Before I pick up where we left off last week there is something that I must make mention of….
I was amazed, after the fact, when I realized that in last week’s post I had actually quoted Scripture! That may not seem like a big deal to you, but believe me, for Jackie and those that have known me for some time it was monumental.
I want to tell you a little story…..
Perhaps you can relate to this: one of the reasons that I shied away from the Bible was the Thee, Thy, Thou, begat, etc. found in many versions. I mean, come on, just getting the message out of a passage was a challenge for me; trying to get through archaic wording made it even worse! I needed something a little more simple, something that I could relate too, something that would make it a bit easier to get past my still-present childhood fears that I couldn’t understand what I’d read.
I turned to our nephew Jamie for advice, and told him of my ‘hang-ups’ with conventional Bibles. Jamie recommended the NIV (New International Version) Bible, which has been translated into a version much easier to both read and comprehend.
Brimming with confidence, I headed to the bookstore to actually purchase a Bible! One look at the shelf containing all the Bibles, and the panic set in! I had expected to find a few different translations, but I wasn’t prepared for what I found; there were more versions of the Bible than, well, than I have pairs of socks! There were study Bibles, reference Bibles, and one year Bibles. I saw Bibles for men, women, and even students. Good grief!
Just before I turned and bolted for the door I remembered that I was looking for one particular version, so there should be nothing to be worried about, right? So I scanned the shelves looking for the NIV. There it was. But wait! There are different versions of the NIV! Which one was the right one? Making sure that no one was looking, but not really knowing if someone was, I began leafing through the different versions, acting as if I knew what I was doing! I could have asked for help, but that would have been too easy (maybe it’s a guy thing), so I stood there for 5 or 10 minutes with no clue as to which one I should choose!
Finally, aware of the fact that I could have stood there all day trying to make a decision, I put it in God’s hands. I closed my eyes and thought “Dear Lord, I have no idea as to which of these Bibles is best for me. I’m gonna stand right in front of these selected few, and I’m asking You to guide my hand to the one that I’m supposed to have.” And I did. And He did. And I went home with the GIANT print version of the NIV Bible.
I made one more purchase at the book store that day; for several months I questioned why I bought it, but I realize now that it was God’s way of making reading the Bible more fulfilling for me. It was a publication titled The One Year at HIS feet Devotional, and it gives the reader a suggested reading for each day of the year. This particular study guide cites chapters and verses from the New Testament, focusing mainly on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
As I said, there is a suggested reading for each day of the year. Here’s what I really like about it: There are two sections devoted to each day’s passage. The first section, In Word, explains what I’ve just read, in layman’s terms. The second section, In Deed, gives me suggestions for applying that day’s ‘message’ in my life. This book has proven to be an invaluable tool in making daily reading of the Bible a part of my life. In fact, each morning Jackie and I sit at the table in our kitchen where I’ll do the ‘reading of the day’ for both of us. You can keep your bacon and eggs, cereal, or bagels; give me a few minutes with my Bible and a hot cup of coffee and I’m good to go!
I’ll close today with a few thoughts:
If you’re looking to enrich your walk of faith, to deepen your spiritual life, to get closer to God, or to learn the teachings of Christ, then the Bible is a great place to look. Unlike myself, don’t let fear stand between yourself and what the Bible has to offer to you.
If you want to know more about the Bible, join a study group within your church community. Talk to a friend that’s well-versed in the Bible. If you want to go it alone, but don’t know where to start, pick up a daily devotional similar to at HIS feet.
I’d love to recommend a particular Bible to you, but I don’t think that I’m qualified to do so. I believe that there are so many different versions available because, well, because we’re all different, aren’t we? Seek some advice in finding the version that’s best for you; the pastor of your church can probably offer you some tips.
It is my humble opinion that you don’t have to know the Bible to know God, to be a Christian, to lead a good life, or to get to heaven. I know I’ve mentioned somewhere on this site that “…it’s not just about the destination; it’s about the journey.” I believe reading the Bible will only serve to make your journey better.
contact me: sam@theseedofhope.com
I’ve confessed to you before that I didn’t start reading the Bible until just over a year ago; actually it was just after my 55th birthday. What I didn’t tell you was why it took me so long. I was afraid. I’ll say it again; I was afraid. Not of the Bible, but my interpretation of it. I’ll explain.
If you’re a new visitor, I’ll tell you that I’m a Roman Catholic (not that my being a Catholic really matters in regards to God; see the post on Faith, dated October 31, 2008). I was baptized in a Catholic Church, attended Catholic schools, went to Mass (church) every day before school, and had religion class in grade school and high school. I’m still a practicing member of the Catholic Church. You get it; I’m steeped in the Catholic Faith.
Funny thing about the Catholic Church; when I was young, reading the Bible was never a focal point in life. (I’m not trying to insult fellow Catholics; it’s just the way it was.) I mean, we didn’t have ‘Bible school’ for kids, and adults didn’t have ‘Bible study’ groups (not that I was aware of). I guess what I’m trying to say is that reading the Bible was never stressed as being a necessary ingredient in leading a Christian life, which is not what one would expect from the “one, true, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church”. So my ‘official’ reason for not reading the Bible all those years was that no one told me I needed to.
Now back to the real reason for my reluctance: FEAR.
When I was in, I don’t know, maybe the fourth or fifth grade, our assignment one night was to read a few selected chapters from the Bible and write a report on what we’d read. Well, I did exactly that, and when it was time for religion class I confidently pulled out my paper on what I’d learned in the Bible.
I got it all wrong! Before I continue, I need to explain something to you: back then, most of the teachers at Catholic schools were Benedictine Nuns (in full garb; robes, full head-pieces, Rosary beads hanging from a waist sash). My teachers in fourth and fifth grade were from Germany, I believe, and very strict. If you made a mistake, neither of them had a problem pointing it out to you. God bless them, looking back on it now, I realize that they were serving God and their students in the best way they knew how…..
So anyway, I was told in no uncertain terms that I had it all wrong; I had completely misunderstood the message and meaning of the selected readings. And the ‘wall’ went up in my mind. And I never read the Bible. Oh, I heard selected readings from the Bible in church every Sunday; in fact I was a lector for a few years, but I never paid attention to what I read. I always listened closely to the sermons, because quite often they centered on the reading of the day. That’s as close as I ever got to the Holy Bible.
Until…..
It was my good friend Ann that pointed me in the direction of the Bible. Not long after my epiphany (article posted November 24, 2008), I kept bumping into mental ‘ceilings’. That is to say, I had questions regarding my abilities, worthiness, and ‘purpose’ in life. I was in uncharted waters, so to speak, not only in my walk as a businessman, but more importantly, in my walk of faith. In the middle of all of the changes going on in my life, God put it on my heart to go out and share the result of these changes with others.
At a time when I should have been brimming with confidence, I was plagued by doubts that this so-called ‘message’ for others really was from God. I mean, why me? Why would He, why should He pick me to be one of His messengers? I certainly had never done anything that would qualify for that ‘position’.
I conveyed these doubts to Ann, and she told me to read Jeremiah 1:4-9 (Jeremiah Chapter 1, Verses 4-9).
The word of the LORD came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Ah, Sovereign LORD” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the LORD said to me “Do not say ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them for I AM with you, and will rescue you” declares the LORD.” Then the LORD reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me “I have put My words in your mouth.”
I’ll tell you; this did give me some comfort. (For the record, I’ve never considered myself to be a prophet; I’m just a guy with a message to share.) Still, the doubts lingered, and time after time Ann would direct me to a certain chapter and verse that would, well, that would give me rest (some peace of mind). And each time I would get a little closer to reading the Bible. Closer, but not there yet. Have you heard the term “going, kicking and screaming’? Well, I won’t say I was that reluctant, but I was certainly dragging my feet.
Finally, on September 28, 2007, the day after my birthday, I purchased my first Bible, the NIV version; and I began to read.
What really did it…
I awoke one morning with a dream still fresh on my mind. In this dream, I had seen John, a very close friend with whom I hadn’t spoken in years. I was so surprised to see John that I actually asked (in my dream), “John, what are you doing in my dream?” John’s reply was “38”. Again I asked the same question, and again John replied “38”. Nothing more; nothing less.
I got out of bed thinking John 38. John 38. John 38. Couldn’t get it off my mind….what did it mean? And then the light bulb turned on! Are you ready for this?
Sam Maniscalco, the 55 year old Catholic who had never read, studied, turned to, or thought of the Bible headed straight for it! I almost told you that I didn’t know what made me go for the Bible that morning, and I didn’t know at the time, but I know the reason now. I always say that sometimes God gives you subtle hints about things, and sometimes He drops a brick on your head to get your attention. This was God dropping a brick on my head; and He used a dream to do it!
Sorry, I got sidetracked.
I made my way to the kitchen, grabbed my Bible, and settled into my ‘prayer chair’ (more about my chair later). Like a child on Christmas morning opening a surprise gift, I nervously leafed through the Bible looking for John 38; I knew that I was going to find something meaningful. And there it was…..NOT.
For those of you not familiar with the Bible, there’s not a John 38. I was so disappointed. Just seconds earlier I had been overwhelmed with Joy that the Bible had become enough a part of me that I had automatically turned to its pages for enlightenment. No John 38. Couldn’t believe it; I had been so sure…..
But wait. How about John chapter 3, verse 8? Again, with trembling fingers, I delicately turned the pages of my Bible to see if God had indeed sent me a message. This is what I found:
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the spirit.”
Why was this message so meaningful to me?
For days, weeks, months, I had been questioning God’s plans for me, how He would use me as His soldier, as one of His messengers, and where He would take me. His message for me, through John 3:8? Don’t worry about where you’re going. I’ll take you where I want you to go. Be still.
I’ve been reading ever since.
More on this topic next Monday.
contact me: sam@theseedofhope.com
I just sent an e-mail to Jim Elliott, an old friend that is currently receiving chemotherapy treatments for ‘appendiceal adenocarcinoma cancer’ which involves, you guessed it; the appendix. This type of cancer is so rare that oncologists aren’t really sure as to the best methods of treatment. Surgery to remove the tumor was ruled out, and it was agreed that chemo was that best plan of action.
Jim decided to share his journey with others through CaringBridge, a website designed for doing just that. Jim has a journal in which he can make daily entries detailing his ‘walk’ in fighting this dreaded disease, sharing his thoughts with his family and friends. I have found his willingness to tell his story quite remarkable, and I have conveyed to him that his courage will be a beacon of light for others to follow.
Jim’s most recent post contained the great news that the cancer cells were responding to chemo! He also shared some thoughts about God, his family, friends, and the support that he has received through CaringBridge. And then, almost as an afterthought, Jim added that he was still ‘pissed off’ about the cancer.
You know, I don’t blame Jim one bit for being angry that he has cancer! I mean, who wouldn’t be upset about be diagnosed with the ‘Big C’? My question for Jim was this: “Are you mad at God for letting you get cancer, or are you just mad that getting cancer was ‘the hand that was dealt’ to you?”
I think that it’s okay to tell God about the way you feel. But there’s a fine line between being mad about what He gives you in life, and being mad at Him for it. You don’t want to cross that line, at least not for any length of time.
I offered a post to you on November 14th titled My Walk in Life, in which I briefly mentioned redefining our relationships with God. I’d like to take the ‘religious’ aspect of those relationships and put it on the shelf for a minute. You see, among all that God is to and for me, He is my friend. The last statement deserves more attention than I’m going to give it right now; it will be a topic for another day.
I want to take a moment to talk about friends, and I’m going to use my relationship with my wife Jackie as an example. I’ve told you before that Jackie is my best friend, which is remarkable considering the fact that we’ve worked together for the past 19 years! Be that as it may, there have been those rare occasions when she’s done something that has ‘pissed me off’! Of course, I’ve never done anything that would make her mad at me. J
This anger has always been short-lived, not only because we love each other, but because we are friends. If you have a true friend, or if you are a true friend, you know that friendship involves acceptance and forgiveness. God has forgiven me so many times for transgressions that I’ve committed against Him. How can I not possibly accept the hardships that He has seen fit to give me along the way?
There have been times in my life when, fit to be tied (really mad), I’ve looked up to the heavens and said “Look God, I don’t question why you’ve given me this cross to bear. I know that everything You give me, good or bad, is for a reason. I’m not going to ask You to take this cross off my shoulders. I only ask You to give me the strength to carry this burden, and I’ll do it gladly. But I want You to know, just for the record, that I’m not happy about it.”
Here’s the thing: God has always blessed me with the strength to get through the trials and tribulations that He has given me in life. Always. I think this may be in part due to the fact that I ask Him for it. I believe, if you will only ask, that He will do the same for you.
He has never let me down.
contact me: sam@theseedofhope.com
If you’d like to visit Jim’s page, use the link below. I’m sure that he’d love the hearing from you.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimelliott
