Contemplative Bible Reading

Proverbs 18:2 (New International Version) A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. Steven Covey sold millions of copies of his “Seven Habits…” book and turned that into a financial empire. One of his habits is something like: Seek first to understand then be understood. Aha, that comes right […]

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Jonah 2:5 (New International Version) The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. This verse is from Jonah’s prayer as was trapped in the stomach of a great fish. The last line of this verse struck me. Seaweed was wrapped around my head. In one sense this is […]

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Proverbs 24:1 (New International Version) Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company Sometimes I want to “get somebody back.” They have done something to me that I don’t like. I want to do something back to them that they won’t like. In such cases, I am envying the wicked. I envy their […]

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Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Years ago I was watching TV late at night. The program had a speaker whose name I cannot recall. His theory was that by studying the motion and alignment of the stars and planets, we could predict the […]

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Exodus 28:2 (New International Version) Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor. Clothes can provide dignity and honor. That makes sense. There is much in culture about dressing for success. How a person looks does have an affect – both positive and negative – on the people around the […]

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Jonathon’s father was the King. Jonathon was close to his father. They went into life-and-death combat side by side fighting for their nation. Jonathon’s father was wrong (when it came to David). Jonathon did what was right (when it came to David). Was Jonathon’s actions easy? No, they were terribly difficult. How easy is it […]

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The phrase “daily bread” is one of the best known in the Bible. The best know use of it is in what we call the Lord’s prayer (here from Matthew 6:11). Matthew 6:9-13 (New International Version) 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: ” ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your […]

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Joshua 7:20-21 (New International Version)20 Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: 21 When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and […]

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Proverbs 27:1 (New International Version) Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. This passage struck me today. The odd thing about it was that I couldn’t decide what it meant to me. I went looking on the Internet for insights from other people. Below are a […]

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Psalm 34:4 (New International Version) I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. I’m not afraid of as much as used to be. At least I tell myself that here when I am 49 years old. Still, if someone probed me they could find plenty that I fear. […]

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