Since I am done with reading the entire Bible I have been reflecting on what I learned over the last 90 days and here is my Top Ten List of Things I Learned from Reading the Bible in 90 days:
10- that the ark of the covenant contained not only the 10 commandments, but a jar of manna, and the staff of Aaron and there was a lot of work involved in moving the ark from place to place, for example: it had to be covered in blue fabric, only certain people could carry it, you couldn't look at it, etc
9- that temple worship/ sacrifices were really gross and I am so thankful for Jesus' sacrifice that fulfilled all sacrifices
8- that Bible characters were not some holier than though people, they were normal people with issues and weakness, even Solomon the wisest man and lover of God turned to other gods and God used them despite their weaknesses
7- many books make more sense having read other books, for example, Psalms makes a lot more sense after having read the history of King David and the prophets makes more sense after having read the history (Kings and Chronicles)
6- that the Israelites were easily distracted and very quickly turned their faith to other things, just like us and they aren't that much different then us now
5- I knew that there were many prophesies about Jesus in the Old Testament, but actually discovering them through the reading instead of just getting them pointed out was eye opening- there are so many throughout the Old Testament
4- that even the famous characters doubted, for example, John the Baptist doubted if Jesus really was the messiah and Moses doubted that he could go against Pharaoh to free the Isrealites
3- that Jesus would bring salvation to the Gentiles and it is written in the Old Testament, I wrongly assumed it was an afterthought, I didn't realize salvation for the Gentiles was prophesied in the Old Testament, it was part of the spoken plan
2- that the Bible isn't just a rule book, but a story and can be just as interesting as any novel about people and the ups and down of their faith, I was sad when the Old Testament was over because I was drawn into the story of the Israelites and didn't want the story to end
1- that the Bible is alive and finishing reading the whole thing is not the end, but the beginning, I can't wait to read it again and I have a hunger for it to be "written on my heart"
Showing posts with label 90days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 90days. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
what do I do now?
So last night I finished up Revelations which means I finished up reading the entire Bible, the entire thing. I don't think it has really sunk in yet that I really read the entire thing, every book, every chapter, every verse. I have been a follower of Jesus for many years and I have attempted unsuccessfully to read the entire Bible countless times and I finally accomplished this goal. Finishing is bittersweet, I am in awe and excited over the accomplishment, but I am sad the experience is over. I have had an amazing time reading and having twitter discussions with people from all over and I have learned so much. I am sad that I am done reading about the Israelites and their story, my feelings are similar to finishing a good book or when I finished reading The Shack, I don't want it to be over and I just want to read more, to find out what happens next. I don't want to say good-bye, though it really isn't good-bye since the Bible is one of those books that you discover something new every time you read it. After reading the entire Bible, I have way more questions then answers which is awesome because I have a desire to learn and understand more which will hopefully keep me reading and interested. One of the most surprising things that I learned about myself from this experience, I love the Old Testament, before this I loved New Testament, but now that I can see that the Old Testament is an incredible story about imperfect people doing amazing things through God who is so forgiving. I also really liked discovering the references to Jesus that are hidden here and there throughout the Old Testament. I am amazed how the Old Testament makes so much sense with an understanding of the New just like the New Testament makes so much more sense with an understanding of the Old. I really understand the importance of reading ALL the Bible and not just verses here and there. So here I sit during my usually Bible reading time and don't know what to do with myself, I am a bit overwhelmed, what do I do now? I hope that I will continue to read daily and get into a good habit of spending time each day growing in faith. As a reward for completing the challenge I promised myself a new Bible since the two I have are in really bad shape, but finding something new is a bit daunting, there are so many options. I am really leaning towards a chronological study Bible so I read everything all over again, but in the order in which it happened.
So 66 books down, 0 to go!
So 66 books down, 0 to go!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
going, going, going
With the exception of today it has been so nice outside- sunny and warm- heavenly. I LOVE SPRING!
We have literally spent every possible moment outside. Life has been pretty darn good with the exception of Lily's bad sleeping habits, she has been getting up multiple times during the night- this shouldn't be happening for a 19 month old, right? I think it may be because she isn't eating enough during the day, she gets so darn distracted and is so buy she doesn't like to stop and eat. Anyways, life has been busy and going by so fast and somehow I got behind in my Bible in 90 days reading which kind of freaked me out because I only have a week left. I am floored, in one week, hopefully I will have read the whole Bible, WOW! Well thanks to rainy and chilly days I am caught up in my readings, YEAH!!! I never realized how much Old Testament stuff is in the New Testament until now, knowing OT really helps make sense of NT. So the gospels were easy reads, Acts was long, Romans was tough, never thought I would get through Romans, Corinthians were familiar and just had a taste of Galatians. There is so much in these New Testament letters and so much stuff I want to know more about, I want to know more background information because I think it will then make even more sense. It feels good to be finally caught up, I have been at least a day behind for two weeks now and I am excited to see the finish line! So let's see 47 books down, 16 more to go
We have literally spent every possible moment outside. Life has been pretty darn good with the exception of Lily's bad sleeping habits, she has been getting up multiple times during the night- this shouldn't be happening for a 19 month old, right? I think it may be because she isn't eating enough during the day, she gets so darn distracted and is so buy she doesn't like to stop and eat. Anyways, life has been busy and going by so fast and somehow I got behind in my Bible in 90 days reading which kind of freaked me out because I only have a week left. I am floored, in one week, hopefully I will have read the whole Bible, WOW! Well thanks to rainy and chilly days I am caught up in my readings, YEAH!!! I never realized how much Old Testament stuff is in the New Testament until now, knowing OT really helps make sense of NT. So the gospels were easy reads, Acts was long, Romans was tough, never thought I would get through Romans, Corinthians were familiar and just had a taste of Galatians. There is so much in these New Testament letters and so much stuff I want to know more about, I want to know more background information because I think it will then make even more sense. It feels good to be finally caught up, I have been at least a day behind for two weeks now and I am excited to see the finish line! So let's see 47 books down, 16 more to go
Monday, March 08, 2010
a big old game of catch up
I got really behind in my reading of the Bible in 90 days. I got behind because I got a good way through Ezekiel and I was totally lost so I started over from the beginning. I am finally caught up- actually I am ahead because I just finished the whole Old Testament. I am attempted to say Holy Cow, but that is a bad OT kind of joke, so instead WOW! I have read the entire Old Testament!!! Today's reading stopped before the end of the Old Testament, but I was so close I had to just finish it, I like natural stopping points. Reading the whole Bible, especially the whole Old Testament is something I have always wanted to do, never thought I would and never ever thought I would read it in less than 3 months. Yeah God! Many of the prophets were really hard for me. I guess because I knew the outcome, Israel was going into captivity and Jerusalem and the temple were going to be destroyed. Of all the prophets, I did enjoy Haggi, Zechariah, and Malachi the best (I also enjoy Isaiah, but he was last week), oh yeah, and Daniel was good to. After making it through the prophets I really want to read the Old Testament in chronological order, I think it would make a lot more sense to me since I got confused going back and forth in time with the prophets. One thing that really stuck out to me was how many references there was to Jesus. I had always heard/read that there are many references in the prophets, but actually seeing them in context was pretty cool. I was also surprised at how small verses I was familiar with were found in the prophets I had never really read or really knew the names too such as "he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" Zephaniah 3:17
Since I was behind I was reading a little faster than I would have liked to, but I did make sure that I had some clue as to what it all meant. So far this past week's reading has been the hardest for me, well actually it was Jeremiah and Ezekiel that was difficult, but I made it through, somehow. I can't believe that I have been able to stick it out and I am so looking forward to the New Testament and hope that it will make a lot more sense now that I have read the WHOLE OLD TESTAMENT! I still can't believe I read the entire Old Testament.
This whole experience has been such a journey and in a couple of weeks I am going to be sad when it is all over with. What am I going to do with my time?
39 books of the Bible read, WOW!
Since I was behind I was reading a little faster than I would have liked to, but I did make sure that I had some clue as to what it all meant. So far this past week's reading has been the hardest for me, well actually it was Jeremiah and Ezekiel that was difficult, but I made it through, somehow. I can't believe that I have been able to stick it out and I am so looking forward to the New Testament and hope that it will make a lot more sense now that I have read the WHOLE OLD TESTAMENT! I still can't believe I read the entire Old Testament.
This whole experience has been such a journey and in a couple of weeks I am going to be sad when it is all over with. What am I going to do with my time?
39 books of the Bible read, WOW!
Monday, February 22, 2010
diamonds in the rough
With the Bible in 90 days reading I am now in Isaiah. It is not the easiest of reading, but through the muck of things that don't seem to make sense or if I am honest, aren't interesting, there are all these stanzas that are amazing, they are like diamonds, and they stand out on the page. They make me stop and read them twice, write them down, really think. They are verses that give me encouragement and I want to remember them, memorize them, and know and believe them to be truth.
The week started out with Proverbs. I have read Proverbs several times so nothing really jumped out at me as something new and profound except for the verse that appears more than once, "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife." I will admit, I can be that quarrelsome wife and I need the reminder that I am partly to blame for the relationship not necessarily being ideal. I finished up Proverbs with Proverbs 31, the ideal woman, and each time I read it I want to be a little more like her and a little less like me, "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all,'" (v 28-29) how amazing for that to happen, especially when I feel invisible at times. Ecclesiatestes was next, nothing really stuck with me, I guess it was all meaningless, ha, ha, bad joke. Song of Solomon was very entertaining, the compliments I am sure where very complimentary then, but now if someone told me that my "teeth are like a flock of sheep coming up from the washing, each has its twin, and not one of them is alone," (v 6) I would probably think they were making fun of me.
And then there was Isaiah. Isaiah had so much I could read it over and over and still not get everything out of it. I found it interesting how Isaiah would be speaking about something relevant to his contemporaries and then would prophesize about the messiah/Jesus. I didn't realize how many references there were to Jesus in Isaiah and I was amazed at how Jesus fit them all. What else stuck out to me was several references to how the Messiah was going to accept the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6, 49:22). I had learned previously that the Jews' rejection of Jesus opened up salvation to the Gentiles, but though I can't explain it well, I always kind of thought salvation for all people (Gentiles) was a after thought (I know this isn't truth), but now I see from these passages that Jesus really came for EVERYONE and it was always part of the plan, we weren't the consolation prize. Does that make any sense? Knowing New Testament fairly well has opened my eyes to the amazing things Isaiah has to say, it is so deep and I don't understand half of it.
So through the reading of Isaiah there is a lot of it doesn't make sense, here are my diamonds:
"The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31)
"If only you had paid attention of my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea." (Isaiah 48:18)
and my favorite verses that I memorized awhile ago and claim them for myself, for me that have power and bring peace and are my all time favorite:
Isaiah 61:1-3
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair."
I have read 22 books of the Bible. I am still completed humbled that I am still on this journey, though I say it every week, I am amazed I have made it this far! These past few days of reading has revealed more than any of the past weeks, though there are muddled sections, there is wisdom that is jumping off the page, diamonds in the rough.
The week started out with Proverbs. I have read Proverbs several times so nothing really jumped out at me as something new and profound except for the verse that appears more than once, "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife." I will admit, I can be that quarrelsome wife and I need the reminder that I am partly to blame for the relationship not necessarily being ideal. I finished up Proverbs with Proverbs 31, the ideal woman, and each time I read it I want to be a little more like her and a little less like me, "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all,'" (v 28-29) how amazing for that to happen, especially when I feel invisible at times. Ecclesiatestes was next, nothing really stuck with me, I guess it was all meaningless, ha, ha, bad joke. Song of Solomon was very entertaining, the compliments I am sure where very complimentary then, but now if someone told me that my "teeth are like a flock of sheep coming up from the washing, each has its twin, and not one of them is alone," (v 6) I would probably think they were making fun of me.
And then there was Isaiah. Isaiah had so much I could read it over and over and still not get everything out of it. I found it interesting how Isaiah would be speaking about something relevant to his contemporaries and then would prophesize about the messiah/Jesus. I didn't realize how many references there were to Jesus in Isaiah and I was amazed at how Jesus fit them all. What else stuck out to me was several references to how the Messiah was going to accept the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6, 49:22). I had learned previously that the Jews' rejection of Jesus opened up salvation to the Gentiles, but though I can't explain it well, I always kind of thought salvation for all people (Gentiles) was a after thought (I know this isn't truth), but now I see from these passages that Jesus really came for EVERYONE and it was always part of the plan, we weren't the consolation prize. Does that make any sense? Knowing New Testament fairly well has opened my eyes to the amazing things Isaiah has to say, it is so deep and I don't understand half of it.
So through the reading of Isaiah there is a lot of it doesn't make sense, here are my diamonds:
"The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31)
"If only you had paid attention of my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea." (Isaiah 48:18)
and my favorite verses that I memorized awhile ago and claim them for myself, for me that have power and bring peace and are my all time favorite:
Isaiah 61:1-3
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair."
I have read 22 books of the Bible. I am still completed humbled that I am still on this journey, though I say it every week, I am amazed I have made it this far! These past few days of reading has revealed more than any of the past weeks, though there are muddled sections, there is wisdom that is jumping off the page, diamonds in the rough.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Psalms, some easy reading
This week's reading of the Bible in 90 days was Psalms. It was so refreshing and easy and just enjoyable. It was a nice break after Kings and Chronicles which was a bit harder to read, I am not a history person and enjoy literature so I was glad to be done with the history.
I enjoy Psalms because of the honesty and I can relate to the frustrations David and the other authors have about life. The last couple of years has been extremely difficult, things seem to be going downhill and everything that can go wrong seems to, I can so easily relate to Psalms especially those which cry out to God.
I know for some Psalms isn't easy reading, but for me, it is water in the valley. As I read through them I search for God's characteristics, and hold onto those which I struggle to believe with all my heart. When life is hard and seems hopeless these characteristics bring me hope that God is my
-rock
-shelter
-stronghold
-deliverer
-shepherd
-savior
-strength
-ever-present help in trouble
-king
just to name a few.
Psalms is the book I go to when my faith is small. Psalms is where I go when my world seems out of control. I really enjoyed reading through Psalms this last week and after surviving through the histories it gave Psalms so much more meaning. I understood the situations that David was experiencing when he was crying out to God for help.
So this week begins Proverbs, Solomon's wisdom, I have read bits and pieces of Proverbs in the past and I am familiar with Proverbs 31, but I look forward to reading the the stuff in the middle that I am not familiar with. I also look forward to reading through the Prophets which most I have never opened my Bible too.
So here I am halfway through and humbled that I have made it as far as I have. Making it to day 46 is an amazing accomplishment, not to sound too cliche, but it has definitely not been on my own power because I have never been able to keep any kind of Bible reading plan for longer than 2-3 weeks. So once again I celebrate making it another week and completely reading another book of the Bible.
I enjoy Psalms because of the honesty and I can relate to the frustrations David and the other authors have about life. The last couple of years has been extremely difficult, things seem to be going downhill and everything that can go wrong seems to, I can so easily relate to Psalms especially those which cry out to God.
I know for some Psalms isn't easy reading, but for me, it is water in the valley. As I read through them I search for God's characteristics, and hold onto those which I struggle to believe with all my heart. When life is hard and seems hopeless these characteristics bring me hope that God is my
-rock
-shelter
-stronghold
-deliverer
-shepherd
-savior
-strength
-ever-present help in trouble
-king
just to name a few.
Psalms is the book I go to when my faith is small. Psalms is where I go when my world seems out of control. I really enjoyed reading through Psalms this last week and after surviving through the histories it gave Psalms so much more meaning. I understood the situations that David was experiencing when he was crying out to God for help.
So this week begins Proverbs, Solomon's wisdom, I have read bits and pieces of Proverbs in the past and I am familiar with Proverbs 31, but I look forward to reading the the stuff in the middle that I am not familiar with. I also look forward to reading through the Prophets which most I have never opened my Bible too.
So here I am halfway through and humbled that I have made it as far as I have. Making it to day 46 is an amazing accomplishment, not to sound too cliche, but it has definitely not been on my own power because I have never been able to keep any kind of Bible reading plan for longer than 2-3 weeks. So once again I celebrate making it another week and completely reading another book of the Bible.
Monday, February 08, 2010
cabin fever among other fevers
I got extremely behind in reading the Bible in 90 days. I kind of have a good excuse and I kind of don't. Fortunately I am almost caught up, not sure how considering I was 2 days behind this morning, but I breezed through Job and now I have 20 Psalms left and I am caught up.
I should have had my reading done since there hasn't been a lot to do around here since we keep getting dumped on with snow. I am starting to think the tectonic plates magically moved us further north because it sure doesn't feel like we are in the mid-Atlantic anymore, it feels more like Michigan around here. We got 12 inches a week ago, another few inches Tuesday into Wednesday and then 6 inches with some ice Friday into Saturday. As a result I have been inside most of the time and should have plenty of time to read, yet the sick bug struck our house and dealing with the funk kept me from reading on some days.
I hope the illness is done. Lance was sick a week ago Friday and then after 72 hours we thought we were home free, but then Lily started throwing up Wednesday afternoon and it wasn't pretty. Thursday night/Friday morning Jeff came down with it. Friday was the worse day, I was trapped inside, actually upstairs (in the playroom and lance's bedroom to keep the kids away from jeff and to allow him to sleep) all day! We went out briefly to play in the snow, but it was snowing hard, it was cold, and trying to handle both kids by yourself is hard. Friday was so long and rough. Anyways, Saturday came and we enjoyed the snow, but in the back of my head I kept wondering if I was going to succumb to the stomach bug and that evening I did. Praise God, I didn't throw-up, I hate, hate, hate throwing up, and I am so thankful I didn't, though I was still miserable, my body hurt so bad I couldn't sleep, but Sunday morning came, a new day and I slowly started to feel better. So now we have all been sick (praying Lance's illness was the stomach bug and not something else) and we are ready for the germs to be gone. I feel like we have been sick every other week since Thanksgiving, it stinks, I am so ready for spring. So to make a long story short, There has been lots of laundry, watching tv, and resting, but not a lot of Bible reading. I am thankful that I have been able to get almost caught up today because I really want to make it to the end. So after a rough week, I am thankful I haven't fallen out of the race, okay race isn't the correct word, and I am still plugging along hoping I can get back into my early morning reading routine and have a healthy happy family again.
18 books down!
I should have had my reading done since there hasn't been a lot to do around here since we keep getting dumped on with snow. I am starting to think the tectonic plates magically moved us further north because it sure doesn't feel like we are in the mid-Atlantic anymore, it feels more like Michigan around here. We got 12 inches a week ago, another few inches Tuesday into Wednesday and then 6 inches with some ice Friday into Saturday. As a result I have been inside most of the time and should have plenty of time to read, yet the sick bug struck our house and dealing with the funk kept me from reading on some days.
I hope the illness is done. Lance was sick a week ago Friday and then after 72 hours we thought we were home free, but then Lily started throwing up Wednesday afternoon and it wasn't pretty. Thursday night/Friday morning Jeff came down with it. Friday was the worse day, I was trapped inside, actually upstairs (in the playroom and lance's bedroom to keep the kids away from jeff and to allow him to sleep) all day! We went out briefly to play in the snow, but it was snowing hard, it was cold, and trying to handle both kids by yourself is hard. Friday was so long and rough. Anyways, Saturday came and we enjoyed the snow, but in the back of my head I kept wondering if I was going to succumb to the stomach bug and that evening I did. Praise God, I didn't throw-up, I hate, hate, hate throwing up, and I am so thankful I didn't, though I was still miserable, my body hurt so bad I couldn't sleep, but Sunday morning came, a new day and I slowly started to feel better. So now we have all been sick (praying Lance's illness was the stomach bug and not something else) and we are ready for the germs to be gone. I feel like we have been sick every other week since Thanksgiving, it stinks, I am so ready for spring. So to make a long story short, There has been lots of laundry, watching tv, and resting, but not a lot of Bible reading. I am thankful that I have been able to get almost caught up today because I really want to make it to the end. So after a rough week, I am thankful I haven't fallen out of the race, okay race isn't the correct word, and I am still plugging along hoping I can get back into my early morning reading routine and have a healthy happy family again.
18 books down!
Monday, February 01, 2010
1/3 of the way there
I have completed 31 days of reading the Bible in 90 days.
Every Monday as I reflect on my progress I am amazed that I have made it as far as I have.
I have read 13 books of the Bible, and most of them I have never read completely, just bits and pieces here and there.
I am so proud of what I have accomplished so far and hope that I will be able to make it through the whole Bible.
This past week was hard reading not because of life, but the content, Kings and Chronicles have a lot of repeating so it was hard not to skim and read everything especially in the lists of so and so was the son of so and so. It was also a little difficult to keep up with all the different kings especially since their names were so similar. So nothing really stuck out at me this past week, except that the name Ethan is a biblical name, didn't know it was, always liked it. I also felt bad for Israel and Judah and how they went from having everything to nothing (captivity). There were quite a few evil kings and it made me stop and think about the spiritual legacy I will leave my children.
So 31 days down, only 59 more to go!
Every Monday as I reflect on my progress I am amazed that I have made it as far as I have.
I have read 13 books of the Bible, and most of them I have never read completely, just bits and pieces here and there.
I am so proud of what I have accomplished so far and hope that I will be able to make it through the whole Bible.
This past week was hard reading not because of life, but the content, Kings and Chronicles have a lot of repeating so it was hard not to skim and read everything especially in the lists of so and so was the son of so and so. It was also a little difficult to keep up with all the different kings especially since their names were so similar. So nothing really stuck out at me this past week, except that the name Ethan is a biblical name, didn't know it was, always liked it. I also felt bad for Israel and Judah and how they went from having everything to nothing (captivity). There were quite a few evil kings and it made me stop and think about the spiritual legacy I will leave my children.
So 31 days down, only 59 more to go!
Monday, January 25, 2010
a big game of catch-up
On January 1st, I committed to reading the whole Bible, in 90 days.
Fortunately I am not alone and there is a whole community of people reading as well so I have some accountability, encouragement and opportunities for discussion.
Anyways, it has been really easy up until this past week.
Last Monday I substituted at a deli I occasionally work at so I was at work from 8 am till 4 pm and didn't have much time to do my reading in the morning so I was behind.
Then the kids seem to get up early each morning last week cutting into my morning reading time and they had opposite afternoon nap schedules so little reading was getting done and I was getting even more behind. Then I worked again on Saturday and didn't get my reading done that day so yesterday I was at least a whole book behind. Yesterday afternoon and evening I read to try and catch up and with both kids napping this afternoon I am caught up and have completed day 25. I am so happy to finally be caught up because I really want to reach my goal and I want to be transformed by reading. When I am just reading to get caught up I don't study the passages as much, I am just trying to get through it. Then add that 2 Samuel and 1 Kings seems to have the most confusing characters, for example, Jeroboam, the king of Israel, and at the same time there is Rehoboam, the king of Judah, I kept getting the two of them confused. Then there was Abner, Abishai, and Asahel who I kept getting confused who was for David and who wasn't. Then to get even more confusing there was Absalom, Adonijah, and Amnon, too many A's. Reading through the end of 2 Samuel and the beginning of 1 Kings took forever because I kept getting everyone confused. It was so hard to keep up with who the good guys were and who was related to who.
So 25 days in and I still hanging in there, I really didn't think I would make it this far. I am amazed that I have read through 10 books of the Bible and though some parts are a bit tedious, it is very interesting. I have learned that God is very patient, his people followed Him then other gods then back to Him, they were so wishy-washing, and yet God forgave them and blessed them despite the fact that they would turn away from Hiim again and again. This has really convicted me about how I turn to materialism just as fast as the Israelites turned to foreign gods.
Fortunately I am not alone and there is a whole community of people reading as well so I have some accountability, encouragement and opportunities for discussion.
Anyways, it has been really easy up until this past week.
Last Monday I substituted at a deli I occasionally work at so I was at work from 8 am till 4 pm and didn't have much time to do my reading in the morning so I was behind.
Then the kids seem to get up early each morning last week cutting into my morning reading time and they had opposite afternoon nap schedules so little reading was getting done and I was getting even more behind. Then I worked again on Saturday and didn't get my reading done that day so yesterday I was at least a whole book behind. Yesterday afternoon and evening I read to try and catch up and with both kids napping this afternoon I am caught up and have completed day 25. I am so happy to finally be caught up because I really want to reach my goal and I want to be transformed by reading. When I am just reading to get caught up I don't study the passages as much, I am just trying to get through it. Then add that 2 Samuel and 1 Kings seems to have the most confusing characters, for example, Jeroboam, the king of Israel, and at the same time there is Rehoboam, the king of Judah, I kept getting the two of them confused. Then there was Abner, Abishai, and Asahel who I kept getting confused who was for David and who wasn't. Then to get even more confusing there was Absalom, Adonijah, and Amnon, too many A's. Reading through the end of 2 Samuel and the beginning of 1 Kings took forever because I kept getting everyone confused. It was so hard to keep up with who the good guys were and who was related to who.
So 25 days in and I still hanging in there, I really didn't think I would make it this far. I am amazed that I have read through 10 books of the Bible and though some parts are a bit tedious, it is very interesting. I have learned that God is very patient, his people followed Him then other gods then back to Him, they were so wishy-washing, and yet God forgave them and blessed them despite the fact that they would turn away from Hiim again and again. This has really convicted me about how I turn to materialism just as fast as the Israelites turned to foreign gods.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
90 days, can it be done
I ran across Mom's Toolbox and discovered a community of people who are reading the Bible in 90 days.
I have attempted to read through the whole Bible countless times in my life, but have failed, so I thought I would try this. 90 days, seems so short, for such a big book, but then I realized this might actually work. So it has only be a week, but so far so good. I have been waking up early so I can started on reading before everyone else gets up and it is so nice to have a few minutes of quiet before the chaos of the day starts. Also, reading in 90 days is easier then spreading it out over a whole year because I read whole stories instead of a few verses. So a week in and I am in Exodus, Genesis was extremely interesting, it amazes me how stories I know so well can reveal something new with every reading. So I have 7 days down, only 83 more to go.
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