June 30th One Year Bible Readings

2 Kings 17:1-18:12 ~ Acts 20:1-38 ~ Psalm 148:1-14 ~ Proverbs 18:6-7
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
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HALF-WAY - Big news! We cross the halfway threshold in our One Year Bible readings today! Whoo-hoo! Yep, June 30th marks the end of our first 6 months of readings and July 1st marks the beginning of our final 6 months of readings. Congratulations!

If by chance you’ve stopped reading the One Year Bible at some point this past six months, how about starting back up with us again as we embark on our final six months? We’d love to have you on the journey with us once again! Let's go!

Old Testament - 2 Kings 17 is a HUGE and very sad chapter today! This is a huge chapter because it is the end of the northern kingdom of Israel. Israel is invaded by Assyria and its people are exiled.  It is so sad because the Israelites could have avoided this strife - but the chose to follow in the sins of Jeroboam and worship other gods.  After much patience and many second chances by the True and Living God, Israel was allowed to be invaded & exiled for their disobedience.  Sad stuff.  You can learn more of the history of how this all transpired at this link.  An overview map of the Assyrian empire at this time is below:

In 2 Kings 17 verse 41 we will read this about the foreigners in Israel: “Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols.” If the foreigners both worshiped God AND served idols at the same time back then, do you suppose that we can fall into this same trap today? What would some examples be today of both worshiping God and serving idols at the same time? Are there any areas of your life where you might be serving idols? Will you allow those idols to be turned over to God for his healing and transformation of you? Will you worship God only? Will you leave the idols behind?

Verse 15 stands out and relates to the paragraph & photo above: "They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves." How true is that?  Maybe another way to look at it - you are what you worship!  (like you are what you eat...) If we worship worthless idols, we become worthless ourselves.  If we worship the true living God, we become more like his son Jesus.  Would you rather be worthless or becoming like Jesus in this lifetime?  And how about after this lifetime?  So, who or what are you worshiping these days?

In 2 Kings 18 we are introduced to King Hezekiah of Judah!  This is a great day for the southern kingdom of Judah. Check out verses 5 through 7 for an overview of who Hezekiah was - "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was never another king like him in the land of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the LORD in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the LORD had given Moses. So the LORD was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did."  Below is a coloured woodcut from Henry VIII´s Great Bible, from the year 1538, of King Hezekiah burning idols:

New Testament - Acts 20 verse 7 is a great look at an early church service!  "On the first day of the week, we gathered to observe the Lord's Supper.  Paul was preaching; and since he was leaving the next day, he talked until midnight."  Paul preached until midnight?  That had to have been one great sermon I am sure!

Well, and yes, Paul raised to life a young man named Eutychus who fell from the window sill during his sermon if you didn't notice!  Wow... that's amazing.  I honestly think I've kind of flown by this little tidbit before.  Paul raised Eutychus from the dead!

Okay, later in the readings Paul gives a powerful farewell address to the elders of the church in Ephesus.  Great stuff...  Verses 36 & 37 do kind of bring a tear to the eye, no? - "When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. They wept aloud as they embraced him in farewell, sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they accompanied him down to the ship."

Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "Paul's Parting Words" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 148 is a call for all creation to praise God!  I love it.  As I was reading this Psalm I was reminded of the Matt Redman song that we sometimes sing in church that goes something like - "Let everything that.  Let everything that.  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!"  I love how the Psalms can stir up worship songs in our minds!

We read this in verse 5 - "Let every created thing give praise to the LORD, for he issued his command, and they came into being."  Do you agree with this verse?  That you came into being because the Lord commanded it?  Do you give thanks to God frequently?  And joyfully?  Even in the midst of maybe some challenging times in your life, can you still give praise to your Creator?

Proverbs - Proverbs 18:7 today teaches: "The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips get them into trouble." As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I'm sure all of us probably can think of someone else we think this Proverb really applies to... :)  And yet, again, perhaps should we think about ourselves when it comes to this Proverb?  How is the condition of your mouth these days?  Is it bringing peace, joy, love, teaching, truth, encouragement to others?  Or is it bringing talk about you, yourself, and you all of the time... and worse, bringing talk of hate, judgment and ultimately ruin?  Let us examine the words that come out of our mouths each and every day!  Let our mouth be a fountain of life and love for those around us!

YouTube Video: Today's readings in Psalm's reminded me of Matt Redman's "Let Everything that Has Breath Praise the Lord:"

Does your breath praise the Lord?  Click here to praise!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "Be joyful always!" 1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV

Love Your Neighbor: Please join me in making a $25 microfinance loan through www.KIVA.org. 

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  How have the first 6 months of our One Year Bible readings been for you?  Has God changed you in any way these past 6 months because of our readings?  What are you looking forward to as we look toward our next 6 months of readings coming up?  Alos, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[LDM]

In a day when ministry seems to be more impersonal through various media, cds, etc, it's refreshing to see how Paul modeled a very intentional, life on life, incarnational approach to ministering to people. He lays his thoughts and feelings right out there for the people to really know him. He was no emotionally distant 'pastor' or leader. I especially like the verse that says, "Remember that for three years I never stopped warning EACH OF YOU night and day with tears.: Acts 20:31. No wonder they wept when he left them. People love someone who takes time to know them personally, and is attentive to THEIR potential, needs and growth. Paul practiced the 'be with' principle of ministry. This is a wonderful theme in his ministry. In 1Thessalonians 2 he says, "We exhorted EACH OF YOU as a father would his children." May we all take a lesson from Paul today and 'practice the presence of people/persons' as we go about our day. There is so much talk in churches about 'the body of Christ', and I believe this is a correct emphasis, but the sum total of the Body is impacted by the individual spiritual health of EACH ONE.

[John]

Preaching the Gospel

Paul was a thorough teacher of the "Word" and shared the "whole counsel of God".

I ran across a sharing of the gospel by the primitive tribe from the movie "End of the Spear". It is too long an article to post, so I will post an excerpt - and provide a link. the article starts 60% down the page and is labeled #4.

Dawa, the Huaorani woman is elequent to in her own way - she is also pretty thorough.

[article by Stephen Saint (son of Nate) in the most recent Christianity Today (March 2, 1998, 42-45).... I remember an encourter I witnessed between some Huaorani Christians and members of a secular North American tour groups who were visiting a Huaorani camp. There were 34 students in this group, all from the University of Washington and Western Washington University.....

....Then they explained to our 34 highly educated young people from the most technologically advanced society in history how they learned from the missionaries that the Man Maker sent his Son to die for people full of hate, fear, and desire for revenge.

"Badly, badly we lived back then," Dawa said. "Now, walking God's trail which he has marked for us on paper [the Bible], we live well. All people still die, but if living you follow God's trail, then dying will lead you to heaven. But only one trail leads there. All other trails lead to where God will never be after death."

Dawa's clear explanation had left her audience spellbound. Now she had a question for her listeners.

"Have you heard me well? Which one of you wants to follow God's trail, living well?"

There was silence again. Then the seed of Dawa's message landed in the fertile soil of at least one heart as a lone hand raised into the night air. Dawa understood the American student's gesture and joyously clapped her hands. "Now I see you well," she said. "Leaving, we will still see each other in God's place some day." Then she looked around at the others. "Dying, I will never see you again if you don't follow God's trail. Think well on what I have spoken, so that dying, we will live happily together in heaven."]

http://www.faithtacoma.org/sermons/Acts/acts37.html

NOTE: To understand why the students were EVEN listening to this women - what led up to her message. You need to read the whole article.

[John]

Acts 20

vs. 12
"The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted."

I believe "comforted" refers to the whole evening, not just "comforted" by the boy being alive.

Gk. "parakaleo" is word translated "comfort". In its root words - the idea is of "calling by name" - in a more specific translation:

"to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc."

I can see Paul's instruction (preaching) of the Gospel being peppered with people's names (one way to keep their attention over a long sermon :)

In the end - people were personally strengthened and encouraged in the "Word", and their strength was reinforced by the tangible sign of a miracle. The miracle was a testament as to what they heard - that it was true.

Bob says:
"I believe that both Luke and Paul were firmly convinced that while miracles would come and go, but that the Word of God would be eternal. I believe that both were convinced that while miracles will not sustain faith, the Word of God will. This is why Paul and Luke deal briefly with the miracle and deal emphatically with the teaching. Faith is not based upon what is seen (miracles, for example), but on the Word of God (see Hebrews 11). Thus miracles will not sustain our faith, but the Word of God will."

The miracle just deepened the impact of the Word. I felt the same thing when my arm was healed by prayer. My faith is strong, but it was attested to by God's continued interaction in my life.
======================================================

vs. 27
"For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God." NIV

We also must demand that we are being taught the whole counsel of God; not just interesting topics, not just what we want to hear, not just the things that will “grab” people, but what God says to all of our lives. - David Guzik

It seems like "prayer" comes up a lot in Acts. I always feel convicted that I need to "pray" more. If I had one prayer request it would be that my "prayer efforts" be strengthened and more consistent.

[John]

2Kings17

Random notes:

God's patience: 204 years after the division into Judah and Israel, God's punishment has come to an Israel thaht has been idolatrous throughout.

"When God brings judgment, He first brings warning – and often many warnings over a long period. It is only after these warnings are rejected that the judgment comes." - David Guzik

i. 200 years and 19 kings after the time of Solomon (the last king over a united Israel), the northern kingdom of Israel fell. It was not because the God of Israel was unable to help them, but because they had so forsaken that God and ignored His guidance and correction that He finally stopped actively protecting them and let them rot and degrade according to their desire.

ii. As they carried Israel away to Assyria, they followed their typical custom. When the Assyrians depopulated and exiled a conquered community, they led the captives away on journeys of hundreds of miles, with the captives naked and attached together with a system of strings and fishhooks pierced through their lower lip. God would make sure they were led in this humiliating manner through the broken walls of their conquered cities (Amos 4:2-3).

iii. This shows another principle of God’s judgment: When it comes, it is often humiliating and degrading.

iv. It seems that Sargon II, the brother and successor of Shalmaneser, finished this siege or at least took credit for it: “The men of Samaria with their king were hostile to me and consorted together not to carry out their vassal obligations and bring tribute to me, so they fought me . . . I clashed with them and took as booty 27,280 people with their chariots and their gods in whom they trusted. I incorporated 200 chariots into my army. The rest of the people I made to dwell within Assyria. I restored the city of Samaria and made it greater than before.” (Inscribed Prisms of Sargon II from Nimrud, cited in Wiseman)

http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/1217.htm

God cast out the Canaanite nations in the days of Joshua because of these sins. Now He had cast out the northern kingdom of Israel for the same sins. God’s judgment was not against the ancient Canaanites because of race or ethnicity; it was because of their conduct. As Israel shared the same conduct, they would share the same judgment.

They followed idols, became idolaters: The NIV translates this, “They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless.” The NASB has it, “They followed vanity and became vain.”

i. “The original is more accurate at this point: ‘They worshipped emptiness and became empty.’ The word here is hebel meaning ‘air,’ ‘delusion,’ or ‘vanity.’ The idea is that they became like the gods they worshipped. They bowed down to nothingness and became nothing.” (Dilday)

Yet, it is a mistake to think of these ten northern tribes as lost. Far back in the days of Jeroboam and his original break with the southern kingdom of Judah, the legitimate priests and Levites who lived in the northern ten tribes did not like the Jeroboam’s idolatry. They, along with others who set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, then moved from the northern kingdom of Israel to the southern kingdom of Judah (2 Chronicles 11:13-16). So actually, the southern kingdom of Judah contained Israelites from all of the ten tribes.

Spiritually speaking, Judah was more faithful to God than the northern kingdom of Israel. Yet they also began to imitate their sinful neighbors to the north.

i. Judah had the lesson right in front of them – the conquered nation of Israel was evidence of what happened when hearts turned from God. Yet they ignored these plain lessons and imitated the sins of Israel.

http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/1217.htm

We see now the background of Samaria and why it was never accepted by the Jews after the return from Babylonian captivity, even until Christ's time.

It seems that God was more lenient with these Samaritans of corrupt belief than He was with disobedient Israel. This teaches us that those with more revelation from God are held to stricter account before Him. - David Guzik

Even to the point that Jesus went and taught in Samaria, as did the apostles in "Acts".

[Paul]

The readings in Kings really get to me. It is difficult to get the "big picture" of this book. I remember studying Kings and Chronicles in a great Bible study a few years ago. What sticks out to me is God's righteous judgment, power, and mercy toward those who believe in him. I also believe we are called to be "idol smashers" of sorts in today's world; however, how we go about doing this is the real difficulty because of appearing too self-righteous. I look forward to gettting involved in the readings for the second half. God Bless

[R]

II Kings 17:1-18:12

Mike you ask the question, “If the foreigners both worshiped God AND served idols at the same time back then, do you suppose that we can fall into this same trap today?” Sadly the answer is yes and we can fall into that trap and not even know we are in it. Many of us scope-our-horror (horoscopes) while reading the bible and confessing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We idolize the god of Chance as we stand on line to purchase lottery tickets, or head to Atlantic City or Vegas to try our luck. We network in groups with people we don’t like to advance careers we hate by celebrating the god of Business Contacts. We join others in-group worship raising our voices to the gods of group think, Might-Makes-Right and There-Are-More-of-Us-Then-You. We don’t trust God to do what He said He will do.

In truth anything we place above God as our source, provider and protector, to name just a few, is idolatry. We even can idolize God’s laws and commandments instead of looking to the God who gave us the directives.

Acts 20:1-38

Paul had singleness of purpose. He knew what he was called to do, he knew where he was suppose to do it and he was willing to pay whatever the price to accomplish his assignment. The only way one could imitate what Paul did is to know only one thing, “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (I Corinthians 2:2) and what that means. We must not only believe by faith but also somehow translate that faith into a dedicated conviction to stay the course despite hardships and yes, maybe even death.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

20 22 "And now I am going to Jerusalem, drawn there irresistibly by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit has told me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.

Psalm 148:1-14
The best prescription for depression, sadness and just feeling lousy is giving God Praise. Doing this takes your mind off the situation and gives you a godly perspective of what you are going through.

Proverbs 18:6-7

Ah, the running off at the mouth has consequences, for the fool the penalty is squabbling and violence perpetrated upon them. In other words, keep the Mouth Shut!

[Vance]

About IDOLS.

2 Kings 17 (NKJV)
10
They set up for themselves sacred pillars and wooden images [Hebrew Asherim, Canaanite deities]
on every high hill and under every green tree.

2 Kings 18 (NKJV)
4
He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image [Hebrew Asherah, a Canaanite goddess]
and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan.

[Literally Bronze Thing]

NOTE:
I may have to write a well thought out and well-researched treatise against dualism. I note how much of the idolatry of the northern kings of Israel was a version of dualism. It is still prevalent today. I keep coming back to the clarity of this one certain reality: good and evil are not equal, and good and evil are not eternal. God alone is good, and evil can only exist as it chooses to actively oppose God.

All people—including athiests and dualists—really enjoy and great value freedom of choice. Yet, they very freedom of choice we value is the reason for evil. God is not evil. We have chosen evil.

And how do we know what good is? We can all chose “what is good for us”. But that avoids that real question: How do we know what is good versus bad? If there is no God, there is no true good versus evil.
~~~

All idols are formed in the imagination of the mind. Temptation to sin only becomes sin when a person’s will receives the thought, so the person is carried off by that desire.

So…instead of clear thinking, sober thinking in the Holy Love and Presence of God, man is turned to being carried by emotions. Thus, the spirit and the mind take second place to the emotions and “the senses”.

James 1 (NKJV)
14
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
15
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

2 Peter 1
(NKJV)
21
for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

(NIV)
21
For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were CARRIED ALONG by the Holy Spirit.

We either give ourselves to the Lord, to be carried by Him—which is our only freedom—or we are give ourselves to something or someone else—which is bondage and harsh servitude to empty emotions.

May we be like the Apostle Paul, in Acts 20 (NKJV)
24
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

We all have much to praise God for, even if we are in dire circumstances. Why? Again, it goes back to the clear thinking of reality: because God alone is good.

Psalm 148 (NKJV)
13
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.
14
And He has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints—of the children of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the LORD!

Finally, as a meditation the Jesus, consider this excellent song, Words and Music: Jim Gum, Jay LaVergne © 1998, from the Young Life songbook

HE WALKED THAT ROAD

VERSE 1
A long and lonely path,
Up a dusty road
To carry the sin,
That was not his own
He walks that road for all, Who have come before
And for those
Yet to be born

CHORUS:
He walked that road for me,

He took my place

He wiped out my regrets,

And didn’t leave a trace

He walked that road for you, To set you free

He walked that road for you and me

VERSE 2
He stumbled on his way, Just like I’ve done
Yet his gaze was fixed On the great beyond
Beneath a crown of thorns, I saw his bloody face
Beaten by the hands Of this fallen race

CHORUS

VERSE 3
He laid out his hands,
And when the nails went through
He was pierced for me,
He was pierced for you
And then the sky grew dark,
And when he breathed his last
He opened up a way,
So I could pass

CHORUS, END
Vance

[John]

Vance,

I liked your comments on "good and evil". I have never been comfortable with the idea that evil is the "absence of God".

I tend to think of "evil" as choices we make when we are "turned from God". Jesus said in Matt 7:22-23

"Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Even what people consider "good" choices are wrong when they are not rooted in "knowing" Christ. Being turned from God those supposedly good decisions are rooted in "self" and "pride". It may be very subconcious, but self and pride are the source. ex: 'it makes me feel good to do this', I did a good job, acknowledgement of others for an act, etc....

The most important choice people need to make first is "receive Him and Believe IN Jesus". Then the good choices will be reflected in knowing Christ, and the bad ones (of the flesh) are covered by His blood. (and we will make bad choices :(

Note: Still thinking this through so I am "way" open to other viewpoints.

[Pat]

2 Kings 17:9 jumped out at me this morning, “And the children of Israel did SECRETLY those things that were not right against the Lord their god.” God knows our heart, what we feel, what we think, and what we do! We can put on a public face for the world to see but it is how we feel and think and what we do when no one is watching that really reveals our faith. We cannot be hypocritical with the Lord like we can with other people. There are no secrets kept from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because the Holy Spirit abides within the core of our being.

God Bless!
Pat

[Kate]

I have SO enjoyed the first six months of our readings; I cant believe I am still going … I know that I have been encouraged by the thought of sharing the journey with so many others, so thanks to all of you!
The thing that I have noted recently about the readings from 2 Kings is the constant reference to how the kings were managing their relationship with God: “they did evil in the sight of the Lord” or “they did right …”. This is not supposed to be an historical record of events, though it covers history, but a record of a People’s relationship with the Lord God. This is so much more important than whether they were effective or not, though I guess if they are in God’s will they will be effective anyway. This is a message for us, for me. We are who we are, but God can use us even in our weakness if we listen to him. It is amazing to read such large chunks at a time, because you get a really good picture of how God uses all sorts to achieve his purpose, both great and small. What an encouragement.
Thanks Mike for helping us all to keep at it week after week, and for making even hard passages interesting with your comments and pictures.

[Susanna]

How have the first 6 months of our One Year Bible readings been for you? Has God changed you in any way these past 6 months because of our readings? What are you looking forward to as we look toward our next 6 months of readings coming up?

A BLESSING is my first answer!
Who'd of known I'd find myself in these circumstances today; pretty much home-bound and life as i'd known it so different. Gosh do i find it challenging to focus & not be distracted- and my main distraction is just me/myself/&i in physical pain. My thought is that the Lord went before, preparing for this time- introducing your Bible study and inviting me. So yeah... it has been a very precious time! I didn't even think bout being half way thru. Rather would think I'm more than half way thru these trials!!!!!
Changes- well i've noticed some humbling! Plus i've been led to areas needing repentance. Thinking over the past months- it seems as tho my mind is being renewed and shown where my thoughts are not His. His HOLY SPIRIT is ever busy!!!!! I am sooooooo thankful for God's grace, mercy and great love. I've received instruction and understanding regarding prayers. So things are different and there is a peace despite..........
Looking forward- i know chapters that are coming up are ones i have liked better than like Lev./Numbers/Kings. I most enjoy Isaiah. Kings was challenging in keeping up w/ flip-flopping of which king of which kingdom, did good/did bad etc. And i have been trying to learn, but also seeking to hear God's purpose for me digging thru. But hey- He's given me all the time to do so. So you see- I have been GREATLY blessed and I pray THAT for each and everyone of you seeking/worshipping the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. What a precious, precious thing to have amidst all that goes on day upon day.
Thank you seems so little to say, but i hope you hear the heart behind it my friends.
Praise HIM from Whom all blessings flo...

Whoo-hoo- like Mike says- Let's Go!

[Rapunzel]

Just a comment on your commentary about the man who was raised from the dead after falling out of a window. You keep saying, "Paul raised him from the dead." I believe it was GOD who raised the man from the dead. A big difference, and I think Paul would be the first to agree.

[Jenny]

I'm about 10 months in the OYB readings and it has definitely changed me! I read through the Bible before, but after a while it became more of a duty and i wasnt really receiving and studying so much, just trying to get thru it after a while. I didnt get as much out of it. This time around I'm remaining eager deep in me to learn and hear from God! I am getting 100% more out of God's word! It is life changing. Similar to Suzanne (Grateful1) I have been kinda "forced" in a place i didnt choose, but God chose for me my circumstances allowing me to engage in the Word more and more.
Maybe a big part is the accountability the OYB gives plus fellowship with many believers. God has placed many great ppl in my life to help me learn more. My awesome dad has studied the word most his life and i can turn to him with questions and discussions, not to my mention my church, and radio ministries God has ministered to me with. He really has shown me He wants me to totally focus on Him and put Him in first like I never did before and boy am I blessed! Through trials I am experiencing His love, mercy, deep compassion, and also am experiencing great blessing like never before. Life has always been painful for me, but for the first time God has shown me to live in the now...not the past, not the future. For the first time (dare I say, first time ever) I am enjoying life! (which is big for me, because of my long bouts with depression my whole life since the earliest age i remember).
There is also a change in me because I just react differently to things. It surprises me when i dont react the way i normally do...it testifies God is greatly at work changing me.
I surely see how ppl can "worship" God yet serve idols (though the Bible clearly says we cannot serve two masters) but I think sometimes we try to have one foot on each side. Its a pretty miserable place to be! (tho I think the ppl in these readings werent genuinely worshipping God).
Paul's message in Acts is amazing. I love vs 24!! "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
Ha, i wonder if Paul was offended that kid fell asleep during his sermon. I have noticed though, when i am listening to pastors, i can fall into deep sleep too, I think just because hearing God's word is so soothing (not boring!) that it just brings great peace!

[Skip]

Whoo hoo!!! Half way there.

I'm still here, although I've been very quite for a while. I got behind by about 10-days, but as of today I'm caught up!

Good to be here.

Thanks Mike!

Yours in Christ
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