Exciting Book

I finally got my Bible Study handouts put online. We have a tradition that no question is off limits. There may be some answers for which we need to build a foundation before going further, such as discussions about where the unsaved go immediately after death, but we will tackle anything, digging through scripture for the truth of God's whole Word.

As people have visited or joined the class, they have wanted the previous handouts, so I decided to post them on my web site. Also, people wanted me to write out my notes and I thought it was a wise thing, too, because I can't read them when they're cold. So I began typing them as I made them, doing my research and study in front of the computer.

Thus far, I've put up the following handouts: 

• Bible Facts
  
• The Miraculous Bible, Is It Truly the Word of God?
  
• Soul, Spirit, Body: What Are They? How Does God Redeem Them?
  
• The Rapture vs. The Second Coming
  

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, we are studying the Book of Revelation. I have notes up for chapters 4 through 6 and hope to finish 7 this weekend. Links to them are found on the Revelation page.

Anyway, it has blossomed into a full scale project and I find that the in-depth research is a good refresher. Amazing how much you forget without realizing it. Of course, Revelation is not one of the Books I often turn to in my Biblical meanderings. I usually go there only when seeking a specific reference.

As I am drawn deeper into John's final writings, I find myself in awe as my mind's eye takes in his amazing word pictures. They blaze across the horizon of my consciousness shining with the majesty of the throne and the ONE upon it, the four created beings and the 24 elders... Myriads of angels.  I hear a symphony of praise, the martyred ones under the altar calling , "How long..." And the LAMB appears. And we have only just begun! Read through to the end.

The depth and breadth of this book are tremendous, the splendor and the terror emotionally spell binding. One could script volumes of notes on all the minutiae, but it is important not to lose sight of the focal message... Yet we must take care not to disregard vital details, particulars with meanings God intended us to pick up on.

Wow! What a Book!! I challenge you to do a study of Revelation. You can find several study books in your local Christian book store, or online. Of course, you are invited to wander through my notes. They probably make more sense to those who hear it live, but maybe you can glean something as well. 

If you do opt for a book or  online study, I would suggest that you go for a Futurist view. There are four predominant approaches to Revelation, Preterist, Historicist,  Idealist and Futurist. The latter is a literal reading of prophecy and the only one that makes sense to me.  

And my day was like this...

• 10:10 What a nice, grey day! 
  
• 12:01 Wow, I feel empowered. I have prioritized all my To-Do's and have them in my electronic and phone calendar. I even have estimated times. 
  
• 13:27 Have finished updating personal books and paying recent bills, and we still have a positive balance. Whoo Hoo! 
  

Lost & Found

We had a lovely Easter. Because Richard had to go to work early in the afternoon, we went to a new church with a different meeting time. The music was wonderful, the sermon right on and the people friendly... but most important of all the Spirit of God was in that place.

What a blessing to celebrate the Lord's resurrection with others of like mind and heart. It is so good to be part of the family of God!

As we were getting ready to leave for church, I remembered something I forgot to bring (I don't now recall what) so put my Bible on the roof of the car and ran back into the house. When we got to church I realized the Bible was not with me. After we got home, Richard left for work and I drove back to the church searching for my Bible all along the way. Nothing.

I will miss that Bible. I've written notes in it for several years now and I refer to them often. Also, it had large enough print to read with ease and enough margin space for me to write lots of notes. It was just full of great illustrations and charts, too. Finding another one like it will not be easy since I don't remember it's title or publisher. All I know is that is was NIV.

I am praying for the return of my Bible OR that it be found by someone who will read it and perhaps gain some insight from my notes which the Lord inspired. I know God will put a good outcome to the loss of my Bible.

On the other hand, my Mac is now healthy again. I finally had to erase the hard drive and was able to use my backup to restore everything just fine, not one piece of data lost (that I know of, anyway). Praise God! He is so absolutely cool!

AND I found my long lost feather duster! How about that?! I can't explain this, but it was in the filing cabinet, of all places. I'm truly glad to have it back because Wal-Mart didn't have any like it. This is one of those big brown ones with long, luxuriant feathers... Looks good enough to wear, ha ha. But I am so pleased to have it back and happy the mystery is solved.

Well, I'd better get some sleep. Tomorrow, I need to be well rested as I try to do the taxes. At least, thanks to answered prayer, I won't need to take the Mac to be repaired.