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weekly sermon 11-15-09 Figuring It Out
This weeks message will be a tad different than any you have ever seen on my site. It will be different for one special reason, which I reveal at the end. Take a look at this Bible puzzle below, take your time and see what you can see.
BIBLE PUZZLE THERE ARE 30 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE IN THIS PARAGRAPH. CAN YOU FIND THEM? THIS IS A MOST REMARKABLE PUZZLE. IT WAS FOUND BY A GENTLEMAN IN AN AIRPLANE SEAT POCKET ON A FLIGHT FROM LOS ANGELES TO HONOLULU KEEPING HIM OCCUPIED FOR HOURS. HE ENJOYED IT SO MUCH HE PASSED IT ON TO SOME FRIENDS. ONE FRIEND FROM ILLINOIS WORKED ON THIS WHILE FISHING FROM HIS JOHN BOAT. ANOTHER FRIEND STUDIED IT WHILE PLAYING THE BANJO. ELAINE TAYLOR, A COLUMNIST FRIEND WAS SO INTRIGUED BY IT SHE MENTIONED IT IN HER WEEKLY NEWSPAPER COLUMN. ANOTHER FRIEND JUDGES THE JOB OF SOLVING THE PUZZLE SO INVOLVING, SHE BREWS A CUP OF TEA TO HELP HER NERVES. THERE WILL BE SOME NAMES THAT ARE REAL EASY TO SPOT. THAT'S A FACT. SOME PEOPLE, HOWEVER WILL SOON FIND THEMSELVES IN A JAM, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE BOOK NAMES ARE NOT NECESSARILY CAPITALIZED. TRUTHFULLY, FROM ANSWERS WE GET, WE ARE FORCED TO ADMIT IT USUALLY TAKES A MINISTER OR SCHOLAR TO SEE SOME OF THEM AT THE WORST. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT SOMETHING IN OUR GENES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIFFICULTY WE HAVE IN SEEING THE BOOKS IN THIS PARAGRAPH. DURING A RECENT FUND RAISING EVENT WHICH FEATURED THIS PUZZLE, THE ALPHA DELTA PHI LEMONADE BOOTH SET A NEW SALES RECORD, THE LOCAL PAPER, THE CHRONICLE, SURVEYED OVER 200 PATRONS WHO REPORTED THAT THIS PUZZLE WAS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THEY HAD EVER SEEN. AS DANIEL HUMMANA HUMBLY PUTS IT, THE BOOKS ARE RIGHT THERE IN PLAIN VIEW HIDDEN FROM SIGHT. THOSE ABLE TO FIND THEM ALL WILL HEAR GREAT LAMENTATIONS FROM THOSE WHO HAVE TO BE SHOWN. ONE REVELATION THAT MAY HELP IS THAT BOOKS LIKE TIMOTHY AND SAMUEL MAY OCCUR WITHOUT THEIR NUMBERS. ALSO KEEP IN MIND, THAT PUNCTUATION AND SPACES IN THE MIDDLE ARE NORMAL. A CHIPPER ATTITUDE WILL HELP YOU COMPETE REALLY WELL AGAINST THOSE WHO CLAIM TO KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS. REMEMBER, THERE IS NO NEED FOR A MAD EXODUS. THERE REALLY ARE 30 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE LURKING SOMEWHERE IN THIS PARAGRAPH WAITING TO BE FOUND.
I posted this Bible puzzle for two reasons actually. One, I wanted all to have a fun time and maybe learn a few books of the Bible they may not have already known.
The biggest reason I posted this puzzle was to show a couple of things. I have shown this and talked to several folks about it and it does seem to be a most difficult puzzle to solve. At first glance, I was only able to find 21 of the books. This will show everyone that even some who claim to know quite a bit about the Bible will have trouble finding all the books that are listed in the paragraph.
Now for the one special reason that I wanted to post this Bible puzzle. No matter where you find the books of the Bible, whether it be in the puzzle, whether it be in your Bible, or whether it be in your heart, there is one thing we can rest assured, Jesus is never that hard to find. Jesus and all the answers He has to offer will never hide in a puzzle. Jesus and His love will always be in the one place you should look first, in your heart.
Do you know that Jesus is alive in your heart? If you do not, or you are not sure, then all you have to do is say a little prayer with me.
Say this simple prayer with me, Dear Lord, I want you to be the Lord over my life, forgive me of my sins, and give me the gift of everlasting life. Amen.
If you have said this simple prayer, then we believe that you have received salvation. We would love to rejoice with you, so please drop us a note, in our link, to let us know and confess Jesus before man, so that we may send you a few things that we hope will help you in your new Christian walk.
With Love in Christ, Pastor Stone
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