A Bible Meme

I've been tagged by Phisch. I normally don't get into memes but this one was so thought provoking I couldn't resist.

1. Who is your favorite Biblical personage, other than Jesus?

My favorite Bible character would have to be the Shunnamite woman in 2 Kings. During a study of the women in the Bible in 1996, I learned the amazing story of this woman. She had befriended the prophet Elisha and supported his ministry through hospitality and giving. He asked her if he could do anything for her. She replied that she was content. He soon discovered that she was childless and prophesied that she would bear a son about the same time next year. She was hesitant to believe it, but his prophesy came true and she gave birth to a son at the appointed time.

I related to her story on so many levels. At the time we were also childless and desiring a baby very much after six years of marriage. She had the gift of giving, which I've been told is one of my spiritual gifts. My Bible study group prayed over me, and our leader prophesied that I would become pregnant shortly. I was hesitant to believe it, but through a series of events the Lord laid the same promise on my heart. This was the fall of 1996.

About the same time the next year, in the fall of 1997, I gave birth to our first son.

We named him Jonathan, which means "gift of God."

2. What is your favorite book of the Old Testament?

I adore the book of Psalms. No matter what other book I'm studying at the time, I try to make time to also read in the Psalms. The heartfelt prayers always seem to echo my own for that day, whether it's a prayer of praise or one of confession, a prayer of anguish or one of rejoicing.

3. What is your least favorite book of the Old Testament?

I can't name one. Some books are a little more challenging to understand than others, but after having read the OT multiple times, I have a deep respect for ALL of Scripture and how the OT points to the redemptive work of Jesus in the New Testament.

4. What is your favorite non-gospel book of the New Testament?

It would have to be a tie between Romans and Philippians. Romans because it encompasses the grandest themes of Scripture--the love and grace of God, the wages of our sin, the forgiveness found in Christ, our struggles between the flesh and the spirit, the sovereignty of God and much, much more.

Philippians because I love what Paul has to say about joy in trials, forgetting the past, pressing forward, prayer, spiritual battles and more. It's a very practical book.

5. What is your life verse?

"For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:36

6. Tag five people who might want to play.

Meredith, Donna, Leslie, Saija, Jessica and anyone else who'd like to join in. Leave a comment and link to your blog.

"Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart." Pslam 119:111