Before I could snap out of my euphoria over the books at the fair, I rammed myself into another book excitement—mirth of a different kind.
I finished reading September 23 in my Chronological Bible on Joel, Chapter 3. And what do I know? September 24, today, is the New Testament!
I was so used to the Old Testament's last book, Malachi, that when I got to the New Testament, I didn’t know what hit me!
The experience was, uh, let me borrow from Milton for I lack words at the moment—my heart was “jocund and sublime.” I was especially woozy when I read the transition statement: “Four hundred years after the Old Testament book was written, the story of the New Testament begins to unfold, around 6 BC.”
And it begins not with Matthew, but with four verses of Luke 1; then it proceeds to John 1:1-18.
It is all very real, and totally overwhelming, the best news that ever hit mankind—the birth of the Messiah.
(I have a confession to make: the last pages of the Old Testament got to be a bit frustrating. It was like a non-ending yoyo—people would turn against God; God would forgive them and punish them. Again and again. Then they would go back to their sinful ways and again, back to God's laws through Moses.)
But from this page of September 24, the good news is riveting. I couldn't put the book down.
Everything is about grace; rather, grace is everything. And oh, to read all about it on printed page, in chronology! I can gush till kingdom come.
I was so used to the Old Testament's last book, Malachi, that when I got to the New Testament, I didn’t know what hit me!
The experience was, uh, let me borrow from Milton for I lack words at the moment—my heart was “jocund and sublime.” I was especially woozy when I read the transition statement: “Four hundred years after the Old Testament book was written, the story of the New Testament begins to unfold, around 6 BC.”
And it begins not with Matthew, but with four verses of Luke 1; then it proceeds to John 1:1-18.
It is all very real, and totally overwhelming, the best news that ever hit mankind—the birth of the Messiah.
(I have a confession to make: the last pages of the Old Testament got to be a bit frustrating. It was like a non-ending yoyo—people would turn against God; God would forgive them and punish them. Again and again. Then they would go back to their sinful ways and again, back to God's laws through Moses.)
But from this page of September 24, the good news is riveting. I couldn't put the book down.
Everything is about grace; rather, grace is everything. And oh, to read all about it on printed page, in chronology! I can gush till kingdom come.
4 comments:
hello! i found your site via link referral.
this sounds like a very nice idea to read the bible on a daily basis! thanks for sharing. i will look this up in amazon and if they ship in germany. God bless!
Hi, Kikamz! Reading the Bible chronologically is twice more awe-inspiring. It's like reading the Word and a novel (page turner at that!) at the same time.
Grace, thanks! All the more reason for me to get that bible. GRACE, GRACE, GRACE it is! Nothing more but His GRACE. That's why I so envy you for your name. Haha! Good envy naman, di ba?
Hey, Yay, the Chronological Bible is also available in NIV and "The Message" editions. JC got me the latter. Can't wait to read it!
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