Read all Four at Once!
It is Saturday afternoon, and I’m in the middle of Romans. I think at this point that I might actually make it. My family went up to Columbus today, and because of life, I wasn’t able to make it, but plan on going next weekend anyway. So I have the whole day to read. But I really don’t like to be away from my family at all. Regardless, I have to absolutely recommend that everybody on this planet read all four gospels in one reading, or maybe two. But get it all done in two or three days. It really changed my life and made a huge impact on me. I feel closer to Christ than ever, and more impressed with Jesus (maybe more in awe of) than ever. He is amazing and the things that He did are just incredible (I was going to say unbelievable, just to make the exaggerated point, but truly, I do believe in the miracles that Jesus did, as a testimony for Himself, as Himself. I also believe the Brothers who through the Spirit wrote about these things. After I read the gospels, I read the book of Acts. Normally I would say that the things that happened in Peter, John, Mark, Paul, Silas, Barnabas, and the others lives are pretty amazing. I mean Paul is just intense. But, they pail in comparison to Christ (of course), but I even mean in reading about them. I know that the Apostles did what they did in Christ name, but they just aren’t as interesting and dynamic as Jesus. It kind of felt like loosing steam. That’s funny, huh?
Well, it’s off to Romans and the rest. I hope to hit Hebrews before bed tonight. I had an interesting conversation with one of my family members, and that person believes that the bible is a bunch of gibberish and nonsense. That it is a bunch of unrelated phrases all stuck together. Well, I know that the Proverbs can seem like they are unrelated, but in the scheme of things, they aren’t. Anyway, this broke my heart because of whom this person was to me growing up (and even today), and to be so ignorant of scripture when it is what I am all about, is crushing. I am confident that the preacher we had when I was a child in Horton, KS, did substantial damage to what my (this) family member believes, and that is tragic.
We used to play with the PK’s, there were three of them (twins and a younger brother), and although I was closer to the twins age, because I was the younger brother, I got stuck with their younger brother (although we were excellent play mates). Anyway, their father believed that the Old Testament was a bunch of Jewish folk tales that existed in order to teach us lessons, and that it really wasn’t historical fact (he had very little faith in miracles). My family member has stuck to this thinking since then. It truly breaks my heart. Although I shouldn’t take it personally, because this person relationship with God and the scripture is their business, between them and God, and if this person refuses to acknowledge that the scripture is really the inspired Words of God, then it is probably something they need to do in order to live with themselves. It’s funny that years ago, when I first was converted in 1989, I was 21 at the time, this family member accused me of joining this “radical” group because I felt guilty of all the things I did to them. This is totally true to an extent. But I think many people don’t feel guilty enough. Repentance is a Jesus thing, well, let me restate that, forgiveness is a Jesus thing, and the world doesn’t get it (like it says in the scripture); true forgiveness!
I have a friend in my Poetry club who doesn’t know why, if God is so loving, why He would send His only son to die for him, or anybody. Wouldn’t his Son’s life be more valuable to Him than a bunch of strangers who don’t love Him back? This brother poet literally doesn’t get it. I don’t really blame him. I know God will, but that is not my place. Anyway, this guy is a senior, and has had a rough life, and forgiveness is hard for him to get. I know he knows how to, because of his current SO; but as far as he is concerned, I don’t think he sees his value to God. Well, this get’s me thinking about me and if I see my value to God. Obviously the Gospel addresses this issue, thoroughly, and I suppose that if only more people would read the scripture, and believe, the world would be a better place. So, like I said, I highly recommend that everybody read the four gospels straight through!
Well, it’s off to Romans and the rest. I hope to hit Hebrews before bed tonight. I had an interesting conversation with one of my family members, and that person believes that the bible is a bunch of gibberish and nonsense. That it is a bunch of unrelated phrases all stuck together. Well, I know that the Proverbs can seem like they are unrelated, but in the scheme of things, they aren’t. Anyway, this broke my heart because of whom this person was to me growing up (and even today), and to be so ignorant of scripture when it is what I am all about, is crushing. I am confident that the preacher we had when I was a child in Horton, KS, did substantial damage to what my (this) family member believes, and that is tragic.
We used to play with the PK’s, there were three of them (twins and a younger brother), and although I was closer to the twins age, because I was the younger brother, I got stuck with their younger brother (although we were excellent play mates). Anyway, their father believed that the Old Testament was a bunch of Jewish folk tales that existed in order to teach us lessons, and that it really wasn’t historical fact (he had very little faith in miracles). My family member has stuck to this thinking since then. It truly breaks my heart. Although I shouldn’t take it personally, because this person relationship with God and the scripture is their business, between them and God, and if this person refuses to acknowledge that the scripture is really the inspired Words of God, then it is probably something they need to do in order to live with themselves. It’s funny that years ago, when I first was converted in 1989, I was 21 at the time, this family member accused me of joining this “radical” group because I felt guilty of all the things I did to them. This is totally true to an extent. But I think many people don’t feel guilty enough. Repentance is a Jesus thing, well, let me restate that, forgiveness is a Jesus thing, and the world doesn’t get it (like it says in the scripture); true forgiveness!
I have a friend in my Poetry club who doesn’t know why, if God is so loving, why He would send His only son to die for him, or anybody. Wouldn’t his Son’s life be more valuable to Him than a bunch of strangers who don’t love Him back? This brother poet literally doesn’t get it. I don’t really blame him. I know God will, but that is not my place. Anyway, this guy is a senior, and has had a rough life, and forgiveness is hard for him to get. I know he knows how to, because of his current SO; but as far as he is concerned, I don’t think he sees his value to God. Well, this get’s me thinking about me and if I see my value to God. Obviously the Gospel addresses this issue, thoroughly, and I suppose that if only more people would read the scripture, and believe, the world would be a better place. So, like I said, I highly recommend that everybody read the four gospels straight through!
posted by P. Allan Frederick at 11:54 AM
2 Comments:
Glad to hear you're planning on making it. Give me a shout via email and let me know your plans.
It should be a good time, Greg M. & family will be here as well as Tom C. & Darryl R. Greg is preaching on Sunday and Darryl is giving the communion talk.
There's going to be an open house on Sat. night at Doug's house and a brunch after church on Sunday. It ought to be a good time.
I ended up not making it, so sorry. I would have liked to have been there! I read your blog, and I'm glad it went well.
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