Live from the Pathway Studios in Johnston proper. You are live from the Pathway.

And you're listening to live from the Path. We're coming from the Path Blue Studios here in Johnston Proper. You know what? I was reading an article today by John Acuff, and it was about, it's about how to be a good public speaker. And, one of the things he said was,

that that often, bad public speakers, and, he called up pastors specifically because they tend to do this. But, like, they waste their opening line. Like like, you waste your opening line by saying things like, oh, hey. So glad to be here. I wanna thank so and so for bringing me out. I wanna blah blah blah. When, like, when when the opening is the time where, like, everybody's waiting in anticipation as to what you're gonna do, and you're, like, bailing on it with shop talk. Yeah. Yeah. And and, actually, Dan, and that and that that made me think because you had said something similar to that,

maybe last week when you were just off air talking to Buva about Oh, yeah. A lesson learned is basically not focusing on the on the opening or having something to draw people in. Right? Right. Right. So, anyway, I thought I thought I was thinking through that, and I thought, hey. Maybe that applies to the radio show. And then it it occurred to me that means to over 250 times, almost three more than 300 times. I've wasted the opening of the radio program doing that exact thing. Including today. Yeah. I no. No. No. Yes. Yes. I did it today as Maybe. Next week next week, things are gonna change. This is repentance in action. Yeah. This will this is a confession. I'm confessing and then demonstrating

what I need to repent. No. You know, I I love to read, like, the articles on public speaking because they're often, like, completely opposite of each other. Oh, yeah. Don't speak too long. Hey. Don't speak too short, you know, or or, know, whatever. And I'm always like, I don't know what to do now because, you guys are all conflicting. Yeah. No. That's that's true. Like, everyone has a everyone has a niche that says, this is how I do it, and it's effective for me. So this is the right way to do it. And, like, one guy starts with a joke. Another way guy does, like, a dance or something. Another guy acts like he's been there for ten years. Yeah. You're right. That's that's difficult to follow. Bunch of communication seminar, whatever it was, out at Willow Creek in Chicago a few years ago, and Rob Bell was one of the speakers. It was before anybody knew who Rob Bell was. And I thought, who is this guy? Right? Right. And and he was, you know, fascinating. He was was still

everybody's darling. Well, going to be. And, anyway, one of the things one of the guys came up and he he was like, oh, number one, you're not Rob Bell. And I'm like, crap. I just took all my notes on all the stuff I was gonna do next week. He says, don't do that. Only Rob Bell could do that because he had all these outlandish things he was doing, you know, brought a goat on stage and everything. Oh, yeah. That's That's how you grab people.

I'm like, I need a goat. Actually, I I was just thinking about it, Ben. Like, I feel like I'd be leaving you a miss to a lot like, you're basically repenting of something being like, I'll get to it in a week. I feel like you should just fix it now. Should we restart? Okay. Hold on. Hold on a second. Let me let me repair this. I mean, you don't to have roll the whole opening again, do you? Hold on. I'll I'll do it, like, halfway. Okay.

What do I do? Go go ahead. What does the death of a child mean to you? I mean, is a grammar. You know what I'm saying? Maybe part of our problem is we don't really know what we're gonna talk about. Dang.

So it's hard to really open that up. So, like, the the okay. The this this actually tied to something. There was an article on Christianity Today, and it was seven things evil is not what the death of my son taught me. Okay. What the death of my son taught me. So, like, I I was gonna go in fact, I got double sevens. We got double sevens. Vegas luck here this week. There are seven things evil is not what the death of my son taught me, but this isn't, like, a classic seven list on a Christian website. Actually, I think this guy wrote a book and these were the kind of the high level synopsis of the book and I thought this was

really compelling. And there was another oh, yeah. Seven really bad reasons not to read the bible. So I'm not so much concerned about his about these reasons, but he does I mean, he does a a fail a fail at reacting to these.

And so I'm interested in your guys' reaction. Like so, like, if these are the reasons people don't read the Bible, how would you respond if someone was saying, yeah. I don't do that because of this, and then what would you say? I mean, Yeah. I've not heard one reason yet where I'm like, you know, that's compelling. Yeah. That's pretty solid. You know, know, you should stay away from your Bible if that's gonna be the deal. That's what I'm saying. So I I couldn't even I was I was surprised they came up with seven, but the the that's that's the line. So, anyway, that's what we're doing today. We got seven plus seven and then some advice on dear life from the path, and that's what we're up to today. That sounds like plan. I'm in. Yeah. I gotta work on that. Maybe I'll I'll put some stuff together for next week. Yeah. I mean, maybe you should just switch it over to bullet points. You're like, life from the path. Here's the deal. What are seven really bad reasons not to read the bible? I'm a tell you what they are. Big bang. You're guilty of one of them. Maybe accusation. That's what our show should start. People take that right to the heart. Yeah. This is for you. You suck in the following ways.

We're watching you. Yeah. Yeah. We we peep on your windows. Okay. So here's here's a few of the reasons. Not not to read the bible. It says, my wife and I have four children with our oldest in college and youngest in elementary school. Don't care. Helping them develop their own walk with god is on our I don't care about any of this. Bible text is live. Blah blah blah. Here we go. Seven reasons there was another two paragraphs I don't care about. Yeah. Here are seven reasons we don't read the bible. One, the bible is optional.

It says, after all, we have TV, Internet, and plenty of wise voices touting answers. The faith message has been oversimplified with trite expressions like love God, love people. Why do I need to read that dusty book when I have a four word synopsis? Response. Go ahead, Dan. Hey. We changed it. No. Oh, you did. So

in in a defense here, of this, because I I mean, there's there's 200 churches that have love god love people and some sort of derivation of that. Everything is oversimplified

and trite relative the whole scripture. Yeah. Really? That's that's the opposite reason. That means you should read it because you don't know what it really says so that you know it's beyond all the little phrases. Mhmm. Yeah. Like, I don't know anybody that's saying,

love God, love people. Don't bother reading the rest, boys. This covers everything. Yeah. Like, mean, know, see, even Jesus, you could make this same reaction to Jesus when someone said, you know, summarize the law. Right. And then he were to do it, you're like, well, that's trite and oversimplified, Lord. Like, why don't you just repeat the whole book of Amos so that we can learn things wisely? Yeah. I mean, that that that's basically the the thing. Like, that the love God, love people, like, obviously I mean, that's that's biblical. Right? Like, Jesus handed that down. Yep. But really, what he's doing is trying to steer the car in the right direction. Where you end up stopping the car and how you end up treating it, all boasted. Because if you said, Mike, you need to love God more, I'm like, okay. So you wanna help me out? I mean, I how's that actually done? Because I I can't I can't walk up and hug him. And, you know, I tried writing letters to him, but the dog ate him. You know I'm saying? Like like, practically, and and and trying to walk a guy with what a life with Jesus looks like, I like, love God. I mean, it puts my car in the right direction and maybe orients it in the right way, but, like, it doesn't give me any type of map on how to live a life loving God. And so, like, those contrite phrases are just that. They're just to they're there to to to create a directional move,

not exactly a a a road map on what it looks like to live a life with with Christ. Yeah. So I think the assumption here is that people don't read the Bible because they are somehow have been communicated that the trite expressions are sufficient. I've never heard anybody do that. And it could be that maybe, like, I just happen to listen to always the right type of folks, but, like, I've never heard anyone say, you know what? Just take this home. Don't bother reading up any further. Don't bother taking any more of scripture. The trite expression is gonna be fine. You can live a bumper sticker theology, and things are gonna be grand. Boy, that's just lazy. I mean and and frankly, like, you doing people no favors. Like, I can't I don't how many people I've talked to where they ask me that big question. They're like, you know, you know, how does god interact with me? I'm like, through through his word.

And but don't bother reading it. I got this phrase worked out. Yeah. I mean, he'll talk to me if I if you need to have talking to. You know what I'm saying? Like, that's terrible. I mean, is this more prevalent than I think? That that that not not that people are taking that away, but that we are be that people are being led in that direction? I don't Yeah.

Yeah. Do you think it is? You think it is happening, Nick Harrison? No? No. No. No. I don't yeah. I don't either. I mean, people now here's I I suppose the warning here is that I I think there are people that walk away with that. Yeah. Yeah. Like, they'll they'll ignore everything else you said, and they're like, well, this is the problem. You got the big phrase, and it really draws them in, and then that's all they remember. And then they they live their life off the thing that they put up on the fridge or they wrote down in their notes. And then, like, with, they subsist of that, but that is like eating the mince at the start of the line and never making your way to the breakfast buffet. Like, that's just foolish. People will live that way, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. That's just someone who doesn't wanna read it coming up with an excuse. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The second one was many church leaders don't expect us to read the Bible. He says, I didn't say leaders don't want people to read the bible. They don't expect it. How can we tell? Are you expected to bring your bible to church? Are you expected to be biblically literate?

College professors expect their students to the textbook outside of class, but many pastors don't expect the same of their flocks. That's stupid. Yeah. What church do they go on to or attending? Dan says that's stupid. Tell me more, Dan. Well, you know, you don't bring your washer and dryer to church, but I expect you to wash your clothes. Mean Well, that one really hits home, man. Yeah. That makes a lot of sense. Well,

I mean, just because you don't have your bible with you on your person doesn't mean you don't read it or I expect you not to. That just says the logic is just not right. That is goofy. Right? Because, like, so most most churches put your put the scripture up on the on the thing. Right? Yeah. Or have an app or something. Yeah. Yeah. So, like, you're right. It's not a matter of, oh, you got here and you didn't have it. You're screwed. Like, you may not have actually brought it because it's just simply provided for you. Like, you're sharing it's a communal experience of everybody reading scripture at the same time or looking at it. Like, it doesn't imply that that's the only time you use it. Prefer I to bring my own bible, frankly, but, like, I don't know that I would automatically assume that no one ever touches it because they weren't reading it, in their own, lap as opposed to looking at it on the screen or something. Well, I mean, it seems a little weird to, like, point the finger at the church leaders leaders here. Like, it seems a little bit of washing the outside of the cup deal. Right? Like, people read the Bible because they wanna know Jesus. Right? Like, I'm trying to introduce you to a a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. By the way, you don't have to you don't interact with him on your own. You know what I'm saying? No one is saying that. And so, like, normally, people that I know that are that are that are seeking Christ, they're looking to where to go in the Bible. They're looking to understand it better, and they're struggling with that. Right? But none of them are like, do I really have to read this book? You know what I'm saying? Like, they changed by Christ, and then they wanna know more and more and more. And that's what reading the Bible comes from. Like and sometimes, you know, as your as your faith progresses, it does you know, it it falls into hills and valleys. Sometimes it seems like a chore and you don't really wanna do it, but you're obedient and you love Jesus and it's part of your life. And then sometimes you just cannot get enough. It's a never ending fountain of stuff. And you're just like, I gotta I wanna read it. I wanna know what's going on. And and and I'd expect that to a certain extent, but, like, whether that that falls on church leadership

to impress upon people enough that they are not reading their bible as a source to say, I just read it to read it. I mean, that's a fail anyway. Right? You won't be pointing people to that. That's worthless. Yeah. I I just think people just feel like if they go to church on Sunday, like, the rest of the job done, rest of the week. You know? Like like, what you had said then, like, a week or two ago, like, it's all about the work that you do outside of church. Like, you go to church, learn, and be around believers, and, you know, like, enlighten each other, but, like, after you go out in the world, you have to really put what you learn into action, you know. So I just feel like people don't really put it into action. So, I mean, that's why they feel

the way that they feel, I guess. Yeah. Yeah. I would agree. I I just don't think that there's again, I don't know many I don't know any church leaders who don't expect people to read the bible. I think it is a struggle. I think people don't. I think they don't engage with it, and then they frankly, they they come trying to find answers that would were available to them, and then they don't know how to deal with situations that the Bible otherwise described. And it frankly makes the pastoral work harder because they have you have less to relate to because people simply aren't paying attention. Mhmm. But, like, I just don't I don't know that that's not the expectation. Everyone's still open it up and saying dig in more. Yes. I I I'd say that's not my experience with folks. I have not found a whole lot of church leadership that's like, look. We don't want them tooting around in their own bible at home. We want all their learning to come from here. Yeah. I mean, there a way is there a way that that happens unintentionally?

I just Like, is there a that that that that that you lead people in such a way that they feel like it is not necessary? They just go back to the world and make it seem like it's okay to just like, churches, god is just one day of the week. So it feel like a people go to church and feel the presence of god that one day, they don't have to do anything more. They say they cover. Yeah. Well, I can't remember who I was I was the context,

but, I was talking somewhere recently where I think I think, at times,

like, again, this can be a, sometimes pastors will create, an atmosphere where they're, like, the smartest one in the room, And and because of that, people are intimidated later. They think they think they can't go home and read it because they won't understand it anyway. Right. Does that make sense? I mean Yeah. Not like they're trying to sound intimidating, but they're just

they're explaining things. I never could've I never could've came up with that. You know? It's like, oh, how did you know that? You know? I don't know Greek. I don't know. I haven't written all of the history of the world. Yeah. At at the same time, you've got to present some of that stuff. But there's a there's a delicate balance. But I somehow, we were talking about that, that sometimes people then leave and they're just intimidated. Yeah. Actually, I was thinking I was thinking a similar thing is I thought the the only way that the way that you can create environment like that is if it is, always giving and not,

teaching. Right? Like, if you don't show people that they can that they can read the Bible, that it is they are capable of doing it, that you're capable of taking something in, showing that, like, your, like, the things that that pastor will often do, things like context or, you know, understanding how how words work and the type of literature things are. Those are learned things. No. People weren't born with those things. You learn them from someone else. And your job is to teach other people so that they may also use those for their own benefit and for the benefit of other people. And they're not actually huge chasms. They just kind of feel that way. And so I suppose if you never if you're always dumping off

and and dropping on people so that they are dependent upon you, you're actually failing your role as as a teacher. And then you're right. They become codependent and can't, they they can't do it on their own. And so that that you could be unintentionally creating a culture to do that. Mhmm. So I suppose it's a risk. It's just something to keep an eye on. Because I'm I'm trying to think of some of the big names out there. Like, I'll go back to the I mentioned Rob Bell earlier. You could listen to his stuff, and he gets so deep into cultural things that the average person is like, don't I mean, okay, I don't even know where he got some of this stuff and I've studied this for thirty five years. Right. And I I I remember actually doing some research and getting some of his research books once thinking, well, maybe that's where he figured it out. So so he could be an intimidating guy. He was a great speaker, had great things to say and so forth, but but could be intimidating to the average person reading it on their own. Then you have your, like, your Phil Driscope. Bill Driscope? Mark. Mark. Mark. Yeah. Mark Driscope,

who I thought was much more, like, down to earth kind of guy. He could pound you in the face and stuff. He he could explain things in a deep way, but also he didn't feel like, oh, he's way smarter than me. He thought he really had something that that hits me. You know? Yeah. Yeah. And so you could go home and say, I'm gonna read more on this, maybe. Yeah. So you yes. I think that's what I'm trying to say. No. That's true. That's true. Mhmm. The third one was Google faith. We can Google a bible verse or a blog about a verse anytime we want. So why read what's around it? 100,000,000

people have downloaded the YouVersion bible app. I celebrate that fact. My question is, with accessibility to scripture climbing by the day, why is faith and Bible engagement declining? Since we can always Google the Bible when we need it, we rarely read the book. I think that's true. I think that's,

I think that's a risk. Actually, it kinda ties in with the last one is where, I hear if you hear a thought or idea and your first reaction is not to read the book and try to understand it yourself, but to get a simple answer because someone has certainly written a blog post about it or something and described it. And as long as it seems roughly to your satisfaction, you kinda give up. And you say, okay. Now I understand. Now I can move on. There is a great gift in that,

but there is also a great risk in that because there's plenty of people with easy answers that just don't sniff right. But you would know because you didn't really go back and, you know, read the section, and people were kinda able to drag it off in the direction. As a matter of fact, I was listening to a,

there was a guy preaching on the radio this last week, and, like, okay. No one listens to us. They're not gonna get it. So there's a guy there's there's a guy on there, and I I he sounds like a combination of, like, a Texan and an Australian, and he always says crossed. Like, that's how he that's how he says it. And, like, I felt real bad. Like, there was a guilt upon me because I can't the only reason he was talking about end of time stuff, and he wasn't his theology is bad from my perspective,

but he seems like he loves Jesus. And he kept saying crossed, and I kept laughing. And I thought I should not be laughing at this, but he was getting really fired up and that will be the day that the cross returns. And I thought, man, that's funny. And so it but anyway, so like I I I just missed almost everything that came out of his mouth because of,

like, I think he was pulling stuff out of context. I think he took, like, one thing and then kinda just drove it around the world and looked through looked at the world through that lens. But, like, had I but the reason I know that is because I know that he's connecting things that don't go together. I've read the things that he's been talking about. I know he's cut off, like, half a chapter and decided to just not talk about what came next because I read it. Right? I was aware of the context, and so I knew enough to be like, you know, maybe he's alright in Colossians, but this this Matthew 24 ain't flying for me. But but it's too easy, like, if we hear especially the the the an example like a Matthew 24 when, like, that's a it's an extended narrative. If you just take out a section and go tell me about the vultures

or the or the eagle or whatever and you just Google that, you're gonna end up in a quagmire somewhere. Yeah. Mhmm. And so I I think that is a risk, but I I think that's tied with the last one which is like if we can't if we're not doing a good job teaching people how to read scripture, they will they people will find answers and it's I'm glad that they're looking, but, that's where they get bad answers through that type of process. Yeah. First, I mean, I guess the first thing you gotta know is you looking at the the true and only Jesus Christ because, I mean, there's a lot of people that

speak of Jesus Christ and, you know, there's a lot of different stories on them. Yeah. You know, like, just like you said, like, for instance, like, the other day I was looking at a passage passage halfway through, like, no due respect to the Latter Day Saints, but I'm like, woah, hold on. How did I end up here? Like, I'm this is not what I'm looking for. You know? But I I knew what I was looking for, so I'm I'm I understand what you mean, like Yeah. If you don't have to if you don't have a the right teaching on it, then you will basically get caught up in someone somebody can take you somewhere else where you weren't even trying to go,

basically. You know? Yeah. I think I think God has created he has people whose job is to teach and preach. Those are biblical responsibilities and,

there's been a lot of positive moving in my life towards Jesus listening to wise people who love Jesus talk about him in ways that can help me. Mhmm. However, like, it is those are still men talking. Right? And so if you are if the only way that you know Jesus is is only the way that someone else has described him and you're trying to walk next to Jesus, like, that's an unnecessary risk. You just just read the stuff. Like, so there there was a time in my life about, I wanna say, like, six months ago, maybe eight, where, like, I was just feeling awful. There was some weird stuff going on around me, and I didn't know how to handle it the best. And I and I just said, I I just I wanna hear I need to hear from Jesus himself. I I didn't wanna hear someone teach it. I didn't wanna hear a sermon series. Like, I just needed to read

and listen to Jesus speak. And so, like, I sat down and I open up, I think it was Mark or or Matthew, and, like, I I just found places where Jesus was talking. Right? So I go to the Sermon on the Mount because I know he's gonna talk for two chapters. And, like, and I go for extended narratives in the back of Mark because he's focusing on his disciples and he's not they're not quippy phrases to put the pharisees in their place. There it's long dialogues to describe things to them, and I think I just I don't wanna hear Paul talk about it either. Right right now, I just wanna hear Jesus speak and and hear him say things that I know are true because I need to know true things and be reminded of them. And so so so I I think all that kinda comes together in it it is it is work. It is effort to to,

listen to what the Bible is attempting to say, but it's effort. People but you can do it. But we just we need to be satisfied with nothing less than what the word of God is, and then just be enriched by wise folks who love him, who are otherwise speaking that help us understand those things. The next one was failure. For some, even thinking about that leather bound book triggers memories of personal failure. And who wants to be reminded of that? The iron is the Bible is the ultimate reminder of redemption, forgiveness and new life. Most of us have gotten burned out on Bible study. Too often, the reason we don't read the book is that we've approached it with study instead of reading the amazing story. Without knowing the big picture, scripture memory and deep dive study is confusing. It's like memorizing lines from a script without having seen the entire film.

What do you think, fellas? Agreed or no? Yes. I think that is legitimately why people don't read. Like, they they just don't know how to take it? They don't I mean and and they're they're they're feeling guilty for,

their lifestyle. They don't wanna hear about it. Well, so I think I think that's part of that's true, which is weird, though, because, like, it's, the same bible that talks about that talks about forgiveness and sacrifice and servanthood. But the heck it's, know, it's kinda connected with repentance. And and, you know, if they're not interested in that yet, they're like, no. No. Well, that's true. But is that like, you assume this is oriented toward Christians. Right? Like, I don't really expect people to be, like, randomly picking up the scripture and just digging on it. Yeah.

I mean, I guess it's lack of understanding too. Like, people don't even understand that they can't be saved. Like, most people you can talk to on the street, they'll be like, oh, the 10 commandments, I'll never go to heaven. Like, not even knowing that you can the whole part of the 10 commandments is showing you what we had never been microphone, Nick Harris. Saying beautiful things. You gotta stick in in here. Oh, yeah. Basically, like people don't under it's lack of understanding on on a lot of people part, not knowing that the 10 commandments is showing more about what God is and what we'll never be. So they don't even get to the part of forgiveness because like Dan said, they get intimidated. As you know, actually, that 10 commandment thing is a good example. It's but people don't read it. Right? Like, they just they know they picked it up somewhere. They they might have heard the 10 commandments through the movies or their parents made them memorize it when they were eight or something. Mhmm. And, like, they just they have not read the Bible on their own.

And so, like, that's what what they know of god is what is kinda permeated out or in in acceptable, shallow, relatively non christian culture. And so, like, they don't actually even know what's in there. They just have an assumption of what's in there. Mhmm. And a lot of their the problems they have with it or the lack of finding stuff or whatever is that they simply have not even attempted to read it. Yeah. That's true. I wonder I wonder

there's bound to been a survey on it. Right? How many people have actually read it? Yeah. I'll see if I can find it. What what there was something I thought was hold on. Must have gotten burned out on a bible study.

Here well, here's the deal. When he says, the bible is the ultimate reminder of redemption, forgiveness of new life. Most have gotten burned out on bible study. Now here's the thing. It's like I mean, I hear what you're saying that it's about redemption, forgiveness, and new life. It's hard it's hard to digest that in that perspective

in the middle of, or the back half of Exodus, right, or in the Leviticus or even parts of will you go to take Paul's first letter to the Colossians? Like, I mean, 90% of that is it it it leads to this reminder of redemption and forgiveness. But, like, I mean, 90% of it is, hey. You gotta just knock that off. Right? Straighten up. And so which is I find appropriate.

But, like, it's to we say we get burned out on bible study, I if the implication is is that some of this stuff isn't isn't kind of, like, something that can burn you out, I think you're reading it wrong. Like, my my wife was reading through something. She was reading through I think it was, like, Leviticus and then ended up in parts of Isaiah.

And she and she was talking about, like, you know, I I don't are we supposed to enjoy this? I'm like, I don't know. I don't think so. I'm not sure what's on the plate, though. You're gonna have, like, you have to dig on and love Leviticus. I feel like Isaiah was swallowing a couple extra times before he had delivered some of this stuff, like, oh, man. No. And he he's extensive. Right? And so, like, even this concept, of right right thinking which is say, wanna read my bible daily, I like to take it in. The thought process of sitting down and taking in all of Isaiah or even big chunks of it at once without having, you know, as as pleasure as reading like we would read other things. Like, that's not really what it is. Even even the book of Psalms, you know, you think, hey, I'm gonna have some nice warm fuzzy Psalms. What takes a while to get there? Yeah. Right. You know? Like, some of this stuff's just just kinda putrid. Yeah. I appreciate that.

And it's it's not it's not really meant to be read where you're like, hey. I'm gonna read I mean, some are kind of connected, but, like, for the most part, they're they're disparate. Like, you're not just supposed to, I'm supposed to read these seven psalms today and then put them together and walk away with something. Like, it's a think of it as a poem. You wouldn't read, like, a poem from, I don't know, Langston Hughes and then pick one up from, like, some other poet from that it's talking about something completely different and say, was supposed to read this poetry today.

So, like, it's just, you just gotta be careful of when we say when we do, like, daily bible study, which I think is good, bible bible reading is good, You know, we sometimes ignore actually the way that scripture is communicating by stuffing it into a study box. It's just it may not be that. That's not what it's designed for. I'm not supposed I I just don't think you're supposed to pleasure read Leviticus. It's helpful. It's knowledge. It does tell me and point me to Jesus. All that stuff's true. But, like, I just it's it's not there's a reason it's not the same as, like, listen to the stories of Acts or or Paul's letter to the Galatians.

And, like, I'm not saying it's not scripture. I'm just saying one is a letter, human to human, communicating, like, writing to other people. We identify with that easier than a historical record intending to tell me how God interacts with people. They have value, but it is not the same reading experience, and you're not unholy for knowing recognizing that there's a difference. I had to read, Numbers in college. And, you know, I'm an 18 year old kid. Never read Numbers in my life. Why would you read Numbers? You know? Now I was just I felt so guilty, because I'm like, I hate this. I hate numbers. This is work. This is like homework, and it's numbers. Uh-huh. That's all it is. Numbers. And, I mean, I had I just really struggled through that.

It's it's alright, man. Reaction to it. You know? Right. Like, I feel this way? Like, Romans should be something that people read. Like, if, like, just if you're a person that Because you I mean, I'm not gonna tell you again. Keep your face in that microphone. We on the radio. Like, if you're a person that's, you know, that need to be baby fed and don't really know scripts, I mean, Romans would be a good title to start off with. You know? Hey, man. Nick Harris jumps in the deep end of the pool. Well, I was I I've gone through Romans with some folks fitting that description, and it's a tough slog. I mean, there's some stuff in there that, like, it's hard to explain.

I I wouldn't say hard to explain. There's just some deep concepts that pull even from from a lot of Old Testament stuff. It's like, boy, I just disagree with you. That's a tough place to start them out. Mean, that was one of the first things that I understood, like Well, the lord Jesus anointed you for such a such a god, because that's a tough rig. I tried to get my nine year old through there, and, like I mean, we didn't get but through half a chapter almost every night. I'm like, whoo. You know what I'm saying? Like, there's just a lot of stuff to talk about here. Who was it? Boo Boo was talking to me months ago, and he was he he's going through the youth group, going through Proverbs, and he says, I think I'm moving to John next. I'm like, well, you know?

Yeah. Boy, boo, we just set Veritas for yourself. I mean, if you can leap over the first chapter, I mean, just be ready because, I mean, that's head that's heavy. That's some heavy business. And then I, like, I had just taught in a, like, a smaller group setting, John, within the last few years. And I thought, you know, Mercy. I mean, it's it's there's some work in there for that fella. Yeah. I mean, maybe maybe little Luke would be kind to you. Maybe little Mark checked.

I mean, they got value. I'm just saying. I mean, John's he's a unique beast. You gotta be ready for that kind of thing. Alright. Next one was we're embarrassed by the Bible. Oh, boy. The Bible can seem like our slightly odd cousin. Good hearted, but not someone you wanna hang out with or be seen with in public. We love John three sixteen but wonder about the Old Testament and Revelation and John three eighteen. I I added that part.

I you know, I will say this. Within the last two years I I'm not I'm, like, partially agreeing with this, partially not. Within the last two years, I have gotten over what I found to be a fear that I would read something

in scripture and not know how to deal with it in in, like, how it helps me to understand god. Right? The thought that the deeper I go, I'm gonna come across something where I'm gonna have to go crapola.

That tells me something about god that I did not expect and that I don't like or that, is, like, basically supports some sort of, crappy Internet atheist argument somewhere. And, like, it did to be it didn't nag at me or anything, but, like, there was probably something in the back of my mind that I thought, if I really fully read and understand Leviticus,

will I then be accountable for the fact that this tells me more than I than I had known previously and causes me to react to some of the things people are accusing it of being? I'm I'm slightly embarrassed of that thought, but I but it was there. I think there was part of me that thought I just I maybe I just don't wanna know. I'm satisfied with what I know, and what I believe. I think it's backed by good biblical standing, and I maybe I just don't need to bother getting in the weeds in some of these things. Well, I'd say within the last couple of years I've gotten, I I don't have that anymore. But but may maybe there's so if if I can agree with this slightly, it might be in that realm. I don't know that I'm embarrassed of the Bible.

And, I mean, people do wonder about the Old Testament and Revelation. When is the return of the cross? The cross. But I don't know. Do you think do you think I don't think that's keeping people from reading it, though.

May maybe it is. I don't know. Wait. Am I missing it? Do people like, hey. I just don't maybe the old I think people don't read the Old Testament because they don't they don't understand it, not because they're like, oh, crap. I'm gonna find things I don't like in here. I think they find things they don't like, and then they try to figure out how to deal with them. I think it happens after they read it, but I don't think they're, like, not reading it to stay away from that. Yeah. I think most most of the time, it's word-of-mouth where other people say that's bad about the bible that really scare people. You know, like you can think about, Exodus or I mean, not Exodus, but Deuteronomy.

Uh-huh. Like, when most people would be like, oh, he killed all those people and not really doing what happened. Right. They didn't read it. Yeah. They don't even know, like, those people were sacrificing kids and doing all type of things over there. Like, God had to come to the point where he had to bring a complete stop to things. So people hear about God's results, but don't know what what was the reason for his results. Right. Right.

I find I feel like if the if he would have said so many things to Paul, Paul would have slapped him. You know what I'm saying? Some of the things on this list are just they're stupid. In a in a way that, like, because you're talking to like, you're not talking to people that, like, wholeheartedly wanna follow Jesus. You're talking about people that just wanna look like they might think about following Jesus at some point, or, you know, they just wanna fit in with a bunch of other people that seem moralistically alright.

But, like, I can't I mean, I just can't imagine Paul rolling through town and this fellow come up and says, you know, I feel like you don't have your Bible, you know, with you and memorized or whatever because you're embarrassed by it. And I feel like Paul would slay it just slap him right in the face. And they're like, what are you even talking about? What do you mean? I feel like it's possible that every time Paul says, by no means, he's also doing that Batman slap you've seen on the net. Hey. I'm not gonna read this because I'm afraid God's gonna say something that is embarrassing to me. By no means. This is why he's writing letters to Timothy because Timothy left. He's tired of he's like, you ain't be hitting me no more.

I mean, here's the thing, like, I mean, I there there are some there are some truer points of of of some of these discussion, like, but none of these are reasons you ain't reading your bible. You ain't reading your bible because you ain't following Jesus. You don't wanna follow Jesus because if you did, you'd be reading your bible. That's it. That's basically how this works. No. Yeah. When, like, when I don't read my bible, I'm I'm wanting to. Like, there was a there was a desire in me that says, oh, man. I gotta get back to that because I want to do it, not because I'm trying to find for a justifiable excuse to stay out of it. Alright. Hold on. Last one, I think. Hold on. No. Wait. No. There's more. Shoot. We gotta start moving. Bible bullies. Sincere believers are often told overtly and covertly that they are not smart enough to truly understand the Bible, to Dan's point. Sounds like something Martin Luther railed against five hundred years ago. He went on to translate a version of the Bible so more people could read it. Like others before and after, he was persecuted for giving such a lofty book to lowly people.

Today, some thought leaders actually tell their followers that without the benefit of their education and historical context, they can't possibly understand the bible. So why try? You know, here's the deal. You're not a thought leader if you're actually not teaching people to do things. Yeah. You're you're you're like a cult. You're a cult man.

Mhmm. Yeah. It's always my goal to give people just enough to want to dig deeper on their own. Yes. I mean if I give it all to them, what good am I? They don't I mean

what good are they? I mean I don't what I'm trying to say. You're worthless. I'm worthless. We're almost worthless here. I mean I want to inspire them to to say, I have more questions

and and dig in Yeah. And and and start looking after them. I I failed when people leave and thought, oh, I've been well fed today. It's like, crap. You know, I wanna I wanna feed you just enough to make you hungry more. I mean, it's it's a bit arrogant to act like that historical context stuff doesn't play a part. It really does. Right? Like Uh-huh. Almost every everything that I've read in the Bible where I've been just humming along reading, I'm like, yes. Yes. Wait a minute. That doesn't seem to be a character of God. What just happened here? Right? And, like, it's almost always historical context that comes around and brings it back to me where it makes sense to me. Right? Like, people that can point that out to me and help me understand God's character in a deeper way because of the historical context that's going around, like, I really do appreciate that. But, like, they're never by no means saying, look, you won't get any of this. Right? But, like Right. Mostly mostly what they do like, the the the good ones will say, look, when you run into something in the Bible that that that that you're like, this is not consistent with the character of God that I'm used to, or like this particular speech pattern or the actions that are taking just make no flipping sense here. You know, that's where you're gonna start to think of the historic context of which of which it was written to try to help answer and and bring two things together that you're looking at as incongruent. Right? That that don't make any sense. But, like, in the long run, I've never had anyone say, look at me, man. I will do the bible explaining. You do the sitting. Yeah. And that's it. That's what that's what you're gonna do. You know? Mhmm.

I I do think, like, this this came up in, some some kind of class I was I was in, where, like, we were talking about it was actually, I remember it was. It was some of the context of Revelation. They're like, you know, how would we how would we even know some of this so that we can read this rightly? And and and I I think it is true, like, god tasks certain folks for this. It's their job

to teach those types of things, but it's it's that's not a deficiency that everyone doesn't inherently know all the time. It's that's why he's got people that do it. Right? So, like, sometimes people's reaction to finding out about something in fact, actually, this happens to me at work too. So I work in a corporate environment. Right? And so, maybe I'll reach out to someone who's gonna be impacted by a change that's gonna happen. I'll say, hey. This is gonna happen. We know this impacts your area. Why don't you tell me, let me know how it's going to impact you so that we can plan for it accordingly. And, like, I'd say seven out of 10, somebody's gonna show up and go, hey. Why am I just now being looped into this? I said, what do you mean? Well, like, this is gonna impact us. We needed to know about it. I'm like, yeah. That's why I reached out to you. What about this this reaching out to you is not fitting to your needs? Everyone wants it three months before even though it really didn't matter three months before. Do understand what I'm saying? And so the same the same relevance when it comes to like, you're talking about something and someone go like, hey. I never knew that. Now I can read it better and, like and they feel deprived as if they because they didn't know that six months ago or a year ago when, like, you know it now. That was when you needed to know it. Things are fine. Do they actually use the phrase looped into this? Oh, yeah. I feel like Paul would slap people for saying that. By no means. I got I'm gonna print that up and put it on my desk Yeah. So I can hand it to people. I'll get a big stack of them, like, postcards. I really feel like I should have been looped into this.

Oh, man. Yeah. People say that crap all the time. Boy, that that irritates me right now, and I don't even work there. Yeah. No. I I actually that's one of the things I'm cautious of is when I'm writing emails, I check it to make sure I'm not kid I'm not taking it in and saying culturally appropriate things that I would be ashamed of if I set it outside the building. Yeah. Just to loop everybody in is the synopsis. Yeah. Well, I I really hate everything about that, Biff. Yeah. I know that happens all the time. Alright. Here we go. Oh, those old bible bullies. Okay. We talked about that. Paul predicted you wouldn't read it. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. Okay. The apostle Paul didn't predict you wouldn't read it, but he predicted many would find more entertaining alternatives.

I'm sorry. Is someone actually giving that as an example? Hey. Why aren't you reading that? Because Paul said I wouldn't. Yeah. I mean, once again, I feel like a slap company. This doesn't have anything to do with scripture at all. I think that I think that guy thought he was cute with number six. That's a wash. I think he had a, a, an assignment of so many words, and he had to fill it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Agree. Alright. Here we go. So he says one reason to read the Bible, faith restart.

Moses instructed families to teach the law to their families every day, but he knew that everyone needed a fresh needs a fresh restart now and then. That's what that's why instruct hold tight. That's why he instructed the Israelites to read the entire book of the law to the entire congregation every seven years. Did you know you can read the entire bible in sixty days investing just one hour a day? He's selling me a bible reading plan. This is not bible study. It's bible reading. Oh, good.

Power reading, he says. An n 10 reading will give you a surprisingly clear clear view of the big picture and and your place in the story. Okay. I agree with that. And that's it. That's the end of the article. Well, I mean, it just took an abrupt right turn there and then sped into the finish line at 95 miles an hour. Yeah. And so, like, he didn't so I read this article, I and wasn't even gonna bring it up because Lists are starting to bother me. But, like, he didn't even actually really react well to any of these reasons. He just kinda listed them and said, solve the way to solve them is to join his sixty day bible reading plan. He's a shill. He's a shill for bible reading plans. This makes me sad, Ben.

That's why he instructed the Israelites to read the entire book every seven years. That was God's idea. And and he doesn't say, hey. We're gonna do a faith restart. Right? You know what I'm saying? Like, God's a little deeper than that. You know what I'm saying? He's like a a ticker tape. You know what I'm saying? Like, for heaven's sakes, did you read that part of I mean, these are God's ideas. Moses didn't be like, you know, I feel like, Aaron, come here. I feel like we're gonna need a faith restart every seven years just after we give all the property back. Everyone needs a everyone needs a refreshing. That's right. What was the year of Jubilee every seven years? Yeah. Yeah. So after everybody had to give back all their crap, they're like, now let's go over the law again.

No. That makes more sense in the context. Yeah. Now that now that everyone's everything's been reinstated, let's remember how you're supposed to handle so you don't end up back in this position. That's right. We're gonna have to do the restart because I haven't told them about this year of Jubilee yet, but it's gonna go rough. Alright. Alright. There we go. There we go. That's it. You know what? I'm gonna have to save the the other seven. Seven things evil is not, what the death of my son taught me. We're gonna hit that next week. Yeah. Mike, what do you got for people need some advice. Oh, yeah. I just I found one earlier today that I thought was somebody brought their their graduation to their graduation ceremony. Somebody brought their grandma with dementia. What? Yeah. Here we go. Ready? Okay. Dear life from the path. My ex husband is coming to our small town to celebrate our daughter's graduation. He is bringing along his parents. I'm happy they are coming to show love and support for our daughter. However, his mother has dementia.

She's difficult to deal with now, and my ex doesn't manage the situation well. They take her to restaurants and hotels and allow very uncomfortable scenes to play out, like sending food back every single time or allowing her to accuse the housekeeping staff of thievery. Rather than rationally deal with the problem themselves, they put the staff in a very awkward position. The poor woman has a mental condition. It isn't a secret to the rest of us. I have figured out techniques to deal with her. I'm going to cook some meals for them while they are here, but based on my work schedule, that's all I can do. Should I call ahead to the hotel and restaurants to warn them of the impending storm? Oh. Oh, man. No.

No. What's wrong with you? By no means. Yeah. By the way, there's gonna be a real hard to deal with woman coming your way. She's about five four. Who is this? Ex that's I'm her ex daughter-in-law.

Yeah. This sounds incredible. Thank you. Oh, man. I mean, I grant that that's that's an off I mean, it's difficult. Right? Especially sending the food back. Hey. Well, like, she says, hey. I didn't order this. And you go, you're right. You didn't. You're taking life too seriously. You know what I'm saying? Like, I would have the guy grab it and be like, I'll get right. I mean, I would if if it was my mom, and it was just gonna happen, and it's just now it's just time. She's just being this lady. She's not intending harm. Right? Like, I would walk in. I'd slip the waiter $5 ahead of time and be like, look. She's send this food bag. You're gonna smile. You're gonna take it five feet away from her, whiz back around, and come right back with that food and be like, I fixed it. It's done. Yep. Yeah. And then that's just the deal. So As a son who had a mom who had the disease, you know, there are times you do stuff like that. You live in their reality.

She feels better now. She can eat her meal. Yeah. The people aren't wondering what in the world's going on. You say, hey. She's you know, here's wanna embarrass your mom. Yeah. You know? And like it like she has any choice in this deal. You know she has Exactly. Dementia. So yeah. I I mean, apart from what did you say? Your schedule will only allow you to blah blah blah because you work full time, but you also have a part time job meddling apparently. Exactly. A bunch of crap that's been your business. Why you stay out of it? Stop it. Yeah. Yeah. My advice to get what the the question was, should I call ahead to the hotel and the restaurants, all restaurants, you can call everybody,

to warn them of the impending storm? Yeah. No. No. Why you stay at all that? Your daughter's graduating from wherever or whatever. You'll focus your energy. Could be the drama queen. Yeah. Yeah. I I I think that's across the board. Thanks. Alright.

Secular's advice. If you're known at the restaurants, you should definitely call ahead and speak to the manager about the fact that the poor woman is not well. I'm sure it would be appreciated, and perhaps the party can be seated in a private area of the restaurant. Great. We're a cage mom off like she's some kind of sideshow. Now now we would like to have a conversation with the dude. I mean, the the son's not handling this well. If he's not even Trying? Trying. Right. If he's ignoring it. Suffer. Yeah. I mean

Continues. When someone has dementia, there comes a point where they should be kept familiar surroundings to avoid situations in which the person can become agitated. This may be what's happening with your ex mother-in-law when she finds herself in an environment she's not used to. Yeah. That's okay. And then a plug for the Alzheimer's Association. It's pretty much the deal. I mean, I suppose a legitimate question is is, like, this guy, if he's going on as if there isn't there isn't anything up with her when he very well knows there's and, like, this can't it can't be a pleasant experience for her. Right? Like, whether she is aware of the fact like, she doesn't obviously know that she sent food back three times. Right. But, like, it's still agitating to send your food back or get frustrated because of what's going on around you and feel like you're like, there's already a loss of control there, and it starts to feel even worse. And so, like, you know, maybe you gotta figure out some some ways not to have to have your mom out in those situations for her benefit. Like, if you're being selfish and, like, not taking that in consideration,

that's obviously wrong. Yeah. I think it just come down to people who just need to put they self in other people's shoes sometimes because, I mean, would you wanna get sent all the way to the back of the booth at the restaurant? Like, if it was you, you know, so you just gotta always put yourself in other people's shoes when this different situation that's out of your hands. You know? Agreed.

Alright. Ready? Dear life from the path. You know the adage, you don't know what you've got till you lose it? Mhmm. In 2009, before I was deployed to Kuwait, I was in a short relationship with, quote, Donna. Because I didn't want her to worry about me while I was gone, I entered it and broke her heart. That was a big mistake.

When I came home, Donna had moved away, and I lost her phone number when my old phone broke. Since then, I have not been in any in any relationships, and not a day goes by that I don't think about and miss her and the inside jokes we had together. Lately, it has gotten worse. I know Donna's sister still lives here. Should I go should I go and ask her about Donna and how she's doing and where she is now, or whether she'll contact her for me? Or should I just keep trying to get over her? Yes. No. Don't don't do that. The current state that you're in is much better. Yes. Yes. I mean, what is the harm? Hey. Pursuit. Can I I'd like to get ahold of Donna? Can I have her number? Yeah. That would be that would be great. So far removed from the nineteen fifties that we can't I mean,

like, that was that's how you did things. Right? Like, before there are technological advances, it doesn't even have to be the fifties. Right? Like, you had to you just had to ask people. And if that person wasn't there, you had asked someone they know and said, hey. Can how do I get ahold of So and So? Like, it's a pretty standard operation. That's not creepy or weird. Yeah. I mean yeah. Get over that. I mean, seriously, what are you doing?

I mean, you you you served your country. You've done very brave things. Go knock on the sister's door and say or give her a call or I mean, you tell me Facebook can't solve this problem. This is literally as easy of a conversation as if I was in the gas station intending to buy a a Three Musketeers bar. I picked up a soda, forgot my three Musketeers bar, and got halfway to the car in the parking lot and thought, man, I really like a three Musketeers bar. Should I go back in there and get it? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I probably should. Yeah. Should I do? Yeah. But I'd have to ring my card twice, then they'll know. Everyone at the bank will say, hey, man. He bought he forgot his three Musketeers. What an idiot. Yeah. What what like, what yeah. What's the worst that can happen? The sister says, I don't know. I don't speak with Donna. She's a she's a real beast. Yeah.

Yeah. Why? Have you been seeing live happily on the other side of town. Yeah. At least you know. Yeah. The truth is it's like I mean, just be honest with yourself. What you're wondering is, am I out? Have I lost my chance? Right? And you don't wanna ask because you don't wanna know. Happens all the time. I get it. I I mean runs off and says, that was a mistake. That's why he don't read your bible. Yeah. That's right. The the apprehension is is is real. Right? But, like, the the stuff you're shining on is stupid. Yeah. Right? I mean, you gotta know. Just just know and figure it out. Yep. Segular says, what are you waiting for? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. By all means, talk to Donna's sister. I'm waiting to. By all means. Who might enjoy being able to play the role of Cupid. Oh, great. If Donna is still single available, she may be as glad to see you as you will be to see her.

Yeah. I mean, I I wouldn't have gone that far and and sold them a big old hope hope bubble. Yeah. Right. I mean, that's that's probably a bit extreme. Go ahead and buy your chocolates. Yeah. Let's see. Let's do one more. Okay. Oh, this one does not look good. You're alive from the path. I'm a 24 year 24 year old professional woman who has been having an affair with a married man for three years. I see. We have great chemistry. Three years. Yeah. He's 21. Yeah. Oh. We have great chemistry, a passionate sex life, endless laughs Oh. And give each other a lot of support.

He is married and has children. When he is with them, I find myself incredibly jealous. Oh, come on. I feel left out. Probably. Yeah. And I no longer believe he will ever be with me, although he says he will. Because of his legal status in The US, it could take a few years before he becomes a citizen and is able to divorce. Should we take a break and revisit our relationship in a few years, or should I stick by him until everything is sorted out?

What's your dad's phone number? I already talked to your dad. He either either your dad sucks or you dumb. It's one of these two things because you are the most deceived woman that I've ever seen in my life. You are missing it completely. He

is is he the legal alien? And with a wife and a child, and you he can't is this what he tells you that he can't divorce her because he's not a legal citizen? And so he's got to become a legal citizen first before he can divorce her? I mean, that's probably true because he's not legally married. Yeah. I mean, you can't file the you can't file for divorce, a legal separation in a country where you are not here legally. Yeah. So, I mean, that might be right, but that seems like a very small barrier.

Well, yeah. Go back to Guatemala or something. Like, where or, you know, Istanbul. I don't know where you're from. So so bad for this man's wife. Do you know what I'm saying? Like, if he is having chemistry, passionate sex, endless laugh, and lots of support, what the heck is his wife and his kids getting? What a disaster. What a disaster. How does it how does this woman, like, describe this

and not? Like and you notice the question doesn't have anything to do with, like Is this right? Yeah. Should I be doing this? It's just like, for me, really, should I wait, or should I just stay? What are your thoughts? You know, like and it started at young age. Like, if you don't have a strong foundation, you can just get misled into getting deceived in

by people, though, in in a way where it hurts you. And you don't even really care about hurting other people, like, you know, like, you know, she knew that the man was married already, so, obviously, is trying to benefit herself like you said.

Man. But she just got sound lost and probably need to, you know, find Jesus and figure it out. No. I mean, that's right on. Like, I guess that's that's what my reacting to her details, I thought, like, how could you be there's there's there's two things wrapped in the same ball, which is how could you be so deceived? And then how can you even write this or say it out loud and not think to yourself, no.

Right. No. This is wrong. It is wrong of me to do this. It is selfish of me to enable this man's behavior in hurting other people. I don't want any part of it. Mhmm. So, like and the fact that, like, whatever this man has said or done or whatever is it seemed to make this feel like it's okay for you. Either he's real suave or I I don't know. But in either case, like, it's just it's both of those wrapped into one, and we're like, I can't even take the details. Secular says, I'm all for taking that break. The status quo is painful. As things stand, there are no guarantees your lover will ever leave his wife and children for you. If you take a break, you might meet someone who is eligible and actually willing and able to build a future with you. I say go for it.

Well, you know, I just recommend you stay at all relationships till you can look at things a little bit differently. This is a real disaster. Yeah. Yeah.

I mean, I I don't know. Just going into another relationship solves this particular problem if you actually don't recognize that for reasons other than you're not sure whether you wanna wait, this is a bad idea. Things that have happened are just not positive. They're bad for you. They're bad for him. Well, actually, it sounds like they're pretty good for him. He's the guy. He's the winner in this scenario. Yeah. His his wife's in in bad way. His kids are and you are.

You know? He's who's How many other women? Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. I mean, did you think this is a positive track record for a man? Yeah. Good night, man. I I so far, nothing has made it through my filter of things I'd wanna have in the public record, so I can't even say anything. I think that's fair. Yeah. Alright. Alright. You've been listening to Live From The Path.

Maybe maybe maybe you have similar situations. We just gave you advice. You should follow that. Yeah. If you guys you need some help in, in life and, you have nowhere else to turn, but to Internet radio, where's the Internet radio folks to help? Shoot us an email info live from the path dot org, with your questions, and we'd, we'd be glad to, pseudo help. And, let's see. On the on the show next week, I don't know. I haven't gotten that far in life. I really don't plan that far ahead, but I am gonna work on some sort of opening to try to change my ways because that man did not say anything about an ending. And apparently, I can do whatever I want. Right on. Alright. So in the meantime, be faithful in the means. God will handle the ends. You've been listening to Live From The Path.