Bible 09 » 2009

Want to get away?

Matt — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:07:40 +0000

There are a series of Southwest Airlines commercials that are on quite a bit during this time of year when people do really dumb things and then the announcer comes on and says, “Want to get away?”. While I haven’t done something really stupid, this one verse jumped out to me today:

15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:15-16 ESV

None of us are healing people and having concert sized crowds looking for us, but don’t we all have things that are demanding our attention? For me, even though many times I am alone, there are things that are clamoring for my attention. My laptop is the biggest culprit. The mobile phone is a close second. Beyond that I have work, my kids, my wife, my house (which is cleaner than ever, by the way), church and the list goes on.

Tonight it was this blog. I was going through code and it was frustrating me. If you use a computer at work, feel for the IT guys. It is part of what I do. There are hundreds of lines of code and we need to find the problem. It consumed me and I got frustrated. I finally put it aside and read.

There is the solution. Get away. No computer, no kids, no mobile phone, no nothing. Just me and God. I need to get away. Not far, just away from the things that are calling for my attention. God, thanks for giving me this Book to let me know what is up. Amen.

Work in progress

Matt — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:41:22 +0000

As you may have noticed, there are things on this site that are missing or incomplete. That’s what happens with something that you do as a hobby. But, being that it is Bible09, I wanted to get it out as quickly as possible and it was 80% there, so I went with it.

If you are coming here from myBibleJournal.com, thanks for checking it out. I am excited about the new look and some of the new technology that comes with the new theme. I am excited about the plans for the old site and I hope that it can be a tool to help you as well.

There is a lot going on and I am fired up about where it all is leading. As always, thanks for coming along for the ride and for your patience as we build this up.

Going with the Vision

Matt — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:36:08 +0000

Over the holidays, I have had the opportunity to read quite a bit. Not just books, but blog posts and articles as well. Obviously, it is the start of the new year, so many are writing and talking about where to go. Words like vision, purpose, dream and focus have been top of the list in my reading. And with my Bible reading, I see it in the life of Jesus:

42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them,43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” Luke 4:42-43 ESV

This verse really spoke to me. In this, Jesus had done some great stuff in Capernaum, but he had to move on. I am at that point right now where a lot of great stuff has happened in my life and career, but I am getting the feeling today that I really need to narrow the focus and hit it hard. Don’t get me wrong, this is not about moving or making changes in my family. It is really about my time and what I use it for. Really, it’s such a God-thing, I am having a hard time putting it into words. But trust me, it’s nothing too drastic in my life in terms of everyday life. A more focused approach really…

It’s funny how this Bible read thing goes. It just starts speaking to you. Get ready for the fun. Stay tuned…

In the beginning…

Matt — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:04:14 +0000

It’s New Year’s Day and following the lead of my beautiful wife who has been cleaning, purging and organizing over her winter break, I started in on my office. You see, I have a cabinet in there that has my TV, printer and speakers on top and on the inside was a years worth of mail, bills, old magazines, books and outdated gadgets. As I tidied up the office over the last year it has become the carpet that I swept all the old junk. It was time and why not a better day than the beginning of the new year to get organized. I was pretty proud of myself until my read tonight.

The start of the current reading plan was Genesis 1&2 and Luke 1. It was Genesis that got my attention tonight as it is the beginning, and we are beginning the new year. What struck me was God’s organization. Everything was laid out in order and done at the right time:

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3-4 (ESV)

As we embark on the journey in 2009, let us see the light. The light of God’s love and how we can love to shine the light throughout the year. I find it ironic that many are so hopeful this year because of a new leader in the U.S. when we should be looking at the true light every year. That is why I am hopeful this year, to shine the light of Jesus on even more people. I believe it will be a good year.

2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. Genesis 2:2 (ESV)

And I pray this year we can work hard on what God wants us to do. Like my office, we all need to look back and appreciate what we have done. I know I need the rest to keep on working!

So may we get organized this year, work hard for what is right and see the light of hope to make this a great year. It’s already off to a good start and I am thankful that I can journey along with you.