First "real" post
At any given time, I am reading through the Bible from beginning to end. I have done that for a few years now, as well as reading for specific topics, etc. My habit is to sit in a quiet place in the morning before the work day starts (usually with a cup of coffee) and spend some time praying and reading the Bible. I am old enough that I prefer reading a paper version, though when I get intrigued by something, I often go to some online resources such as http://www.biblegateway.com/ or http://www.blueletterbible.org/ Somehow a laptop and a cup of coffee just does not have the same "feel" for me as a real book and a cup of coffee.
Anyway, it invariably happens that I interact with the text. I wonder what the text means, what the original audience would have taken it to mean, what nuances are in the original language that English does not convey. I usually read from a Spanish/English parallel Bible and even that yields insights. I also interact with the author - not the human authors, since they are all deceased, but with the divine author who is very much alive. I ask him what he really meant when he inspired the words of the particular prophet or writer. I ask and ponder about how to apply what I read to my own life, family, church, community and world.
I also journal. I used to keep a diary cum journal, but found the mundane things like weather, daily activites, etc. did not mean too much in retrospect. I find journalling helps me "think out loud." As I begin to write about something I am pondering, I get insights. Some would say I hear the voice of God in this way. In fact, whether or not that is what is happening is one of my questions.
Jesus said he never did anything except what he saw his Father doing; never said anything except what His Father told him. As a believer who is "in Christ," I am called to be like my master more and more. Jesus said that his followers would do the things he did and greater things. How do I "see" what the Father is doing so I can do likewise? How can I "hear" what the Father says, so I know what to say?
Anybody having similar questions, struggles, experiences? Or did you have and then gotit "down pat"?
Anyway, it invariably happens that I interact with the text. I wonder what the text means, what the original audience would have taken it to mean, what nuances are in the original language that English does not convey. I usually read from a Spanish/English parallel Bible and even that yields insights. I also interact with the author - not the human authors, since they are all deceased, but with the divine author who is very much alive. I ask him what he really meant when he inspired the words of the particular prophet or writer. I ask and ponder about how to apply what I read to my own life, family, church, community and world.
I also journal. I used to keep a diary cum journal, but found the mundane things like weather, daily activites, etc. did not mean too much in retrospect. I find journalling helps me "think out loud." As I begin to write about something I am pondering, I get insights. Some would say I hear the voice of God in this way. In fact, whether or not that is what is happening is one of my questions.
Jesus said he never did anything except what he saw his Father doing; never said anything except what His Father told him. As a believer who is "in Christ," I am called to be like my master more and more. Jesus said that his followers would do the things he did and greater things. How do I "see" what the Father is doing so I can do likewise? How can I "hear" what the Father says, so I know what to say?
Anybody having similar questions, struggles, experiences? Or did you have and then gotit "down pat"?
posted by lornewel at
6:11 p.m.
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