Contemplative Bible Reading

Proverbs 18:17 (New Living Translation) 17 The first to speak in court sounds right—until the cross-examination begins. Ah, the cross-examination. That is when someone stands and says, “Let’s look at this again and consider some other things.” In my career, this was called a “hostile audience.” That was a group of persons who were skeptical […]

[Read more →]

Esther 2:3-4 (New Living Translation) 3 Let the king appoint agents in each province to bring these beautiful young women into the royal harem at the fortress of Susa. Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the harem, will see that they are all given beauty treatments. 4 After that, the young woman who most […]

[Read more →]

Daniel 3:15-17 (New Living Translation) 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you […]

[Read more →]

Proverbs 1:11, 14 (New Living Translation) 11 They may say, “Come and join us.Let’s hide and kill someone!Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent! 14 Come, throw in your lot with us;we’ll all share the loot.” These words are so foolish they are almost comical. “Just for fun.” Whoa. “Let’s do something terrible, just for […]

[Read more →]

Jeremiah 42:19-20 (New Living Translation) 19 Listen, you remnant of Judah. The Lord has told you: “Do not go to Egypt!” Don’t forget this warning I have given you today. 20 For you were not being honest when you sent me to pray to the Lord your God for you. You said, “Just tell us […]

[Read more →]

Psalm 90:12 (New Living Translation) 12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,so that we may grow in wisdom. This Psalm is attributed to Moses. Moses is praying and has a list of requests to God. In this request, Moses asks God to teach us about our lives on earth. They are short. Once […]

[Read more →]

Proverbs 1:10 (New Living Translation) 10 My child, if sinners entice you,turn your back on them! Simple advice. Oh I wish we would follow this. “Hey, come on, get behind this latest social cause. It is right!” I hear this too often. Then someone in the ruling elite chimes in. “Yes, let’s do that.” But […]

[Read more →]

Psalm 81:5 (New Living Translation) 5 He (God) made it a law for Israelwhen he attacked Egypt to set us free. This sentence is part of a few sentences where the writer urges the people to praise God. The writer concludes with the “why” of praising: because God attacked Egypt to set the people free […]

[Read more →]

Proverbs 3:27-28 (New Living Translation) 27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve itwhen it’s in your power to help them.28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” Years ago, Nike had the ad campaign of “just do it.” They found that ad campaign in […]

[Read more →]

Judges 12:5-6 (New Living Translation) 5 Jephthah captured the shallow crossings of the Jordan River, and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim tried to go back across, the men of Gilead would challenge him. “Are you a member of the tribe of Ephraim?” they would ask. If the man said, “No, I’m not,” 6 they would […]

[Read more →]