From the
Pastor's Pen, August, 2005:
“Summer
Reading Program”
The other day, I happened to glance at the windows of the Public Library
in Eaton Rapids as I drove through. Taped to the window were rows and rows of
various colored pieces of paper. I couldn't tell what shapes they were cut
into, but they were all the same. I smiled to myself as I thought, "summer
reading program." I smiled because it brought back pleasant memories.
For most of his elementary school years, our son John participated in a
summer reading program at the public library. One time he was talking about his
progress to Grandma, herself an avid reader. The next time he saw Grandma, she
produced an old folder, with several children's book titles written in my own 7
or 8-year old handwriting inside, to show him. It was my first summer reading
program record.
Even though summer is more than half over, I'm looking forward to my own
summer reading program while we're on vacation. I have a stack of books sorted
out to take, several I haven't gotten around to, one or two I want to re-read.
I simply enjoy reading. I find I can learn something, get some insight, or find
an interesting turn of phrase with almost any kind of reading I do. I started
keeping a life list of books I've read-rather late-a couple of years ago. I
appreciate going back over that list, and remembering what I got out of each
book.
This is more that just a commercial for reading, though. Summer, with
its different pace (maybe no less busy, but different), is a good opportunity
to do some reading in The Book, The Bible, God's Word. It's a good
summer reading program in itself. Anytime, of course, is a good time to read
the Bible, but perhaps on a day when it's too hot to do anything but sit very
still in front of a fan, or during a rainstorm, is a moment when you might pick
up your Bible and open it.
Unfortunately, many people feel so overwhelmed when they try to read the
Bible that they don't get far. Here are some thoughts and suggestions to
consider as you get started (or restarted, or continue):
-
Starting at the
beginning and trying to read your way through the Bible will lead to
frustration. It's ok, even preferable, to skip around.
-
Reading the
Bible is a life-long habit, more of a marathon than a sprint. Don't try to
finish it all by a certain deadline.
-
If you're
looking for a place to start, read the Gospel of Mark. Considered by scholars
to be the first of the four gospels written, it tells the story of Jesus
quickly and directly. Mark's gospel can easily be read in one sitting.
-
Read a Psalm a
day as part of your prayer time. Every human emotion is present in the Psalms,
as the songbook of the Hebrew people. Those songs still praise God and touch
our lives.
-
Read and compare
different versions of the Bible. While many people love the poetic language of
the King James Version, its Elizabethan English with its "thees" and
"thous" makes it more difficult to understand. At First UMC we use
the New Revised Standard Version in worship, but other translations are also
very readable and offer insights for study and devotion.
-
After reading
Mark, compare the other gospels, then Genesis and Exodus, Romans, Paul's
letters, and so on. Read what is of interest to you. Read the larger context of
the passages you hear in worship. Stick with a chapter or so at a time.
-
Finally, keep at
it! If you become discouraged, move on to another part of the Bible. There are
so many different forms of literature, (history, biography, poetry, prophets,
letters and so on) in the Bible, so many different ways in which the story of
God's love is told. Keep reading!
John Bell, of the lona Community of Scotland says, "When we read
Scripture, we understand the accent with which God speaks." This summer
(what's left of it), and on through the rest of the year, and all through our
lives, may we stick with our reading program. We may not get our name on a
colored piece of paper in the library window, but we will be blessed. We will
grow toward God. We may become more familiar with the accent with which God
speaks. We may find a beautiful turn of phrase, or more importantly, words to
guide our life journey with God, words that challenge us to grow. Keep reading!
On the Journey with you,
e-mail Pastor
Baker-Streevy
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