Moving

So I have been considering moving this blog to a more general blog in which I can use for a broader purpose. The original intent was to use this as a place for those who have joined me in reading through the Bible in a year to comment and experience some mutual accountability. While I so appreciate those of you have commented, it doesn't appear that it is really useful for that purpose. Purpose the same could be accomplished with a simple email to everyone periodically. In addition, as I have entered blogdom more and more and interacting with others who are blogging I have wanted a place where I could blog about things of a more general nature than just what I was reading in the Bible. So...drumroll please....okay it isn't that big...I am moving this blog to a blog that will have a much more general purpose. I want to still interact with my friends who have joined me on the bible journey but also comment on other things as well. So the new site is:

http://douggamble.blogspot.com

I know, creative huh? Anyway, thanks again for commenting here and I hope you will join me at etc.

peace,
doug

How's everyone doing?

Just checking in. Haven't written in awhile. How's everyone doing with reading the Bible?

The oxymoron of following Jesus

I read today in Mark 10:42-44 one of the chief teachings and core principles for following Jesus. To lead you must serve. That's the doug paraphrase. In a world where authorities flaunt their leadership over you, Jesus said His followers must be different. We must choose to serve and even be last. That is one of those truths I grew up hearing but still struggle to practice. Jesus of course was the supreme model for this in how he lived and how he died. I don't think I struggle with being authoritarian...I don't think....and I don't think I've been trying to climb the corporate ladder (so to speak) and I don't think when I lead others I wave my leadership baton over them to force them to follow.

But I do think I need to consciously choose to serve those around me. I think I need to serve my children today by asking, "What would they like to do?" And do that instead of what I feel like doing. I think I need to practice more the art of asking, "How can I help?" and mean it.

What do you trust in?

It's been awhile since I posted. Been kind of busy with Benjamin arriving into the world. Of course I had to include a picture. What kind of father would I be if I didn't?

Anyway, if you are reading through the One Year Bible as I am then you read a couple verses today that struck me. They are Psalm 44:6-8:

"I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies."

Recently my son bought a toy bow and arrow set and he loves going around the house shooting the arrows at the enemy..in this case his sisters. I find it interesting that from my children being very little they understood this concept of good guys and bad guys. Surely some of it has come from TV, but some of it was inherent. This Psalm, written most likely in the time of David, addresses a situation where the enemy wanted to crush the nation of Israel. Their used a physical bows and arrows to defeat them. Unless you are in the military you and I do not have an enemy that is using physical weapons against us. But we do have an enemy. Peter tells us in his book that our enemy is Satan and he seeks to devour us.

Today, I am considering what is standing against me. I am considering how I need to trust in God more for safety and deliverance from my enemy.

Great resource

Just discovered another great resource to add to the list on the right. It's at





Just started playing around on it, but it is a pretty impressive Bible study tool...and it's free! You can do basic functions like keyword searches and topic searches, but it also has a library of books that are searchable. Basic functions are all free but there will be possibility for various subscriptions. The free content is good though.

doug

The Bible is Timeless clip 2

Here's our second theme video clip for the message "Can I use it?" Thanks to those who responded to my previous post. Your comments will make an appearance in the message!

How has the Bible helped you?

Lynn in a comment on a previous post asked a question that I want to give a little attention to and direct to anyone reading this blog. "How has the Bible been helpful to you?" Lynn was specifically looking for verses that God has used to speak to you. Next Sunday, Feb. 11, I will be speaking on the relevance of the Bible for today and I would love to include some comments from our little "Bible reading" family here. So, let me hear how God has used the Bible to help you. Including specific verses where necessary would be helpful as well.

Thanks!

doug