God is certainly a guide in this past week's readings.  Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt in their epic escape in one of the most exhilarating stories in the bible.  We also hear about our Good Shepherd in the 23rd Psalm, which is quite possibly the most well-known.  And these two stories and readings have not yet brought Christ into the story, our God Incarnate as guide.

I spoke this week with someone who recites the 23rd Psalm on a daily basis.  Jesus often practiced reciting the Psalms by memory as well.  These stories are so familiar, we often gloss over the power they contain or we can get lost in the emotions attached to them.  I cannot imagine the fear, exhaustion, hope, and joy of the Israelites as they left Egypt.  A pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire simultaneously guiding and protecting their path through walls of water.  They were protecting from their enemies.  A shepherd guiding God's people out of bondage into freedom. 

The 23rd Psalm sets a table before our enemies!    A table is often what brings people together.  We share food, discuss, laugh, and sit.  We don't sit on one side (unlike the popular image of the last supper), but facing each other.  Yes, a table can guide us to a table for reconciliation. 

Christ is heading towards Jerusalem, leading his disciples who will go out into the world.  He will be crucified for our sake as our shepherd, our guide.  How has reading the Scriptures provided a guide to your life?  How is Christ your guide, your shepherd?  Perhaps in those intense times in conflict, in sorrow, in joy, you may remember, "the Lord is my Shepherd."  Know that the pillar of fire and cloud are part of our lives and stories.  We now have Christ who sits with us at the table, who leads us through the waters, and who goes with us in our daily lives. 

Have you ever looked up what your dreams may mean?  Psychologists, philosophers, priests, and more have long studied and thought about dreams as important.  We can read into them and make them mean more than they actually do or, perhaps, they are kernels of truth.  And, yet again, maybe it is a way God is working in and through your mind at rest.

We will see dreams play an important role in many portions of the Bible.  Jospeh's interpretation of dreams is a gift from God as he correctly predicted the feast and then famine in the land of Egypt.  We also see the day when his family bows down before him.  A hint of Providence enacted and restored.

Our dreams occur when we sleep and they occur in the aspirational thoughts of our hearts. The work of such stories as Joseph and his brothers seems foreign and the stuff of myths.  It is the stuff of stories and myths and yet our hopes and dreams make them true!

If your daily Scripture reading occurs at night, then maybe your dreams help you reflect on the readings.  They may have also become rather strange!  The dreams of our lives may have become reality or maybe they seem as distant as the stars. 

Through the dreams of Joseph and the characters in Genesis, we saw a dream of reconciliation come true; a family reunited and nations saved.  Through God all things are possible and our dreams may come true.  It is through Christ that our full reconciliation with God occurs.  Dreams do come true.

The Bible is riddled with passages and stories which are at their best, confusing, and at their best, disturbing.  In Genesis we have had a number of stories which are disturbing and we often do not know what to do with them.  Sodom and Gomorrah or the rape of Dinah.  The easy thing to do is to write these texts off and say, "well, it's the Old Testament and I don't need to worry much about that."

We have the time now to wrestle with these texts as Jacob wrestled with the deity/angel.  We do not prevail by explaining the texts away in every instance, but ask a question such as, "what does this say about God?" 

The Rev. Dr. Frank wade was a frequent contributor to the commentary this week and provided some able assistance.  Unfortunately, we needed to give him a few dozen pages and a sermon or two to help.  He notes that God's concern for those who need God's love, "even in (Scripture's) rough way."  He goes on to say, "when God's concerns are ours, we have a fixed navigational point." 

We are on a journey and as Scripture continues to speak to us, we learn more about God's call for us.  As we read, if you are able, try to consider these three points to start.  What do you think it meant to the people back in the day?  What does it mean for today's world?  What does it say/mean to me? 

"Jesus affirms in each instance that he is the fixed point" by which we can navigate such texts and our spiritual journeys.  Continue to dig into them.  Talk about them.  Write about them.  Pray about them.  Don't let them go until they bless you!

You have now begun to read Scripture daily or perhaps you are still figuring out how to incorporate it into your  life and daily routine.  While I read Scripture daily, this particular way of reading Scripture is altering when and how I read. 

I pray that the practice of reading the Bible each day will become a habit for me and for you.  Some experts say that simple habits take about 21 days to form.  This particular habit may take longer, but you will start to notice that you look forward to reading, studying, and entering into this prayerful time. You may also notice that you feel as though something is missing when you do not read. 

Holy Scripture is inspired by God and in and through it the Holy Spirit moves.  The very words you read each day are alive (yes, even the boring genealogies!) As you read closely and each day, different parts of the text will resonate with you and other parts not as much.  This is the Holy Spirit speaking in and through you.  You have entered into a holy space, a conversation, a relationship with God.

Even if you are still getting the hang of it, do not worry.  Part of this practice is not merely the completion of the Bible, but learning how to set apart a piece of each day to enter into intentional conversation with God.  Yes, it is a Holy space, offered for each of us.  Take each day as a step on the road, with each footstep as a movement towards a closer relationship with our God.