continuing

Summer is upon us full swing. Routines are either out the door, or different from the traditional school year. There are things that often get bumped with the more lax life of warmer weather. Things like the intentional learning and growing that’s expected and quite frankly, catered to, during the cooler months of the year.

Yesterday’s verse of the day was Psalm 119:7 which reads “As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!” (NLT)

I was inspired to put this verse into a picture to help me remember two things.

1. I am continually learning God’s regulations / commands / Word
2. being thankful can (should) be expressed in more ways than with words

Understandably, Bible studies mostly take breaks in summer to allow leaders a chance to breath, and accommodate a lower attendance too.  How well do we take up our own initiatives during these seasons? (I’m open to suggestions!) I try to keep up with some various Bible related podcasts, or sermons from other churches, but the fellowship of joint learning is missed.

With what is learned, whether during the school year or otherwise, what do we do with this information? The verse above implores us to live out what we’re learn taking in. The more of God and His ways we are absorbing, the more we should be pouring it out in how we live.

Food for thought to end with: Are we thankful for our access to the Word of God, Scripture? Are we thankful for what we learn from it? I know I need to be more mindful of the the fact I have the Bible at my fingertips, and I pray I’ll be able to live out that thankfulness.

 

defining God, possible?

Oh my brain!

I’ve been going through the Theme series “God” podcasts (20+hrs worth!) from The Bible Project, and oh my. I’m going to have to re-listen to it all, a few times. There’s so much in my paradigm of who God is that I had/have yet to learn. I am swimming in ideas and concepts – how so much is related and revealed in Scripture – and is so relevant to how we relate to who He is….

I feel like I need to write some summary essays, like I was in college again. 😉 I need to categorize the sections they go through, the rabbit holes they explore, and find the hyperlinks to how it pieces together (if that’s even possible! HA!) I’m pleasantly overwhelmed with how fully awesome God is!!!!

See their 8 minute summary video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAvYmE2YYIU

seasons

I’ve avoided writing here for a bit, not sure where to start. My intentions of writing is to share what I’m learning from the Bible, applications of Jesus’ love and grace that can be shared. I tend to process a bit better getting things written out, but so much is being learned spiritually – maybe too much at once. Trying to do too much causes not much to be absorbed, only little bits getting through. No full thoughts have been forming, and so my writing has had no direction. Forcing links between ideas is not a good practice, even when it seems all lines of thought from Scripture are connected.

Some prayerful decisions will need to be made soon so that learning is not overwhelming, but enjoyed and ultimately useful and for God’s glory.

There are more than just holiday seasons. Seasons of life bring their own ups and downs, ways to grow, and change to adapt to. I pray I can get some focus without feeling bad about leaving other ideas behind for the new season. Relying on the Holy Spirit, as The Passion Translation puts it, “we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit!” (Rom 8:4b), my prayer is as 1 Peter 1:2 says:

“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” 

meditation – Hebrew style

As the flurry of activities for fall approach, I find myself wondering about Bible studies. I love being a part of a group looking into God’s Word, for the learning and for the fellowship. We’ll see how this fall goes, with littles and working full time, it takes lots of intention to make it work. But I started asking what keeps drawing me back to looking at the same book, season after season, year after year?

In addition to the community I’ve experienced while studying with others (a necessary part to proper spiritual growth) part of this was answered for me in one of The Bible Project‘s videos and associated podcasts. Their session called “The Bible as Jewish Meditation Literature” brought to light some interesting points and affirmed some thoughts I had about why we keep coming back to study Scripture.

Looking at Psalm 1 for example, it is clear that God calls us to meditate on His Words, day and night. But what does that mean?

The Hebrew word we translate as meditate is literally “to mumble,” or read quietly out loud to yourself. We are to take time to read aloud God’s Word. Reading aloud, even quietly, lets the questions it raises surface and prompts us talk with others about these questions. We are better able to glimpse the similarities to other parts of Scripture, and allow time for its immense depth to simmer within us. The Bible was written in a way that can be read and thought about for a life time!

What will you be meditating on this fall?

Literary Styles in the Bible

Sometimes you hit a real gem. This episode caught my attention.

I continue listening through the podcasts produced by one of my favourite online Scripture resources, The Bible Project. They have a series called “Literary Styles of the Bible” and have a corresponding video for this series, part of a larger theme of “How to Read the Bible.”

The first episode is about learning to recognize what literary style the portion of the Bible you’re currently reading is categorized as. As you get familiar with the various types of literary styles offered, you’ll come to recognize more readily what you’re reading.

Tim and John give a good analogy of someone looking for some chips and salsa type snacks at a grocery store. The store itself has many organized areas, and as you’re walking around looking for the particulars you want, your eye catches sight of some Doritos. You know instinctively that the isle you saw those in should also have your chips and salsa, as they belong together. Similarly, when you start reading a passage of Scripture, you should be able to pick up clues about what literary type/genre you’re in by what the words are saying.

Have a listen to The Bible Project’s podcast or their whole series on this topic. I hope you’re able to enjoy learning from them as much as I do!

 

reset

Confessions time.

For all the possibilities and opportunities for staying tuned in spiritually, I’ve been doing a poor job lately. It’s not for lack of awareness. My social media is ripe with Bible verses, devotionals and posts about Jesus. My music play list is either nature or worship songs and Bible related podcasts. There’s something deeper that’s not wanting to respond, and that’s the part that finally made me stop and assess.

As the silly but true saying goes “just because you’re in a garage, it does not make you a car” – Yes, the thoughts and teachings of Jesus are all around me, but am I really affected by it?

A part of my heart has become prideful and lazy at the same time, developing a callous to the desire to spend one on one time with my Bible or in prayer. Relationships start to fade if not given time and effort and my relationship with Jesus is suffering.

Being convicted of this, and actually wanting to do something about  (not shove the feeling aside this time) I’ve decided to do a couple things.

The “40 day sugar fast” I participated in back in January was wonderful for my soul. I am going to start my own 40 days, starting today. If nothing else, go through those verses they had and devotionals, while turning my distracted and false cravings to the only One who can truly satisfy.

I would also like to finish off writing out the book of John, that I started during Lent. (sorry if you thought that was already done, I kept finding other “more important/urgent” things to do… sigh, how easily I believe those lies!)
It’s never too late to come back to the open arms of Jesus, who’s always waiting for us with unconditional love. (Luke 15:11-32, Psalm 143:8, Micah 7:18, Hebrews 10:23-25, Ephesians 3:16-19, Romans 13:14)

Thank you for your faithfulness Jesus!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

-Thomas Chisholm

Writing out the Word

The 40 day sugar fast is over. Lent has begun. I decided to not completely continue with keeping refined sugar out of my diet, but am grateful I no longer have as strong a desire for it. The daily devotionals had many encouragements on how to keep Jesus the center of our lives, not quick fixes. Serving other and looking to be the hands of feet of Jesus, sharing his love, was also fostered. I hope to try it again next year and see how much more the Lord will do in a heart that works at leaving hindrances behind.

Towards the end of the fast, I was thinking of ways to continue diving into Scripture rather than snacks, and was led to the idea of writing out a book of the Bible. I’ve done smaller books before, for Bible studies, but I thought this would be a good Lent project too.

I’m a few chapters into John now, and it’s interesting how much more detail you notice when you are writing down every single word. Part of me wanted to do a Gospel as it’s been a while since I’ve read one through, and part of me wanted to get into the details of what Jesus was doing and saying while with us on earth. The Gospel of John it is!

In the New Living Translation, the first few chapters of John have people exclaiming, not merely saying, which caught me off guard. There was lots to be excited about, confused about, expressing shock. Jesus tended to bring forth that response in people. Whether in line with their thinking or going completely 180 to it, people weren’t sure how to respond to the Word made flesh.

Outside of this transcribing, I’ve gotten into listening through the podcasts put on by The Bible Project. They provide very insightful views, many with more historical context than I’d even know to look up, on every book of the Bible, and themes through Scripture. Videos and other resources are available as well, and worth checking out. It’s nice to have something so worth while to listen to while drafting at work.

What’s got your attention this Lenten season?