Job

I have really been enjoying reading Job. The description Peterson’s gives is so lively and blunt, I keep seeing the story played out in the drama of some sort. Chapter 39′s description of nature so vivid I see a slideshow in my head as I read. I wonder if job can turn into a production of some sort or if I can find a script that we could present in church ? Perhaps a readers theatre style. With a concerted effort one could take petersons text and edit it down to a dramatic piece …..

How is the reading going? Update us HERE please . . .

It is day 13 and so far I have been able to keep the pace – how about you ?

Job has been quite interesting. He and his friends make such strong arguements . . . . I don’t know how it will resolve. Eugene Peterson’s Message style presents the arguements so vividly. Today I actually wanted to read ahead to see how Job will resolve this struggle.

N T Wright video

Wright talks about reading scripture in larger sections …

http://www.altervideomagazine.com/2011/06/10/the-whole-sweep-of-scripture/

Aside from the ‘Bible in 2012′ what are some other major reads you have taken on ?

I am currently reading the Canadian Oxford Dictionary at a page a day. This moring I was in the F section – about page 520 . . . . about 1150 pages or 3 years to go ! Had I a we fife I could sit on the fife rail alonside the mast and pipe up a tune for me reading mates . . .

Job: how NOT to help friends who suffer

Eugene Peterson, in his introductory comments on Job, suggests that we can’t ‘really help’ those who suffer – rather he challenges us to enter into ‘the mystery of suffering, so far as we are able and looking for God with the one who suffers’.

I also appreciate how Peterson voices Job’s attitude

“And so I’m not keeping one  bit of this quiet,

I’m laying it all out on the table.

My complaining to high heaven is bitter, but honest”. 7:8

The Challenge: read the entire Bible in 2012

In late 2011 I began thinnking about reading the entire Bible in the coming year, so I passed on the challenge to my fellow church members at Covenant Mennonite Church here in Winkler MB CA.

To my suprise several folks decided to join me in the challenge.

Pastor Kelvin and his wife Elaine are aiming to read the King James version – aloud to each other as often as possibe – in honour of its 400th anniversary.

I am starting with The Message by Eugene Peterson. Pearl is using The Inclusive Language Bible. Gary, Margaret, Chad, Paul, Val and Don are up for the challenge as well.

That puts us at 10 readers in a rather small church of about 2 dozen households. I hope and pray it is a successful venture for us individually and for our church community.