Almost Finished the Book

I feel like I should throw a party. It's taken roughly six years, but I am almost finished reading the Bible. I bought the "read the Bible in a year" Bible around 2004, and needless to say, I've been sidetracked along the way. Not to jinx myself, but I've made it to "Dec. 26" in the Bible and its not yet Halloween, so I'm pretty confident I should be able to finally get to the last page before the last day this year.

Now that I'm almost at the end of the book, I feel I've finally earned the right to voice my opinon on what can be a very controversial subject.

The Bible is a very thick book. It speaks on many things, and recounts generation after generation of God's people and miracles. It's story after story of God using ordinary and flawed people to do extraordinary things. There is so much history and wisdom and warnings. It guides and instructs. It is filled with all range of human emotion.

Do I believe the Bible is the Word of God? Yes. Do I understand everything it says? No.

But I do understand that every verse needs to be taken in context, and now that I've nearly reached the end of the book, I understand the story as a whole and have a better grasp on verses within their context.

On Facebook this week, a friend posted: Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossiper, Martha was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sarah was impatient, Elijah was moody, Moses stuttered, Zaccheus was short, Abraham was… old, and Lazarus was dead.... Now, what's YOUR excuse?)

That is one thing that struck me so strongly in reading the Bible. From the beginning of time, mankind has been flawed, and yet God still loves us. David is called "a man after God's own heart" and even he fell to sin, some pretty serious ones at that (lust, adultry, murder). Yet he repented and God forgave him.

I know that we are all sinners and fall short of the Glory of God. All I can do is my best to follow its guidelines in my life. And since there is so much of the Bible, I would be overwhelmed to try to memorize every rule, I'm going to stick with the verses that apply to my life. Like ministering to the sick and broken hearted. To loving my neighbor and helping community. Sharing what I have with others. Clinging loosly to the things of this world.

I am sure to have a hard enough time following those to be concerned with verses that have no direct bearing on my life (ehm, Lev. 18:22).

If you have never read the whole Bible, I highly recommend it. Whether you believe every word or not, there is much you can take out of it to apply to your life. And there really is no other book I know of that is like it.

Lighthouse Looking for Diapers

Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center in Hawthorne provides an outstanding service in our community. A non-profit, faith-based crisis pregnancy center, Lighthouse is a safe place for women who find themselves pregnant under less than ideal circumstances. Through its network of volunteers, Lighthouse provide emotional and spiritual support, parenting advice and material needs to women throughout pregnancy and the babies first year.

In talking with Debbie Provincher, executive director at Lighthouse, it became clear that one thing these new mothers and babies need are diapers. Twice a month, on the second and fourth Saturday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m., the center' overflow center at the Rea Ave. Reformed Church in Hawthone is open to accept donations of gently used clothes, items and diapers (visit the website for a complete list of items needed).

You can also hold a diaper drive at your church or club, or even organize a baby shower for a new mom. For more details in our area, please contact me at RKAbma@gmail.com.

If you need help spurring you on to help, read this guest post at Rage Against The Mini Van: What I want you to know: Pregnant Out of Wedlock.