E-100 Challenge - Thoughts on today's reading

So let's see, this year I have finished 2 books already.  But I must say I need to find a better time to read than 1-4am, because I'm seriously lacking sleep these days.  But I can't help it, the authors grab my attention and won't let go!  Someday I hope I can write and someone will say that about my work, but then that would require me to get my novel ideas out of my head and onto "paper". 

I also accepted the E-100 Challenge that our church is doing.  This is reading the essential 100 Bible passages as determined and outlined by someone.  I'm not sure who, but it's a program our church found and are doing together. Last year, they did the 15 for 15, which was suppose to be 15 minutes of reading the bible every day for 15 weeks, and read through the entire bible.  Unfortunately, some days took more than 15 minutes and it was an every day thing and I guess I'm just not necessarily good at an "everyday" thing.  The E-100 is designed to read 5 days a week, so I'm going to attempt to commit to that.  It's good to be back in the bible. I found with my life, I have an easy time praying, easy time talking to the kids about biblical topics as they come up with them, and I have always been willing to discuss biblical topics with friends or even strangers if they initiate the topic, but I find I have a hard time just sitting down with a bible and reading most times. I try to follow along in the bible during Sunday worships, but to just pick up the bible and read...not so much. 

So today, I read about Adam & Eve eating of the forbidden food. Did you notice how fast Adam was to pass the blame? Seriously, the first words out of his mouth is "it's her fault". Then next is Eve "the snake made me do it".  I guess that proves that it's not a learned behavior but ingrained human behavior to blame someone else. Why can't people just accept responsibility for their actions and not immediately have to blame someone else? Is it so hard to say "hey I screwed up. I'm sorry. Can we talk about this and figure out a way to fix it?" Wouldn't that make for a better society?  Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I haven't blamed others or passed the buck in my life. We all have...after all, it's inherited from Adam/Eve as our human nature.  But I'm left wondering, how would the bible and the history of our world be different had Adam and Eve said "Yes, Father, I disobeyed your rules." Or better yet, what would it be like had Eve stood up to the snake and said "God said we can eat and enjoy EVERYTHING else in the garden, why would I risk that just for one bite of a fruit that might taste nasty?"

Hmmm that thought sends my mind off in so many different directions...don't husbands and wives make that choice? I can talk with a co-worker, have lunch in the break room at the same table, but why risk a good thing in my marriage to cross a line?  A child just getting to the age of independence...I can tell my mom/dad I'm going to a friend's house and instead go to that party they told me I wasn't allowed to go, but why risk the trust they have in me now?  A person handling money or supplies at work...I can ring it in that the distracted mom with the screaming toddler gave me a $10 instead of a $20 and pocket the other $10. She's so distracted she would never notice (been there!), but why risk the job I have for an extra $10?

Hmmm, food for thought...What risks am I talking with my life and choices and is it worth the price?