In November of 2010, a small group I facilitate at my church asked me where in the Bible God is blessed. While wanting to share with them Ephesians 1:3, I turned to the Bible surrounding me in the library where we meet. Catching my eye was The Common English Bible. Pulling it out, I read to them, “Bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ from heaven.”
Fascinated with this version of the Bible, I put it aside to thumb through more after class ended that day. I loved what I saw, reading verses in the Old and New Testaments. The added maps at the end of the Common English Bible were excellent. How great it was to see many a journey marked, following the paths of our ancestors. I knew this was a Bible I wanted in my own library.
I immediately ordered a copy of the Common English Bible that evening, receiving it in the mail within the week. It was a well- used copy, which I loved. It was nice to see someone else had thoroughly enjoyed this book before passing it on. As I began to enjoy it, new inspirations came to mind for me to post on my Twitter page, @ASpiritual Faith. I always say my inspirations come to me from God. Now, he was blessing me with new ones, being inspired by these beautiful and spiritual, readings.
I noticed that a message had been sent to me over Twitter, to join the Common English Bible tour. I wasn’t sure what this was, but as I was enjoying the Bible so much, I said to myself, ‘Sure!’ I clicked the reply button, not thinking too much more about it, getting busy with day to day happenings.
About ten days later, my husband brought in the mail, saying I had received a package. How fun, to get a package in the mail! I wondered what it was and who had sent me something. Imagine my surprise to see it was a Common English Bible! I laughed, saying I had just received a well-worn one in the mail, now here was a brand new one. I was somewhat confused, however; what was going on, did I somehow order a second Bible?
I pulled out the papers accompanying the Bible, welcoming me to the Common English Bible “Thank You-Come Again-I Promise” Blog Tour. I kept reading, seeing this tour was going to be quite exciting. Not only would I be digging deeper into the Bible and getting to write and post about I read, I got to give this Bible to others who enjoyed what I wrote, pulling a winning name from my hat once a week.
It has been an exciting trip, this tour taking me through many places in the Bible. I have met many people along the way, readers writing me to ask questions and commenting on what they wrote. Others have loved the passages, while the winners are thrilled to get a copy of this Bible.
To think it all began with a question from my little Bible group and me pulling out The Common English Bible, one among many in the library, to answer their question. Was this a coincidence? I do believe God was there, guiding me. For me to receive that second Bible in the mail, confused, but wanting to know more why I got it, was that a coincidence? I don’t think so. Someone knew, all along, that I would respond to that call. Someone knew that I would get others, too, to respond to the call. To that someone, I say, “Bless you.”
~Marie T. Morrison~
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
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