Genesis 1:1

In the beginning, God created heaven and earth.

And with those words the world was changed forever. The impact of these eight words rang in the ears of a population without faith. God had created everything. Anything that could be grasped and all that couldn't was made possible by God. I know that when I think about how the world could be created, it's really easy for me to see the truth in science. Why not you know? All the facts are there. They all make sense considering what we've learned, what we are used to...but something that really struck me is that while we know this truth to be something we can grasp and understand, something is always missing. What kind of answers are we still searching for? Why is it that the slightest bit of hope in a higher being having the power to create all that we know navigates and burrows in our subconscious mind. Maybe there are some who still don't believe in what the promise God brings, but maybe it's burrowed somewhere in your mind. Listen to that line again, "in the beginning, God created heaven and earth". It's gracefully simple and opens the whole word of the lord with those eight words. In its simplicity it conveys how great and mighty God is. He created what we know, and maybe that means he created the ideas that found a scientists perspective. Who could really know? The beauty of believing in God is that you can believe with eyes closed and a mind open. Creation is something God introduced to all of us. When he created the world and what we see as heaven, he also created the possibility of that same majesty in us. And when someone is born as a new creation they are given the opportunity to be reborn with the world. Full of new promise, untouched...pure. It's that hope that burrows that seed in our hearts and minds. We keep it there because the possibility is too great to pass up. God started by creating, and as long as He can he will continue that creation. 

Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God this is in Christ Jesus our Lord"

Today I was blessed with the opportunity of going to God's recognized house of worship. It was an emotional service for me.  The end of the "out of control" series, the message impacted me deeply and brought out a lot of held-in emotion for me.  God is in control and he holds all life in his hands. The sermon was calling us to recognize that we don't control all aspects of our life, and to accept it. To let go of the discouragement was the major part that struck me.  When I think about what I feel I can't control, and try to think about what's in God's control, I feel helpless.  I like the idea that I don't need to feel helpless, and that when i feel completely in God's love and faith, I won't have to.  With time, I'm going to accept God into my life entirely, and I'm sure when it happens I won't be stuck anymore. In my struggles, I'll learn to let time run its course, and understand I don't have to do it all alone. Thanks are given to the power & faith I feel when I let God into my life. I'm grateful to be able to feel like I don't need to know the answers for once in my life. Thanks be to God. So I pray today for patience & those in similar situations. In his name, I pray. Amen.

"Your life may be the only Bible some people read" --unknown

^^I found this amazing quote at the beginning of the summer. When I saw this quote, it really registered deeply. The power in the meaning of your life being the example some people live by....when you have something like the  Bible in comparison to your life, it's a powerful feeling.  Another really great quote I found resonated almost as deeply with me: "To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are."  When you are like me, constantly wishing you could step into a new body..it's a great way to get some appreciation and perspective. Generally, the theme of this particular entry is appreciation for the life God so generously gave us.  On the one hand, your life comes with the power with which you lead by example, and on the other hand there is a great need to be aware of the gift you were given.  It is always humbling to be reminded of the things we take for granted.  So I pray for everyone to appreciate their lives and the lives of those around. In his name I pray, amen.

Daniel 6: "Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before"

In Daniel in the Den of Lions, Daniel is faced with people who want to see him out of power so much that they attack his faith when they have nowhere else to turn. Daniel endures even faced with death with a faith in God that never failed.

When I read this I felt the same empowering feeling of faith prevailing, when I hear of stories of the same caliber.   I like that idea that God will always be there for you, even when you're challenged with something that seems impossible to overcome.  With faith comes security in the worst and best of times.  Daniel did not waver from his faith and it proved fruitful.  I hope to become close enough to God that my faith never falters, and then I too, will find security in whatever path I take.

Back on the Map...blog

So. I commit to writing this blog and staying on the track of bible reading. Then I break that commitment. Missing one reading a day led to missing quite a few more than one.  It's an unfortunate reality.  But I'm back. And I'm just going to pick up with my latest reading.  This does mean that my blog will have some omissions, but I am willing to return to them when complete.  This puts me back on the map, taking me back on the path of daily worship and reflection with God.  I hope that my will allows for my continued participation, but luckily I've had supportive friends and family to keep me centered regardless of my absence from this blog.  So I continue this blog today, and for the days to come with school and a job.  Dedication and discipline will aid in my journey to document my thoughts about every story I read and reflect on.  Peace be with you.

I Samuel 17: "but i come against you in the name of the Lord.." ----April 3, 2011

This was an inspiring account to read.  For as long as I can remember, I've loved rooting for the underdogs.  There is something so heartwarming to see someone who has struggled for so long overcome in the end.  Although Samuel 17 foreshadows jealousy and spite from King Saul, the overall message I got from it was that to put your full faith in God was to be unstoppable. 

Personally, the story of David's success leads back to the journey I am going through.  I feel the struggle like Moses and David do but I hope to overcome like they eventually do.  I have faith that with more self-discovery, my faith and trust in God will be unfaltering, and then I will in-turn have the full strength of God behind me like David does.  To have that security brings a sort of hope to me that I want/need to strive towards.  

Exodus 20: The basics that God requires. ---April 2, 2011

The Ten Commandments.  Exodus 20:20 "Do not be afraid.  God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."

This is the part of the Old Testament that sets the basic morals by which we live today.  Even with the separation of church and state, we observe certain parts of the Ten Commandments.  For example, most observe Sabbath and do not work on Sunday.  It's just interesting in perspective to see how much of an impact these ten commandments/moral legalities have on our modern society.  God laid out these basic rules for us to follow in hopes that we lead a fruitful life; a sort of low-key way of hoping to correct the sins of Adam & Eve.  It was a second chance of happiness that he was providing to the population in exchange for their love.  They were just the basics God required.

Exodus 3: First God needs a leader. ----April 1, 2011

This is the story of God's call for Moses' leadership.  This was unexpected in Moses' eyes for he did not feel like he was able or worthy to take on such a role.  He called to God's attention his unworthiness, lack of authority, speech difficulties, etc.  But none of this mattered to God.  He trusted that Moses despite his shortcomings.

I find that in this chapter, the aim was to give people with similar self-doubts great hope.  It shows that even someone with self-claims to faults like Moses is a leader in God's eyes.  Inspiring in itself, I thought immediately of those of my friends who have recently been called to leadership for God.  They all have doubts, but they are doing the will of God and spreading his word.  It's not an easy task, but God and his faith in you is enough to push through.

Genesis 22: God wants faith, the Bible says, which means complete trust, regardless of the odds. ---March 31, 2011

The story of Abraham's test of faith resonates deeply with me.  I have found that even with the development of my relationship with God, I have doubts.  Abraham is tested many times by God so that he may find faith.  I feel like Abraham in a way because it seems to be taking me longer to just devote my whole self to God.  I believe, but I question, so what does that mean?  Only time will tell, and I hope with that time it will all just become natural.  This is what I imagine with my expanding of knowledge of the Bible--the teachings of God and our Lord Jesus.  Until then, wish me luck, that I might find peace and clarity.

--Amen

Genesis 3: Like all of us, they cannot resist the temptation to reach out for what lies beyond them. ---March 30, 2011

Genesis 3 is the emergence of sin.  It is the first sin ever created by Adam & Eve.  Reflection on this particular chapter proved to be enlightening.  Personally, the temptation or the need to know everything that will occur the next second is overwhelming.  I know that at the moment I learn to appreciate the present and everything included, I will be one with myself and with God.  The decisions made by Adam & Eve disappointed Him because He wanted what was best for them.  With the disobedience came unhappiness, and unfortunately so.  To accept what is right and holy is to appreciate life and God, and then naturally happiness will take over.  Nothing complicated; it's simplicity at its finest.

--Amen

Genesis 1: "And God saw that it was good." ---March 30, 2011

Reading this verse in the story of creation was something upon which I found ample time to reflect.  God made all that which we found the Christian faith upon.  And even among the heartache of the world/the mistakes made by one of God's greatest creations, he is still there for us.  He has not given up on us because he knows that we can be better.  "God saw that it was good"...and he still does.  We will always be his creation and his love for us will always remain.  It is important to keep that in mind and live in peace knowing that.  Live in the way of our creator and make decisions in his name.

--Amen

The Beginning of a Chronicle

March 31, 2011

I have decided upon chronicling my journey through reading the Bible.  Though the Christian faith has always been an undercurrent in my life, I was inspired to expand my knowledge and relationship with God from a crop of really great people I've met. This sparked an intense want and need to read the Bible so I bought a study Bible and a [supplementary] contemporary one to put it all into perspective. I've never been an avid church-goer, but while this isn't conventional, I was blessed to be given the opportunity to find on my own what it was that I wanted spiritually.  Meeting those who inspired me gave me the extra push I needed to really put my faith into practice.  So, this blog is for me to share my thoughts/interpretations/life connections to the chapter I read in the Bible.  I will hope to remain consistent, and promise to always speak from the heart.  It will work as my own personal documentary that I hope to see once I have accomplished the reading of the entire work. Finally, this idea came to me a month too late, so the chapters I have read before now will not be documented till further notice.