Wednesday, April 29, 6:30 p.m.
SPD Learning Center

We have been reading for 119 days and we have not only completed two sections of the Bible -- the Pentateuch and the Books of History -- but we have begun a third, the books of Poetry and Wisdom.

The books of history can be difficult to swallow with all the violence. Perhaps the most frequently asked question of scripture is: Why does God appear to be so angry in the Old Testament and so loving in the New Testament?

In chapter 22 of his book, Making Sense of the Bible, Adam Hamilton offers a helpful response. Considering the book of Joshua, he writes: "...perhaps the most important reason for reading Joshua is to remind us of how easy it is for people of faith to invoke God's name in pursuit of violence, bloodshed, and war." He goes on to say: "...judge all other words of scripture in the light of God's definitive Word, Jesus Christ. He taught that his followers were to love their neighbors, turn the other cheek, forgive those who wrong them and pray for those who persecute them. This Word stands in direct opposition to the encouragement of slaughter in the name of God."

We will gather for our second conversation on April 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Learning Center. We will check in with one another on how we are doing; share best practices and insights; ask questions; and conclude with a look at what lies ahead.

Show your intent to participate by responding to the Facebook invitation or email me at cmathison@spdlc.org.

At monthly SPD Book Club meetings, they begin with what I call, "First Word." Everyone gets one word -- one word -- to summarize their response to the book. Our Bible Read-Along Facebook group did this during week 14, but let's plan to do it together on the 22nd. Come prepared with your one word response to the journey of daily Bible reading so far.

The next section of books will be the wonderful books of poetry including: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. You may find these readings challenging; not in an "oh my goodness get me out of Leviticus" kind of way, but in a "do we have to be in such a hurry" kind of way! It is difficult to plow through poetry and keep up with our reading. Poetry invites reflection and a much slower pace. Maybe for this section, plan to read every day in the morning to give yourself time to savor the rich words. Or, break your reading into two parts beginning and ending the day with smaller sections to allow you more time to listen.
Let's just call it a sabbatical. You have taken a little time away for whatever reason -- and that's okay, and no apologies or excuses are necessary. But now it is time to get back to it. Start with today's reading and move forward with us. Do not look back or worry about what you have not read...it will wait for another day.