So for example Oh My Gosh...well in my opinion you are insinuating the use of the word God so saying Gosh does not excuse the fact that you really want to and really mean to use God. It is the same way I feel about kids saying "fricking" it really means the other word and it is not acceptable to use this word either. To replace one word for the bad word doesn't make the intent not present. The intent for the original word is still there and isn't that the bad part?
I had a wonderful discussion with a co-worker about this commandment and my above listed thoughts. She lead a church group about this commandment and she saw the commandment as follows: We follow Christ as Christians which means "follower of Christ" if this is the case then we should represent Christ at all times. Therefore, not using his name or his actions in vain as being Christian. So treating others kindly, acting as Christ would as best as you can and leading a Christian life are all ways not to use the Lords name or Christ's name in vain.
I never thought of it this way but when she explained it I thought it was beautiful! Thanks Ali!!
# 4 Remember the Sabbath Day - I don't have a chance at this one...I work as a nurse so I work random days of the week and a lot of weekends. So, I need to think about the meaning behind this Commandment. Did he mean that he wanted us to always set aside one day of the week for reflection and devotion?
#5 - Honor your mother and father. I love this one. It shows the value of respect, honor and love to your parents. Loving your parents and loving your God.
#6 - Don't kill people....ok got it!
#7 - Do not commit adultry. No problem. I can't stand it. I have always felt that if someone will cheat on their spouse who is supposedly their true love then what would they do to their friends. Your spouse is supposed to be the person closest to you that you would do anything for aside from your children so cheating and hurting them seems to be so horrible. I often find that those who have committed adultry I have a hard time trusting because they do not even value the sanctity of marriage.
#8 - Do not steal. Easy enough
#9 - No false testimony against your neighbor. - ok got it don't tell lies about the neighbor. is this the no lying commandment? Does that exist or am I confused with the golden rules? Wait....what are the golden rules? Where did those come from? Uh oh....Google here I come!
# 10 - Don't covet thy neighbors stuff. So basically don't be jealous and wishful. Be happy for those with things you do not have. Hmmmm I think this is hard. America is all about keeeping up with the Jones' and that seems like a lot of coveting.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Ten Commandments!
Two posts today because I'm really excited. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS!!! I'm really liking Exodus so far. So much great stuff and great writings. I have a lot highlighted in my bibles. It's a lot of fun to compare my Archaeological Bible and my Chronological Study Bible. The Archaeological Bible is a NIV and the Chronological Study Bible is NKJV so they are a little different with wording but I really like them both!
Anyway...COMMANDMENTS!!
Anyway...COMMANDMENTS!!
Exodus through Chapter 19
I apologize for the slight delay in my posting. I am a part time college student and I had to spend the past two days doing not so fun research on bioethics and nursing history...blah!
But, I'm done for today. I can't take anymore. I attempted to work on a worksheet and I have a test Friday on APA style of writing but I just can't go there right now. I really dislike that and I'm not looking forward to it at all. Luckily, the test is open book.
Anyway, on to fun stuff....Exodus!
Moses has lead the Israelites out of Egypt, through the red sea and now into the desert. The Isrealites sang the praises of God after the Red Sea engulfed the Pharaoh's army. That was quite short lived however, They traveled into the desert and on the third day they were after Moses to provide water and food for them. He spoke to God and water was provided then Manna and Quail were provided. The Manna when it was described reminded me of the bread at church. The little round pieces of whatever those are. Exodus 16:14 "When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor."
Naturally the Isrealites did not listen to Moses and took more than they were supposed to of the bread and it turned into maggots. Then there is another great line. Exodus 16:32 "This is what the Lord has commanded:Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt."
Again in the very next paragraph the Isrealites are after Moses for God not providing water. It seems their faith is very weak considering all the signs God has given them. They still feel certain that the shall never want again and that he should provide for them without their asking.
But, I'm done for today. I can't take anymore. I attempted to work on a worksheet and I have a test Friday on APA style of writing but I just can't go there right now. I really dislike that and I'm not looking forward to it at all. Luckily, the test is open book.
Anyway, on to fun stuff....Exodus!
Moses has lead the Israelites out of Egypt, through the red sea and now into the desert. The Isrealites sang the praises of God after the Red Sea engulfed the Pharaoh's army. That was quite short lived however, They traveled into the desert and on the third day they were after Moses to provide water and food for them. He spoke to God and water was provided then Manna and Quail were provided. The Manna when it was described reminded me of the bread at church. The little round pieces of whatever those are. Exodus 16:14 "When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor."
Naturally the Isrealites did not listen to Moses and took more than they were supposed to of the bread and it turned into maggots. Then there is another great line. Exodus 16:32 "This is what the Lord has commanded:Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt."
Again in the very next paragraph the Isrealites are after Moses for God not providing water. It seems their faith is very weak considering all the signs God has given them. They still feel certain that the shall never want again and that he should provide for them without their asking.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Exodus
This week is Exodus. I continue to admit that I know the name Moses...but my knowledge other than that is pretty minimal. This is not anyone's fault. I truly believe that my quest this year is supposed to happen. I have always been meant to create my own path and my beliefs will be after research, understanding and ultimately my decision. Well, I will take credit for this even though some of you reading my blog just laughed. I know you are laughing at the statement "ultimately my decision" but hey...that's where I'm at now.
Exodus. Wow. There's a lot here. I've been reading and wishing I had blogged as I went instead of this once a week-ish business. I'm not liking it and I will be going back to my more frequent blogging.
Chapter 2 is the birth of Moses and he is left in a basket near the Nile and the Pharaoh's daughter finds him and takes him as her own. It is very interesting that he is raised by the Egyptians but does not like them and flees. I wonder if the Pharaoh's daughter told him he was not Egyptian or if he could tell.
Chapter 3 is the burning bush. I'm sorry I know I should be somewhat serious but I just think of the Three Amigos standing at the Singing Bush.
In Chapter 3 God tells Moses that he is to go to the Pharaoh and demand the freedom of the Isrealites. Moses does not feel he is adequate for this task. Chapter 4 God does 3 different acts and gives Moses the ability to prove to the Pharaoh that God is with him.
1. He turns Moses' staff into a snake when it is thrown on the ground which turns back to a staff when Moses picks it up. I am not sure I would ever get my staff back if it turned into a snake.
2. Moses hand will turn leprous (various diseases affecting the hand, not necessarily leprosy - according to my Archaeological Bible) when he places it inside his cloak.
3. Moses is to take water from the Nile and pour it onto dry ground and it will become blood.
Moses meets up with his brother Aaron and they go together to the Pharaoh. God has told Moses that he will harden the Pharaoh's heart. This is interesting to me because God is hardening his heart and then all these plagues follow as a result of the continued hardening. I wonder how hardened his heart would have remained if God hadn't hardened it.
The Hebrew people were to make bricks without straw and were subjected to punishment when they were not able to keep up with their required amount of bricks produced.
Aaron and Moses both threw down their staffs infront of the Pharaoh and they became snakes. The magicians of the Pharaoh did the same and their staffs were then ate by Aaron's snake. The Nile river was turned to blood. Then their was the plague of frogs. Then the plague of Gnats. (which the frogs would have enjoyed) Then the plague of Flies (the frogs would have also enjoyed) Then the plague on Livestock sparing of course the Isrealites livestock, Then the plague of Boils (yuck...I can't imagine how bad it must have smelled after all these plagues) Next up was the Plague of Hail (good thing there weren't insurance companies then) Then the plague of locusts (I'm sure that was loud - frogs would have enjoyed this one too) Then the plague of Darkness. The really interesting thing about the plague of darkness is what I read in my Archaeological Bible about it. It says "The Plague of Darkness was almost certainly a challenge against Ra, an Egyptian sun god. This would have been a direct challenge to the Pharaoh, since Egyptian kings were referred as the sons of Ra." Ch.11 is the Plague on the firstborn. This is where the firstborn Egyptian son from every home as well as the firstborn of the cattle as well will die. However, the Isrealites will not be harmed.
Ch. 12 is the Passover. This is really neat. I really like this because I have heard of the passover but I had no idea what it was! Now I know!!! The lord told Moses and Aaron that on the tenth day of this month a lamb should be slaughtered. It was also careful to mention to only slaughter what will be eaten and if your household cannot eat an entire lamb to invite others and share but it must all be eaten. This is the beginning of rules including to take blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes, eat the meat roasted, Do not leave any of it till morning, any left must be burned, eat with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and staff in hand, eat in haste.
12:13 "The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you." 12:14 "This is a day you are to commemorate, for generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord-a lasting ordinance."
12:42 "Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Isrealites are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come."
Ch.13 discusses the consecration of the firstborn. It says the firstborn either man or animal belongs to the Lord. I am just curious what this means. So....are they sacrificed or is it just known that the firstborn holds higher value?
Later in Ch.13 Moses and the Isrealites leave Egypt and head toward the Red Sea. Moses is carrying Joseph's bones because Joseph did not want them to remain in Egypt. The lord guided them by a pillar of cloud during the day or a pillar of fire at night. The Egyptians went after the Isrealites and the Lord gave Moses the power to part the sea with his staff. The sea was parted and the Isrealites walked on dry ground through and when the Egyptians attemtpted to follow the water flowed back and none of them survived. The Isrealites saw this and put their trust in him and in Moses. This is amazing to me. All the plagues and all the other acts weren't enough to prove to them that the Lord was present. Wow talk about skeptics.
That's all for today. Next time continuing on through Exodus starting at Ch.15.
Exodus. Wow. There's a lot here. I've been reading and wishing I had blogged as I went instead of this once a week-ish business. I'm not liking it and I will be going back to my more frequent blogging.
Chapter 2 is the birth of Moses and he is left in a basket near the Nile and the Pharaoh's daughter finds him and takes him as her own. It is very interesting that he is raised by the Egyptians but does not like them and flees. I wonder if the Pharaoh's daughter told him he was not Egyptian or if he could tell.
Chapter 3 is the burning bush. I'm sorry I know I should be somewhat serious but I just think of the Three Amigos standing at the Singing Bush.
In Chapter 3 God tells Moses that he is to go to the Pharaoh and demand the freedom of the Isrealites. Moses does not feel he is adequate for this task. Chapter 4 God does 3 different acts and gives Moses the ability to prove to the Pharaoh that God is with him.
1. He turns Moses' staff into a snake when it is thrown on the ground which turns back to a staff when Moses picks it up. I am not sure I would ever get my staff back if it turned into a snake.
2. Moses hand will turn leprous (various diseases affecting the hand, not necessarily leprosy - according to my Archaeological Bible) when he places it inside his cloak.
3. Moses is to take water from the Nile and pour it onto dry ground and it will become blood.
Moses meets up with his brother Aaron and they go together to the Pharaoh. God has told Moses that he will harden the Pharaoh's heart. This is interesting to me because God is hardening his heart and then all these plagues follow as a result of the continued hardening. I wonder how hardened his heart would have remained if God hadn't hardened it.
The Hebrew people were to make bricks without straw and were subjected to punishment when they were not able to keep up with their required amount of bricks produced.
Aaron and Moses both threw down their staffs infront of the Pharaoh and they became snakes. The magicians of the Pharaoh did the same and their staffs were then ate by Aaron's snake. The Nile river was turned to blood. Then their was the plague of frogs. Then the plague of Gnats. (which the frogs would have enjoyed) Then the plague of Flies (the frogs would have also enjoyed) Then the plague on Livestock sparing of course the Isrealites livestock, Then the plague of Boils (yuck...I can't imagine how bad it must have smelled after all these plagues) Next up was the Plague of Hail (good thing there weren't insurance companies then) Then the plague of locusts (I'm sure that was loud - frogs would have enjoyed this one too) Then the plague of Darkness. The really interesting thing about the plague of darkness is what I read in my Archaeological Bible about it. It says "The Plague of Darkness was almost certainly a challenge against Ra, an Egyptian sun god. This would have been a direct challenge to the Pharaoh, since Egyptian kings were referred as the sons of Ra." Ch.11 is the Plague on the firstborn. This is where the firstborn Egyptian son from every home as well as the firstborn of the cattle as well will die. However, the Isrealites will not be harmed.
Ch. 12 is the Passover. This is really neat. I really like this because I have heard of the passover but I had no idea what it was! Now I know!!! The lord told Moses and Aaron that on the tenth day of this month a lamb should be slaughtered. It was also careful to mention to only slaughter what will be eaten and if your household cannot eat an entire lamb to invite others and share but it must all be eaten. This is the beginning of rules including to take blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes, eat the meat roasted, Do not leave any of it till morning, any left must be burned, eat with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and staff in hand, eat in haste.
12:13 "The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you." 12:14 "This is a day you are to commemorate, for generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord-a lasting ordinance."
12:42 "Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Isrealites are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come."
Ch.13 discusses the consecration of the firstborn. It says the firstborn either man or animal belongs to the Lord. I am just curious what this means. So....are they sacrificed or is it just known that the firstborn holds higher value?
Later in Ch.13 Moses and the Isrealites leave Egypt and head toward the Red Sea. Moses is carrying Joseph's bones because Joseph did not want them to remain in Egypt. The lord guided them by a pillar of cloud during the day or a pillar of fire at night. The Egyptians went after the Isrealites and the Lord gave Moses the power to part the sea with his staff. The sea was parted and the Isrealites walked on dry ground through and when the Egyptians attemtpted to follow the water flowed back and none of them survived. The Isrealites saw this and put their trust in him and in Moses. This is amazing to me. All the plagues and all the other acts weren't enough to prove to them that the Lord was present. Wow talk about skeptics.
That's all for today. Next time continuing on through Exodus starting at Ch.15.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
mystery gift
Today while at work I received a mystery gift. Wrapped in brown paper with a beautiful green and brown ribbon. It was a gift of the Archaeological Bible that I wanted. It came without a note or any message. Just the beautiful bible in beautiful wrapping. I have no idea who this is from but I'm thrilled. What I love about this bible is the pages that say "The Reliability of the Bible" and it has archaeological facts and pictures. It's beautiful. It reminds me of my Chronological bible but with more of the scientific and archaeological detail.
I'm thrilled. So whomever my gift was from...Thank You. I love love love it!
Off to read Exodus.
I'm thrilled. So whomever my gift was from...Thank You. I love love love it!
Off to read Exodus.
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