So I decided I wanted to read through the entire Bible. I've never done it before and I thought it would be a good idea. Part of the the reason was because I was getting frustrated when I would pick up the 'good book' and read a random story I didn't understand because I didn't know the back story. I figured if I read through the whole Bible, I'd know all the stories and I could understand it a little better.
So, where did I begin? In Genesis of course! And I have to say, since I've decided to read through the entire Bible, I find myself more motivated to read. Maybe because I am finding it more interesting...I don't know. Anyway, yes, so I've started from the beginning when God created world. As many times as I've read the story, I still find it amazing and interesting. I mean, what a way to start a book! If you aren't captivated by the Creation, then I can't imagine what would captivate you. What a powerful story (and yes, I will continue to refer to the stories in the Bible as stories, because I find it more appealing when I call them stories). :)
Anyhoo, it's amazing to learn the steps God took to create such an amazing thing. It makes me appreciate things a little more. I really like how God rested on the seventh day. I was taught not to work on the Sabbath, to keep it holy and to rest. Who was I to complain about that! LOL When I was younger, I always told my bosses that I could not work on Sundays because it was a religious thing and I had to go to church. ALL of them respected that and I never had to work Sundays (granted, there was a time when I told one boss that I could work Sunday afternoons, after church, because I needed more money, but I never missed church because of work).
Moving on....
Then, there is the story of Adam and Eve. Oh, what I would do to be a 'fly on the wall' during that time! I would scream at Eve not to eat the forbidden fruit. Everything was perfect up until that point and then Eve was deceived and ruined it for all of us. It changed the world from what God intended. It must have been such a sad day in heaven. I wonder how God felt....??
Then, there's Noah and the flood. The thing that amazes me about Noah's story is how he obeyed and listened to God. I wonder if he was thinking, God must be crazy....
Then, there's some geneology stuff which is always really boring, but good to know about.
Then, there's Abrahm who becomes Abraham. What amazes me about this guy is that he continually doubts God (well, I can't say continually because he does obey Him at some points). Anyway, Abraham does leave the city he's living in and he does attempt to sacrifice his son like God tells him to do, but he doubts God when he tells people that Sarah is his sister, not his wife (he does this twice). Whats interesting to me is that, these powerful, Godly men of the Bible, are just like us. They doubt God, they don't trust Him, and they try and do things in their own power. How many times do we do the same thing?!
What's funny is, as I'm reading these stories, I keep thinking to myself, 'you stupid idiot, why don't you trust God?! Its so easy! Why do you continually doubt?!' The truth is that people could say the same about me. I doubt God a lot and I ALWAYS try and do things my own way instead of letting God 'take the wheel.' It's so easy to say, 'yeah, I trust God,' but it's another thing to actually believe what you say.
In church yesterday, the pastor was talking about faith and how some people just have an amazing amount of faith in God and nothing changed it. And then there's the rest of us, who doubt constantly, but wish we could be like those with insurmountable faith.
I have to be honest, I think reading God's word more helps me with my faith. I notice myself being able to trust God more easily when I read. I think when I read about how God always comes through and how amazing God is, I am able to trust Him more, which in turn, allows me to have more faith.
So, yeah, thats what I've been up to....and now the baby is crying and must go...
