by 123pizza on October 23, 2008
Every evening I read a chapter out of the Bible to the kiddos before we go to bed. I’ve done this off and on for quite some time but lately I’ve actually stuck with it. If I forget or…cough, cough, don’t feel like it, one of the kiddos will remind me that we didn’t read the Bible. So reluctantly (yes, I said reluctantly) I will get the Bible and start reading.
When I first started the read a chapter a night thing I made the mistake of starting in Genesis. My kiddos could care less and after awhile it was quite boring for them. Then I started reading a Proverbs a night and I got bored with it. So after quite some time (this was before the kiddos would remind me) I decided that I needed to start reading to them again. This time I read out of The Message (I had been reading out of the New Living Translation) and I started in Matthew.
My theory was that I like the New Testament and what better way than to start there with Matthew and work our way through the New Testament and eventually the Old Testament. By the time we got to the Old Testament hopefully the nightly Bible reading would be a habit and it wouldn’t be so bad. I mean the Old Testament can get boring but at least it wouldn’t be boring and something we just started.
But all of this nightly bible reading has me asking questions. Why do I read the Bible to the kiddos? Why is it a nightly thing? Is it even effective? Are they listening and paying attention? Are they absorbing anything I am reading to them?
I don’t have the answers to all the questions. My prayer is that some of what I am reading to them will reach it’s way to their hearts and minds. I believe it’s important for them to know what Jesus has to say about how to live life and treat others. There is so much more in the Bible besides the Noah’s Ark and David/Goliath stories. There is so much more to it than fire and brimstone. There is so much more than Jesus’ crucifixion (although that is a very important part).
All of that is important but I don’t want to focus on one thing, I want to focus on all of it and how all of the Bible works together. Too many times as Christians we focus on certain parts of the Bible and leave out the parts we don’t agree with (or conveniently forget about). I believe everything is in the Bible for a reason and it’s my desire that my kiddos will eventually start reading the Bible for themselves so that the can start learning on their own.
Photo Credit: DrGBB
by 123pizza on March 16, 2008
The woman at the well isn’t about how many husbands the woman has had.
It is about:
- judgment
- judging others for their sins
- seeing their past and not the person
- unforgiveness
- not getting past others mistakes
- holding their sins against them
- unacceptance
- not getting to know someone for who they are
- refusing to see past the sin to the sinner
- not loving the way Christ teaches us to love
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
- if we don’t love this way then everything we do is meaningless
The woman at the well is real and alive today. She is me yet she is also you. We are all the woman at the well. We have all sinned and been judged for those sins. We have been held back from our true potential because of others words, glances, and even perceived thoughts. We feel as though we are not as good as other people because of our mistakes.
Now is the time to cry out to Jesus Christ, the only one who knows us. The only one who can save us from our carrying others judgment of us. You may think you know me but you don’t. You only see what you want and don’t take the time to dig deeper. No, you don’t know me, because if you did you would see me as Christ sees me and not how you want me to be.
There is One who sees me for who I am. He’s my Rock, my Fortress. He’s my Lord, Savior, and Salvation…Jesus Christ. He knows all that I am and will be. Your condemnation does not stop me it only draws me closer to Him. My daily salvation, Jesus. Exodus 14:13,14 (Amplified) says “…Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today…The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.”
Easter is next weekend. I will be celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ: the Son of God who died and rose again for my sins; The Son of Man who wiped my slate clean. All I had to do was ask for forgiveness. Easy isn’t it? Sure it’s easy. Jesus sees me for who I am and my spot in Heaven is reserved. It’s here on earth that I have to live with the condemnation of others. Some of those others are my fellow Christians. I can’t change that nor can I change them.
I can change myself with the help of Jesus. As the Psalmist declares, He is my Rock and my Fortress. Therefore, He is my protection. You can’t take Him from me. With your words you try to tear me down and with His hands He lifts me up. You aim to hurt me yet He aims to heal me. I urge you to leave from the well a changed person; one who is changed by the love and salvation of Jesus Christ.
*This post was inspired by M and this video. Read about the woman at the well for yourself it can be found in John 4:1-42.
by 123pizza on February 5, 2008
The other day hubby was on his way home when his car broke down on the Interstate. We had friends go get him, load up his car, drop it off at the car shop, and drop him off here.
The next day, the Honda people didn’t seem very hopeful about his car so we start looking for another vehicle. Mind you we are in the middle of a snow storm when all of this is happening.
Hubby has a bad attitude. He’s freaking out, he’s supposed to be starting a new job, moving his stuff from one town to another town and now he has to get a new car. Needless to say, his freaking out gets me to freaking out.
Of course, we end up fighting and then realize that fighting is getting us nowhere. I remember I hadn’t done my Bible reading. I’ve reading in Exodus about the Israelites leaving Egypt. I’m thinking the whole time that this situation parallels what we are going through. Then I read Exodus 14:13 - …Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you.” That verse blew me away. Whenever something goes wrong I immediately panic and try to find a way to fix it. Oh I may pray but do I really believe God will rescue me?
I do now. Especially since the Honda shop called and said our car was working. Hubby needed to have a part replaced and everything is fine.
I’m still reflecting on Exodus 14:13 and it is now my favorite verse. Incidentally, Best Friend’s favorite verse is Exodus 14:14.
