I read this recently on my friend’s Facebook page, “The bible is the only book where the author is in love with the reader.”  I don’t know who said it but I love it!  It got me thinking that I usually read the bible like it’s a book.  But of course we know that it’s really a letter.  And now I see it as a beautiful love letter from God to me.

I start a new book and think it’s addressed, To My Beloved Sterling…

When you read each book as if it’s a letter written to you, it takes on new meaning.  It feels quieter, more personal.  It sounds like a whisper.  I wish I had the time (or will power?) to write more letters.  I think the world could use more handwritten letters these days.  But in the meantime, if I don’t write you a letter, grab your bible and remember that God wrote one just for you.  Don’t let Him down by leaving it unread.

MY BIBLE REFLECTION:

“Anyone who is so “progressive” as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9

This verse really jumped out at me.  First of all just reading the word “progressive” caught my eye but more than that, I thought this verse was interesting.  It’s not saying that being progressive is wrong, rather I think God wants us to progress.  The danger is progressive so far or perhaps so fast that that we don’t remain in the teaching of Christ.  I think for me this applies especially to my schedule.

When I progress to taking on so much that I become frazzled… I cannot remain in the teaching of Christ.  I can’t keep up what I’ve learned and I can’t continue to learn more, to be saturated in the words of God or the teachings of the church.  That’s when I stop making progress.  I start feeling anxious, like I’m drowning.   That’s when I stop feeling God’s presence with me.

“Whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son.”  And boy do I need those guys in my life! So let us focus on the right kind of progress, the kind that leads us to God, not away from Him.