Greg Ramer

Salt Lick Ranch

Last weekend I visited Salt Lick Ranch in central Florida. Here are a few black and white pictures I took while there.

Greg.

Salt Lick Ranch

Photo Album

The Bible Tells Me So

Years ago I worked at a local Christian bookstore here in Tallahassee, FL. I got a lot of music, books, and bibles that I normally wouldn't have if I hadn't had access to the publishers discounts I received as an employee. In the almost six years I worked there I accumulated roughly 15 different bibles.

Some of those are speciality bibles: study, comparative study, topical, and so on. I probably have five or six different translations, some leather bound, some hard back, some paper back, I even have one that is premium genuine calfskin leather, which I got on sale for a hundred some odd dollars. (Yeah, not one of my smartest financial choices.)

All totaled I now probably own over 20 bibles. Not to mention the two bibles I have on my phone and the access I have to the ESV Study Bible online. Oh, and I can't forget about the many commentaries and bible study helps I have as well. The majority of them collecting dust on my book shelves. Now that I am starting seminary I am slowly blowing the dust off of a few of them however. Regardless, I certainly don't take use of the many valuable resources I have to help in studying the bible. 

I write all of this, not to promote the fact that I have a wide array of bibles and resources, however I write this to say what a fool I am for not using them. In the world I live in I have access to many wonderful tools to increase my knowledge of the bible. To say I am spoiled would certainly be an understatement. Quite honestly, I detest that about myself. I have many ways to occupy my time in study and yet, I am bored. Not from the content, but from my own selfish desire to have the latest and greatest. 

Thankfully, for me, with age I have slowly gained more responsibility and constraint when it comes to buying new things. However I still fight it. There is a part of me that feels if I have all the possible resources available it will make me a better student of the bible. Which will make me both a better teacher and preacher of God's word. Not to mention a better Christian -- if that is even possible? 

The reality is if I don't start at square one -- simply reading the scriptures -- then all of the study helps in the world are pointless. I am ashamed to say this is a struggle for me. Sure, I read the bible, but I don't really READ the bible. Instead of taking the time to read verses in context, I will read one that is linked to something on my mind and recklessly promote in on Twitter or Facebook, never taken in to consideration the context of it. I have spend a lot of time abusing God's word and not devouring it. I saw the video below and was punched square in the stomach.

Seriously. My stomach started hurting while watching it.

How selfish I have been. I can't tell you, and frankly don't want to know, how much money have spent on bibles and study helps over the years. All the while quickly storing one away before I am finished reading it so I can start not finishing another one. I get apathetic about what I have and the Kimyal Tribe of Papua, Indonesia throws a party, dances, and cries over the arrival of a few bibles.

They long for the Word.

They long to teach it to others.

They hold in such high regard that they memorize whole books.

I take it for granted and allow it to collect dead skin cells on my shelves. May I never forget, but learn, to have the passion, fondness, and longing the Kimyal Tribe has for the bible.

Greg.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.  With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!  I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!  With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.  In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.  I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.  I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. (Psalm 119:9-16 ESV)

{Video HT: Jason Gray}

Back Again

Yep, I am back over on Typepad. I gave Wordpress.org an honest try, but I have not been able to get my site to work completely. Frustrated and not willing to spend any more time on 'figuring things out' with Wordpress.org, I have decided to move back to Typepad.

I can't say that I have ever had any issues with Typepad, I just knew that Wordpress.org would allow me to change more of the design of my blog. However, I didn't realize how much code I needed to know in order to make that happen.

Lesson learned, again.

Greg.