The men's bible study group that I am in is going into Romans over the next several months, which excites me to no end. Romans is, by far, my favorite book of the bible, and it is the one which I have studied the most. In preperation for this upcoming journey through Paul's letter, I have been looking over the book of Romans, along with some different commentaries on the book, it's time and setting, and some of the overall themes. On top of this, I have been also reading two new books, Jarret Stevens' "The Diety formerly known as God" and Rob Bell's "Velvet Elvis." Both of which, in their own unique way hay really shaken up the way I aproach the text and it's implication.

Last night, Meg and I were at dinner and we were discussing the fact that no matter how many times I read Romans, or any of the bible for that matter, I always find something new and fresh and engaging in the words. In talking about it, I compared the bible to a Werther's Original Toffee Candy (which are freaking amazing!). For me, I love the Werther's, but like all hard candy I eventually get impatient and must chew it and break it up and swallow it down, destroying my teeth in the process. I am guilty of doing the same thing with the word. Often, I will read a passage of scripture, take out of it what I can at the moment and move on. I get impatient and must simply chew it up and go on to the next piece. I often fail to just sit and suck on it for a while. The danger in this, for me, is that my understanding of the scripture becomes not about the text or the implication, but about my mood or the other things I have going on in my head at the time. I don't take the proper time to focus on what is right in front of me. At the same time, I kind of like that every time I read Romans, something new jumps out at me, even if it was something I missed before. This is where the other anology of reading scripture comes in. It is very much like watching a really funny movie. For me, let's assume we are talking about "Dumb and Dumber." The first time I saw the movie, I laughed non-stop, but my laughing made it hard for me to pick up on the more subtle jokes. In fact, I had seen the movie probably twenty times before I picked up on a joke that happens towards the end of the movie. In the hotel room scene where the bad guy comes in and asks to see the breifcase, Jim Carrey's Lloyd refers to the guy as "Mr. Samsonite." It is really stinking funny, but only because it builds on a previous joke in the movie. I think the bible is the same way. In Romans, there are a lot of things I find myself noticing now, for the first time, but I notice them now becuase I have read Acts, I know what perspective Paul is writing from because I get the earlier joke. I don't know that any of this made a whole lot of sense, but I wanted to write it to explain the rest of this entry and the 16-20 entries that will follow.

I am going to begin journaling through Romans, sharing all of the thoughts that have been on my heart about the text of my favorite book. I am doing so for my own benefit, but also I want to share my perspective on these verses, and hopefully get yours as well.

The first chapter's journal will be posted later today. For the guys in bible study, I hope that you look forward to taking this journey together. For the rest of you, consider this an open invitation to read what I believe is the most important book in the bible.

Yours,
Rob