A Rant: Fascination & Questions & Scripture

(Listened to an interview with Rob Bell & it just ignited a flame inside of me. The guy overflows with fascination for all things Scripture. He asks questions. It inspired me.)

When you're in a class in school, don't you ask questions in order to learn more?
When you're in the presence of a professor or professional, don't you want to ask questions so you can try to get some insights that may help you on your journey?
When you're around kids, don't they just seem to explode with fascination & questions?
Isn't a kid who asks questions better than a kid who thinks she knows EVERYTHING?
If you sat down with Barrack Obama, don't you think you'd want to ask a few questions?

SO...

When's the last time you questioned The Scriptures while you had your "quiet time"?
Aren't we actually supposed to ask questions EVERY TIME we read it? If we don't, aren't we just reading for entertainment or out of legalism or habit. At the very least, shouldn't I ask at least one question? For CRYING OUT LOUD, isn't a "quiet time" a time when I, lowly student, sit at the feet of The Professor of The Universe?!!

I believe that when we stop asking questions we've lost our fascination with Scripture. I think MOST OF THE TIME when we read Scripture we miss out on SO MUCH because we're way to quick to skip over our questions. After all, WHO HAS TIME TO ACTUALLY ASK A QUESTION & SEARCH FOR AN ANSWER?!?!

For me, no questions = no humility & no desire to learn something new.
I was inspired to ask questions, I hope you're inspired to do the same.

There...rant is over.

The Words Every Leader Wants To Hear - 1

Setting:
Moses is dead and gone now, and Joshua has now been put in the place of leadership for the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel is on the east side of the Jordan and in 3 days they are going to have to cross the river and conquer the land.

...So Joshua is getting everyone ready; giving the instructions for the big move. Pretty scary stuff because they are literally on the brink of war! It's all or nothing now. Go big or go home stuff!

And here is the response from Joshua's "church":

16 They answered Joshua, "We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us.17 We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. And may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses.18 Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!"
(Joshua 1:16-18, NLT)

What an encouraging response to hear from your army if you're leading, huh?!
So, here's the question for all of us who are "church people":
Are you responding to your leaders the same way?
If you're not, you are not saying the words every leader wants to hear.

Stand Up, Be Strong!

I hope these words from The Word bring you as much encouragement as they bring to me. There is something powerful behind this command. Regardless of who you are, where you've been, or what you've done, this is God's desire for each of us:

"7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
-Joshua 1:7-9, NLT

Now go, be strong, and strengthen someone else.

Quick Highlight Reel

He...could...go...all...the...way!!!
It's going...going...gone! That ball is outta here!!!

In case you didn't get it, those are highlight-reel quotes.
Here are some Highlight Reel worthy verses I just read:

• "The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions." (Deut.29:29)
  
• "The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul." (Deut.30:10)
• "This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach." (Deut.30:11) (by the way, so cool that God makes things easy for us and not over our heads!)
• "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!" (Deut.30:19)
  
• "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." (Deut.31:6)

If those aren't highlights, I don't know what a highlight is!