Life of Pride
Thursday, June 16, 2005
The Bible is very long. Startling news, I'm sure. But the thing is, I've read through Leviticus, Numbers, and 30 chapters of Deuteronomy so far this summer - yet I feel I've made hardly a dent. I've read most of the Bible before, of course, but not in a linear fashion. My normal method of jumping around and reading whatever book looks best has allowed me to skip Leviticus through Deuteronomy entirely, until now. I've also missed other sections. So this year I'm taking care to read the entire Bible.
But it is long. Also, it takes a while to read, because it has to be digested. It is an extremely worthwhile activity, however, and I am finding it more indispensable than ever before.
Before Christmas break, Dr. Hake emailed me the document he sent his daughters when they went away to college. In it, he recommended that they spend at least two hours a day in some sort of activity that built their relationship with God. This could be anything from fellowshipping with other believers to reading Bible to praying to reading devotionals to singing, etc. The basic idea is, if we're here in this world to glorify God, surely we can give Him two out of twenty-four hours every day! I was so humbled to read that, and I've made it my goal. This past semester I worked the hardest I ever have in my life. I slept six hours a night or less for weeks on end, and I received worse grades than normal. It was also my best semester. My friendships strengthened; my writing improved; and I was at peace. Would I go back and spend that time studying in order to change a few of my Bs into As? No way! God is so good to us when we remember to serve Him, even if we don't realize at the time how events will work for our good in the end.
I mentioned this to my good friend Nate Matias (Hi Nate!) on the phone during the semester. He's been trying to spend a similar amount of time learning about or talking to God. I would be interested to hear how that is going.
That reminds me of something else. This is quite funny. My brother answers our business phone. One time yesterday it rang while he was busy somewhere else in the house. Since the answering service picks up after four rings and he wouldn't be able to make it to the phone in time, he shouted for someone else to get it. I dashed and grabbed the receiver. "Home Life and Practical Homeschooling; how may I help you?" I said perkily.
"Um, hello, may I speak to Sarah Pride?" asked the male voice on the other end.
I held the phone away from my ear and looked at it, eyebrow raised. I hadn't answered that line for several months. The one time I do, someone asks for me by name? I put it back to my ear.
"This is she," I replied cautiously. "May I ask who's calling?"
"This is Isaiah."
*long pause from me*
"Hello?"
"Yes - who is this?"
"Isaiah."
"Isaiah... Oh! Izzy! Isaiah McPeak!"
Turns out he wanted Nate M.'s email address so that he could ask him if he wanted to preside as parliamentarian for some business meeting or other. I was delighted to hear from Izzy, even on the business 800-number, because he is sorta my fellow conspirator on student government stuff. And besides, it was such a bizarre coincidence that he was calling just then, the one time I answered the phone. Makes it a weird enough story to share. :)
But it is long. Also, it takes a while to read, because it has to be digested. It is an extremely worthwhile activity, however, and I am finding it more indispensable than ever before.
Before Christmas break, Dr. Hake emailed me the document he sent his daughters when they went away to college. In it, he recommended that they spend at least two hours a day in some sort of activity that built their relationship with God. This could be anything from fellowshipping with other believers to reading Bible to praying to reading devotionals to singing, etc. The basic idea is, if we're here in this world to glorify God, surely we can give Him two out of twenty-four hours every day! I was so humbled to read that, and I've made it my goal. This past semester I worked the hardest I ever have in my life. I slept six hours a night or less for weeks on end, and I received worse grades than normal. It was also my best semester. My friendships strengthened; my writing improved; and I was at peace. Would I go back and spend that time studying in order to change a few of my Bs into As? No way! God is so good to us when we remember to serve Him, even if we don't realize at the time how events will work for our good in the end.
I mentioned this to my good friend Nate Matias (Hi Nate!) on the phone during the semester. He's been trying to spend a similar amount of time learning about or talking to God. I would be interested to hear how that is going.
That reminds me of something else. This is quite funny. My brother answers our business phone. One time yesterday it rang while he was busy somewhere else in the house. Since the answering service picks up after four rings and he wouldn't be able to make it to the phone in time, he shouted for someone else to get it. I dashed and grabbed the receiver. "Home Life and Practical Homeschooling; how may I help you?" I said perkily.
"Um, hello, may I speak to Sarah Pride?" asked the male voice on the other end.
I held the phone away from my ear and looked at it, eyebrow raised. I hadn't answered that line for several months. The one time I do, someone asks for me by name? I put it back to my ear.
"This is she," I replied cautiously. "May I ask who's calling?"
"This is Isaiah."
*long pause from me*
"Hello?"
"Yes - who is this?"
"Isaiah."
"Isaiah... Oh! Izzy! Isaiah McPeak!"
Turns out he wanted Nate M.'s email address so that he could ask him if he wanted to preside as parliamentarian for some business meeting or other. I was delighted to hear from Izzy, even on the business 800-number, because he is sorta my fellow conspirator on student government stuff. And besides, it was such a bizarre coincidence that he was calling just then, the one time I answered the phone. Makes it a weird enough story to share. :)
Comments:
Well, I didn't mean to say it was a drag or anything. :) It's kind of neat actually if, like me, you do believe it is God's Word. If you don't - well - it could get very boring. :)
Perhaps the Hebrews were recording history. :) If so, then the repetitions occurred because people repeat their mistakes. If it was just a story, sure, it might seem random and like it had bad "style." But if/since it is recorded history... I would expect such recurring themes. :)
That's a great goal to read through the Bible! Something that has helped me is to read alongside an audio version (Literally, read as the audio plays. Of course, you have to have the same version) - besides making it easier, you get the impact of dual learning styles. Then I go back and study those parts that stood out.
That's pretty funny about your phone call. What makes it really funny though, is that I was driving through the St. Louis that same afternoon, and almost called as well - except my cell phone decided to break. That would have been a little off the edge; two calls like that line in one day.
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That's pretty funny about your phone call. What makes it really funny though, is that I was driving through the St. Louis that same afternoon, and almost called as well - except my cell phone decided to break. That would have been a little off the edge; two calls like that line in one day.
# posted by 
: 11:54 PM
: 11:54 PM