Reading from Sunday, July 11

Alright - catchin on up.

Reading for July 11
1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18
This section delves into the history of David's reign as King over Israel. As far as I can remember, Some of these events are recaps of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings, while others are completely new stories. For instance, there is a story about three chiefs who risked their lives to bring David some water from Jerusalem while he was pinned down by the Philistine army, and then David refused to drink it because of the great risk these chiefs put themselves in. I don't remember that from the previous books. At the same time, I don't really see the significance of it, but its interesting nonetheless.

What I find most compelling is just the nature of these books as a whole. Many of these stories were passed down orally for many years before they were written down. I would imagine that something like Chronicles would have to be written down, but the earlier books of the Bible were likely transcribed much later. So it's interesting to see what stories were selected to be in which books. Like why was that story about the three chiefs omitted from 2 Samuel but put in here? I don't think there's any malicious intent in leaving it out or adding it somewhere else, I'm just curious.

Acts 28:1-31
Sweet - this is the last chapter of Acts. Romans is next, yo. 

OK, there's a lot to digest in this closing chapter of Acts. The tiny little island the arrow is pointing to is the Island of Malta. This is where the prisoner ship crash landed. The author says that the islanders showed them "unusual kindness". They built them a fire and gave them shelter for three months until the winter passed and they were able to continue on to Rome. What's interesting is the author's use of "unusual" - as if kindness was not expected from strangers, or at least not that level of kindness. Especially in the story of the Bible, where foreigners were slain for being foreigners. But if you have a heart like mine, that little sentence that describes the unusual kindness of these people, you will feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I am a big fan of kindness. I just think that being generous and nice to others, strangers especially - is the key to a strong and healthy population. Have you ever been the recipient of unusual kindness? It changes your entire outlook on a day. There's a story I want to share.

My grandmother used to visit nursing homes to provide company to the elderly who had no one else to talk to. She went in with a bouquet of flowers one day intending to give them to a woman she was supposed to meet with. The woman wasn't there, I forget why...so she looked around and thought "who could use these flowers?" She saw an elderly man sitting alone in a wheelchair, with his head sagging into his chest and his hands on his lap. She said she prayed about it and felt that this was the man she should give the flowers to. She stood in front of him with the flowers hoping to get his attention. After a few minutes passed with no reaction, she just laid the flowers on his lap, and giving one final glance to see if he had any reaction (he didn't) she left.

A week later she returned to the nursing home to meet with her regular friend. She saw the man she had given the flowers to, still in his wheelchair, but looking in much better spirits. He recognized her immediately.

"You! You're the lady who gave me the flowers last week!"

She was a little shocked that he remembered her - after all she didn't even see the man's face. He went on to thank her over and over for giving him those flowers. He later told her that he had planned to kill himself the day which she and he had their fateful interaction. He told her how he had laid out the extra pills he was going to take, and had written a suicide note and the whole deal. He said that no one had spoken to him in months and he had no reason to live anymore. The simple gift of those flowers completely changed his outlook on his life.

So remember that - the smallest little thoughtful act of kindness can literally save a life.

OK - back to Paul. So he arrives at Rome and is placed under what is essentially house arrest. He is given a house to live in with a guard posted to him. During this time he preaches to anyone who comes to visit him. Here is something I really liked - some of the Roman citizens came to visit Paul to hear his message - here's what they said:

²²But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect."

Notice how they didn't instantly judge his views, they didn't automatically assume that his religion was crazy and evil. They had heard some bad things about it, but they wanted to hear it straight from the source. This is something we as Christians, and as a country, should pay attention to. Too often are we snapping to judgment about a group of people. Blanket statements are thrown around, entire groups are discriminated against, and lives are sometimes ruined, all because we aren't listening to each other.

This is my new personal challenge: Think of someone who's world views you disagree with. Then take some time to sit with that person and listen to what they have to say.

The final thing I want to point out about Acts overall is the fact that we actually read about the people to whom Paul addresses his letters later in the Bible. In fact the next dozen or so books are all letters that Paul writes to the different cities and nations he visited, with the first being Romans. These upcoming books are probably where I have the most experience in the Bible in terms of the amount of time spent on them, and yet, I'm excited to see them with new eyes. I'm excited to put a face with a name so to speak. I was able to read about the interactions - personal interactions - that Paul had with these large groups of people. And these people absolutely loved this guy, for the most part. So the books that originally came off as a little "condemn-y" will now hopefully read a little more loving.

One more thing. I have tried maybe 10 times to read the book of Acts and have failed each time. Now I've done it. 

ACTS. DONE.

Psalm 9:1-12
This is interesting:

 ¹² For he who avenges blood remembers;
       he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.

It sort of gives a bit of gravity to the shockingly violent acts God had committed. At least to me, it seems like God doesn't take those acts lightly - he is someone who kills, but he remembers those who are in trouble.

I don't think I'm expressing that correctly. Can someone else try to say what I'm trying to say?

Proverbs 19:1-3
 ¹ Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
       than a fool whose lips are perverse.
 ² It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
       nor to be hasty and miss the way.
 ³ A man's own folly ruins his life,
       yet his heart rages against the LORD.

Next.