I finished the A. J. Jacobs book: final thought

I have just completed A. J. Jacobs book, The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. I found it on the "Our Staff Recommends" shelf at Barnes and Noble. The title was intriguing. It brought up the question: What does it mean to live Biblically? I almost didn't buy it, but after reading the jacket decided it might be interesting.

A. J. Jacobs is an agnostic Jew. What could an Agnostic Jew have to say about the Bible that would benefit someone who has had a theological education and grew up in a church? The truth is, Jacobs had some profound insight. His journey to explore the Bible's laws, as well as his many trips to learn more about various groups' beliefs on the Scripture, have proved both fascinating and transformative.

Oddly enough, most people consider this book to be quite funny and it is even labeled as a "humor" book. I found it more thought provoking than humorous, though I see how some might get a laugh. I found myself in agreement on numerous occasions with Jacobs conclusions and found that he oft quoted some of my favorite persons as well as Bible passages.

I'd like to close out my thoughts with a quotation from his book. It is regarding a subject that has been of some interest to me lately and comes form a verse which is part of my favorite passage. In speaking of First Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances..." Jacobs had this to say:

• Day 263. I feel myself becoming an extremist--at least in some areas. Like with my obsession with gratefulness. I can't stop.
• Just now, I press the elevator button and am thankful that it arrives quickly.
• I get into the elevator and am thankful that the elevator cable didn't snap and plummet me to the basement.
• I go to the fifth floor and am thankful that I didn't have to stop on the second or third or fourth floor.
• I get out and am thankful that Julie left the door unlocked so I don't have to rummage for my King Kong key ring.
• I walk in, and am thankful that Jasper is home and healthy and stuffing his face with pineapple wedges.
• And on and on. I'm actually muttering to myself, "Thank you...thank you....thank you."
• It's an odd way to live. But also kind of great and powerful. I've never before been so aware of the thousands of little good things, the thousands of things that go right every day.

I was challenged by his journey to make changes in my own life. I have been doing this exercise a lot lately, especially when I am starting my day off on the wrong foot. It is very helpful.

Now I have to order some of the books he referred to, as I believe I will find them enjoyable as well. He apparently wrote a book called The Know-It-All in which he chronicles his goal of reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. I might have to pick that one up too.