Thoughts for the Day

All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday....and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the purpose.

So they read from the book from the law of God with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today is Bible Sunday, so instead of commenting on the reading from Nehemiah and leaving you with a thought, I have decided to leave you a challenge - to remember some of the Old or New Testament stories, or discover some you didn't know, from a description? I have given you a hint whether they come from the Old Testament (OT) or the New Testament (NT). If you don't know the answers go to the Follow-up Thoughts and read the stories:

1. A story involving a whale (OT);
2. A story involving some thin cows (OT);
3. A dream about animals and a sheet (NT);
4. What happened with a basket and a window (NT);
5. Magicians and a plague of B---- (OT);
6. The story about a talking donkey (OT);
7. A ladder and a dream (OT);
8. The story involving a jailor who wants to kill himself (NT);
9. The story of a boy and a window (NT);
10. Name of a costly perfume (NT);

Sunday 25th October, follow up thoughts

Heavenly Father,
may we look again at our bibles,
to revisit the stories we know,
and find those we don't know,
and to learn from them Your plans
for Your people.
At this time of national concern,
may we turn again to You
in penitence, asking for
forgiveness and healing.
Amen.