The Ultimate Read

I love reading. I love writing. I love talking (intelligently and to the right person lol). There is something about words that is sacred. It shares and conveys ideas. It harnesses mental and emotional energy. It represents the visual and mental and brings that into someone else’s experience. And when I read, specifically, I understand the author better. When I read their words, I know about how they think, what they found important or unimportant, why they worded it that way, what life force and energy they possess, their thinking process, etc. That is part of the thrill for me. Yes the story is valuable, but I never want to reread the book unless the author is noble, moral, good somehow. I have to feel clean and cozy reading the book, if that makes sense. I stick to the classics of literature, art, music, science, mysteries, and history in general with some exceptions. People seemed more noble and purposeful maybe, not sure what it is. But my favorite and the best read I never tire of, always want more of and find the complex author so compelling and perfect is the Bible. It reads as history, science, love, mystery, all those things and more rolled into one. And every time I read it, I feel good or convicted or alive or loved or appreciative, whatever, but the thing is I feel it. I learn more every new read. I have read it cover to cover at least 7 times and it always does more. It is living. It is the truth. It is Jesus Christ. The ultimate read is definitively, unequivocally the Bible. ❤

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Psalm 10:12-18

Psalm 10:12. “Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. 13. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account”? 14. But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. 15. Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out. 16. The Lord is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. 17. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, 18. defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.”

Psalm 30

Psalm 30:1. “I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2. Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. 3. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. 4. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. 5. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. 6. When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” 7. Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. 8. To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: 9. “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 10. Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.” 11. You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12. that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”

1 Chronicles 16:8-11

1 Chronicles 16:8. “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 9. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 10. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 11. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”

2 Peter 1:3-9

2 Peter 1:3. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6. and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7. and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.”

Envisioning Heaven

When the day is hard and long

Escape with your mind

To a world that can’t be found

Unless your spirit finds it.

And think with me a place

Full of beauty, color rich

Where evil no longer resides

And no pain, no tears, no wretch.

And I can envision this

For it comes from pages bright

The text of ancient past

That is my sword and light.

And I know this full well

My Savior waits for me

Loved me enough to die

And rose to set us free.

And I can endure so much

With patient joy and peace

For soon awaits our world,

Our perfect jubilee.

1 Peter 3:10-18

1 Peter 3:10. ‘For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13. Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14. But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened.” 15. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16. keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.’