First, a question .... have you ever read the entire bible? Are you one that sets out to read the bible in a year?
I have to say that more than once, I have had the desire to read the bible start to finish. As a new Christian, a co-worker gave me a ONE YEAR BIBLE as a gift (a light blue Precious Moments Bible to be exact). I thought that was a brilliant way to start my new found faith. I remember putting it on my nightstand and determining to read it nightly as I went to sleep.
Honestly speaking ... put me to sleep it did!
I'm not sure there is anything less interesting to a brand-spankin' new Christian girl than reading all about the genealogy in Genesis and wondering what on earth??
Funny.
I do remember learning a lot that year (ummmm ... more like month) and making it all the way to February with my new reading plan - learning about Moses delivering His people out of Egypt. Seems that's all the stuck at the time.
That was seventeen years ago (yesterday marks 17 years I have been saved!! Thank you, Lord). Since then, I have tried several other times to read through the entire bible. I have a ONE YEAR BIBLE now that I purchased after I first had E. I thought it may be my only way to ever read the bible again = in between naps and feedings.
I still have that bible and use it, but haven't used it for the purpose intended .... to read the bible in a year.
I picked it up last week and put it back on the kitchen counter (that's where I used to keep it when I first bought it). I have read it every day and I can't really explain it, but I feel different this time. Maybe I'm all grown up :) Or, maybe I'm just so hungry for God and His word, it all fascinates me now. When I leave the house, I stick it in my bag and read it in the car line (any way I can to get it in). God has already been using this time to speak to me. I'm already falling in love with the Psalms in my reading so far, but I have even enjoyed Genesis - ha!
Anyway, I am trying it again and am already enjoying it so much. So, I was encouraged today when I read Vickie Courtney's post on her experience with this precious bible. I love that she buys a new one each year. I have never marked in mine, which I think is part of my commitment problem. When I write down something I have read, or record what I have learned, it sticks with me. At the end of the year, she talks about how worn her bible is, so she looks for a new one. Love that.
So, check out her post and know that it's not too late to start reading.
Wow, with reading the bible in a year and our memorization challenge .... we will be some serious forces for the kingdom of God by the end of the year, won't we???
10 comments:
I want to do this.
I need to do this.
Wow! The picture of Vickie's bookshelf with all those USED bibles IS motivating. That a huge legacy she is leaving for her children.
I'm going to do this.
Thanks, Deidre.
I have read the Bible through in a year a couple of times. The last time was year before last a friend gave me a Max Lucado Devotional Bible and I read it through, oh no the friend wasn't you. You don't give me Bibles to read but you inspire me to read the Bible.
And this memorization challenge I love it and what is so neat I had a hard time finding the first one to learn, but how everytime I read a verse or hear one I am like, oh my gosh I need to learn that one.
So I might this year since this is going to be MY JESUS YEAR read the whole Bible again.
Hi! Thank you for your sweet comments on my post, today. Your girls are adorable, as is your blog. I am also doing the LPM memorization challenge. But, I do need to read the word, more.
Have a great night.
Deidre, I love YOUR blog! Thanks for posting on mine. You are such an encouragement for me and I always enjoy reading what you have to say. What a great challenge to read through the Bible in a year! Thanks!!!
I want to do this too. I have tried so many times. Maybe this year will be different.
I would love to, but never have. Tell me, how do you get through it if you just read because you have vowed to. I always struggle because it becomes so mechanical. I know that sounds terrible, but thats the truth of why I havnt yet... ♥ LA
I used an online thing to read through the Bible - giving what to read for the day... it was nice...
Good luck on your journey to get through in a year... sounds like your heart is ready for it more than anything!
And I'll have to check out that blog about a new Bible every year... that's a neat concept!
I had tried and tried to read through in a year but kept quitting at Leviticus!
Finally on Jan 07. I was motivated to read the bible because December 05 I had given my friend, who was a new believer the Women's STudy Bible (NIV). IT had a bible-in-a-year plan in it, AND SHE TOTALLY DID IT!
I was amazed that she spent the first year of her Christian life doing something I had quit many times (and not only had I been a Christian for awhile, but had been in leadership for Women's Ministry for quite some time. I realized that if she could put her mind to it and to it, then I certainly could to.
I will admit that my Year-in-the -bible was more like 15 months-in-the-bible, because weekends and holidays (and sometimes procrastination) pulled my focus away. But i did it.
Love your idea of putting the bible in places that you have the time to pick it up. Such practical and wise advice!
I read her post and it is really inspiring. I am kinda like you...I rarely write in my Bible..but I know I need to.
I have tried about 5 times to read it through and never made it. However, a few times I've gotten really close.
A wise woman told me one time not to look at it as failure that I didnt' finish, but rather to look at it as having read 50% or 75% or 90%. I loved that and love the idea of keeping it handy.
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