Ezek 29-31;
Ps 120;
2 Thess 2-3
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July 2
1 Chronicles 2
(At this point in the reading, you have the option to go back and re-read the new testament and the psalms again along with the Old Testament Scriptures. Or you can just read the remaining OT through the end of the year!)
Psalm 1
Matt 1-2
(At this point in the reading, you have the option to go back and re-read the new testament and the psalms again along with the Old Testament Scriptures. Or you can just read the remaining OT through the end of the year!)
Psalm 1
Matt 1-2
7.01.2010
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6.08.2010
Featured Reader: Erin!
Erin was sweet enough to answer some questions I sent her recently and I find myself so inspired by her walk (run?) with God. He is doing mighty things in her heart and I am so grateful to know she is out there reading along with me!! :) So encouraging!
1. What is your first memory of God?
I know I asked Jesus into my heart as a little girl... I don't remember exactly when. But I grew up in the church and I have very early memories of me sitting in Sunday school singing songs about Jesus. But the first time I ever "felt" God was when I was a teenager... probably 15 or 16. I was at a music festival and there was a girl sitting alone and crying. I asked her if I could pray for her. That was the first time I really felt the power of Jesus in me and I'll remember that feeling forever.
2. What has God been teaching you these past 5 months as you've been reading the Bible?
Oh man. A lot. He's teaching me so much about love and patience. He's teaching me that there are things in life that I won't be able to change but that he is never changing and he will always be there to hold me up, no matter what happens. I used to struggle a lot with "the unknown" and the future. But since reading the word every day and hearing over and over again about his promises, I've come to a place where I'm totally okay with the unknown, and that's a good feeling.
3. What are you asking God for in this season of your life?
I'm asking God for healing and for the strength to let go. In the past year and a half I've dealt with a lot of anxiety. I don't even know why exactly. But there was a point when I let it completely take over. And now I'm in a place where it's not running my life anymore. I'm still trying to figure out how to trust in the Lord completely and to let go. It's taken time. All of that anxiety did a lot of damage. But I feel like the season I'm in now is a good one. Those of you who've dealt with anxiety know where I'm at. But God is so good and he does bring healing... sometimes it just takes us a while to figure out how to accept it.
4. What does your reading time look like?
I usually read in the morning while I'm eating breakfast. It's hard to get good "quiet time" in with two little ones running around. But I've kept up on my reading and I'm really enjoying it. I've fallen behind a few times and had to spend a few hours catching up on reading. Abd I'm totally loving the Old Testament.
5. How has God made you unique?
Hmmm... One thing I've learned about myself as I get older is that God has given me a crazy love for people. I have such a big heart for people. And I'm learning to really love that about myself and to use that gift. I'm finding that God allows me to connect with pretty much anyone and everyone and I love that. I always feel such a strong love for people no matter what and I'll find a way to connect with them or get to know them. This is cool for me, because growing up I was pretty shy. So I like this about me now.
Thank you so much, sweet Erin. Keep on running towards God-- you are an inspiration to so many!
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5.01.2010
A Call to Arms.
Hello out there!
Today marks four months of reading. Wow! We are 1/3 of the way done!!
I'm sorry I haven't been posting anything other than the daily reading for the past few weeks. I haven't known who to feature, because I haven't been good at keeping track of who's still plugging along. Forgive me!!
I am still here. Are you still here? Leave me a comment and let me know if you're still reading along- even if it's sporadically or even if you're just hoping to read along still even if you've fallen behind.
If you've fallen desperately behind, and have thought of giving up, this is a call to arms.
Pick up your Bible. Flip to today's reading. And read.
Then, do it again tomorrow! This world is a battleground. Do not give up just because you got behind. Each day is a new day, and reading God's words can do nothing but enrich you. What have you got to lose?
I went through a bit of a 'reading slump' the past couple of months-- feeling like I was reading out of duty rather than delight. But recently, it all changed. Something in me gets WAY excited when I crack open my Bible every day. And I'm beginning to feel like I can't live without it. It feeds me. It is becoming precious to me. It is so powerful and intricate and poetic... so LIFE giving.
So... let me know if you're out there. Then pick up your Bible if you've fallen behind and charge forward! Let out a battle cry or two and start running! Let's continue to encourage one another and share what God is revealing/speaking through His word.
The main thing He's been speaking to me recently is this: "Be very strong and courageous. For I am with You." (He says it a million times in the book of Joshua.) HE is the reason I can be strong. HE is the reason I can be courageous. Because He is with me!! Whom shall I fear?! Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!
Doesn't that just make you want to sing? At the top of your lungs?
Oh, how He loves you! Let's keep running after Him together!
xoxox
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The Old Testament: How Could God Have DONE That?
Okay, I feel like John Piper has brought such clarity and truth and grace to the topic of the Old Testament God in this video that I had to share it.
I know the Old Testament can be hard to read through, and many of us read these stories and think, "How could God DO that!?" I know I find myself thinking that a lot. I thought this might help some of us who are struggling with those thoughts and finding it hard to reconcile the God of then with the God of now. (He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!)
Let's discuss: What do you think about what Piper has to say?
2.26.2010
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Featured Reader: molly june!
1. What is your earliest memory of God (or what you now know was God?)
My story is pretty simple. I was blessed to have parents who loved God & served Him with their lives, & I wanted what they had at a very young age. I don’t even remember the exact moment I gave my heart to God, but I do know that I was the kid asking Him to come into my heart over & over again…probably every Sunday...just to be sure.:) My earliest memories involve Sunday school & church camps & singing & sharing about Jesus with my neighbors as we skated around the neighborhood. It was bliss :)
2. Was there a person in your life who helped you find Him? Who was that person and how did they help you?
Well, like I said, I grew up surrounded by a family & a church family that loved the Lord. They were constantly pointing me to Jesus. I think I really found him for myself in high school though. That is when I chose to follow Him with my whole heart. Something clicked one day while we were on a missions trip in Mexico & all of a sudden I got it! I had my aha! moment. I understood my sin; I understood His love & forgiveness for me! I wanted to serve him with my life. He was so real. touchable. changing me. My high school years & college years were some of the best of my life! I had some key people invest in me & take the time to nurture me & teach me how to walk with God. I was surrounded by people who were excited about Jesus. It was awesome.
Also, now that I really think about it, I think my kids have helped me find God again too. They make me want to know him more. Having kids has opened my eyes to so much more of God’s heart. more than ever.
3. What has become your daily (or semi-daily) reading routine for 365 truth?
Not gonna lie, I’ve had a hard time keeping up lately. When I do fall behind, I just start on the right day & try to play catch up later. If I don’t catch up, I don’t kill myself over it. I find when I stick to the same time every day, I stick to it better. If I don’t, I get distracted with the day & then end up too tired or something. So all that to say, I think I’m learning mornings work best for me...first thing.
4. What are some of your quirks or things about you that are unique?
Quirks, huh? :) Well, I went to school to teach, but now that I’ve had kids, I can’t imagine myself ever teaching at an elementary school! Ha! (let’s just say, there might be some missing children by the end of the day!) :) I’ve found a new passion for design/art & maybe one day, I’ll go back to school to pursue that? who knows. People find it unique that I have identical twin girls. Twins don’t run in our family & when we found out we were having twin girls, my husband had to run to the bathroom to throw up. Ha! Ummm, I’ve backpacked Europe with only 2 pairs of pants, a few shirts, & no blow dryer?! Does that count as quirky? ;) Oh, & I can’t sit Indian style to save my life (I’m not flexible like the Indians I guess. bummer.)
5. What is God doing in your life in this season?
Oh man! God has been doing some neat things in my life! He’s been peeling away the dry, stale layers & making me new again. As cheesy as it sounds, I feel like there’s been a revolution in my heart! He’s shaking me up! Last year I couldn’t sleep without a sleeping pill for the life of me! I was so anxious all of the time; my mind wouldn’t shut off.
[Rewind a bit]
After having my girls, I struggled with my relationship with God. I felt lost. I didn’t know what I was doing...where I fit in anymore. I was so used to always being involved somewhere, serving in some way, living this cookie cutter Christian life. Now that I was a mom, I had no clue how to serve. Audrey & Ellie were needy babies. They were preemie, colicky..& there was TWO OF THEM!! Ahhhh! Suddenly, my life was turned upside down! Like most moms, I could no longer make it through a church service without a screaming baby. Trying to be involved in anything required commitment, & in my mind, I just couldn’t commit to anything anymore.
If I knew what I know now, I would’ve relaxed a bit more (ya think?)...given myself a bit more grace…allowed myself to just be a new mom without the pressure I was constantly putting on myself! Instead of asking for help, I hid. I tried to focus on this new “season,” my new family of 4, but instead, became pretty depressed, & without realizing it, I was pushing God away. I quit caring about people. I was so easily irritated. I didn’t want to give anymore. My joy was depleted.
[Fast forward]
By the end of last year, I was physically & emotionally done. I was making myself sick over it. One day in my car, I pulled over & cried out for God to change me! I didn’t want to be this person I had become anymore! I told him how sorry I was & asked him for joy again! I prayed for peace, for new purpose, for restoration, for life again! I would go or do whatever he asked of me. I said yes.
In December, my dad challenged me to ask God for sleep again. Homie say what?! I definitely had some trust issues. I had a few crazy dreams where I felt like God was promising me something, but I would wake up right before I knew what it was. Then it hit me! God was promising me PEACE! I asked for peace for the New Year & he gave me peace. Imagine that. Long story short (well, kinda. ha!), I have been sleeping like a baby since Jan 1st! No pills! I have been learning so much from this study & I am so excited for what God is doing in me, through me, & all around me! I am still a work in progress, that’s for darn sure, but God has been so gracious to me. He is faithful. & I am so thankful.
(Sorry for that book there. Thanks for letting me share!) :)
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Thank you so much, molly! You are completely delightful. I can't even tell you how encouraged I am by what God is doing in your life... what a great start to a new year!! It reminds me that God really can give fresh starts in PRACTICAL ways!
Hooray!!
Check out molly's SUPER cute blog here!
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Why You Matter.
Why You Matter
by Suzanna McDowell
by Suzanna McDowell
(Letter to the Lost)
You matter.
You matter because there is a case pending against you that all of history hinges on. You, God’s masterpiece, knit together out of a secret DNA code that only He could write and science is still beginning to try to decipher. Too much beauty is contained in that code to describe. A thousand pictures could not capture how it makes those who love you feel when you laugh. Too much wisdom is written in those helices for our most brilliant minds to comprehend. Like the wisdom that teaches the feet of the illiterate to balance their weight perfectly on symmetrical legs. Too much joy is written into those strands to be expressed; even your parents didn’t come close on the day of your birth. The only appropriate celebration for your grandeur is of heavenly proportions…but that does hang in the balance.
Because your DNA was hijacked and your beauty marred and the wisdom despised and the joy stifled. Because you and I have participated in the greatest treachery of all time. The One who designed, crafted, and rejoiced over you for Love has been denied His heart’s desire: full fellowship with you. Your soul’s DNA no longer reads, “Lover of God with all heart, soul, mind and strength.” It’s been changed to read, “Seeker of self for pleasure, glorification, identity, and source.” The design is so grossly perverted that you have to be told…TO BE TOLD IN WORDS…to love the most beautiful, perfect Lover conceivable. To love Love Himself. You and I, we must be commanded to love Love (for which we were made). To see Light (for which our eyes were formed). To do Justice (which is HIs only possible course). To cherish Mercy, by which we continue to breathe from moment to moment.
So because He must, He commands it. And still, after the command, written long form in 66 books over hundreds of years, shouted by prophets who were thrown in jail and sawn in half, and then embodied in His own Son made flesh, still after all…still the Word is neglected and disbelieved, the prophets despised, and the Love, Light, the Son of God, made into a pendant. Crucified by religion daily, His righteousness undesired. And here you are in the now of history, with thousands of years of defiance of men before you and the return of the King to come, and everything is hinging on how you will respond.
You matter. The case against you is unchangeable, insurmountable, terrifying. You were made for greatness, one way or the other. And you have been pursued in the sea of humanity for rescue by the Son of Man and the Son of God. One and the same, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Have you heard His name? Then you have been pursued eternally and offered the world’s only hope. Have you seen His book? Then He has cried out to you in a loud voice. Have you been told of His death? Then you have been confronted with the most astounding injustice the greatest imagination could ever conceive of, the greatest story ever told, and the greatest act of Love any man or spirit could attempt. The immortal God dying slowly at the hands of the rebels, the underlings, the traitors. The created killing Creator. The Omnipotent nailed up by weaklings. Voluntarily.
And YOU are the one at the center of the story. The ONE for whom Christ died. You matter. You matter. You could not matter more. There is no more certain guarantee of your worth than this, Jesus Christ hanging on the cross outside the camp, bloody beyond recognition. You matter. If there is one question on which you dare not waste another moment it is the question of whether you are loved and important. Do you see Him there on the Cross? You matter.
No, the question is not whether you are loved, or whether you are significant. You must disbelieve the Cross and reject history to remain asking what has been so resoundingly answered for all time. No, the question is if you esteem Him. Whether you see Him as worthwhile and significant. Him, the King of Glory. All Creation is groaning for His return, but He holds off, offering you another day and another breath to engage all the angels of heaven in celebration. Will you repent? Will you turn? Will you bow and surrender to love, or defy not only the Righteous Judge, but your own Advocate and Redeemer, in the end standing only in agreement with your accuser and abuser, who calls you worthless and tutors you how to be so? For a few moments the world will stand with you as you stand with them, but it is a vapor. And so you will face the One before whose face all of heaven and earth flees away on your own. And He will open the Lamb’s Book of Life, to see if your name is in it.
All the universities in the world, temples of idolatry, and drunken stupors of men will never change the eternal truth: There’s a book. He died to put your name in it. You matter. Will you believe, confess, and repent? He will pay all debts, allowing you to die and be reborn. To be a new creation, to have new life, eternal life in full fellowship with Him. He will save you not only from the eternal penalty of sin, but from the life of slavery to sin you now live. Sin will no longer be your master; if only you will submit to Him, the kindest and most preferred of all Masters, Lord of all! Bowing to His Lordship will make you free!
When you do, friend and brother, finally the celebration of your worth is released in the heavenlies, all the angels rejoicing at the redemption of the Precious Prodigal. What joy, on earth and in heaven, the Father’s will done. Restored relationship with you. You matter.
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom. 10:8-10
And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:9-10
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor. 5:18-21
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I hope this encouraged you as much as it did me.
Lift your heads! Continue to pursue the One who sought you first!
He is worth it all.
I hope this encouraged you as much as it did me.
Lift your heads! Continue to pursue the One who sought you first!
He is worth it all.
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1.31.2010
One Month Check-In!
Just a quick note to say
happy ONE MONTH day!
You all have been reading the Bible everyday for a whole month! Woo, doggie! That's so insanely amazing!
I thought that now would be a good time to check-in with one another... to see who's still plugging away (or who's still desiring to even if you're not 100% caught up! That's great too.)
How is it going for you guys? What have been your greatest challenges in reading? What have been your greatest joys while reading?
Any cool stories of what God has done in this month? Any suggestions for this site or things you'd like to see more of? How are the prayer groups going?
I have been blessed by you all, and am SO thankful for you. I can honestly say that I could not have made it this far without you. Your insights have really helped me along the way!
So... great job, everyone! you're doing awesome! :)
(photo source.)
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Featured Reader: Katie !
1. What is your 'God Story'?
My God story is that I was raised in a "believing, but not practicing" home and got serious with Jesus right before I left to attend a Nazarene university. At first I believed everything the school taught me and I became a huge feminist and didn't want to get married or anything. I got really off track with my views, until having a crazy summer with God where He showed me how real He was. I took a road trip with my friends to Nashville for an event where there was a day of prayer in a football stadium and on the whole way there we worshipped God and I was able to encounter angels, hear God's voice for the first time, get physically healed from an incurable disease I had, and God taught me how to prophesy. I wasn't going to a charismatic church or anything, I just wanted more of Jesus and after fasting before that road trip, that's what God presented me with and I've never been the same since :) Now I want to encounter God every day, even if it's just hearing Him say one thing. I don't know if I could be a Christian without feeling Him ever day now.
2. What are you asking God for?
At this time in my life I'm honestly asking God for a family. I've had dreams and visions of my future daughter and you really begin to miss someone you see a lot in your dreams. I know the man I'll marry (although we're still on a friends level) so it feels like something that's real and within my reach, but it's just not God's timing. After being such a feminist in college, God healed that and restored me back to what He wants for my life. More than anything I want to raise five children and help them to encounter Jesus. I want to be one of the women the Bible speaks of who is a complete helpmate to her husband. While I'm home with my family I want to start a magazine about miracles God's doing throughout the world to encourage the Body and keep us in our childlike faith :) I want to use my gifts while being busy with my family.
3. What helps you stay on task with your reading?
Seeing everyone's comments helps me stay on task because it feels like constant accountability. Also, the fact that there's not an hour of reading, or anything crazy like that. It's manageable and I try to have order by doing it the same time each day so there's some consistency.
4. What is your church life like?
My church life has consisted of church-hopping since I just moved back home after graduating, but I found somewhere in Orange County that I love and will keep going when I move up there in a few months. Church is where I feel covered spiritually, where I feel protected and secure. I love the home group I attend each week because I feel like I can finally breathe when there people who are hungry for God around me. Honestly, there are a lot of churches I've been to in the last year, and it is hard attending a place where people don't feel free to dance or encounter God. Church for me has to be somewhere where I can celebrate the Lord.
5. Any funny, random facts you'd want to share?
Yes, I love nail pollish--I'm obsessed with OPI (seriously, check it out). I'm sort of vegan, but still trying to give up sweets, and I love learning more about eating healthy. I just went snowboarding with all my guy friends and told them I was totally capable, even though I hadn't been in ten years. They ended up taking me down the steepest mountain and I ate it all the way down, with my makeup ending up halfway down my face to where it looked like I couldn't handle it and had been crying. I decided just to fall all the way down and even got a lovely compliment from a girl that came up to me and said, "Wow, that was an awesome face plant."
Thank you so much, Katie! What an encouraging story you have! It reminds me that God can do anything.... so amazing!
Check out Katie's awesome blog right here ! :)
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Featured Reader: Laura!
1. how did you come to know God?
I accepted God into my heart when I was three years old. I attended a Christian preschool and the few memories I still have from those years are sweet. My dad passed away when I was four and I already had a foundation of God's love and peace. Faith has always come easier to me than most people; it's a simple stillness in my heart that stems from my childhood. I just, simply, know. I was quite active in Christian youth activities throughout my school years. Most of my best friends are amazing people that I knew from church, rather than school. Of course, life's difficulties change and multiply with age, and since leaving school, it's been more of a challenge for me to stay connected with God. I can't say that I don't struggle with being close to Him. I just know that my life is a lot better when I am.
2. what god did in 2009? what do you hope for in 2010?
2009 was a particularly trying year but I came out of it feeling more blessed than I had in a long time. I spent exactly half the year suffering from a quite miserable vertigo & dizzyness; my husband continues on the long path of a potential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. My toddler son, bless his heart, is perfectly healthy and for that I fall on my face nightly with praise. In 2010 my goals are simple: I want to walk in the light with Jesus, as far and as long and as close as I can. I want to commit my life to Him daily and breathe Him in every morning and night. I want God to teach me how to hear Him. And I want to face our storms fearlessly, knowing with full faith that we are taken care of. I am beyond excited about what our online "bible study" group is doing in our lives and maybe even the lives of others looking in.
3. what helps you stay on task with your reading?
I have a little routine: most nights I enjoy a hot bath, and that has become my Bible reading time. On the nights I don't get a bath, I end up closing myself into the bathroom anyway and sitting on the floor to spend my time with Jesus. I've started a prayer journal to keep track of all of the prayer requests from my small group that Em set up, plus praises or prayers from anything else in my life. I also keep a journal of verses that stand out to me after each reading. So into the bathroom comes my Bible, my prayer journal, my journal of Bible verses, a pen, a highlighter, and my cell phone. I read the passages first, then I get on the website on my phone and check out the comments already posted. I ponder everything for a bit, then return to the passages and write down the verses I feel are speaking to me. Then I open my Bible, open my prayer journal, and talk to Jesus for a while. Most importantly, I've been trying to LISTEN to him during this time as well. Finally, I highlight that night's reading on the year printout, check the website again for any additional comments or to add my own, and talk to Jesus again if I feel the need. :)
4. what is your church life like?
I'm SO glad you asked about this, because it's one of the biggest prayer requests on my heart. Despite being active through most of my life in the church, and living in the same town I've grown up in, we are in need of a church community. I've been asking God to open our hearts and opportunities and guide us on this search. It's been particularly difficult since the birth of my son, as he's been in "nursery age" and I don't quite feel comfortable dropping him off in a strange church while we "check it out", but I know God will lead us in the right direction in His time. We've been fortunate enough to attend church services occasionally at the church my husband grew up in - but it's 45 minutes away. We need a place for us. Please pray if you can!
5. funny, random facts?
I love sports and Coca-Cola and shopping and photography and those Hostess apple pies that have a bazillion calories. I work at a job that I think God carved out just for me. It has very little to do with my degree (which is computer science) but I occasionally help with conceptual development which I enjoy much more than programming, plus I get to play with Photoshop for a paycheck. My son has my blue eyes and my eyebrows. I minored in Spanish and I'm semi-fluent but rusty. Pink is my favorite color and I always crave cheese... and pickles.
Thank you so much, Laura! You are so very lovely.
You can find Laura's blog over at www.everypath.org!
1.16.2010
1.15.2010
1.14.2010
1.13.2010
1.12.2010
1.11.2010
1.10.2010
1.09.2010
Featured Reader: Rachael !
I asked Rachael a few questions so we could get to know her better. :)
1. The story of You & God:
I was 5 when my dad led me through my first prayer to accept God into my heart. I was fourteen when my faith became truly mine but it wasn't until I was 18 that I was truly tested. I was surrounded by non-believers as an undergrad and while no one tempted me away from God, it seemed harder and harder to make time for the word and fellowship. Since then, I've gotten into the habit of trying to do life on my own, forgetting that there is Someone who loves me and wants to carry my burdens. I've just moved from California to upstate NY and the move to a new, strange (and cold) place was the last push necessary to get me to start making the changes I needed to... I've found a church, joined a small group and this blog.
2.What did God do in 2009? What are your hopes for 2010?
In 2009, God demanded I stop putting Him on the back-burner. It became abundantly clear that to live my life for anything but Him was not going to fill that proverbial hole in my heart. There were many times I felt alone, powerless and depressed. It was at those same times that I was reminded of what could change those feelings. I was reminded what I was craving and what I could have. He also sent me here, to upstate NY. In 2010 I hope to return to a close bond with my creator. I want to start and end each day with meditation on His plan for me. I want to think of others more, stop stressing out and get really involved in church.
3. Any tips for how to stay on track with the readings?
It's hard to say what keeps me on task reading since I've just started... I might be better able to answer it in a few months but I can tell you what's worked the past couple days. When I wake up, the thought of reading God's word makes me excited because I know the peace I have after each reading and I love having something to think about each day. It makes every day epically different despite the same routines. And having that reading be a bite-sized chunk means it's no longer overwhelming, as it has felt in the past. And I sit in front of my space-heater and that helps.
4. What does church life look like for you now?
The church I'm currently attending is The Father's House in Rochester, NY (http://www.tfhny.org/). I'm pretty new there and so I'm still feeling it out. I like some aspects of mega-churches, for example how there are lots of ways to get involved, so many people to meet and always constant events but I also miss my home church of PBCC (http://www.pbcc.org/) where people knew me and cared about me and it felt more like a community.
5. Any funny, random facts you're willing to share with us?
I've been in a straight-jacket (don't worry, I was five and didn't want stitches so I tried to run away from the hospital). I've moved every three years until I was 19 and I flew from LA to SF every other weekend for the four years of high school to see my dad and brother. I love photography (love, love, love) but I'm getting my PhD in Neuroscience (go figure!). I collect tiny things, love toasters and The Mountain Goats.
********
Thanks for answering my questions, Rachael!
Oh, and you all MUST MUST check out Rachael's amazing photography. COMPLETELY INCREDIBLE!!
1.08.2010
1.07.2010
1.06.2010
Ironing Things Out!
I have received some GREAT suggestions from some of you, and I am so thankful for the input!
First off, some of you have mentioned setting up a space for you to be able to relay prayer requests to one another (besides the comments section). I think this is a great idea! Here were some thoughts:
1. I've set-up a Gadget in the sidebar that would display any prayer requests (through Twitter) that have the hash tag #365truth. We can try it out and see how it works, but I'm thinking it won't appeal to all of you to share in that way. Maybe it's too public, or you want nothing to do with Twitter. Please let me know your thoughts on this!
2. Another great suggestion from Charlotte was that we break up into smaller 'prayer groups' that stay in touch via email and share requests that way. I'm thinking it would be groups of 5-7 of you, and I can arrange those for you guys if you'd like! I think this would be a great way to go deeper in some of this stuff and get to know one another better, as well as increasing accountability.
Leave me a comment letting me know what appeals more to you. Maybe none of these appeal to you and you have some different ideas?
If you're interested in breaking up into smaller groups for prayer, shoot me an email @ emerybored at aol dot com. I will arrange some groups for all who want to do that! No pressure, though... if you'd rather not participate in that, that's totally fine too.
Oh, and thanks to all of you who have sent in pictures!! I've set it up to where you can click on anyone's photo on the right and it will take you to their blog (if they have one).
You guys are awesome!!
-emery
First off, some of you have mentioned setting up a space for you to be able to relay prayer requests to one another (besides the comments section). I think this is a great idea! Here were some thoughts:
1. I've set-up a Gadget in the sidebar that would display any prayer requests (through Twitter) that have the hash tag #365truth. We can try it out and see how it works, but I'm thinking it won't appeal to all of you to share in that way. Maybe it's too public, or you want nothing to do with Twitter. Please let me know your thoughts on this!
2. Another great suggestion from Charlotte was that we break up into smaller 'prayer groups' that stay in touch via email and share requests that way. I'm thinking it would be groups of 5-7 of you, and I can arrange those for you guys if you'd like! I think this would be a great way to go deeper in some of this stuff and get to know one another better, as well as increasing accountability.
Leave me a comment letting me know what appeals more to you. Maybe none of these appeal to you and you have some different ideas?
If you're interested in breaking up into smaller groups for prayer, shoot me an email @ emerybored at aol dot com. I will arrange some groups for all who want to do that! No pressure, though... if you'd rather not participate in that, that's totally fine too.
Oh, and thanks to all of you who have sent in pictures!! I've set it up to where you can click on anyone's photo on the right and it will take you to their blog (if they have one).
You guys are awesome!!
-emery
1.05.2010
1.04.2010
Items of Business.
Hey guys! I thought I would make a little button in case you wanted to share this idea on your own websites. It should be small enough to fit in your sidebars (let me know if it's not), or you can just insert it into a post page. Just copy and paste the code below!
Tiny:
Small:
Bigger:
It's not too late to join us!
I am so excited about the response to this idea, and I think we are all in for quite the ride! I don't know about you guys, but I am already feeling my heart come alive as I read each day...
****
I would love to foster a sense of community here, even though we come from all different places, so I was thinking it might be cool to have a collection of pictures of those of us who are committing to the year! If you guys want to be included in that, email me one picture of yourself to emerybored at aol dot com and I will put something together in the sidebar of this blog so we can see eachother's smiling faces as we go!
Last, I was thinking of highlighting some of you along the way-- just a little blurb about you and what reading God's Word is doing in your life and whatever other silly info or tidbits you'd like to share with all of us- maybe once a week or so. Let me know if you guys are up for that as well when you send me your picture. I will contact you individually before I highlight you and you can send me whatever info about yourself that you'd be willing to share with us! It will be a fun way of getting to know each other, I think!
*****
Thanks again- let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions!
-emery :)
It's not too late to join us!
I am so excited about the response to this idea, and I think we are all in for quite the ride! I don't know about you guys, but I am already feeling my heart come alive as I read each day...
****
I would love to foster a sense of community here, even though we come from all different places, so I was thinking it might be cool to have a collection of pictures of those of us who are committing to the year! If you guys want to be included in that, email me one picture of yourself to emerybored at aol dot com and I will put something together in the sidebar of this blog so we can see eachother's smiling faces as we go!
Last, I was thinking of highlighting some of you along the way-- just a little blurb about you and what reading God's Word is doing in your life and whatever other silly info or tidbits you'd like to share with all of us- maybe once a week or so. Let me know if you guys are up for that as well when you send me your picture. I will contact you individually before I highlight you and you can send me whatever info about yourself that you'd be willing to share with us! It will be a fun way of getting to know each other, I think!
*****
Thanks again- let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions!
-emery :)
1.03.2010
1.02.2010
1.01.2010
Introduction- the Bible in One Year- 2010
Thank you all for joining with me as I read through the Bible this year! I am so excited to do this with you guys- and I know it will bring so much richness to this new year. It will be so helpful to know that I am not alone in doing this- that I have all of you studying alongside of me from all different places and walks of life!
I am using the reading plan from this site- following the 'daily reading bible' track. You can have the daily verses emailed to you, or you can subscribe to a feed, or you can even export the reading schedule to your iCal. I think we should all print out the schedule and stick it inside our Bibles so we don't need to be by our computers in order to check which verses we're meant to read each day. Everyday we will read from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Psalms.
I've read through the Bible once before, but it was just straight through from beginning to end, so I am excited about trying this new method. I think it will break things up a bit more.
Every day I will post the chapters to be read. Our interaction will happen in the comments section of those posts, and I may post things in between that are relative or helpful to what we are reading at the time. (If you guys find things you would like to see posted along the way, email me @ emerybored at aol dot com.)
My suggestions are these:
- Grab some friends around you that you do day to day life with and get them to join you!
- Find a good study Bible with helpful study notes that you can refer to along the way, or pick up a Bible Commentary or Concordance you can use alongside any Bible to help you dig deeper into what you're reading.
- Get a notebook to jot down favorite verses, thoughts, or questions that come up along the way!
- Use this blog to converse with us and find support and different takes on what we're reading... the more you contribute, the better the experience will be!
So, let's get started! Please let me know if you have any suggestions for this whole idea as we go along! We can tweak this as we need to in order to get the most out of this whole process.
I pray that God blesses each of you beyond your biggest hopes this year as you commit to reading His words this year. I know that He will!!
I am using the reading plan from this site- following the 'daily reading bible' track. You can have the daily verses emailed to you, or you can subscribe to a feed, or you can even export the reading schedule to your iCal. I think we should all print out the schedule and stick it inside our Bibles so we don't need to be by our computers in order to check which verses we're meant to read each day. Everyday we will read from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Psalms.
I've read through the Bible once before, but it was just straight through from beginning to end, so I am excited about trying this new method. I think it will break things up a bit more.
Every day I will post the chapters to be read. Our interaction will happen in the comments section of those posts, and I may post things in between that are relative or helpful to what we are reading at the time. (If you guys find things you would like to see posted along the way, email me @ emerybored at aol dot com.)
My suggestions are these:
- Grab some friends around you that you do day to day life with and get them to join you!
- Find a good study Bible with helpful study notes that you can refer to along the way, or pick up a Bible Commentary or Concordance you can use alongside any Bible to help you dig deeper into what you're reading.
- Get a notebook to jot down favorite verses, thoughts, or questions that come up along the way!
- Use this blog to converse with us and find support and different takes on what we're reading... the more you contribute, the better the experience will be!
So, let's get started! Please let me know if you have any suggestions for this whole idea as we go along! We can tweak this as we need to in order to get the most out of this whole process.
I pray that God blesses each of you beyond your biggest hopes this year as you commit to reading His words this year. I know that He will!!
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