Knowing The Word Of God

Does Not Necessarily Mean

That We Know The God Of The

Word. (Chip Brogden)

The Bible is a book that has

been read more and examined less than any

book that ever existed.

--Thomas Paine

In 1984 a group of Bristol high school kids wrote to some famous people to ask their

favorite bible verses.

Margaret Thatcher replied:

Psalm 46 - God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.

Prince Charles: So in everything, do to others

what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the

Prophets. Matthew 7:

12

The Pope did not respond, when asked if

they were disappointed

the kids replies no, “He’s The

Pope – He Has To

Like Them All”

So here is a list –

it is not complete, or

absolute – just a list I made this

week

1.Do not be afraid.

Depending on the source, the claim is made that the Bible tells us - not to

fear about 70 times . The Bible, tells the people of faith – when faced with everything from death, to angels, to

the presence of the God, to the call to do something new, to war, to army, to

siege, to confronting each other, to despair, to grief, to day to day living

– do not be afraid.

Helen Keller :"The BIBLE Gives Me A Deep, Comforting Sense That 'Things Seen Are Temporal,

And Things Unseen Are Eternal'".

2. Beloved, let us love

one another, for love is

of God. (1 John 4: 7)

There are lots of phrases about love in the Bible. I like this one,

because it reminds us that we are God’s beloved, that we

ought love one another, and that God is all about love.

The sole thing I hate is Hate;For hate is death; and Love is life,A peace a splendor from above;And Hate, a never ending strife,

A smoke, a blackness from the abyssWhere unclean spirits coil and hiss!

Love is the Holy Ghost within;Hate the unpardonable sin!

Who preaches otherwise than thisBetrays his Master with a Kiss!

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

3. Be merciful to those who doubt ( Jude 1)

Those who doubt, there is no sin (literally) in not having faith. The Bible tells us to merciful

to those who doubt – which speaks of me - words of tolerance - not everybody has to

believe everything you do. Stop worrying about their mortal soul – or as

we define it whether or not they go to church. Their doubt is not the issue – your ability to be

merciful is. (which means to not let it affect how you behave toward them – don’t judge

them – just be full of grace to them.)

We all doubt that God is at work through us.

4."And I Suppose That If All The Other Things

Jesus Did Were Written Down, The Whole World Could

Not Contain The Books.”

(John 21:25)

This is a twofold important phrase, first of all disputing the idea that the Bible is the literal or only word of God. In the

Bible it says, there are more stories, we couldn’t possible tell them all, or

write them all. So no one can say with authority

that they know what Jesus would do or not do.

Implied in the passage too, is the knowledge that Jesus touched the lives of many - and inspired in the way he lived and touched others lives - stories that people told to comfort each other and to offer hope, and to challenge themselves to love one another and to bring the way of God into being in this world. Imagine yourself as all the other things that Jesus did – be the story lived out.

5. Sarah Laughed (Genesis 18:12)

When told, at an elderly age that God will begin a new thing – that she would give birth to nations. Sarah laughs. This incredible story – that is so significant that not only is it noted – and Sarah called by name – it was told to remind us that sometimes God asks us to do something that seems so ridiculous that it is laughable – but that it will be. This passage also reminds us to laugh –to remember that our stories (the Bible) and our faith is meant to give us life – to lift our spirits and invite us into the dance of life.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the

distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Livin' might mean takin' chances,

but they're worth takin'

Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'

Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter

When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider

Give the heavens above more than just a passing

glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance” (from the song I hope you

Dance )

“It Is A Mistake To

Look To The Bible To Close A Discussion;

The Bible Seeks To

Open One.” William Sloane Coffin

“Just because the Bible says something doesn’t make it truth if what you

are saying from the Bible is slanted, distorted,

mis-applied, or merely the letter of the word.

--J. Preston Eby

A Single Line In The BIBLE Has Consoled Me More Than All

The Books I Ever Read

Besides Immanuel Kant"