Reading for the Glory of God (...and a P.S. for Pat Story (P.S.)

ARABI BAPTIST CHURCH SUMMER READING FESTIVAL

Read. Think. Live.

June Selection: THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY by A.W. Tozer

I certainly spend some of my summer reading some "fluffy" literature. In fact, I have been quite engaged in Margaret Truman's (daughter of President Harry S. Truman) 1990 novel, Death in the National Cathedral. However, after completing this well-written, directly clever and entertaining book, it will do little for my thoughts about God. Correction: it will challenge me to make sure to make time for reading that will elevate my opinion about God.

This is how the idea of the Summer Reading Festival was born. It was predicated on the belief that most of us spend time reading something during the summer. Why not spend some time reading Chrsitian books that will cause us to think on the things of God and challenge us in our daily living. Yes, this is a good thing!

Many in our church have taken a copy of A.W. Tozer's classic, The Knowledge of the Holy. This twentieth-century classic is written in a devotional style, yet each short chapter is power packed in speaking on the different attributes of God. I'll be honest with you, when I read Tozer, I always have my highlighter and pen ready to mark and write comments. Often, I find myself pausing to give thought to what this classic author writes about God. I have yet to complete a chapter where I have not been challenged to think more highly of God and his work through his Son.

Consider this gem from a chapter on The Holy Trinity:

"Secularism, materialism, and the intrusive presence of things have put out the light in our souls and turned us into a generation of zombies. We cover our deep ignorance with words, but we are ashamed to wonder, we are afraid to whisper 'mystery.'" (p. 18)

I encourage us all to read more to the glory of God this summer. If you don't attend Arabi, you can easily pick up this book at your local book store or order a copy online. Good reading!

P.S.

We are studying the book of 1 John in our Adult Discipleship Class. The purpose of this study is so that each person can learn Bible Study Methods to help them get more from their own personal study of the Bible. We learn to study the Bible by studying it! A question came up on Sunday about 1 John 5:18. Pat, I thought you might appreciate this--though it will be a few more weeks until we get to this verse. However, remember context, context, context!

1 John 5:18 in 9 different translations:

We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin, but the One Jesus Christ who is born of God keeps him, Or the one who is born of God keeps himself and the evil one does not touch him.
(Holman Christian Standard Bible - translation we are using for our study)

We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. (English Standard Version - version I preach from)

We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. (New Living Translation)

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. (New American Standard)

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. (The Message)

We are sure that God's children do not keep on sinning. God's own Son protects them, and the devil cannot harm them. (Contemporary English Version)

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. (New International Version)

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. (King James Version)

Vér vitum, að hver sem af Guði er fæddur syndgar ekki, sá sem af Guði er fæddur varðveitir hann og hinn vondi snertir hann ekki. (Icelandic Bible)

Check out a variety of Biblical Translations at:
http://www.biblegateway.com/