New Year's Resolution: Start Over!

So, we've been talking and it seems that a reboot is in order! We're going back to the beginning of our reading plan to get everyone on the same page. Those of us who have already started can review and jump in as soon as we get to a new day in the reading. I know it's hard to stick to something every single day. But I truly feel that this will be a very meaningful and worthwhile experience! And if there are more of us to read, discuss, and motivate, I know we will have a great time! I have changed the Reading list on the sidebar and now you can just click the daily passage to read it online!

So there you have it, January 1, 2010.

GO!

Andrea

I fell off the wagon trying to get back on the wagon...

I am in a season of searching. Heart-searching, soul-searching, mind-searching. It seems like nothing feels right anymore. My motivations are skewed, my actions are sinful, and my thoughts are full of anger and cynicism. What is going on? I knew reading through the Bible would likely dredge up some ugly goo, but I honestly haven't been keeping up. Perhaps it's the busyness of the holidays, more likely it's the fact that I self-sabotage everything I do. I don't think I am alone.

I get angry when I see other people getting close to God and feeling those highs. I used to feel them! Why not now? Why am I in the valley? AGAIN? My life is great! Why am I complaining? And I think we all know the answer here. Our lives do not and should not dictate our spiritual well-being or our joy. These are gifts only God can bestow upon us and we will never be able to earn them no matter how clean our homes are or how much money we save. Paige wrote about our purpose as women. I think this could be a gender neutral post in many ways though. As humans, we strive to earn our own well-being and it gets us nowhere. And because of that failing, we become bitter and resentful to the good news that is God's Word.

Reading the Bible like this has been tough for me. I keep trying to "get something out of it". A quick fix or an inspirational verse of the day. I fear that if I keep gambling with Truth, I am going to miss the point entirely.

Andrea

Ok Genesis Is Blowing My Mind...

And I don't even know where to begin! What was that I said about saving my questions for later? I don't know if I can do it! This book is straight up CRAZY. With a capital Sodom and Gommorah.

How's Everyone Doing?

                                                                                                                                          ***image via successfactors

I'll be honest. I have been a total slacker! We had one of those busy days, which turned into a busy week and before I knew it I was seriously behind in my reading! I am getting caught up today and I am ok with that. I don't want to be totally legalistic about reading, but I don't want to get behind either. So, if you're like me and you missed a few days, lets buck up and get back on track! I don't want to make excuses this time. Learning God's story is far too important for me to be "too busy".

And if you're not like me and HAVE been reading every day, what do you think so far?

Andrea

Poor Job

I feel bad for the guy. Although I can appreciate his snarky tone back at his hypocritical friends!

procrastination

this is exactly how i feel right now.

lately i'm finding myself interpreting my faith the way i want it to fit my social opinions. and i am also finding that it is making me incredibly cynical and critical, among other things.

i often tend to resist or play devil's advocate, when it comes to a lot of things that play toward the idea of "corporate religion." whether it is gender roles, prayer, etc., i want to be the kind of christian who considers all sides of a debate and feels comfortable going against the common belief. and generally i do.

but recently i've felt as though i have neglected to listen to the Word because i'm listening to myself. and it has caused me to procrastinate something fierce when it comes to this task of reading the entire Bible. i'm putting it off because i don't want to do what everyone else is doing. which, as we all know, just causes me to do what everyone else is doing -- just on the opposite side. i'm also putting it off because i tried this before, and in all honesty, it was kind of boring. and that, my friends, is what truly scares me. how on earth do i live out a faith that bores me?

so i'm going to begin this journey, albeit a little late, in hope and prayer that i can rediscover a faith that is exciting and not rule-driven, and silence (ok, at least turn down the volume on) my own words to experience the ones that really matter.

wish me luck.

jenny

Read because you NEED to...

I stumbled upon this article today and it sums up perfectly why I have chosen to read through the Bible in my life right now. So often I have used the bible as a "fortune teller", closing my eyes and letting the bible open and hopefully it will apply to my life. I can't think of a worse way to study God's word! Not only does it cheapen the Truth of the Bible, it becomes about ME and not Jesus. Wrong Wrong Wrong.

I just want to encourage all of you as we struggle through these seemingly fantastical stories of the Old Testament. It's not about our understanding or comprehension. My plan is to just read and suspend my questions - for now. I'm not saying we can't have questions. I just think there is time for that and for my part, I am going to try and just enjoy the story as I would a movie or some other book. I also want to encourage everyone to pray as you are reading, that God would work in us even through the verses that we don't understand or want to believe. I am so excited to be doing this and I know that as we dig deeper, God will change our hearts :-) Happy reading!

Andrea

Color me Overwhelmed!

***image via Ark Van Noach

Boy the ol Bible sure starts off with a bang doesn't it? After just two days of reading and 7 chapters in Genesis, the earth has been created, populated and destroyed! Right now, at the close of day two, Noah and his family are floating around the ocean wondering what comes next. Talk about your epic cliffhanger!

Already, I have tons of questions. Does anyone know of a companion book that might help fill in some of the "how'd they do that?" kind of questions? For instance, how did Adam and Eve have 2 sons and yet there were all these other people on the earth? Where did THEY come from? And good grief, talk about life expectancy! 800, 900 years anyone? It's just so hard to imagine.

Part of the wonder of God for me is the mystery of it all. So in part, as I am reading the Bible in order of events, even at this early stage, I find myself needing answers to things that aren't really all that relevant to my salvation. But it plays like a movie and I just can't wait to fill in the gaps!

I think this is why people read the Bible several times. I'll be honest, I never really understood those people. But I think you have to. Right now, I can't imagine doing the research and the reading at the same time. So I'll just be reading and then go back through with texts and commentaries by trustworthy sources that know their stuff. But yeah, right now? My head is spinning. How's everyone else doing? Let's talk about it in the comments!

Andrea

Day One: Genesis Chapters 1-3

***The Eagle Nebula -Smithsonian

It seems fitting that the beginning starts AT the beginning. Personally, I am really looking forward to diving in to this challenge. Especially with some awesome friends at my side. It's hard to believe that I have considered myself a Christian since childhood and have never read the Bible in its entirety. I'm finally ready. And I can't wait to get started!

Andrea