Faithful Writers

ChatGPT Genesis Chapter 14 introduces some good examples showing how the Bible has undergone certain revisions throughout history. This is also a good opportunity to introduce a technical term you probably don’t know unless you went to a seminary. The word I’m talking about is “ redacted ” and it basically means “edited." The simple truth is that the Bible you are holding in your hands is NOT the original Scriptures. The Torah has gone through many revisions over the ages. Actually, if you think about it, the mere translation of a document is by its very nature a redaction. One common reason for a redaction is that the name of a given geographical location has since changed from when the event connected to that area occurred. Let’s take a look at some redactions in this chapter. Verse 3: “all the latter joined forces at the Valley of Siddim, now the Dead Sea.” So this is a redaction right here (the part I bolded). Actually, throughout history, this verse has undergone two redactions. When this event first happened, the area in question was only known as the Valley of Siddim, so the reference to the Dead Sea was not in the earliest Scriptures. However, as time went by, the Siddim Valley became flooded and ceased to exist. That area instead came to be known as the Salt Sea. So the Bible copiers or editors at that time used the term the Salt Sea. However, as time passed, the term Salt Sea fell into disuse and became known as the Dead Sea, resulting in the verse we have in our Bibles today. Here is another much more obvious example. Verse 14: “When Abram heard that his kinsmen had been taken captive, he mustered his retainers, born into his household , numbering three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan .” They went as far as the region of “Dan”???!!! This should strike you as being strange. Dan was named after one of the tribes of Israel. In other words, Dan was one of the sons of Jacob, and Jacob was an eventual grandson of Abraham. However, Dan won’t be born until about another 600 years after this event occurred. So this is an obvious redaction with the editor using a place name that would be familiar to the readers in his time. Let’s look at one more. Verse 1: Now when Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellesar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim … Anybody with a basic working knowledge of Hebrew would know that goiim is not the name of a country but means the Gentile nations. However, since the separation of Jew and Gentile had not yet occurred… At this time, Goiim just meant any nation, like how we would use the word nations today. So here the redactor is just telling us that King Tidal was the ruler of some nation or nations. Probably because it was very common knowledge at the time, the writer did not see the need to specify the country name that King Tidal ruled over. However, we know today that King Tidal is a Hittite name. In today’s terms, he would have been a ruler over Western Turkey and Syria. © Richoka

Image by author Introduction If all were seen and known about God, what would be the merit in having faith? If people were able to see God, what would that do to our free will? We wouldn’t have any choice but to believe that He exists. God gave us the freedom to choose to have faith in Him so that we could love Him without coercion. Genuine love requires choice. The nature of faith At its core, faith involves belief in the unseen and trust in the unknown. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith requires acknowledging the possibility that a supernatural realm exists. For some, this means stepping away from naturalism into uncertainty, into the realm of mystery. It means trusting beyond the five senses and what can be immediately known or proven. It is this leap — this willingness to trust without complete knowledge — that gives faith its unique power and merit. For others, this leap of faith is simple because of the awe and wonder they feel when contemplating the vastness of the universe, the complexity of life, the precisely balanced conditions needed for life to exist, and humans’ tendency to worship. Belief in the supernatural realm doesn’t make one less intelligent; on the contrary, it makes one humble. Although invisible, God is knowable Even though God is invisible, He is not unknowable nor unreachable. He has revealed Himself through general revelation and special revelation: Creation — the order and beauty of the natural world Natural law — human moral intuition and conscience Holy scripture — the Bible Jesus Chris t — the ultimate revelation of who God is Prophets — God speaking through chosen ones to deliver His messages Holy Spirit — given to believers to help them do God’s will God’s hiddenness is not silence; it is an invitation to us to look deeper. Faith requires courage. It is valuable precisely because it asks individuals to choose trust over certainty, hope over proof, and love over mere knowledge. This choice allows faith to shape character and build resilience in the face of adversity. The faith of Abraham Abraham is frequently referred to as the “ father of faith” . His story has merit because he trusted in God completely. His faith was tested precisely because he did not see or know all that lay ahead, and it is this trust in the unseen that made his faith remarkable. Science doesn’t have all the answers Science relies on repeatable experiments to test hypotheses; it cannot prove history or anything outside the scope of observable phenomena. Science cannot prove or explain any of the following: · Subjective experiences such as the taste of a strawberry or the feeling of joy. · Experiential truth, such as proof that your spouse loves you. · The subjective reality of emotions, beauty, and morality. Science cannot prove that anything is inherently good or evil. · The principles of logic and mathematics. Some scientists argue that humans created these principles and rules to describe patterns they observe in the world. They don’t see God as the ultimate source of the mathematical truths found in the universe, which humans then discovered and formalized. · Science cannot explain why the fundamental laws of physics are what they are. They are the foundation upon which all scientific explanations are built. · Science cannot prove or disprove the existence of a soul, God, or any other supernatural entity. · Science cannot answer existential questions like whether reality is a simulation or if the world was created recently with apparent age. Conclusion Faith, then, is the courageous act of seeking the unseen, trusting that what is most real is sometimes what cannot be grasped by the senses. It has merit, not because it is easy, but because it transforms those who choose it. Faith prompts growth and strengthens one’s connection with God. The process of wrestling with doubt, questioning, and ultimately deciding to trust is what shapes the character of a believer. If all were revealed, there would be no journey — only arrival. The merit of faith lies in the journey itself, in the willingness to walk into mystery and trust in goodness even when the path is unclear. © Debra Hodges

Pixabay “Be careful with the stories you tell about yourself. They will shape you.” — Glennon Doyle If anyone else talked to me the way I talk to myself, I’d call it abuse. But when it’s my own voice? I pretend it’s “motivation.” When the Loudest Critic Lives in My Head Sometimes the harshest voice in the room is the one living inside my own skull. You’d think after a few decades on this planet, I’d have learned how to talk to myself like someone I actually love. But no. Some days I treat myself like the emotional equivalent of an overworked employee with a bad manager — piling on expectations, demanding impossible productivity, and acting shocked when I’m exhausted. And here’s the truth: if anyone else talked to me the way I talk to myself, I’d block their number so fast my phone would smoke. Calling Abuse What It Actually Is But when it’s me ? I let it slide. I even call it “being realistic,” as if tearing myself down is somehow mature or responsible. If a friend came to me weighed down with fear or shame, I’d offer compassion, a gentle word, a reminder that growth doesn’t come from being punched in the soul. But myself? I reach for the metaphorical baseball bat. So sometimes I have to ask the uncomfortable question: Am I my own abuser? Not to heap more shame on myself, but to finally notice what’s been going on. Learning a Kinder Way Forward It hits me that love never demanded perfection. God never demanded it either. Grace isn’t impressed by self-punishment . Freedom doesn’t bloom in soil soaked with shame. So I’m learning — slowly — to speak to myself the way Jesus speaks to me: gently, honestly, without the cruelty. To correct without crushing. To guide without gripping my own throat. Because I can’t carry hope into the world if I’m still beating myself up on the inside. “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” — Brene Brown © Gary L Ellis

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash When You Let Your Heart Speak Too Fast Sometimes life hits us with conversations that cut deeper than we expect. A tone, a word, or a silence can stir something inside you. Everything in you wants to answer fast, to defend, explain, or prove that you are right. But reaction often comes from pain, not peace. It is the heart’s first cry before wisdom can speak. The problem is, reactions rarely heal. They only echo what hurt us. But when we pause long enough to let God settle our spirit, something changes. The emotions do not disappear, but they lose control. Jesus, Our Calm in Chaos Jesus was never driven by reaction. He faced betrayal, lies, and anger, yet He stayed composed. When the crowd shouted and the soldiers mocked, He did not meet hostility with hostility. He stood in truth, not tension, but His calm was not silence; it was strength. That is what responding looks like: choosing steadiness when emotions rise, letting the Spirit lead when ego wants the last word. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” -James 1:19 I realized that this verse is not about restraint alone; it is about rhythm. God designed us to respond from His peace, not our pressure, and so when you pause before you speak, you make room for grace to do what anger never could. Letting God Fill the Silence Maybe someone’s actions are testing your patience. Perhaps you have replayed the scene in your head a hundred times, thinking of what you should have said. But what if the win is not in saying more, but in staying still long enough to let God fill the silence? Responding is not a weakness. It is strength dressed in peace. It is saying, “I choose to act from who I am in Christ, not from what was done to me.” That kind of composure confuses darkness and heals you, too. A Sincere Advice Rather than react, ask God to calm your emotions before they control you. Let Him teach you to find His peace in heated moments. When you’re tempted to react, allow Him to help you breathe, wait, and let love lead. © Favour

Photo by Duncan Sanchez on Unsplash One simple question was the difference between life and death. (If you don’t believe the Hebrew scriptures, this article might not be for you. Move along, my agnostic friends — nothing to see here.) But if you are coming to the understanding that the story of the Exodus from Egypt is the entire Book of Revelation, here is a concept that will eliminate your fears and set you free. First, a refresher of the story. The Hebrew people were slaves in Egypt for 430 years. God fulfilled His promise to deliver them by sending ten plagues that specifically targeted different Egyptian gods. Each plague intensified in scope as they worked themselves up the Egyptian god chain of command. The tenth was targeting Pharaoh himself, a man who called himself “god in flesh” and the mediator between Ra and men. God gave Moses instructions on how to keep His people safe and secure. They must be followed to the letter. Any deviation might result in death. And the challenge was that Moses had to relay these specific instructions to over 600,000 men and their families. Here’s what the Bible says: Exodus 12: 21–23 NLT “Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, “Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal. 22 Drain the blood into a basin. Then take a bundle of hyssop branches and dip it into the blood. Brush the hyssop across the top and sides of the doorframes of your houses. And no one may go out through the door until morning. 23 For the Lord will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the Lord will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down. ”28–30 “So the people of Israel did just as the Lord had commanded through Moses and Aaron. 29 And that night at midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. 30 Pharaoh and all his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died. What if a Hebrew didn’t obey? What if he thought, ”This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. We’re not doing this. Let me deconstruct what Moses is saying for a year or two”? Or better yet, “I’m not ruining my house with lamb’s blood. We just bought this place, and I still owe money on it. We just painted this facade. My wife will kill me.” In my humble opinion, that man would have lost a firstborn. Scripture is clear from Genesis to Revelation about the priority God places on obedience. God often asks us to do peculiar things to differentiate us from the rest of the world and reveal Himself as sovereign. But here is the good news of the Death Angel’s visit: What “moral conditions” were placed on the people to be saved? What if the person inside that house was having an affair with the person down the street? What if the mother was abusive and the father a drunk? What if their hygiene was horrible, their language was coarse, and they were as dumb as a brick? It didn’t matter. The blood of the sacrificed lamb would save them. What if they weren’t even Hebrew? They were Egyptians who were tired of getting pounded by boils, hail, darkness, and frogs? It didn’t matter. If they placed the blood on their doorpost, their whole household was spared. That was the deal God made. What if they were unsure of Moses? All they knew was he was once a big shot who killed a guy, spent 40 years as a stinky shepherd in Midian, and now came back as a self-appointed spokesman for yet another God. He and Pharaoh have been duking it out for the past months. And some crazy stuff has been happening. It didn’t matter. The blood on the door saved them. It didn’t matter if they had their act together or not. The death angel had one, and only one screening process: did they have the blood of the sacrificial lamb on their door? Period! There would be plenty of time in the future for them to be refined and work out some of their problems. But for now, death passed over because a lamb gave its life for them. The Exodus Story Is a Preparation For the End of This Age. We MUST understand the Exodus to become plague-proof for the end of this age. They are the same story, only 4,000 years apart. • God’s people will be oppressed and persecuted. The Antichrist will make war with the saints and overcome them. Just as the cries of the Hebrews were heard for 430 years, God will listen to the prayers of His people and bring deliverance. (Rev 13:7) • There is a man who claims to be God himself at the throne. Pharaoh, meet “the little horn”. (2 Thes 2:4, Daniel 8:11) • He will be surrounded by magicians (false prophets) who will do mighty wonders. (Rev 13: 11–17) • God’s people will see some crazy stuff. And most of it is not good. Jesus called it birth pains. (Mat 24:8) But like David wrote in Psalm 91: 7–8 “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.” • God’s people have a promise of deliverance. He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. We are His precious possession, His children, and His inheritance. • ZERO plagues affect God’s chosen people because they are shielded, protected, and kept by the One True God. There is nothing to fear from the events mentioned in Revelation. One hundred-pound hailstones? No problem. They’ll miss you. We won’t even smell like smoke when the fiery trial is over. • God takes His people from a place of oppression to a promised land. There will be a thousand years of peace after the purge of rebellion and evil. • There will be many last-minute converts. “A rabble of non-Israelites went with them,” (Exodus 12:38). • The kingdom of the “oppressor” will be wholly and utterly wrecked because of their disobedience and refusal to repent. If you have read about the “bowls of wrath” and become freaked out, remember who the target of each bowl is: the throne and kingdom of the antichrist. Those who took “the mark of the beast”. Those who curse God. Christians won’t be here for that anyway. • God will provide. (loaves, manna, fish, oil, clothes not wearing out, meal, water from a rock, cloud/fire, calm the storm, etc.) Do you think our God will be “out-miracled” by the false prophet? (Rev 13) Nope! Where sin does ABOUND, grace does much more ABOUND. (Rom 5:20) • Just before deliverance, everyone will have to choose to believe or not. EVERYONE MUST BATTLE FEAR AND CONQUER IT! Here’s how to be plague-proof: Exodus 15:26 NLT “He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.” Our part: Listen, do the next right thing, obey what he tells us, and keep the decrees. (statutes…rules) God’s part: Keep us safe and secure under the shadow of His wings. Suppose you are not where you want to be spiritually. Good. Keep working on yourself. But each of us must stay under the blood of the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world. Is there blood on your door? Thank you for reading this far. Ruth 2:12 to you and yours. We got this! Fasten your seat belts. This world is about to get interesting. This scripture is for you: Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” Malachi 3:16-18 © I. M. Koen Check out these other articles and spread the word of hope and freedom from fear. Just Get back Up! Step over the collateral roadkill and keep going . Got Agony? The Reason we don't show people our rash. How Bright Are You? Are you a firefly, a lamp, or a lighthouse?

Until shortly after I graduated college, I was a moderately-avid horror film consumer, specifically those of the spiritual nature. My brother, who shared this mild fascination with the supernatural, eagerly viewed them with me and it became a sort of hobby we shared. Though we weren’t obsessive about them, whenever the latest scare came out on DVD, we’d snatch it up and pop the popcorn. We enjoyed classics like The Amityville Horror & The Shining , but the newer ones were the ones that really pulled us in. Think: the Annabelle , The Conjuring, and Insidious worlds. Each of those movie universes explored demon-hunting and spiritual warfare which, both of us being Christians, we knew to be real (not so much the Hollywood version, but rather the concepts). Some of the movies would make me jumpy and on-edge afterwards. Others would give me nightmares. I knew they were increasingly affecting me, yet I continued to fill my mind with images and jump scares that I will never be able to unsee. That is, until one evening when the Holy Spirit got a hold of me. We were watching the newest release and the still small voice of the Lord told me to stop mid-movie. It was crystal clear and undeniably the Holy Spirit . My horror-watching days had come to an abrupt halt, and I’ve never looked back. Who is Satan? Satan goes by many common names, such as Lucifer, The Devil, The Enemy and The Fallen Angel. Genesis refers to him as a serpent, and we see a description of Satan as a dragon in Revelation . John tells us that Satan is a murderer, liar, and the Father of Lies. However, did you know he was also known as the Morning Star and Son of the Dawn before he fell? How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! — Isaiah 14:12 Satan is crafty, cunning, and good at making sin look beautiful. He brought down legions of angels with him when he fell from heaven. He is wicked and deceptive, tempting mankind and luring us away from God. He is also powerful. Even Michael, the highest ranking angel of the Lord, recognized this and did not speak against him when given the opportunity. Rather, he called on the name of the Lord when he went up against his opponent. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” — Jude 1:9 That should tell us something, folks. We don’t fear Satan if we are covered by the blood of Christ. But we should respect that he is more powerful than we are on our own. If an angel mightier than Satan dared not go up against him without invoking the name and authority of the Lord, we shouldn’t either. We also shouldn’t go looking for him. Playing with Fire Voluntarily participating in, playing with, viewing, or otherwise exposing ourselves to evil is like dancing around a bonfire with gasoline on your clothes. You might be okay, but you might not. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. — Psalm 4:23 When my brother and I were consuming so many horror films, we were not guarding our hearts. We were allowing our minds to be infiltrated with scenes and ideas that celebrated darkness. Those are in direct opposition with the types of things we’re told to fill our minds with. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. — Philippians 4:8 Am I saying Christians can’t watch scary movies? No, not at all. But I am saying we should be careful with what we allow in our minds, because it shapes us. Though not as often now, I still experience spiritual attacks to this day because of some of the things I exposed myself to more than a decade ago. In the preface to his book, The Screwtape Letters , C.S. Lewis writes: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors… I love this line, because it succinctly states how Scripture instructs Christians to interact with dark forces —  be aware of, but don’t invite. Have nothing to do with the fruitless acts of darkness, but rather expose them. — Ephesians 5:11 Some translations even say, “have no fellowship with…” Just saying. A Warning to My Brothers and Sisters None of this is written to invoke fear (or legalism when it comes to what movies we watch). Rather, my hope is that you will take very seriously the fact that we do have an enemy who is very much out there in the world. The tactics he uses are cunning and deceitful. His greatest skill is packaging up lies and half truths and making them appear innocent, even holy . See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. — Colossians 2:8 Don’t be taken in. Be on your guard. Stay in the Word. Thanks for reading! If any of this resonated with you, or you’d like to see more content like this, please consider subscribing so you’ll never miss out on a post. 🫶🏻 © Stephanie M Other articles you may want to check out: The Spiritual Battle I Did Not Expect That time the enemy tried to silence us, and almost won… Trauma, Sin and Breaking Cycles My response to a beautifully written half truth

At some point you gotta open it and read it. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦  on Unsplash For those that have been following along — my “Spiritual, not Religious” friends — the time has come to crack open a Bible. If you’re so inclined. So far, for those that haven’t read along, the progression has included: The Awe of Nature recognizes God in the wonder of the world The Unexamined Life asks for guidance related to self-improvement Christianity Is Not a Lie attempts to separate the Bible from the people You Can’t Prove God — Part I introduces Natural Theology to prove God You Can’t Prove God — Part II shows belief in God can be rational ConfuHinduTaoBuddhism introduces some alternatives to Christianity “Unsyncretising” Beliefs In these writings, I’ve attempted to introduce the idea of syncretism as a shortcoming — the adoption of various spiritual ideas on the fly, resulting in a haphazard collection of beliefs that are completely incompatible if not outright contradictory. I didn’t realize that when I did it once upon a time… A Whole New Level of Laziness Of course, I told myself I’d expanded my horizons by dipping my toe into the waters of Zen Buddhism then later a non-spiritual form of Taoism, and I stuck with both on a daily basis for years. Somehow, despite some value, I knew I hadn’t found what I was looking for. I in fact didn’t even know what I was looking for. Years later, after more floundering, I realized that, for me, it was God. Knowing That I Don’t Know Once I made the commitment to revisit my Christian roots and finish reading (and re-reading portions of) the Bible, I went out and picked up a Biblical Theology book and a couple Systematic Theology books though I had no idea what any of it meant. I then spent the next couple months reading and taking notes, sharing my findings, and asking questions. In all that, I learned one thing: I knew absolutely nothing . And that has shaped my pursuits ever since. Today, I really only know a few things, but I’m confident that knowing the right few things matters a great deal more than knowing a lot of not-so-important things. The Basics of the Bible So, to come full circle, for my, “Spiritual, not Religious” friends who have taken some interest, it may be the right time to crack open a Bible. And perhaps some very basic knowledge will help with those first few steps. Overview What is the Bible, anyway? It’s a collection of 66–80 different books (depending on the tradition) written across nearly 1500 years and in multiple languages — Hebrew, (Hellenistic/ Koine) Greek, and Aramaic — by some 35 or more authors (depending on who you ask). The Christian Bible is split into two parts, the Old Testament and New Testament, and it’s the history of God’s self-revelation to His Creation, mankind. The Old Testament includes God’s promises (covenants), laws, protection, and judgment of the Israelite (and other) people through their many plights, and it ends on a somber note, though with a prophetic view that God will in time restore His people. The New Testament begins with the birth, life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who sacrifices his life to atone for all sins and enable believers to repent for salvation (everlasting life). The Bible is history, wisdom, prophecy, and apocalypse, and employs a wide variety of literary devices and forms, from prose to acrostic poetry and with paradox, irony, parables, metaphors, and other techniques. Ultimately, the Bible is the story of God reconciling mankind to Himself , His plans for doing so, and in this narrative, we learn that God is loving, kind, forgiving, patient, and also just. The Old Testament The Old Testament is made up of 39 (Protestant) or 46 (Catholic) books, the difference being a selection of books referred to as the Apocrypha (roughly means, “hidden”). The Protestant Old Testament Bible uses the same books as the Jewish Bible, though in different order and combinations. Roughly speaking, this includes: The Law (=Torah), 5 books The Prophets (=Nevi’im), 21 books* The Writings (=Ketuvim), 13 books* The Jewish moniker, Tanakh , is an acronym from the names of the tripartite sections. The Law includes God’s introduction to mankind across 5 books, which Jews refer to as the Torah while the Greek translation is known as the Pentateuch . These books include God’s rules for the Israelite people who were chosen to serve as an example of those who worship the one and only all-powerful Creator, Yahweh, in binding covenant. The story (and history) unfolds as God guides the Israelite people out of Egyptian slavery and to the edge of (and later into) the Promised Land. In this process, many Israelites lose faith and fall back into pagan idol worship, which doesn’t end well. The Prophets includes books of the Former and Latter Prophets, of which there are 21 (depending on how they are counted). These include instructions and warnings related to the Israeli people’s violations of provisions for the covenant with God. The Writings includes 13 wisdom and historical texts that provide guidance for typical life situations, some with encouragement and hope. * Book counts vary by tradition and depend on how writings are grouped. The New Testament The New Testament (27 books) begins with the 4 Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — that depict the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These are followed by a 5th historical book, Acts, which describes early missions to establish the Church. The next 21 books are Epistles, or letters, on related challenges: 13 from Paul, 9 to churches and 4 to individuals 1 from James, the bother of Jesus 1 from Jude, who refers to himself as the brother of James 2 from Peter 3 without a name, though attributed to the John of the Gospels 1 anonymous (Hebrews), from an early date bound w/ Pauline Epistles The final book, Revelation, is apocalyptic, written by a person named John (whether the same author as the Gospel of John and Epistles ascribed to him is a matter of debate) during exile on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. The book describes the future triumph of God over evil and Judgment Day. Bible Translations If you’re gonna take a swing at this Bible thing, though you can read online, you’ll probably want a Bible to hold in your own two hands. If you don’t have one and can’t afford one, go to any church and ask. In most cases, they’ll give you one, even if you don’t make any reciprocal commitments. You can also get a free Bible through various online sites, but I’m pretty sure that comes with a bunch of junk mail and the sale of your personal information, address, and so on. I’d advise against this. Go to a church, or if you have $10-$20, a bookstore or buy one online (see below about revisions). Either way, it’s, what, half the cost of a McDonald’s Happy Meal? But a couple basics. First, the Bible has been translated to over 700 different languages, and parts of the Bible are available in over 3000 languages. The Biblical text is derived from a variety of sources (historic manuscripts) and involves countless hours of meticulous work by scholars, academics, and yes, committees. Translations span the gamut between two extremes: Formal Equivalency translations attempt to achieve a word-for-word translation from the manuscripts to English (or target language). This can make the text more difficult to read and comprehend, especially at first, though such detail is critical for research and theology. In these cases, I utilize the New American Standard Bible (NASB95) and the English Standard Version (ESV). Dynamic Equivalency translations prioritize basic meaning over explicit word-detail. This makes for easier reading and comprehension, though involves a variable degree of subjectivity. Results vary significantly, though the New International Version (NIV) and Christian Standard Bible (CSB) are popular options for first-time readers. But see below for more. There’s a pretty decent chart and overview for some of the more common translations here , a nd many other sites that explain other translations. You can also look online to see what different denominations and churches use, should you begin to gravitate toward one set of beliefs (though churches continue to move away from specifics these days). In time, this and many other things will become more clear. Translation Revisions It’s important to note that translation groups from time to time release new revisions. You can find the progression for any given translation body online, or you can look at the associated notes in every Bible. But why? There’s been a relatively recent trend of cultural appropriation in Bible texts. In 2005 for example, the NIV updated their 1984 revision with some gender-neutral language, with further changes in 2011. Though this may seem well-intended, it can in the Bible mask the original text’s meaning and take away from the message and tone. The past doesn’t change because today people have a different perspective, and as such I prefer not to use Bibles that attempt to take this approach. I as a result relied on my 1984 NIV revision despite that I have both the 2005 and 2011 revisions as well. Another example: If you go to a bookstore and look for the NASB translation, odds are there will be far fewer of them than others (though it depends on where you live). If you pull an NASB Bible off the shelf, it’s more than likely the 1995 revision (NASB95). For me, personally, this works, but if you’re searching for the 2020 revision, you may have to look deeper or purchase online. It’s worth a few minutes investigation to get the right one. First Time Reading There are countless Bible reading plans available on the Internet and in any Study Bible. I’ve tried a few, but most are designed to, “conquer the Bible in 180 short days” or similar. When one of my readers asked, I offered up the response I’m sharing here. But first, as always, a couple things… I’m Not a Third Grader Many if not most plans aim to make reading the Bible seem less… daunting , I guess. And it seems people make the mistake of equating education level with intelligence. That’s how we get the third-grade teacher persona. This annoys me, and I’m not alone here. Unfortunately, this approach is alive and well, on many fronts, in various religious communities (and of course airline check-in lines, dentist offices, and other pleasant circumstances). Ignore it. You don’t need a PhD to read and understand the Bible . It’s not a contest or a conquest. Nobody’s keeping score. And contrary to those that promote the urgency of reading and accepting Jesus Christ as quickly as possible on the chance you get hit by a bus in the near future, there isn’t any rush (though I’ll concede that the third-grade teacher persona is better equipped to present this idea in a more delicate fashion). These days, we hear about people’s, “journeys” far more than we want to or need to. But on this one, it fits. For some, it may be the start of a lifelong pursuit. For others, it may be the last time they ever try to approach God in a methodical fashion. Take your time. Genesis, Exodus then Matthew and Acts Many are encouraged to start reading the Gospels, the first 4 books in the New Testament. I recommend a different approach. Start with Genesis in the Old Testament, the very first book in the Bible. Continue through Exodus. These two books cover critical early ground and provide a little bit of context for New Testament reading. Once you finish those two books, turn to the first book of the New Testament, Matthew. It’s the first of 4 Gospels about Jesus Christ. Once finished, skip ahead to Acts, the 5th (of 5) historical book in the New Testament. It describes early efforts to establish the church. This is one of many ways to begin, but it should provide enough context for any path one chooses to take in continuing forward, whether with the Old Testament or the New. Read in Context of the Author A lot of people make the mistake of picking up a Bible and immediately looking for meaning in today’s world and challenges. I suggest first considering the mindset of the author and the time — a couple thousand years ago, using a different language, in a very different social construct, and using a different means of communicating. Try and consider the text from that standpoint before you attempt to contextualize it in today’s world . You will find that such modern considerations will come naturally, without effort, if you focus on the author’s meaning and how it might have been received at the time. As for Matthew and Acts, they took place in the Middle East under Roman rule, with their pantheon of Gods. Citizens were required to praise Caesar as one of their Gods. Christian refused to do so, and the early church suffered these challenges, challenges from pagans, of course also Jews as you’ll see, and those making false claims about secret teachings of Christ (Gnostics). Keep in mind that, at the time, those supporting Jesus Christ did so at great risk to their own well-being if not very being (i.e. execution). Though I’ll be writing more about the history of the church and also of theology, at the moment that should suffice. Let it Come to You Naturally Though Study Bibles can be, and are, useful in certain circumstances, it’s not that easy to find the right fit out of the gates. More importantly, it’s critical to engage the Biblical text independently, especially at first. Though this approach may give rise to questions, I strongly encourage others to work through their first couple books of the Bible without outside influence. I cannot overstate the importance of this. You’ll know what I mean in time. If you can avoid distractions and let the text and stories form in your own mind and your own heart, naturally, you can answer questions later. Trust it. Relax, Let Your Mind Wander, Write Down Questions The Bible has some tedious sections, such as those that include genealogies. In the Book of Matthew, there will be references back to prophecy in Old Testament books you will not have read with this approach. Don’t worry too much about them — you can move past them and come back to them at another time. In the meantime, let your mind wander. If you encounter a problem passage, write down your thoughts and questions, then keep reading. There are going to be many questions, and you don’t need to answer them immediately. In some ways, you won’t be able to. This is harder for some than others. As an engineer, I hated the idea because it goes against the way we acquire new knowledge then apply it. But this isn’t engineering, or science, or philosophy, and the Bible isn’t a textbook and it doesn’t contain historical facts and figures. Though it can function as a guide of sorts, it isn’t a handbook for life like other religious texts. There are simply far too many complex issues that nobody can get in a single reading. That’s the beauty and wonder of it, in many respects. Next Steps Vary… If all goes well, you’ll find your own path. Trust it and see. And that’s the point. We all have a different way of experiencing and learning, we all see things differently. With a little time and patience, your doubts will give way to a compelling desire to move forward in different ways (or perhaps not at all). There is no shame in whatever direction you choose. And once you know what that direction is, you can at that time bring in outside input. All I can say, trust your heart — and be honest with yourself. Nobody’s watching — it’s between you, a book, and potentially God. Until next time , may your hearts be filled with joy, your family be filled with love, and the protection of the Lord watch over You and Yours… © Just Loannes

© Jacob Berhoef I didn’t expect a wake-up call from God to come through a text message. “Thank you so much for your prayers!” To my shame, I didn’t even remember what their prayer request was. I had to scroll back through my messages and look. It wasn’t a small request.  I can’t even begin to tell you the shame I felt in that moment. In that moment, I felt convicted in a way I had never experienced before. It wasn’t gentle at all. It was that cast iron pan upside the head that left a migraine kinda pow. The weight of promises. When we tell someone, “I’ll be praying for you,”  we’re making more than a polite gesture. We’re making a promise, one God Himself hears .  To forget that promise is no different than telling a friend you’ll show up to help them move, and then never arriving. That day, I realized I had been beyond careless and thoughtless with my words. They reached out to me in need, and I didn’t come through when I said I would. I felt wrecked in that moment. I cried, and I asked God to forgive me and change me. It has been a journey in changing my habits. It is important to understand that when convicted, you still have to do the work that goes with it; conviction doesn’t mean instant change of behaviour, it means God is calling you out on behaviour that must change.  That is why it took so long to write about this change in my life; it was a learning process and a mental/physical habit that I needed to fix because I was convicted. Ultimately, it is impossible to describe the profound impact this has had on my life in many areas, and I encourage everyone to reevaluate how they handle prayer requests. It will say a lot about your heart and relationship with Christ. I want to share a few things that I have learned along the way. This is akin to a covenant in a lot of ways.  “ a covenant is a promise between two or more parties to perform certain actions. ” A prayer doesn’t have to be fancy words, just sincere and full of faith. I don’t care if I’m in the middle of doing something with people around me. I close my eyes and lift them up in prayer, and when someone asks what’s up, I tell them the truth. I was praying for someone.  Be bold and courageous in your faith. Here’s a neat thing: once you pray, you remember their prayer request better. It’s like when you meet someone and say their name, so next time you have a better chance of remembering their name.   Discovered the same happens for prayer requests. Some days are better than others regarding the request details, and you won’t remember every prayer request or every single detail for weeks on end. And that’s ok, you remember their name and their need, God will take care of the rest.  We are not built to remember every prayer request for weeks on end. We get new data every day, but God will put it on your heart out of nowhere sometimes, so listen to that. You will fail at this sometimes; you will backslide and forget, but keep moving forward with this new chapter of your faith. God has taught me to keep pressing forward, to keep growing, and not let failure pull me back into old habits. Prayer is both a duty and a gift.  It’s one of the most intimate promises we can make to one another, bringing a need before God. And if God has never once broken a promise to us, how can we treat our own promises so lightly? This journey has humbled me, convicted me, and reshaped me. And though I’m still learning, I can say with confidence: honoring the prayers we promise transforms more than our habits.  It transforms our relationship with God and with others. So the next time you tell someone, “I’m praying for you,”  stop and pray. Right there. Right then. Because prayer is not a courtesy, it’s a covenant. (This piece is a revision of an early work and has been rewritten to reflect how God continues to mold me, draw me to this topic, and with a lot better grammar.) © Jane Isley

After nearly three decades of stiff-arming God, He opened my eyes to see who He truly is.  His love, mercy, and grace have sustained me through unimaginable trials, which He has called me to vulnerably share through writing. When Hubby and I vowed, "For better or for worse, in sickness and in health," we had no idea the roller coaster ride we had just stepped on. Through these ups and downs, Jesus has been with me in the boat. When I panic because everything is sinking, He gently reminds me that He's got this. It's all part of His divine plan. The sanctification process is often painful, but the fires purify and make me look more like Him.   When I'm not writing, you will find me walking while praying with Hubby, being a mom to our four adult kiddos, tapping a pencil for 65 weekly piano students, peacefully playing a Chopin Nocturne, or relaxing with my nose in a book. For hours of reading pleasure, visit Pursuing Perfection at tessalind.substack.com , o r search Tessa Lind's name here to explore all her work on our site.

Photo by  i yunmai  on  Unsplash I skipped breakfast this morning. By mid-morning, I could feel an emptiness gnawing at me from the inside out, but I just ignored it. For lunch, I went out to a restaurant with a friend, but I didn’t eat. I felt a pang of loneliness, but reasoned that it didn’t make sense because I was with my friend. I had time for a mid-afternoon snack, but chose to surf around on the internet instead. By dinnertime, I was famished. It was difficult to be around people who had eaten breakfast. Their cheeks were glowing with health and joy. My eyes and words communicated how hangry I was. I crawled into bed, refusing to eat.   After just one month, I had Ozempic face - visibly changed. That’s when I realized the truth: Christians should never diet. Fasting from God’s Word is a bad idea. John Piper has long touted his daily practice of “No Bible; No Breakfast.” If we have not feasted first on the Word of God, we should not be feeding our bodies with physical food.  Seek God first, and everything else will be added.  What kind of nourishment can be found in the Bible? Joy:  “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.” (Jeremiah 15:16) Filling up on Scripture keeps my eyes on Jesus. As things inevitably fall apart throughout the day, I am reminded that my hope and future are in Jesus. Purpose: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34)  Just as Jesus had a divine purpose, we, too, were created for a purpose.  Every morning, I pray that I would glorify God in all that I think, say, and do.  Even though I daily fall short of this goal, knowing my purposes of loving others, telling people about Jesus, and worshipping the one true God, helps me not to get distracted with earthly stuff.  Sweetness: “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”  When I became a believer in Jesus, His Word became my addiction. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy sweet treats like ice cream and chocolate, but they are temporary. They don’t satisfy for long. God’s Word is true sustenance for my soul; it’s the all-natural, organic, zero-calorie sweetener. Eternal Life: “For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:33)  When Jesus said these words, He was speaking the truth about himself. Jesus is the bread of God who came from Heaven to give life to the world. Eating physical food temporarily gives us nourishment for our bodies;  the food Jesus offers satisfies forever. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63). Just as Jesus told the woman at the well, “ Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14) Anchor:  Without the anchor of God’s Word, we will be “…tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Ephesians 4:14)  As I daily read God’s Word, I am filling myself with God’s truth.  As I am daily confronted with Satan’s lies, I am able to cut the cancer of Satan to pieces with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  Jesus’ Secret Stash: “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” (John 4:32) I think every mom has had a secret stash of hidden food.  If the kids find it, the treat is spoiled. The special candy to be hidden in the plastic eggs at Easter?  Ruined. The chips and salsa to be the appetizer for company tomorrow night? Gone to a midnight teenager’s binge. The raspberries for the top of the birthday cake? Mysteriously disappeared. What food does Jesus have that the disciples don’t know about?  Read John 4 and find out. I’ve decided to stop fasting from God’s Word. Scripture is filled with nourishment for my spiritual life; nourishment for my soul. When I open my Bible in the morning, it’s like having a coffee date with God;  He speaks to me through His Word, and I speak to Him through prayer.   And then I eat breakfast. First published in Pursuing Perfection on Substack by © Tessa Lind,  tessalind.substack.com