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.

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.

• 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!! 

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!

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???

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
 

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!

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!