The Bible.

I am currently embarking a long journey.  I decided in January that I should finally read The Bible.  If you didn't know, I am an Episcopalian (which is Christian).  I was baptised Lutheran, and then Confirmed Episcopal when I was thirteen.   I like the fact that most of the Episcopals I meet tend to be more open minded than a lot of other denominations (and way more than non-denominations).  As Robin Williams put it "All the religion with half the guilt [a la Catholicism]). I tend to not wear my religion on my sleeve and be overt about it, because I think it is a private and personal matter, if you are curious and/or if you ask, I'll talk about it, but otherwise, I have never found it to be my duty to shove my beliefs down your throat.  I find it un-Christian of people to be so judgemental, and it makes me sad- especially as that is the very thing that tends to turn people away from religion in the first place.  That being said, here is why I started The Bible.

I am 29 years old, and I haven't tried to read the Bible cover to cover since I was in third grade (so almost twenty years).  It was hard to get through then, I think I only made it halfway-three quarters of the way through the Old Testament.  Growing up I went to Sunday School, was a part of youth group, and a member of the church choir.  I went to church practically EVERY Sunday and several Wednesdays in high school.  When I went away to college I didn't have a car my freshman year, and not being from a place that had public transportation I didn't really figure out how to work the bus system until almost a year later.  Then, once I had a car I was up late every night and Sundays were my day to sleep in, or we were at Ultimate tournaments, so I just stopped going to church.  When I went home for breaks I would go to church with my parents, but I had basically stopped.  I still prayed every night, and consider myself a religious person.  I just, during college, didn't find the need to attend church.  When we moved to Vegas I tried to find a new church, that was hard.  The church I grew up in was very traditional, and was a gothic style building.  They don't have buildings like that here.  Everything is stucco and, let's be honest, ugly.  I couldn't bear attending church when it wasn't what I was used to in Wyoming or Washington.  I still wasn't going, then after my parents moved here I tried going with them a few times, but their Priest was horrible.  The last time I went with them was a Christmas Eve service, where the priest spent his sermon talking about negative things, and Satan.  Really?!  During the Christmas Eve Service where everyone is supposed to be happy for the birth of Christ?  I liked the organ at the church, and the choir was decent, but the people were not kind, or welcoming, and I just didn't like the feel of the entire thing.  It was very unwelcoming, and I felt wasn't worth the 45 minute drive to get to. 

So, after a lot of searching I found another church.  The Priest was a lady who was very nice, and gave good sermons/homilies.  My issue with this place was it was in an office building... However, I was away from the church long enough that I decided this didn't matter (and the 15 minute drive made it that much more enticing).  After I had been going off and on for about 5 months the Priest was moved and now we have several different priests cycling through.  Some have been great, one has been "eh", but none have been even close to as bad as the one at my parents church (who, it has to be said is no longer there.  They just hired a new, young Priest who is supposed to be fantastic).  I haven't decided if I will stay at this church or check out the one in old Henderson (who one of the Priests I really like- that is his main church), plus that one is more  of a Church style building. 

At any rate back to the Bible... (I know this was a long trek).  I decided I am now old enough to read the book cover to cover.  Plus, I am tired of people quoting scripture to me, and me not being positive if what they are saying is actually factual.  I have several friends who I think are wonderful people, and they happen to be gay.  I don't think that's a problem.  So, honestly, I am reading the Book to figure out my own interpretation and be able to hold my own when people quote at me.  I am about 400 pages in.  I am trying to do 3 verses a night, and in doing that I can finish the Book by the end of the year. 

Now you know.  :)  So that is why there haven't been any new book postings.  This is what I'm reading currently, and it is going to take me all year to finish.