A Time Out

Well I think my on-line Bible study idea has not found it's right place or time yet. I've made a couple attempts to get a group to regularly read the Bible and journal their thoughts on the Internet, but both the attempts found a decline in interest. It's not only tough to regularly read the Bible, but to journal thoughts for the world to see in addition is proving to be more than my encouragement can fuel. I'm beginning to realize that a lot of people are not comfortable with this form of interaction, and I don't want to be responsible for adding discomfort to reading the Bible (that's the church's job...just kidding). So I'll call a "time out" for now on my Blog Bible study, but I'll keep my feelers out for an opportunity in the future. I still believe it can have it's benefits in the right time and/or place.

So I'll go back to posting random thoughts and things of my interest, and hopefully entertain a few readers along the way. It's interesting to see the "traffic" that logs onto my blog. My post about Oprah and "The Shack" has linked people from all over the country and the world to my site. Apparently if you "Google" that topic, my blog will show up. I'm almost famous...except their visits only average about 2 seconds or so. I keep waiting for Oprah to comment.

Colossians 4

This is the last chapter in this short but powerful letter from Paul. We've had some good discussions going on for the last 3 chapters, and hopefully we can finish this book strong. I've definitely seen more of the depths and riches in the book of Colossians since we stated this study. I hope others have as well.

A young believer

Last year my son, Jacob, asked me if he could get baptized. We were about to swing on a Tarzan rope we had strung over a big gully in our back yard, and I'm pretty sure the fear of dying was weighing heavy on his mind. I talked to him about Jesus and what he believed, and felt confident that he was ready to make that decision for himself. Later that month he met with our pastor and together we all decided that he was to be baptized on his birthday, Feb. 3, 2008. He turned 11 that day...so now that is his birthday on a couple different levels.
Last Sunday after church my daughter, who's 7, asked me if she could get baptized. I said yes, but had intentions of quizzing her later in the week about what she believed about Jesus. Last night was her quiz. I asked her why she wanted to get baptized. She said, because she believes in Jesus. I asked her why she believed in Jesus and she said she just always has. I asked her what Jesus did?, and she answered that He came to Earth and died because of our sins. I asked her what sin was?.. how she knew what sin was?.. and if she was aware of her own sins? She answered all question correct. She then said Jesus came to Earth and died for everyone's sin. Then I asked "who else's?"...she wasn't sure what I was getting at. I said "Jesus died for everyone, but who else?"...she still wasn't sure what I was talking about, after all who's left after "everyone"? Then I said, "Jesus came to earth and died on the cross for you!"(as I was pointing at her). I said, "Jesus loves Carley so much that He came to earth, was beaten, and died on the cross so Carley's sins would be forgiven and Carley could live in heaven with God forever...He did it all for everyone, and He also did it all for Carley." Her eyes began to fill up with tears...so I think she understands and is ready to be baptized.

Colossians chapter 3

I still have much more time I need to dedicate to both chapters 1 and 2, but for those of you who want to press on to chapter 3, feel free to post as you feel lead. Hopefully it's evident to those who didn't already know, that the Bible has too much in it to just read it like a novel. We've been on chapters 1 and 2 for over a month now! So much for reading the Bible in a year. But I trust that others are learning as much as I've been learning. And I truly appreciate those that are helping me be more accountable to my connection with God through His Word. And isn't Colossians an incredible book?...just wait until we get to Romans, Corinthians, Ecclesiastes, Acts, Hebrews, James, Isaiah, John....where do I stop?

Colossians Chapter 2

To keep the discussions flowing, I'll start this new post on Chapter 2 of Colossians. The chapter 1 discussion is still on going and feel free to keep adding to it. I don't think we've tapped out all it's truths yet. But I can already tell that chapter 2 has much to discuss and I'm looking forward to getting into it. Hopefully everyone involved can see that a close study of the scriptures opens up many thoughts, studies, and discussions. That's my intent and I appreciate all who are actively involved as well as those who are quietly following along. But to those quiet ones, I want to encourage you to contribute to the discussion. Just searching for something to write in these forums often times opens up your mind to new and challenging thoughts. Give it a try!

The book of Colossians

I've been struggling to find a good book in the Bible to begin a study in. I didn't want one that was too deep that it would require a lot of Old testament research (like Romans or Hebrews) and I wanted to find a book that was a good introduction into the person we study the Bible to learn about...Jesus Christ. All scripture points toward Jesus, but some more clearly than others. Colossians is one of the clearer ones. So to begin with let me say that to study the Bible is more than reading the Bible. This is not like reading "Old Man and the Sea" or a John Grisham book. The Bible is deep enough to study over a lifetime and still not be able to tap into all it's depths. So, for me, to "study" means to read small sections of it slowly and then keep re-reading those same sections over and over. It sounds like over-kill, but many times the scripture will begin to open itself up after this type of "meditation". So let's get into Colossians.

This is a relatively short letter written by Paul to a church in Colossae. It seems to be a church that Paul didn't ever visit personally, but had an acquaintance (Epaphras) that apparently started the church. So it helps to read this as a letter written to encourage an early church, and read the zeal and passion Paul has for both this church and Jesus. I'm going to start with spending some time in chapter 1 and I'll use the comment section of this post to record some of my thoughts. And any one is welcome to contribute anyway they see fit. Chapter 1 has one of the most thorough descriptions of Jesus in all the Bible, and pretty much spells out the Gospel message perfectly. Check it out...and as you read it, check out how there is no selfish motive in Paul's intent behind this letter. Paul is actually in prison as he writes this, and his only desires seem to be for these people in Colossae and their (and his) God.

"The Bible says..."

Have you ever heard someone say things like: "The Bible says...'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'", or "The Bible says...'God helps those who help them self"', or "The Bible says...'every dog has it's day'"? Well, the Bible doesn't say those things! In fact the Bible doesn't say a lot of things that people claim it says. And conversely, the Bible says a lot of things that people never claim it says. So how can we know what the Bible really says? We can listen to hear-sayer's, or we can read it for ourselves. An estimate 90% of Christians have not read the Bible all the way through. I am part of that majority. I have read large portions of the Bible, and all the New Testament many times, but even after seven + years into Christianity I'm still sometimes surprised when I hear about "new" Old testament books of the Bible. Books like "Nahum" or "Obadiah". Where did those books come from?

So to combat this problem of people (myself included) not having a very strong grasp, or even a light grasp, of what the Bible is really teaching us, I plan to start a regular Bible study and post what God is revealing to me on this Blog. Hopefully others will follow along and learn and share with me, but more importantly, I hope this format brings me a little accountability so I stay consistent in my studies. Consistent Bible study is what I believe is the key to a successful life. Way more crucial than a collage education, but you wouldn't know that based off our society's influence on our kids. So stay tuned and hopefully I'll live up to my expectations of a regular, beneficial, God honoring Bible study that ultimately helps me to know what "The Bible says..."!