The Great Bible Read

Recently, I did a speed read of the New Testament from the Message version.  It took about 30 days and it was a tremendous adventure.  I read it like the top best selling book it is.  Much like a novel or story book.  I couldn’t believe what happened.  I fell in love with the scripture.  I have read it all my life or at least since I first learned to read.  This is the first time I really didn’t want to put the book down.  Go figger.  If you have the same feelings, you understand.  If you don’t, well I didn’t either for 54 years.  What did pastor Jeff say, ‘Stuck on dumb’?

I had so much fun with the new testament, I have started a speed read of the entire Bible.  I have challenged myself to read the Bible in 60 days.  Now if this were a regular novel, that would be no problem.  But, when you are reading the Bible you tend to get distracted by the Spirit of the text.  Right?  Anyway, I am making a run at it.  We will see what happens.

My friend John, volunteered to run the race with me.  As it turns out, he is leading the Big Read.  I just started Joshua and he is in Ruth.   Maybe you would like to jump in.  You can follow random thoughts about the read at http://readtheword.wordpress.com/ .  Or better yet, why not jump in with us.  Post your comments as we run the race.

Just a Wonderful Friendly Face

I was at work yesterday and a guy came by to drop off a helium bottle. A wonderful older gentleman. A wonderful friendly face. He was groaning a bit about how heavy the bottle was and the dolly had flat tires. I was glad to help, hoping that as I get even older someone will look at me and say, “What a wonderful older gentleman with a wonderful friendly face”.

A God Spot in a Grace Pointer’s Life

God Spot

A great blog to read….

Click on: a Grace Pointer’s Blog of Callahan’s

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God Given Skill

Incredible! God gives us skills to perform the tasks he chooses us for. It’s easy to see God at work when you see others working with an eye toward excellence in their task. It is time for me to give thanks to the Father for having personally chosen me, filled me with the Spirit and given me the skills and know-how to do all He has requested of me. I pray I will be diligent in all I do and others will see God’s hand in the quality of work completed.

Tonight Cora, I and others will be taking pictures at the Father – Daughter Dance. I trust the talent God has given us will produce the product that meets His standard of excellence. May our spirit be a testimony of the presence of His Spirit in all we do.

Maybe next year, my son and his daughter will have Opa take their picture at the dance. 

“God spoke to Moses: See what I’ve done; I’ve personally chosen Bezalel …. I’ve filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him skill and know-how and expertise in every kind of craft to create designs and work in gold, silver, and bronze; to cut and set gemstones; to carve wood—he’s an all-around craftsman”.

I’m a most jealous God, but unswervingly loyal.

“I am God, your God, and I’m a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents pass on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate me. But I’m unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments”.

God states in the strongest way possible that He will not let the worship of other gods go unpunished.   That can be a frightening thought.  I’m thankful that His judgment is balanced with His grace.  Still, “I pray God that you will reveal to me any gods I have placed between you and I.”   I will watch for a God Spot today that reveals sin in my life.  I sure don’t want my family to suffer for generations because of my stupidity in worship.   There is but one true God!

Sold Out!

What does it look like to be “Sold Out” for Christ? This question becomes ever present in my mind in trying to understand what it looks like on the other side of the church’s ‘Tipping Point”.

I have been reading Psalms 119 for a sequence of days and likely will continue to read it repetitively for many days in the future. I am becoming intrigued with the depth of knowledge, understanding and wisdom available in this particular chapter in David’s life. One verse in particular reads:

You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.

I believe the question of being “Sold Out” for Christ and actively participating in the Tipping Point can be resolved in Psalm 119. I hope in future blog entries to explore what God has to say about His expectations on my life and share God Spots along the way. I hope and trust you will be a participant in the journey. There are at least 3 ways we can choose to share in each others lives.

1. Lurk – be encouraged to just passively track what’s happening on my quest for truth by reading blog entries and other’s comments
2. Actively participate by posting comments. You don’t have to agree with me, just have a similar passion chasing after God
3. Tell me you are interested in meeting on a regular basis and actively, aggressively chase after God at all costs!

Participating in a “Sold Out” life group actively chasing God will only appeal to a few. Maybe you are one of the few? Pray and seek God. Let me know what you think about the concept of starting a Life Group of Sold Out believers.

God Works in the Ridiculous

Moses and Aaron and Pharaoh

 After that Moses and Aaron approached Pharaoh. They said, “God, the God of Israel, says, ‘Free my people so that they can hold a festival for me in the wilderness.’”

You remember the story of Moses and the plagues cast on Pharaoh and Egypt.  The adventure begins with a simple request of Moses to give his people a few days off to have a festival and worship their God.  They had been working hard and faithfully for the king.  They needed a break to replenish.  But to Moses, this may have seemed like a ridiculous request of God to tell him to go ask the King for a few days off for a party.

I get that same feeling of ridiculousness when God puts it on my heart to talk to a stranger about Jesus.   Maybe someday it won’t be that way, but it is today.  I appreciate my friend Jeffery’s desire for boldness this year.   Maybe a little of his boldness will spill over onto me.   God thank you for the desires you place on our heart.