Just today it occurred to me that I should try and carve out some time to put together some Bible stories that I can read to my 3 year old daughter. So I added yet a 5th Bible project to my already full plate of projects exploring the scriptures. At our home, every night at my daughter's bedtime we have "story time" and 19 times out of 20 the duty of reading the bedtime story usually falls to me (with Mommy filling in on those nights when I'm away minding the grill or otherwise occupied). It's not really a chore of course -- I truly enjoy it! While we have obtained some very good books, and my daughter loves them, it has been really hard to find good Bible stories. Many of the Bible stories for children are either too sappy, overly wordy, or just plain boring. Trust me I know you only get just a few seconds to grab a kid's attention. If it doesn't register right away -- forget it!
The other day I found some cheap books with accompanying CD-ROMs of 4 popular Bible stories (Noah's Ark, Jonah and the Whale, Samson & Delilah, and David & Goliath). I was excited to play the CDs and let my daughter read along (she loves to do this). To my disappointment while the pictures were okay, the music was really poor, the narration was painfully boring, and the sound quality was just plain weak. I thought then I would have to search the Internet for something better when I find the time.
That was over 2 months ago. I have not yet gone out looking for better Bible stories and just today it dawned on me . . . "hey, why don't I just make something up." It would be a nice little project for me to take the scripture which contains the story and extract out a narrative and dialog with some added content to provide a more interesting snippet suitable to read to toddlers, pre-schooler, and grade-schoolers. So today, without giving it any further thought, I created a project folder on my computer and I'll browse through the Bible for an appropriate first story to tackle. My first thought is, well just start at the begging with the story of Adam and Eve and simply move through the Bible chronologically. But, I realize that just the Lee brain working . . . little kiddos don't care about that kind of structure and it doesn't matter whether they are in any kind of order.
So, the plan at this point is to just randomly pick a story and start building out something a little person can digest and make it something fun. This should be interesting.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Why Did I Create This Blog?
So why I did create this Search and Study blog? Well, I suppose it just sort of naturally followed after so many years of studying the scriptures and all the many personal Bible study projects I have worked on. I needed a way to consolidate these projects into a central place where I can store for reference, reflect, share and grow my hunger and ongoing quest to learn about the Bible. In this ancient text we learn about the amazing God of the Universe who left us a meticulous record of his past acts, insight into his current mind, and amazing glimpses into the future of mankind.
Why "Search and Study"? Well, It seems these two words best exemplify the path to understanding. Obviously there is much to be gained by simply reading the scriptures, but it has become abundantly clear to me that a true grasp of the truths reveals in the scriptures only come from diligent exploration (searching) and analysis (study). I believe God has very purposefully compressed huge stores of information about Him, about the universe, about His plan for humanity, etc. deep into the text of the scriptures which can only be "decrypted" by careful examination, cross referencing, and extrapolation of the data provided by the text.
I'm struck by one of my favorite passages in the new testament where, Jesus after being resurrected, is walking along the road to Emmaus from Jerusalem with a couple of believers. These believers were very down and discouraged because of the death of Jesus Christ who they had followed and "had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel (Luke 24:21)." They didn't fully understand what had happened. Then we are told that Jesus begins to talk with them and to open up their understanding as they make their journey from Jerusalem to their home in Emmaus. Jesus does this by revisiting what had already been given to that generation in the form of the ancient scriptures (Old Testament writings with which they would have already been familiar) "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself (Luke 24:27)". This must have been more than just reciting the text. I believe this was a meticulous exploration of bits and pieces of information being pulled together to reveal deep truths which were embedded into the text well over a thousand of years earlier.
We first see this exploratory teaching from Jesus at the age of 12 when He is found in the temple participating in an impromptu study of the scriptures "sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions (Luke 2:46)". We are then told that "all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers (Luke 2:47)". I believe this is the first of many lessons in careful examination of the scriptures that Jesus gives both in public places and in private with his closest followers. The real lesson is -- don't just read the text, recite the words in song, etc., but "search the scriptures (John 5:39)". Indeed, study as one would study a course in physics or advanced mathematics. So much of the great truths can only be extracted by diligent exploration and prayer.
Honestly, I have no idea what will become of this blog, but it is nice to have a place to store all of my stuff (study notes, ideas, thoughts, Bible related projects, etc.). As this is my first posting I am still unclear as to what format to use and I guess that will develop over time.
Why "Search and Study"? Well, It seems these two words best exemplify the path to understanding. Obviously there is much to be gained by simply reading the scriptures, but it has become abundantly clear to me that a true grasp of the truths reveals in the scriptures only come from diligent exploration (searching) and analysis (study). I believe God has very purposefully compressed huge stores of information about Him, about the universe, about His plan for humanity, etc. deep into the text of the scriptures which can only be "decrypted" by careful examination, cross referencing, and extrapolation of the data provided by the text.
I'm struck by one of my favorite passages in the new testament where, Jesus after being resurrected, is walking along the road to Emmaus from Jerusalem with a couple of believers. These believers were very down and discouraged because of the death of Jesus Christ who they had followed and "had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel (Luke 24:21)." They didn't fully understand what had happened. Then we are told that Jesus begins to talk with them and to open up their understanding as they make their journey from Jerusalem to their home in Emmaus. Jesus does this by revisiting what had already been given to that generation in the form of the ancient scriptures (Old Testament writings with which they would have already been familiar) "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself (Luke 24:27)". This must have been more than just reciting the text. I believe this was a meticulous exploration of bits and pieces of information being pulled together to reveal deep truths which were embedded into the text well over a thousand of years earlier.
We first see this exploratory teaching from Jesus at the age of 12 when He is found in the temple participating in an impromptu study of the scriptures "sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions (Luke 2:46)". We are then told that "all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers (Luke 2:47)". I believe this is the first of many lessons in careful examination of the scriptures that Jesus gives both in public places and in private with his closest followers. The real lesson is -- don't just read the text, recite the words in song, etc., but "search the scriptures (John 5:39)". Indeed, study as one would study a course in physics or advanced mathematics. So much of the great truths can only be extracted by diligent exploration and prayer.
Honestly, I have no idea what will become of this blog, but it is nice to have a place to store all of my stuff (study notes, ideas, thoughts, Bible related projects, etc.). As this is my first posting I am still unclear as to what format to use and I guess that will develop over time.
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