"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword" Hebrews 4:12
Saratoga, CA
The air was snuggly warm, the sun danced across the deck in lace patterns, and I was in my most favorite place…Gran’s swing. It was an antique metal bench, with awning, covered with cushions – and it was exactly “one Dena” in length. I adored gently rocking back and forth, back and forth in rhythm to the waves lapping on the shore below. I would go out there to “read” but usually end up closing my eyes, listening to the birds, the rustle of the trees, and the faraway sound of children on the beach. It was my haven.
Once, when I was newly nineteen, I was out on Gran’s deck in my most favorite place; under the Madrona trees enjoying the warmth, sunshine, and reading my Bible (I had asked for a new one for my birthday and my parents had obliged). Gran was hanging laundry. “I don’t know why you find that book interesting. It’s old and everybody I’ve ever heard preach out of it says something different – even if they talk on the same bits. They preach on one part and say one thing and a year later say something completely different on the same part. A book is a book; it says the same thing each time – at least all the ones I read do.” Grabbing the empty basket she hefted it to her hip, spun on her heel and strode across the deck. Um, ok, no time for a response there.
As we age, we, hopefully, get smarter. Life experience, education, difficulties, friends, family all help us form a worldview from which we operate. As our wrinkles and gray hair increase our worldview changes, our perspective deepens, and we see things differently. So, put us in a situation we faced twenty years ago and we would, most likely, handle it a bit differently.
If I had the above situation to live again I would follow my Gran into the house and ask her if her opinion had ever changed; if her perception of an event was altered when she learned of new information, or if she had ever changed her mind regarding a decision she had made.
I know she would have said yes.
I would have gone on to point out that life circumstances have illuminated scripture that hadn’t really made all that much sense to me before (opinion changed); that learning the meaning of the Greek or Hebrew word has forever changed the meaning of a Bible verse (perception altered); and learning historical implications have altered how I thought (changed mind).
So, yes, “the same bit” can mean different things at different times. The words on the page stay the same but worldview, opinions, perceptions, education, history, and circumstances alter their meaning.
I know of no other book that has this ability… principles, stories, parables deepening in meaning and context as you mature. The Bible is living. The Bible is powerful. The Bible is sharper than any two-edged sword and can cut through to the heart of the matter.
What are your perceptions of the Bible? That it is flawed? That it is a good story book? That it is old and not applicable to today? When was the last time you picked one up and let its truth invade your heart? Your perception just might change.
Updates:
Living – The condo made it through inspection and now we are waiting “plastic removal day” for loan approval to occur. Once that happens the sale finalizes…WHOO HOO! The buyer gets a newly spruced up building (siding, windows, and roofing) and I get a sale!
Work – I gained an employee…our intern from
Travel – I am coming to
Requests:
Living – for no “hiccups” - I have to wait about 8 weeks for the sale to finalize. Pray that the buyer will hold up his end of the deal and that everything will go smoothly and without issue / hindrance.
Work – we have our largest team ever heading to
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