nks  

Jonah... or as a friend calls it, 

"How to avoid becoming spit-up on the beach..."

  

Dear Bible Challenge participants,

  

After yesterday's one-chapter Obadiah slam against Edom (those descendants of Esau who watched in glee over the fence as the descendants of Jacob (Israel/Judah) were getting trounced,) today we find ourselves hanging out with Jonah, who might be the best known among the prophets of Israel. Even people who've never read the Bible, and who are unchurched still seem to know about Jonah.

 

Jonah is best understood as an extended parable about a prophet, and we'll get to enjoy it over our Thanksgiving days.

  

Many of us who have tried to avoid following God's call can resonate with God's persistent pursuit of Jonah. Those of us who, on our more broken days, have delighted in the downfall of others, can relate to Jonah's sulkiness over Ninevah's being spared.

  

Jonah is a powerful story to read now, as it's strongest message may be "God is big enough to love everyone-- even those people you can't make yourself love."

  

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem...

  

As ever, thank you for being on this journey!

  

Peace,

Paige+ 

  

PS Sandra Darnell gave me permission to share these thoughts:

  

 

Since I started the Bible Challenge, my New Oxford Annotated Bible has been a constant companion.  I am sorry to say that it's a little dog-eared now and there are
penciled notes in the margins and lines under certain words and phrases that I  did not understand and needed to research, circles around particular Psalms that I thought simply beautiful and deeply moving - some newly discovered and some old favorites. There are photocopies of a painting depicting a biblical scene, printouts of your emails, my anglican rosary and a palm cross all to be found
in my Bible and used as bookmarks. I have read my Bible in the kitchen at breakfast; whilst preparing dinner; by the fire in the evenings,; sitting in my garden; at night in bed; in the car park; at the hairdressers and at the airport whilst waiting for a flight.
  
I feel lost, as if my day is incomplete somehow, if I have not bothered to find thirty minutes or so, to read my Bible.  It's my time for reading, listening and absorbing The Word of God.  It has not always been like that though, I am ashamed to admit that the only Old Testament book (from beginning to end) that I had read, was Genesis and that was in my Bible Study class when I was thirteen years old.  Why? Probably too lazy, intimidated by the language in the Bible and the lengthy passages, thinking that 'going to church and listening to Bible readings during the service' was enough. How could I call myself a Christian and yet have never read the Bible? Dreadful ...and it bothers me a lot.  I ask God's forgiveness for this in my prayers.
  
I have learnt, through trial and error, to find the time to keep up with the daily readings.  I must say though, I did find it somewhat daunting at first, especially around Numbers! My eyes have sometimes glazed over the pages, and I must admit I may have skipped over some passages, here and there. I am currently re-reading Revelations, rather than the Gospels.  I simply did not understand what those wonderful passages were all about! I know what John wrote about was profoundly meaningful and deeply spiritual, but it's simply 'over my head'.  
  
How do I feel now that we have almost finished reading the Bible from beginning to end ? I read somewhere that reading the Bible is "like touching the heart of God as never before".  That is how II feel ... like I have touched the heart of God.
  
My plans next year ... to re-read Genesis and the New Testament.  This time from my anniversary copy of the King James Version, of the Holy Bible.  

Thanks, Sandra!

 

 

PPS Just a reminder to RSVP for Dec 15's lunch potluck by Dec 10!

  

 

  

 


Contact Us

 

the Rev. Paige Blair

Office (858) 755-1616 Ext. 101 * Cell 858-248-7247