Tag Archives: Apocrypha

The Broken Promises of Humanity and the Majesty of Our God

Today’s reading was once again out of the Deuterocanonical Books. I have found the Common English Bible to be a great help in reading a portion of text I am unfamiliar with in my tradition. It keeps me aware of the importance of good translations that are easier to read. Sirach 43 is a tributeContinue reading “The Broken Promises of Humanity and the Majesty of Our God”

Comfort for Us Who are Left Behind

Not “Left Behind” (like that book series). Left behind as we remember those who have gone on before us. 1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. 2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure wasContinue reading “Comfort for Us Who are Left Behind”

Verse of the Day, or Why I Like the Deuterocanonical Books

Reading through the Deuterocanonical Books of the Bible (which Protestants, especially Pentecostals aren’t “supposed” to read) really provides some insight. “When people are dead,  they inherit maggots, vermin, and worms.” (Sirach 10:11, CEB) That was in yesterday’s reading. Today’s reading offers some other nice tidbits: “Don’t praise people for their beautiful looks, and don’t despiseContinue reading “Verse of the Day, or Why I Like the Deuterocanonical Books”

Hard Work

Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them. (Ann Landers) “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” (Chuck Swindoll) In our spiritual lives there are times of breakthrough, and that means some tough work. It means tough work in prayer. It meansContinue reading “Hard Work”

Can You Say THAT in the Bible?

Here’s a good verse in the Apocrypha, which is probably why it’s not in the Protestant Bible. 😉 People who are afraid to act  are like clumps of cow manure;     those who pick it up     will shake off their hand. (Sirach 22:2, CEB) A good mental picture that is hard to forget. Learn to get moving!Continue reading “Can You Say THAT in the Bible?”

Be the Hunter

If there is anything worth hunting… it is wisdom. We live life in “pursuit” of so many things, but the greatest pursuit in the ancient texts is the pursuit of wisdom. And the call is to be as tenacious with that pursuit as you would with any other pursuit. Actually, even a little more tenacious. 22 PursueContinue reading “Be the Hunter”

The Incredible Abundance of God

Whenever I take the time to read briefly in the Deuterocanonical Books (Apocrypha) I find such wonderful nuggets. Sirach, reading like Proverbs, continues to reveal the richness of pursuing God’s wisdom. 26 If you want to find Wisdom,then keep the commandments,   and the Lord will supply her to you in   vast quantities. (Sirach 1:26, CEB)Continue reading “The Incredible Abundance of God”

The Beautiful Wisdom

One of the reasons I like the Common English Bible is they translated the Deuterocanonical Books. While I am not a regular student of these books, I love having easy access to them, and in such a readable translation. Sirach is Proverbs all over again, with so much that is very familiar. This is greatContinue reading “The Beautiful Wisdom”