Day 5 What to make of Noah's becoming drunk in his own vineyard?

What are we to make of the story of Noah drunk from his own vineyard? Scholars debate an issue of modesty (lying uncovered) and imply the "nakedness" implies even more. One possibility is that the sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth really respected their father and were embarrassed for him.

On a more simple note...does the rainbow still not reveal the glory of God! I know scientifically we can explain a prism of colors but really...have we marveled at a rainbow lately? How can we not think of God's faithfulness?

Day 4 "What is the real faith message?"

Is the story of Noah and the ark just about building a large ship, collecting animals, and riding out a storm? Or is it a message about faith? This is a story about riding out the difficult times in life and faithfulness prevailing in the end. The message is sealed with a covenant! Oh if we would could keep this message for our next "rainy day!"

Day 3 "Is the debate of evolution and Creation Story just "hot air?"

In our day there is great debate about Creation and Evolution. I think the debate has a great deal of "hot air." Adam Hamilton reminds us that Genesis is not a Book of science but of faith. This means faith is not in opposition to whatever science can teach us. God is the creator of science traits and patterns as well. Consequently, science should not be threatened by a Creation Story or the CREATOR!

Speaking of Creation...Have we ever considered Genesis is not just a creation story but is a Book of creation stories? Dr. Greg Clapper teaches that Genesis actually contains three creation stories. One (Genesis 1) , when God made the Heavens and the Earth. Two (Genesis 2) , when Adam and Eve were created and fell in the garden. Three, (Genesis 5-9) the flood brings a new beginning through Noah. We also have all the firsts in the Bible. The first sin, murder, covenant, sacrifice, offering, sibling rivalry, and first vision of a glorious nation. Is Genesis which means "the origin of coming into existence" (Webster) a Book for our understanding God's beginnings? What do you think?

Day 2 "Who is to Blame?"

Yes, Jack B. we still have trouble grasping God's vision. Today's reading gives us some answers to "what happened?" Today's question is "Who do we blame for the fall? The serpent (evil one), Eve, Adam? Is it because we are all sinners? Or is it as stated in Disciple 1 Bible Study..."we are all buckpassers?" What do you think?

Day 1..."What happened?"

Genesis begins with an orderly creation story and a peaceful garden. Matthew opens with an orderly genealogy leading to the birth of Jesus. Psalms one begins with a beautiful image of a tree planted by streams of water. God obviously had a vision for order and peace. Most of the time our world knows chaos and strife. This begs the question..."what happened to God's vision?" What do you think?

Welcome Aboard! The New 365 Day Voyage Begins Tomorrow!

The blog will be here for your journey in reading through the Bible. This year the blog will feature a question every day...as well as your comments.

A new year of Bible Reading begins August 27

Email me at Philip@Cokesburyumc.org if you have completed the reading. We would like to know who has read through the Bible. Another year of reading begins on August 27th.

Thanks again for sharing the voyage!

Day 365..."After 365 Days...The Finish Line!...A New Beginning"

Jude is a very brief Book but does have self-seeking people pegged..."These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever." How about the image of "clouds without rain." I heard Dr. Fred Craddock say..."hot water but no soup" kind of folks. He also ends with an eloquent doxology..."Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."

Revelation concludes with a vision of a new heaven and earth. Jerusalem is the city of God. Heaven awaits as the consumation of Jerusalem. In the final chapter of the Bible, we end with a tree (just as Genesis began with a tree). This tree is of life. What a productive image..."Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever." I really like that phrase..."and night will be no more." Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. Jesus was in the beginning, is now, and forever more! In the Kingdom of God beginnings and endings are about the same. We end our reading...but there is so much more about God to perceive... Our journey ends with God's ability to make new...a glorious vision of things to come! I think this is true for our reading...today is an end but also a new beginning!

Congratulations to all who have finished "Discovering God's Word a 365 Day Voyage! What a blessing to share these readings each day with you! I am as eager as ever to read the Bible...I hope you are too. Shalom!

Day 364..."Only one day left...II John...III John...Satan defeated"

The "lady" reference appears to be a way to referring to the general church. In reading these short one chapter letters of II and III John obviously the elder John is passionate about keeping the main things the main things. In one instance he appeals to "love one another." In another he warns against Diotrephes who "puts himself first." The NKJV notes states that this short letter speaks to church administration. The respect of those in authority in the Church has been essential since the Church began. Diotrephes did not respect John and we can sense his malicious words created a disturbance in the community of faith. Demetrius, on the other hand, was commended. Are we more like Demetrius or Diotrephes?


Revelation describes the final defeat of Satan. All those who have died a martyr for the faith will be rewarded. The Lamb's Book of Life is introduced...a symbol for those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Tomorrow we will finish our year of reading. Have we a greater relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior?

Day 363..."1000 years is as a day...I John is filled with inspiration...Heaven"

The Day of the Lord will come...II Peter reminds us..."But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. "

I John is filled with great passages that inspire...

"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

"This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree."

Revelation is beginning to draw to a conclusion and we see a vision of Heaven. Heaven opens and a white horse appears. Also evident is some of the basis for a theology of Christ and the Church united.

Day 362..."I Peter finished...I John...Babylon's greatness is no more"

Well on a few days left and today was a fast paced finish of I Peter. The subjects include marriage and suffering for Christ. The role of men and women both involve respect. (though the cultural differences really stand out in this reading) Is love the greatest stewardship of all? Love is the great equalizer. I was drawn to the passage..."Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." We are not perfect...love is needed in every situation.

I John makes several affirmations..."If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins." Later John writes..."If anyone does sin, we have an advocate." John focuses on the light overcoming the darkness, as a metaphor.

In Revelation, the clock is ticking and Babylon will be an affluent city no more. Numerous images of a thriving city are shut down. Does this not read like an Old Testament prophet...like Ezekiel?

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Day 361..."Prayer changes things...I Peter begins...More destruction of Babylon"

The Book of James ends with a convincing message about the power of prayer..."Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit." Prayer does change things.

Peter begins with a call to holiness..."but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Later we read one of the signature passages of I Peter..." But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." What a lofty thought! We are God's people!

Revelation has an image of a great prositute. The refererence according to NIV notes is "Babylon the great." In a reference to "seven hills" is the connection with seven hills of Rome. What is the outcome? We read a summary at the end..."And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.” We see destruction of Babylon...much like the Old Testament.