Revisiting "Why Do I Keep Doing This?"

While transcribing a verse from my Bible today, I was reminded of one of the reasons I continue doing what I do on this blog, week after week.  I cherish this Bible as much as the positive e-mails, comments, gratitude for renewed faith and so much more which I have been graced with since I started this blog eighteen months ago.

When I wrote the previous post, Why Do I Keep Doing This?, I completely forgot to include my Bible.  Many of you might ask what is so special about mentioning it, as reading the Bible drives many to a calling.  Not I, however, as I am not big on the Bible, as many of you know.  I have issues with the so many aspects of it, but it remains the only book of faith Christians have, and even with all the questions concerning origin, contradictions, gospels not included, etc., the message it so desperately tries to impart is still valid if we interpret it correctly.  So, what makes my Bible so special?  A pink piece of paper, and a receipt, I taped on the inside cover.

As I began posting article to the blog, I found myself in need of a Bible for reference.  I wasn't looking for anything expensive, I just wanted a functional, readable volume.  I always seem to be accosted by Christians who spit chapter and verse at me like they know what they're talking about, and I needed something I could justify their quotes against.  I also found myself needing to quote in my answer.  I'm very reluctant to use biblical quotes for the same reasons I hate it when people throw biblical quotes at me.  But, I'm not using it as some shield to hold back heathen words, nor do I pound the Bible as I try to force feed a faith that I preach but do not follow.  I quote biblical verses because the message is sound, valid, and helps to explain a point.  When not in grave contradiction to itself, it can be a convincing tool.

Anyway, I'm scanning through the shelves of Bibles and Qur'ans, at the local Barnes & Noble, when my eyes catch this rich looking volume that is screaming at me to pluck it out.  From the looks of the spine, and having already priced editions less appealing to the eye, I just knew this one was going to be more than I wanted to spend but I pulled it from the shelf anyway.

I love the feel of books; it is one reason I have hesitated buying a Kindle.  There's just something about turning a page that I refuse to give up.  I even have hard copy thesaurus and dictionary at home, along with an Essential Writer's Companion.  This Bible felt good in my hands.  I saw the simple gold letters impressed on the cover and considered shelling out the big bucks.  With no price sticker on the front or back cover, I opened it up to see if they had put it inside, which would be unusual.  A small, pink sheet of paper, along with a receipt, fell out as I opened it.  I bent over to pick them up and turned the sheet over in my hand as I stood.  I read the typed note, and felt my face flush and my eyes welled up as I read the short, simple, note:

I stood there rereading the note for several minutes, long enough to finally have to wipe tears off my face before I went to the checkout counter.  I showed the cashier the book and receipt and asked if this was truly a gift.  She confirmed that it, indeed, was and asked if I had been looking for a Bible.  I nodded that I had and she commented that it looked as if someone knew I was coming.  She placed it in a bag and I thanked her.  She just smiled.

I keep both note and receipt taped inside the Bible to remind me of why I continue to keep doing what I do on my blog. 

Sometimes, God truly works in mysterious ways.  Had an angel of faith been sent to steer me to the bookstore and make sure I got the message?  I think believing so is what faith would seem to be all about.  

If the "angel" that wrote this message and the angel that steered me to it are reading this post, message received.  For those of you questioning your faith, please continue to do so.  It is through our questions that we ultimately find answers.  They may not be the answers we want, but they may be the ones we need.  

Do not ever lose heart, or your faith.  There are times when it is all we have.

Note from Pastor Tony, the founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance, as well as the author and editor of "The Path," the Congregation's official blogsite:  

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion.  It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other.  An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth.  After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human.  God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.
  

Frank Anthony Villari, Pastor