Every once in a while, I stumble upon a website that has the potential to change or enhance my spiritual walk. Just as with all things, the tools (used properly), can build a pretty nifty platform to springboard your life. In this case the site RBC.org is the tool.
I discovered this site over a decade ago for reasons hard to recall at this time. Whatever lead me to it deserves a pat on the back! It has been a reference for me when I don't know where to begin in my personal bible study. I tend to study out the scriptures by book, some tend to do it topically however I think I'm too cowardly to study out topics. It'd be a sad day for me if I really focused on God's view on my pride by referencing every scripture on it. :)
I like to think of personal bible study (PBS) the same way I do about food, and I love food. In my opinion, my daily studies should be as comprehensive and substantial as my morning breakfast, a nice balance of what I will need to start off my day. After I'd exhausted the books of the bible, I decided it was time to dig deeper both internally and biblically. One will find that the former is a consequence of the latter and rather unavoidable (thank God). Digging deeper for me meant:
1. Time
2. Energy
3. Commitment
...three things that I felt overwhelmed by on a daily basis in general, nevertheless for the purposes of getting closer to God. I thank God for the writers who are dedicated to His purpose enough to publish material that help me on my journey because the truth is, these days time is a commodity, energy is a theory, and commitment is hard to define. While I struggle with modernity vs. Christianity (though they are indeed relevant to each other), the benefits can actually tend to outweigh the cons.
Case in point, RBC.org. This website is jam packed with more spiritual resources than you may ever have time to read. One of my favorite parts of it is the "Our Daily Journey" section. Here, the writer typically shares a story or references something familiar to us all and then proceeds to dig into the scriptures to give some perspective or shed some light on the subject. It even encourages active application by engaging you in questions geared to self-reflection. It's an excellent meditative tool! Mart de Haan is a key contributor to RBC with his "Been Thinking About" blog. As with the ODJ section, this too serves as an amazing way to get you thinking about the faith we put our confidence in. The publishers at RBC Ministries have since changed the interface of the website which is what continues to impress me about this organization. They are so committed to reaching people globally and do not compromise interface for content. It's easy to use and easy to love. I happen to be a "supporting" member of RBC Ministries because I truly believe in their mission and have greatly benefited from it.
I encourage you to spend a few moments navigating through the site. Believe me, whatever you're looking for is probably there and if it isn't, I'm certain you'll discover something worthwhile.
