Following the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the paradise of God's garden, we might expect a story of Adam and Eve's efforts to make it in the new "cursed" world, with at least some redeeming news in the making. That's not the case. Eve has two sons who immediately find themselves in conflict, with Cain's jealously of Abel leading to murder. Good grief! Seth's birth provides some promise of redemption in that it is through his line that God's elect will come.
Then we have the lineage chapter, and the enigmatic "sons of God" taking wives of the daughters of men. I don't read too much into those two verses.
The more important issue is Gen 6:3 when the Lord says, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh..." I don't much like the sound of that warning. Then in v5, "the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." Now that sounds really bad.
But God, in His grace, spared humanity through Noah, the soon to be drunkard, who would have a perverted and disrespectful son. And you thought you had family issues.
Then humanity gets together and determines to use technological advancement in order to build a tower to heaven. If the apple did not make us like God, maybe a few bricks and mortar can get us there anyway. Sadly, we still think our modern technologies make us like God, and with the advent of modern genetics, weaponry, etc.; some people like to play God. God thwarted the plans at the Tower of Babel (trans.; confusion), and He will thwart our modern plans as well.
The first eleven chapters of Genesis seem to have an abundance of death and destruction. It's not a very encouraging story to say the least. The only real encouragement comes in the form of God's gracious acts of forbearance, and his covenants of promise that spare the earth from total annihilation.That's why I say we do not have to wait until John 3:16 to find the love of God.
God acts graciously throughout the history of humanity as found in Scripture. Remember that grace is God's acts of love freely given. He is not bound by us at all, but does bind Himself by His promises to us; which is an amazing fact in and of itself.
As I read the early chapters of Genesis I'm struck by the sinfulness of sin, and the "pervasiveness of perversity." (I just made that up...) We struggle with sin and come by it naturally. I sin, you sin, we all sin, and no one wins. It is a classic "lose; lose." Yet we do it anyway.
I've been asked many times, "Pastor Keith, why do I continue to struggle with sin?" My answer from Scripture, "Because you're a sinner." We sin because we're sinners. We're not sinners because we sin. There's a difference. The one who says he/she has no sin is a liar, and deceives themselves (1 John 1:8). So there it is; the unhappy truth.
From the very beginning we've sinned as quickly and as desperately as possible. The Bible does not give a time on Adam's first sin, but I believe the tempter came very quickly and the sin came even quicker. Adam and Eve certainly had not had time to conceive a child before sin entered, so it could not have been very long. From there the acts of rebellion continued to build and build until God wiped the whole earth clean, save Noah and his family.
What does this tell me as a person? Sin is my biggest problem. It's not finances, my health, my wife, my children, my government, who will win the game on Sunday, or a million other trivial things we worry so much about. My biggest problem is me. My sin. It's quite horrible really. I just can't seem to play charades with it any longer. Sin is an ugly stain on my soul, a constant reminder of my own pain and desperation, and the pain and desperation I create for others.
Thank God for grace! Thank God for the "Seed" who God promised would come and deliver us all. Until we see sin, no scratch that..., sinners in all their despicable ugliness, we will never see the beauty of Christ. Until we experience the depths of despair, we will never see the glorious heights of the cross. Genesis 1-11 is just such an "in your face" look at humanity. It makes me long for Jesus (Yahweh is Salvation).
As a pastor I face sin from two sides really.
On one hand, I'm continually amazed at how complacent confessing Christians can be on the issue. We cover up sin with a pretty dress, some nice make-up, a new suit and tie, a haircut, a smile and a handshake. We're good. If we're not good, at least we're good enough... right? Wrong. Let's be honest for once. We think we have it all figured out. We'll just take what God says not take, and then we'll be like God. If we don't like the way things are going we'll just blame our spouse (way to go Adam), or someone (government, culture, the coach, teacher, OPEC, etc.). If our brother offends us, kill him. Can you say "Iraq," or "Afghanistan?" If we want to reach heaven, nirvana, the ultimate ground of being, or whatever it's being called these days, we'll find a way with new technology. (Michael Jackson tried hard. He's still dead). All that being said, I really do not understand how people can sit week after week and look at me stone faced, with so little conviction of sin and so little gratitude for grace. Where are the tears of sorrow and joy? I wonder.
On the other hand I'm deeply burdened by the sufferings that my brothers and sisters in Christ have to bear. Divorce, wayward kids, job loss, cancer, death... The prayer list weighs on my heart weekly like a million pounds of lead. We suffer just like everyone else. I wonder, why Lord? Why do your children seem to hurt so much? Why so many tears? Why so much struggle? Why, why, why? Still God does not answer all the whys I ask. At least, not yet. So it hurts. The pain goes on and I battle against my own desire to sometimes insulate myself from it. I can't just send my church family home at the end of the day and go on myself as if it doesn't matter that they're struggling. And I can't fix anything. The "engineer brain" in my head spins on and on with what can I do, how can I help, how can I fix it??? But I can't. No one can. No one that is except the One. Jesus. So what do I do in the face of so much sin and suffering? I point people to Christ. I lead people to Christ. I take people to Christ. I pray people to Christ. And I hope.
That's what Genesis 1-11 tells me. Sin is big, but God is bigger. Our situation is bad, but God is better. As Paul will say in Rom. 5:20-21, "But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." NKJV
Thank you Lord.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Genesis 3
I have so often wondered why God allowed sin to exist in the first place. I know all of the arguments from free will and God's desire to have a unique spiritual relationship with humanity, but still, why allow all of this pain and suffering? I really don't have a great answer. I do remember my theology professor saying in seminary that there was no good explanation. That sin at the core is irrational. It makes no real sense. When I read the Genesis account and think of Adam and Eve with the perfect bodies, in the perfect place, with a perfect relationship with God, and then think how they threw it all away to "be like God, knowing good from evil," I just can't understand it.
I also cannot completely explain how or why Satan appeared as a serpent and why the serpent was cursed in the way he was or what that has ultimately to do with Satan. Again, I've read all sorts of reasonable responses, but still it seems so strange that temptation would come through a serpent, to the woman, and then to the man. I am reluctant to speculate too much beyond what Scripture says, but this I know; sin is horrible and its effects are devastating.
Another thing the Lord showed me in my reading of this text is the way in which sin seems to function now in our lives. God gave a clear command to not eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:16). He also gave this command to Adam, before woman was made, so it was Adam's responsibility to pass it along. Apparently he did not do so clearly, because misquotes God when she says that the Lord said, "you shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die." God didn't say you could not touch it, only that you could not eat it. I think we often misunderstand the Word and will of God, adding more demands than even the Lord requires. I think too that perhaps when she did touch it (v6) and nothing happened, she may have said to herself, "hey, this is ok, I'll go ahead and eat." But when she did eat, that's when sin came. She then took the fruit to Adam, and he ate too. He should have known better, having received the command directly from God, but he did it anyway. Immediately they died spiritually, and fellowship with God was broken in disobedience. The relationship God had established had been severed by Adam, and they were ashamed. Guilt came into the heart and they did know good and evil not by precept, but by practice. They knew evil experientially.
When God came to them He questioned them in their sin, and then covered them with skins, the first shedding of blood. The curses were enacted and they were banished from paradise; not so much the paradise of the garden, but the intimacy of fellowship with God and with one another. What a shame.
I think we sin in a very similar manner. We misunderstand the will of God like Eve, or we do know the explicit will of God like Adam, yet we determine to disobey the Lord anyway. Sin entices us. It is pleasing and desirable, so we take it, and do what God says not to do. After we sin, we are ashamed and guilty, so we try and cover it up. What we fail to see is that the wage of sin is death, and the curse of sin is separation from God and from others.
Many see the first good news of the gospel in Gen. 3:15, where God promises that the seed of woman will be at enmity (an enemy of) Satan. This Seed will be bruised by Satan on the heel, but He will crush the head of the ancient serpent. We know this Seed to be Jesus Christ.
There's so much that could be said from this text, but at the most basic level we should learn to shun sin and seek the Lord and His will in all our ways. I struggle with that every day, but I remind myself that God has a better plan than my foolish desires can yield.
In C. S. Lewis' "The Magicians Nephew," Digory is sent by Aslan, the Lion (Christ), to retrieve an apple from a garden. Aslan tells Digory to bring it to him. Digory goes and retrieves the apple, entering the garden through the gate. The Witch (Satan) scales the wall and gets her own apple, and eats it. The apple gives her immortal life. She then tempts Digory to take the apple not to Aslan, but to his ailing mother who is about to die. He can use it heal her and save her life. Digory longs to save his mother, but he obeys Aslan and returns the fruit to Him per His instruction. As Digory gives over the apple, he weeps, believing his mother will surely perish. Aslan, however, has better plans. He tells Digory to throw the apple. He does, and it sinks into the earth and begins to immediately spring up into a new tree that bears its own silver apples. Aslan tells Digory to take one of the apples back to His mother, and that it will save her, and she will live long and happily. Digory asks if the original apple would have given his mother life. Aslan answers yes, it would do what it was made to do, but it would be a long and miserable life, because it would have not been according to Aslan's (Christ's) will. Furthermore, because the Witch had stolen and eaten her own apple, she would live, but she would live miserably and with a bitter hatred and avoidance of anything that had to do with the tree. Thus, the tree Digory planted would protect the people of Narnia for many years to come.
When we do it God's way, He does the unexpected, and it is always good. When we rebel against Him, we kill ourselves and those around us with pain. With God's help, let us do His will, and by His grace, let us be healed.
Check out this video on youtube if you have 10 minutes to spare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD04WfpKG1A
I also cannot completely explain how or why Satan appeared as a serpent and why the serpent was cursed in the way he was or what that has ultimately to do with Satan. Again, I've read all sorts of reasonable responses, but still it seems so strange that temptation would come through a serpent, to the woman, and then to the man. I am reluctant to speculate too much beyond what Scripture says, but this I know; sin is horrible and its effects are devastating.
Another thing the Lord showed me in my reading of this text is the way in which sin seems to function now in our lives. God gave a clear command to not eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:16). He also gave this command to Adam, before woman was made, so it was Adam's responsibility to pass it along. Apparently he did not do so clearly, because misquotes God when she says that the Lord said, "you shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die." God didn't say you could not touch it, only that you could not eat it. I think we often misunderstand the Word and will of God, adding more demands than even the Lord requires. I think too that perhaps when she did touch it (v6) and nothing happened, she may have said to herself, "hey, this is ok, I'll go ahead and eat." But when she did eat, that's when sin came. She then took the fruit to Adam, and he ate too. He should have known better, having received the command directly from God, but he did it anyway. Immediately they died spiritually, and fellowship with God was broken in disobedience. The relationship God had established had been severed by Adam, and they were ashamed. Guilt came into the heart and they did know good and evil not by precept, but by practice. They knew evil experientially.
When God came to them He questioned them in their sin, and then covered them with skins, the first shedding of blood. The curses were enacted and they were banished from paradise; not so much the paradise of the garden, but the intimacy of fellowship with God and with one another. What a shame.
I think we sin in a very similar manner. We misunderstand the will of God like Eve, or we do know the explicit will of God like Adam, yet we determine to disobey the Lord anyway. Sin entices us. It is pleasing and desirable, so we take it, and do what God says not to do. After we sin, we are ashamed and guilty, so we try and cover it up. What we fail to see is that the wage of sin is death, and the curse of sin is separation from God and from others.
Many see the first good news of the gospel in Gen. 3:15, where God promises that the seed of woman will be at enmity (an enemy of) Satan. This Seed will be bruised by Satan on the heel, but He will crush the head of the ancient serpent. We know this Seed to be Jesus Christ.
There's so much that could be said from this text, but at the most basic level we should learn to shun sin and seek the Lord and His will in all our ways. I struggle with that every day, but I remind myself that God has a better plan than my foolish desires can yield.
In C. S. Lewis' "The Magicians Nephew," Digory is sent by Aslan, the Lion (Christ), to retrieve an apple from a garden. Aslan tells Digory to bring it to him. Digory goes and retrieves the apple, entering the garden through the gate. The Witch (Satan) scales the wall and gets her own apple, and eats it. The apple gives her immortal life. She then tempts Digory to take the apple not to Aslan, but to his ailing mother who is about to die. He can use it heal her and save her life. Digory longs to save his mother, but he obeys Aslan and returns the fruit to Him per His instruction. As Digory gives over the apple, he weeps, believing his mother will surely perish. Aslan, however, has better plans. He tells Digory to throw the apple. He does, and it sinks into the earth and begins to immediately spring up into a new tree that bears its own silver apples. Aslan tells Digory to take one of the apples back to His mother, and that it will save her, and she will live long and happily. Digory asks if the original apple would have given his mother life. Aslan answers yes, it would do what it was made to do, but it would be a long and miserable life, because it would have not been according to Aslan's (Christ's) will. Furthermore, because the Witch had stolen and eaten her own apple, she would live, but she would live miserably and with a bitter hatred and avoidance of anything that had to do with the tree. Thus, the tree Digory planted would protect the people of Narnia for many years to come.
When we do it God's way, He does the unexpected, and it is always good. When we rebel against Him, we kill ourselves and those around us with pain. With God's help, let us do His will, and by His grace, let us be healed.
Check out this video on youtube if you have 10 minutes to spare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD04WfpKG1A
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Genesis 1
I absolutely love the creation account. Preaching on creation and the image of God in humanity has really connected me with God's greatness and grace. I just finished a book called, "Designer Universe," that talks about the irreducible complexity we find all around us, and the overwhelming evidences for intelligent design in creation, from the expanse and balance of the galaxies to the function of the atom. Isn't it amazing that something so big is actually comprised of something so small? When you get to the possibility of life being made of the same stuff as dirt, it gets really amazing.
Did God create it all in 6 days? Why not? He could have created in 6 nanoseconds or 6 billion years. What difference would that make to God? He's in a different time zone than we are in. Time is all relative anyway. It's only measured point to point. When we look back and attempt to figure out when something started, so we can calculate its age, we can only theorize. That's ok, but I still hold the biblical account as a reasonable, viable account. I hold it by faith in the Word of God. I prefer to have faith in Jesus Christ, not Carl Sagan or any other agnostic/atheistic cosmologist. Sagan died in 1996, so all his theories have been put to the test now.
Concerning man in the image of God, or in the Latin, the imago dei, man is the only creature made to have such a unique relationship with God. We are the pinnacle of creation not because of physical prowess, but because of spiritual relationship with the Lord. God created humanity in His image, male and female, God created them. Thank you Lord! I am so grateful for my wife. I truly believe that when we are in right relationship with God, and with one another (love), then men and women compliment one another and add joy to life that would be impossible otherwise. That was God's plan from the beginning.
Finally, God created humanity for a purpose. That means he created you and me for a purpose. What is our purpose? Ultimately it is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. To do that we must each seek to know God's will for our lives and by faith, endeavor to do God's will. It's not enough to be "hearers only," but we must be "doers," of the will of God. God's will is revealed objectively in the Word of God, the Bible, we have all committed to read through. Scripture reveals who God is and how God acts. It reveals who we are and how we are to relate to God and one another. It reveals the movement of God's plan of redemption in history, and we are a continuing part of that history. We have a part to play right here, right now. We must, therefore, know the Word of God as it is. It remains the benchmark, the standard, by which life is measured.
But God also speaks through the Spirit of God directly to our hearts. Should you take a new job or buy a new house, or go on a mission trip to Haiti, or start a new service at church? Not all of these questions are answered directly in the pages of Scripture, although firm guidance is provided there. You should not take a new job if it involves something immoral. You should not buy a new home if it puts you in more debt. You should go on a mission trip if God provides a way for you to go. You should start a new service if God burdens your heart for people and opens the door of opportunity. Scripture offers firm truth on these questions, but it is the Holy Spirit who speaks and confirms it in our hearts.
Last week I went to a prayer service on Wednesday at Union Hill AME. I prayed for an hour and then talked to Joe Pridgen, their young pastor afterwards. He shared some of the challenges he has faced and I shared with him some of mine. In talking to him I became impressed with the urge to act on something that has been on my heart for several years. I have wanted to start another worship service at Live Oak outside of the 11 am Sunday service. Many churches do this with the intent of reaching new people and providing a forum of worship that is somewhat less structured by past expectations. Joe had labored through that same struggle until he finally gave into God's leading and stepped out on faith. I felt so very burdened to finally do the same, and no longer allow my fear of failure to stop me from what God laid on my heart for so long.
Thursday morning I prayed earnestly, "Lord, is this what you want me to do?" I picked up my Bible and continued with my morning devotional in Luke 8. There is found the parable of the sower, and the admonition to not hide our light under a basket. Then I read Luke 8:18. Jesus said, "Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away." Now I have read that verse many, many times and quite honestly I never understood it. But that morning, the Spirit told me that I must listen to the Lord, for God has given me a heart mind, talent, desire, experience, gifting to do something more for Him, and if I do, He will give more. But if I hold onto only what I think I have in terms of comfort, security, peace, pleasing people, holding status quo, then even what I think I have will be taken away.
Is what Christ has put on my heart easy? Of course not. Is it ever? Will it please everyone? Not likely. But am I constrained by the Word of God and the Spirit of God to do the will of God? I believe so. It's either that or disobey. How can I admonish people week after week to take steps of faith on God's will when I won't take one myself? So that same Thursday morning I went to speak to a trusted adviser and senior member of our church to ask his thoughts. Ultimately he said it's worth a try if we have the hope of reaching souls for Christ. If God is in it, he said, then it will go. If God is not, it won't. So true. But I know I must act now in faith.
What has God put on your heart? What is God speaking to you in His Word, in His Spirit, and through the people He has brought into your life?
Did God create it all in 6 days? Why not? He could have created in 6 nanoseconds or 6 billion years. What difference would that make to God? He's in a different time zone than we are in. Time is all relative anyway. It's only measured point to point. When we look back and attempt to figure out when something started, so we can calculate its age, we can only theorize. That's ok, but I still hold the biblical account as a reasonable, viable account. I hold it by faith in the Word of God. I prefer to have faith in Jesus Christ, not Carl Sagan or any other agnostic/atheistic cosmologist. Sagan died in 1996, so all his theories have been put to the test now.
Concerning man in the image of God, or in the Latin, the imago dei, man is the only creature made to have such a unique relationship with God. We are the pinnacle of creation not because of physical prowess, but because of spiritual relationship with the Lord. God created humanity in His image, male and female, God created them. Thank you Lord! I am so grateful for my wife. I truly believe that when we are in right relationship with God, and with one another (love), then men and women compliment one another and add joy to life that would be impossible otherwise. That was God's plan from the beginning.
Finally, God created humanity for a purpose. That means he created you and me for a purpose. What is our purpose? Ultimately it is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. To do that we must each seek to know God's will for our lives and by faith, endeavor to do God's will. It's not enough to be "hearers only," but we must be "doers," of the will of God. God's will is revealed objectively in the Word of God, the Bible, we have all committed to read through. Scripture reveals who God is and how God acts. It reveals who we are and how we are to relate to God and one another. It reveals the movement of God's plan of redemption in history, and we are a continuing part of that history. We have a part to play right here, right now. We must, therefore, know the Word of God as it is. It remains the benchmark, the standard, by which life is measured.
But God also speaks through the Spirit of God directly to our hearts. Should you take a new job or buy a new house, or go on a mission trip to Haiti, or start a new service at church? Not all of these questions are answered directly in the pages of Scripture, although firm guidance is provided there. You should not take a new job if it involves something immoral. You should not buy a new home if it puts you in more debt. You should go on a mission trip if God provides a way for you to go. You should start a new service if God burdens your heart for people and opens the door of opportunity. Scripture offers firm truth on these questions, but it is the Holy Spirit who speaks and confirms it in our hearts.
Last week I went to a prayer service on Wednesday at Union Hill AME. I prayed for an hour and then talked to Joe Pridgen, their young pastor afterwards. He shared some of the challenges he has faced and I shared with him some of mine. In talking to him I became impressed with the urge to act on something that has been on my heart for several years. I have wanted to start another worship service at Live Oak outside of the 11 am Sunday service. Many churches do this with the intent of reaching new people and providing a forum of worship that is somewhat less structured by past expectations. Joe had labored through that same struggle until he finally gave into God's leading and stepped out on faith. I felt so very burdened to finally do the same, and no longer allow my fear of failure to stop me from what God laid on my heart for so long.
Thursday morning I prayed earnestly, "Lord, is this what you want me to do?" I picked up my Bible and continued with my morning devotional in Luke 8. There is found the parable of the sower, and the admonition to not hide our light under a basket. Then I read Luke 8:18. Jesus said, "Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away." Now I have read that verse many, many times and quite honestly I never understood it. But that morning, the Spirit told me that I must listen to the Lord, for God has given me a heart mind, talent, desire, experience, gifting to do something more for Him, and if I do, He will give more. But if I hold onto only what I think I have in terms of comfort, security, peace, pleasing people, holding status quo, then even what I think I have will be taken away.
Is what Christ has put on my heart easy? Of course not. Is it ever? Will it please everyone? Not likely. But am I constrained by the Word of God and the Spirit of God to do the will of God? I believe so. It's either that or disobey. How can I admonish people week after week to take steps of faith on God's will when I won't take one myself? So that same Thursday morning I went to speak to a trusted adviser and senior member of our church to ask his thoughts. Ultimately he said it's worth a try if we have the hope of reaching souls for Christ. If God is in it, he said, then it will go. If God is not, it won't. So true. But I know I must act now in faith.
What has God put on your heart? What is God speaking to you in His Word, in His Spirit, and through the people He has brought into your life?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Starting the Challenge
Hello everyone,
Let the challenge begin! The Lord put this idea on my heart several months ago after a great friend of mine and fellow pastor, Brent Farrar, gave me this book. The words of the author resonated in my soul, and God nudged me along to use this book as a catalyst to inspire folks in our church to read through the Bible.
I thought January would be a great time to start (it's a bit past the 1st, but hey, so what?) So here we are at the start line of a great adventure; the adventure of our lives wrapped up in the life of Christ and intertwined with the story of believers in our Lord that goes back to the very beginning of the world.
Since I'm beginning this challenge with you, I am also starting again in Genesis, reading Larry Crabb's writing, and then reading that book of the Bible for myself. I am also finishing up the New Testament (I'm in Luke), but I like to read something Old and something New every day anyway.
Some of you are already into the Bible somewhere, and may want to continue from your present location. That's ok. But if we all start again with Genesis now we will at least have some common ground to discuss. I do not, however, want to put too many boundaries on what God is doing through your faith during this process, so do as the Lord leads you.
Generally, what I have in mind is this:
1) Read Larry's chapter from the book. "66 Love Letters: A Conversation with God That Invites You into His Story," by Lawrence J. Crabb.
2) Read that book of the Bible at your own pace. (4 - 6 chapters a day is a pretty good start)
3) Keep a journal of how you sense God speaking to your life and revealing Himself to you through Scripture, meditation, memorization of certain verses, and prayerful reflection.
4) Share your thoughts on this blog, and as the Lord leads you, with the church.
5) Look back and praise God for all the wonderful things He's done in your life since you started.
6) Keep going until you finish!
That's it.
If you do not know how to follow and post on this blog, come see me. I will help you get started. I look forward to reading what God speaks into your life through this faith journey. We are part of God's great story!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Keith
Let the challenge begin! The Lord put this idea on my heart several months ago after a great friend of mine and fellow pastor, Brent Farrar, gave me this book. The words of the author resonated in my soul, and God nudged me along to use this book as a catalyst to inspire folks in our church to read through the Bible.
I thought January would be a great time to start (it's a bit past the 1st, but hey, so what?) So here we are at the start line of a great adventure; the adventure of our lives wrapped up in the life of Christ and intertwined with the story of believers in our Lord that goes back to the very beginning of the world.
Since I'm beginning this challenge with you, I am also starting again in Genesis, reading Larry Crabb's writing, and then reading that book of the Bible for myself. I am also finishing up the New Testament (I'm in Luke), but I like to read something Old and something New every day anyway.
Some of you are already into the Bible somewhere, and may want to continue from your present location. That's ok. But if we all start again with Genesis now we will at least have some common ground to discuss. I do not, however, want to put too many boundaries on what God is doing through your faith during this process, so do as the Lord leads you.
Generally, what I have in mind is this:
1) Read Larry's chapter from the book. "66 Love Letters: A Conversation with God That Invites You into His Story," by Lawrence J. Crabb.
2) Read that book of the Bible at your own pace. (4 - 6 chapters a day is a pretty good start)
3) Keep a journal of how you sense God speaking to your life and revealing Himself to you through Scripture, meditation, memorization of certain verses, and prayerful reflection.
4) Share your thoughts on this blog, and as the Lord leads you, with the church.
5) Look back and praise God for all the wonderful things He's done in your life since you started.
6) Keep going until you finish!
That's it.
If you do not know how to follow and post on this blog, come see me. I will help you get started. I look forward to reading what God speaks into your life through this faith journey. We are part of God's great story!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Keith
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