It is now 1:17 PM I put on a pair of wool socks and an old sweater to keep me warm on this cold autumn day.

I decided not to eat anything since right now I am not that hungry. I fixed for Carol and I eggs this morning. Plus I ate two left over pancakes that I made yesterday morning. I bought a sweet roll this morning with my take home mocha.

I was thinking that when reading in the Gospels the Birth Narratives of the Christ a good book to check out is titled “The Birth Of The Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in Matthew and Luke” by Raymond E. Brown. (my copy of this book is water damaged, but still readable).

I never heard in all the years I attended church a teaching elder preach through the Gospel of Matthew verse by verse. I have heard sermons on the Sermon on the Mount and the Lord’s Prayer found in the Gospel of Matthew, but not the whole gospel preached verse by verse.

I know Carol’s minister has been preaching sermons from the Gospel of Luke, but I do not think he has gone through this gospel verse by verse.

When I was teaching the Bible I will spend a couple of years going through a book of the Bible, not a couple of weeks. We should linger over the Scriptures. We should practice the ancient practice of Lectio Divina. (check out the book “Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina” by Michael Casey).

The old 17th century English Puritans preached slowly through books of the Bible. I have near me a 12 volume set titled “Practical Observations On Job” by Joseph Caryl. Caryl spent 25 years preaching through the Book of Job. (check out a book titled “Light and Heat: The Puritan View of the Pulpit” by Dr. R. Bruce Bickel published by Soli Deo Gloria Publications).

I personally would like to attend a small chapel on Sundays and hear the Bible read and then pray. Sing a couple old gospel hymns and collect money for the poor. Go home after exchanging the kiss of fellowship.(”Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.” 1 Thess. 5:25,26)

We should read the Bible more and not the writings of men. I have not sat under public preaching for five years. Once awhile I will listen to a sermon on the internet or on television like this morning. But I rather sit in silence and read the Bible on Sundays or every day of the week. I rather have someone look me in the eye and share with me what the Lord has shown them in the Bible. (Romans 12:1-21 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8.)

I find it more real for me staying home. Why go to a church and get my spirit smashed? Why expose myself to being rejected? Why expose myself to being looked upon as a freak? I am too weak to go to a public area of worship. Am I too private?

So what else is on my mind this afternoon that I can record for fun? (I have been meaning to mention this book to all those who feel compelled to write all the Time “The Midnight Disease: The Drive to Write, Writer’s Block and the Creative Brain” by Alice W. Flaherty.)

I was planning on reading this afternoon “The Spiritual Espousals” by John Ruusbroec. I already read my Bible and other materials. It is now 2 o’clock PM. I am not in the mood to watch professional football. I could just sit and pray for divine enlightenment. (”I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him.” First John 2:26-27)

This afternoon while searching for a book I came across a book I forgot I had titled “Jewish Law In Gentile Churches: Halakhah and the Beginnings of Christian Public Ethics” by Markus Bockmuehl. I collect books on biblical ethics. When studying the Gospel of Matthew check out a book titled “The New Moses: A Matthean Typology” by Dale C. Allison Jr..

The last commentary I remember buying on the Gospel of Matthew was this one I believe “The Gospel of Matthew” [The New International Greek Testament Commentary] by John Nolland. I never got to use this commentary because I was banned from teaching the Bible by the church were attending at the time. Maybe this afternoon I will look at this commentary by Nolland for fun? It can’t hurt me to look at a commentary on Matthew by a NT scholar. It is better then looking at rich men chase a pig skin ball?

I wanted to mention that when I was a student at Reformed Theological Seminary I took a class on the Gospel of Matthew with Dr. J. Knox Chamblin. At the time Dr. Chamblin had been asked to write a commentary on Matthew for a book that is now in print titled “Evangelical Commentary on the Bible” [Based On The New International Version] Editor Walter A. Elwell. In this volume you can read Dr. Chamblin’s comments on the Gospel of Matthew. I still have my class syllabus for that class titled THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW: AN INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTARY by Knox Chamblin—Part One: Introduction, and Commentary on Chapters 1-14 Copyright 1985 by Knox Chamblin. I do not think we got to the end of the Gospel of Matthew in that class with Prof. Chamblin. I have to go look at my seminary notes to know for sure.

I do remember writing on a term paper for this class on Matthew 23 the woes the Lord pronounced against the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees.

In seminary Dr. Chamblin was my seminary advisor. We often would talk about what my plans were after seminary. I do not remember what Knox and I talked about. I have to go back in look at my diaries to refresh my fading memory. Dr. Knox was a good Christian man. I remember Knox loved the apostle Paul. I had a couple classes with Dr. Knox when we were at RTS.

I remember Dr. Knox recommending this book on the Sermon on the Mount “The Sermon On The Mount: A Foundation For Understanding” by Robert A. Guelich. I have another book co-authored by Guelich in my library titled “The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith” by Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich.

I should mention that in Volume 8 "The Expositor's Bible Commentary" General Editor Frank E. Gaebelein there is a commentary on The Gospel of Matthew by D. A. Carson that was recommended to me by Dr. Knox years ago.

Well I will close to put away my books and try to remember what I was going to write about this afternoon.