I hear you. It became repetitious and forced. Now, we don't even own a bible, I couldn't possibly read it, search it, without feeling like I'm missing something. . .what could it be. . .oh yes, hatred for people who don't see it like I do. When it's used as a weapon to control and divide, it has no appeal.
I often think about the Ingalls, you know, Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie. They took belief in God and the Good Book at face value, they were wholehearted 'believers' and good people, went to church on SUnday without fail, Superbowl or not. I think about those times and wonder how different it could be for me if the Bible was used just as you say, as a guide. None of the sitting about studying 'what does this one word mean' or 'where was Jesus sitting when he said that, on a rock or on a boat?'. You know what I mean, actually read it for pleasure and refreshment, perhaps as it was meant.