Verily, verily...

This post should have been up days ago, but to be honest...I am catching up in my reading.  So with apologies, here we go.  It has been a long time since I have read the King James version of the Bible. So, it was with surprise that I started noticing one of my favorite Gospel of John words showing up in Matthew.  Often in John, Jesus says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you..." and then we hear something extremely important. In Matthew 17 and 18, I find "verily,"  not repeated as it is in John, but certainly there.  How have I missed "verily?"  Considered archaic by most, I found one web site that graphed its use as increasing, and I think that is neat because I enjoy hearing and saying that word.  Sometimes when I read the Bible, I don't give the precious Word the full attention it deserves.  A signpost like "verily" stops me short and makes me think.  "Verily, verily" really gets my attention! 


According to Webster's Third New International Dictionary,  "verily" means "in very truth," "beyond doubt or question," "certainly," and "confidently."  I could add "and attention-getting.  In 17:20, Jesus tells us with certainty, that if we have faith "as a grain of mustard seed," nothing will be impossible unto us.  What does Jesus mean when he says "nothing."  What does that say about our faith?  Look for "verily."  What else do you see in the Gospel of Matthew that is beyond doubt or question? 

Readings for January 27 to Feb 2

The readings for this week are given below.  We are now entering February and we will put the full list of readings for February on the 'Readings by Date' page soon.
We finish two books this week - Genesis and Matthew! Well done!
Now we head onwards continuing the story of Israel in Exodus in the Old Testament and completing our readings in Romans in the New which we started in January.  Also we will be doing some chapters from Psalms as well.

January
   27 Genesis 48 Matt 24 Genesis 49
   28 Genesis 50 Matt 25 Exodus 1
   29 Exodus 2 Matt 26 Exodus 3
   30 Exodus 4 Matt 27 Exodus 5
   31 Exodus 6 Matt 28 Exodus 7
February
  1         Exodus 8         Romans 5  Exodus 9  Psalm 1
  2         Exodus 10        Romans 6  Exodus 11

Introducing Phyllis

I'm the pastor at Sawyer Memorial Congregational Church in Jonesport, and this is the first time I have ever written on a blog. I am excited about this new project, and hope you all take the plunge with us!

Paul and Abraham?

Reading about the conversion of Saint Paul in the middle of the story of Abraham in Genesis as made me wonder: What did the two have, or not have, in common.?
      Here's my list:

• They lived  over a thousand years apart,
• Both were pioneers in their worlds,
• Both were extraordinarily faithful.
• Paul was a city boy (from Tarsus in modern Turkey, and a Roman citizen,)
• Abraham was a countryman, who left his city roots in Ur far behind.
• Paul made tents, Abraham lived in them.
• Paul was a scholar ("Your learning has driven you mad," said one Roman official,)
• Abraham was a successful farmer.
• Paul experienced some very violent treatment from strangers,
• Abraham was generally well respected by others.
• Paul was single,
• Abraham had many children by several different wives.
• Abraham was called "the friend of God,"
• Paul is called the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Any more suggestions, anyone?


Which one would you choose to spend time with?

Readings for January 20-26

This week in Genesis we read the roller-coasterlike story of Joseph and in Matthew we have teachings and parables of Jesus together with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jan 25 is a day on which the conversion of Paul is remembered and we read the chapters in Acts which tell of that event.  Enjoy the readings!  

   20 Genesis 36 Matt 18 Genesis 37
   21 Genesis 38 Matt 19 Genesis 39
   22 Genesis 40 Matt 20 Genesis 41
   23 Genesis 42 Matt 21 Genesis 43
   24 Genesis 44 Matt 22 Genesis 45

                The Conversion of St. Paul

   25   Acts 9 Acts 22 Acts 23 Acts 26
   26 Genesis 46 Matt 23 Genesis 47

Got a question on the readings or some thoughts?  Add them as a comment to this post.

Genesis - The book of Beginnings

Our Old Testament readings so far have been mostly from Genesis, the first book in the Bible.  The word genesis means ‘origin’ or ‘source’ as it is a book about our origins but the Hebrew name for the book is bereishit, which means ‘In the Beginning’.  And the book is a book of beginnings - the beginning of the natural world, the beginning of the human race, the beginning of human culture and the beginning of the people of Israel, but also it is the beginning of God’s plan of salvation for us.  The call of Abraham in chapter 12 is the beginning of God’s people and God tells Abraham that ‘all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’  God starts building with one person.  A small beginning but the story of God building a people runs throughout the Bible and it is our history, our beginnings as well, as we too belong now to God’s people! 

Reading Genesis always reminds me of both the good and bad side of our human nature as I read about the good things done by the various people but also the bad things are not hidden from us either - yet God still loves us.  In some parts I marvel, yet when I read others I cringe.  What about you? 

Brunch with the SHE Bible on Saturday, January 18th

Remember!  The breakfast at the Bluebird at 9:30 on Saturday morning, January 18^th, for those who missed the opportunity to see the great SHE Bible last week due to bad weather.  Come and see!  (Colin)

Readings for January 12th - 19th

The daily Bible readings for the third week of January 2014, are:

 

   12            Genesis 21            Matt 10       Genesis 22           

   13            Genesis 23            Matt 11       Genesis 24           

   14            Genesis 25            Matt 12       Genesis 26           

   15            Genesis 27            Matt 13       Genesis 28           

   16            Genesis 29            Matt 14       Genesis 30           

   17            Genesis 31            Matt 15       Genesis 32           

   18            Genesis 33            Matt 16       Genesis 34                     

   19            Genesis 35            Matt 17       Genesis 36