Samson and Me
How long?
How long?
Twenty-one chapters long.
I just looked.
I just flipped to the end of Judges to see how much longer this was going to be. If I’m on chapter 13 now, that leaves eight more. So then what, another four months?
I have a Bible in 90 Days. I started it about a year ago. A 365-day year, not a 90-day year. I gave it up sometime after the first 90 days when I don’t think I was through Genesis yet.
The point was to simply read. Not delve into study or hop off along rabbit trails. The point was to get a cohesive picture of the whole Word.
But I’m not wired that way. I couldn’t do it. Oh, I read alright. But sometimes I have trouble turning the page. And not turning the page often enough makes it impossible to jog along at a twelve-page per day clip. So I went back to my trusty, worn, marked up Thompson Chain.
::
I was talking about this to a friend on MSN Messenger tonight (I know, so old fashioned). She asked what I was doing, and I responded that I was reading Samson. “For the ninetieth time,” I said, lamenting that I don’t seem capable of just reading.
I went on to explain that I really want a copy of Andy Deane’s Learn to Study the Bible because of the fresh approaches to Bible study he offers. I don’t think my usual method made it into his book of forty ways. I tried to explain how I go at it:
Sometimes the conversation goes downhill fast. (But it’s proof positive that if a spider really bit me the other day, it would have been a long time before anybody got me any help.)
Before we started playing word games, what I said, very flippantly, struck me. I read along until I trip over something, get knocked out and bleed.
I’ve struggled here lately, wrestling hard to get even a couple of posts up a week. Judges is doing a number on me. I’ve stumbled over some really big rocks. And it seems, for a time, it knocks me out.
And some of these things, some of them have drawn blood. Some of them have cut pretty deep into me.
It’s been bloody.
His hands and my hands are bloody and there’s good work going on.
::
Jephthah out of the way, I thought I might get a break. I played around with the shibboleth of chapter 12 a while. Honestly, it just cracked me up (read it, it’s funny). Writing on it would have required watching the 1956 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and since I cancelled my NetFlix subscription, I just couldn’t get my hands on it soon enough.
Then I started reading Samson’s story. Another guy brushed over by the writer of Hebrews — clearly a story of great faith but with a lot of rocks to jig around.
I’m not getting a break.
Usually when I need to step away from it, I can fall back on tales of spiders or baseballs or work. But not this time. It’s not there.
So it’s just Samson and me (and his indulgent — and a little goofy — parents, his girlfriend, Philistines, Delilah, a lion, Philistines, a prostitute and Philistines) for the duration.
And as though to encourage me further about the ease with which I will finish Judges, I was reminded tonight of how the book ends. The single Benjamites hide in the bushes while the girls from Shiloh dance in the annual festival. One by one, each catches a dancing girl and carries her off to be his wife.
Nice.
It’s no wonder the book ends with the words, “everyone did as he saw fit.”
I can’t wait.
::
I invite you to peek through the next few chapters of Judges, and share my pain. But to kick off Samson and Me, I’ll first treat you to Delilah — The Samson Version by Tim Hawkins.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who can’t get through the Bible in a year. I’ve been down so many rabbit trails that I’m deeply lost in the woods…and much happier for it.
I don’t think God gives a break to those who really WANT to experience and understand scripture. And in just the brief time I’ve been reading here, that’s how I would describe you–deep. His plan for salvation is simple. But, His Word is convicting, tough, thought-provoking, and just downright difficult at times when my view of God doesn’t match up with what I’m reading. And just when I think I grasp it, something will send me running back a few chapters (or a few books), and I’ll make a totally different connection that leaves me scratching my head again.
I appreciate your dedication and willingness to spend the time being stumped versus just plowing ahead no matter what few insights you had. Pausing, being stuck–those are needed sometimes to hear the great things of God.
2009/07/24 at 12:20 AM
Jennifer, thanks so much for your encouraging words. I don’t know what I would do if I could read the Word once and be done, as though it were one of my old poli sci texts. Every time I read it’s as though I’ve never been there before.
2009/07/24 at 6:41 AM
You. Are. Cracking. Me. Up.
But I so admire your stick-to-it-tiveness! You are tenacious.
The video is hilarious!
2009/07/24 at 10:13 PM
Looking forward to more.
2009/07/25 at 12:00 AM
Yes, you are indeed a gifted Bible teacher. One who tackles the tough subjects, makes me laugh, AND is tech-savvy enough to take a snapshot of an MSN conversation and put it on her blog. How in the world did you do that?
I also enjoy the fact that your intelligent conversations with Elizabeth digress to word games. Good stuff.
Looking forward to where this study will lead.
{collage}
{collate}
{Colleen}
{Cool.}
2009/07/25 at 10:46 AM
Collaborate…collagen…collapse…
2009/07/25 at 6:57 PM
Lyla:
Nothing deep or insightful. You mentioned “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, the 50s version. I’m not a sci fi fan but I really liked that movie, starring Kevin McCarthy. Even in black and white, it was better than the remake. I’m going to try to figure out how you were going to connect the movie to the book of Judges.
Your proud dad.
2009/07/25 at 11:58 PM
Dad, now You.Crack. Me. Up.
Think “not one of us” and then read about shibboleth vs. sibboleth,
2009/07/26 at 7:55 AM
A little late to read Judges 12 tonight, but I am headed there in the morning. I love your depth, digging, searching for buried the treasures of God’s Word. I love your humor – as Laura said – “You. Are. Cracking. Me. Up.” I thank you for sharing those treasures here.
2009/07/26 at 12:46 AM
Nancy, thank you. By my clock, that was too early in the morning, not so late at night. Sure hope you’re enjoying your time away out west…you’ll have some jet lag to work through in a few days I suppose!
2009/07/26 at 7:56 AM
I like your dad. A great
{colleague} who
{collects} his thoughts then shares them in a most
{collegial} way
-wink-
(sorry — couldn’t resist.)
2009/07/26 at 11:31 PM
Oh, you like to play. I like that.
Yes, my dad is a *colossal* genius. I’m sorta surprised he didn’t throw in a few col- words of his own as I come from a long line of word lovers and players. Must have been too caught up in memories of the Body Snatchers….
2009/07/27 at 6:47 AM
Lyla-You are right about the morning/night thing. I am afraid my internal clock will be a mess when I get home.
But well worth the trip.
2009/07/28 at 11:45 AM
I noticed you mentioned Andy Deane’s Learn to Study the Bible in your post. How did you hear about this new book? If you don’t have the book I can give you a 20% off coupon to get it from http://www.learntostudythebible.com. Just shoot me an email.
God Bless You.
Also – I’m sure Pastor Andy would be curious as to what you “unusual method” is that you mentioned. There is a link on his homepage for people to submit Bible study methods that didn’t make it into the book. Go for it!
2009/08/01 at 7:56 AM
Shannon, thanks. Email is on its way.
2009/08/01 at 9:04 AM