Finding Your Name in the Scriptures

Our older daughter Aubrey got a New Adventure Bible from our church when she finished third grade. She was so proud of it! We went back to the bookstore to get her name stamped on the front of the pink leather cover. It was near the end of a day and the young employee took it to the workroom, returning shortly to present the book to her with the name “Aubrey Davis” on it (instead of “Aubrey Caldwell”). We have had some laughs about that over the years but at the time it was a disappointment that called up crocodile tears. The store did not have another Bible like it so we had to order one and wait a few days. It finally turned out well but I have always wondered what happened to the Bible with the wrong name on it.

Yesterday, Aubrey told us about seeing a stack of Bibles at Lifeway Christian Bookstore in Sherman that were on the sale table because they had misspelled names stamped on their covers. We reminisced a bit. The odd part was that she knew two of the people whose names were them!

So that’s what happens to them—they go on the sale table and somebody gets a Bible on sale that has the wrong name on it. That has unfortunate implications (like getting somebody else’s mail!) but whatever the name on the cover may be, the inside story of God and God’s people is addressed to the reader—regardless of name or nation. I once heard a preacher say “Our names are written on God’s heart with the blood of Jesus”. Regardless of the name on the cover, the story is meant for you, for me, and for any who will read it, hear it, and take it to heart.

I feel sure that you have a Bible (if not I will give you one!) but I don’t always have the same confidence that you are reading it and know it’s message. The story of the world’s human hurt and God’s healing hope has many complicated turns. The whole saga was told and written across many centuries. It is worth reading over and over! There are many ways to study the Bible and any one of them that gets you to read it is good!

You don’t have to have a fancy Bible. Or even one with your name on the cover. God knows your name! God loves you as you are and hopes that you will grow! Whatever Bible you read from, think of it as a message from God’s heart to your heart.

Proud to be Your Pastor,
Sam

Announcing…
The Pastor’s Place: Beginning September 11, the Pastor is hanging out in the kitchen on Sundays before worship—10:00-10:30 (with a coffee pot plugged in!) If you’re not involved in Sunday School, come have a cup of coffee and talk about that day’s lectionary readings!

Pastor’s Bible Study: Our weekly study will begin Tuesday, September 6, at 6:00 p.m.. Each week, our challenge will be to discover surprises and insights from the four Lectionary readings for the coming weekend. We will look for ways the readings may fit together. Some of these ideas will undoubtedly seep into our sermon for Saturday 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. worship services.

Currently I am preaching the sweeping story of deliverance of God’s people found in Genesis and Exodus. I have been following the Revised Common Lectionary which is a guide that gives us a tour of the entire scripture story in three years.

Save this Link: You can find the lectionary readings each week at http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/ . Also, for iPhone users, search the App Store for “Lectionary” (by Crushed Red Pepper, 99 cents)