(London) Business folk are used to reading executive summaries of important documents, and now would-be Christians are to have the same privilege, in the form of a chopped-down Bible that can be read in under two hours.

A Church of England vicar was on Wednesday unveiling his self-styled “100-Minute Bible”, an ultra-condensed edition of the Christian holy book which claims to neatly summarise every teaching from the Creation to the Revelation.

Publishers the 100-Minute Press say the book has been written for those who want to know more about Christianity but who do not have the time to read the original in full.

Speedy but spiritual: British cleric unveils ‘100-Minute Bible’
September 21, 2005. AFP (Agence France-Presse) – Britain

Comment: This could be used as an introduction to the Bible, but to go through our whole life saying, "I don't have time." That's a cop out. We make time for those things we consider to be important. If we never have time to listen to God, we obviously don't consider him to be important.

SHORT SUBJECT

Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives.

HUMOROUS STORY

Three contestants -- a Swiss banker, a British historian and an American hillbilly -- were on a TV quiz show. “For one hundred thousand dollars,” began the host, “fill in the missing word in this song line and correctly spell it. Are you ready?” The contestants nodded eagerly.

The host turned to the Swiss banker: “Old MacDonald had a --?”
“Chalet,” replied the banker. “C-H-A-L-E-T.”

“No, I’m sorry, that’s the wrong answer,” said the host, who now turned to the British historian. “For one hundred thousand dollars, Old MacDonald had a --?”

“Stately home,” answered the Brit. “S-T-A-T-E-L-Y H-O-M-E.”

“No, I’m sorry, wrong answer,” said the host. He turned to the American hillbilly, who by now was beside himself with excitement. “For one hundred thousand dollars, Old MacDonald had a --?”

“Farm!” shouted the hillbilly. “E-I-E-I-O!”

Jones, Sue Annabrooke. Chuckle Chowder

Comment: Knowing how to spell BIBLE isn't important, but knowing what the Bible spells out is. God doesn't allow us to change what is spelled out in his Word. How can we improve on the wisdom of God?

ILLUSTRATION FROM THE NEWS - STENCIL GRAFFITI

Despite the aesthetic quality of some of the stencils, Kaul said, if you spray paint something on someone else’s property without permission, you aren’t an artist, you’re a vandal.

“Any time a person who does artwork - who writes stencils or graffiti on property that they don’t own or have permission to do it on - it becomes an ordinance violation or a state crime,” Kaul said.

A city citation for graffiti carries a $661 fine. A misdemeanor charge could result in up to a year in prison and a $10,000 fine. If damages exceed $2,500, the act becomes a felony punishable by up to 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Puvis, Bob. Coloring inside the lines
July 20, 2005. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Comment: Any man-made additions to Biblical truth, as interesting as it may seem, is a ‘felony.’ God’s Word is his property alone. It doesn’t need us to adorn it with our inferior ideas.

COMICAL QUOTE
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

Twain, Mark
quoted in: October 24, 2006. Reader’s Digest’s Laugh Lines

Comment: Changing God’s Word can have similar effects (not misprints - but altering what it actually says).