The Way We Travel

In a couple weeks, the year will end, and with it, my year-long journey reading straight through the Bible.  It is my second time reading straight through in a row.  The first was over a period of 75 days, using an accelerated 90 day reading schedule.  It was like taking an airplane ride. 

I saw the 'lay of the land' including main themes and how parts were inter-related. 

This time, the 365 day reading schedule is more like a car ride passing through states, watching the landscape change from hills, plains, mountains, deserts, to finally sandy shores on a cross country road trip. 

It takes about four times longer.  With the slower pace, I see more details.

Years ago, when I spent 16 weeks studying the four chapters of Philippians in depth, that was like taking a stroll among one part of the landscape, stopping to examine every rock, tree, and leaf.

Just like airplane travel, car rides, and leisure strolls have their place and purpose in our lives, so do the different ways we can read through and study God's Word.  No matter what mode of transportation, there is much to be observed and learned on the journey.
~ Dorie

A Glimpse from Our Journey

Nine months ago, when winter winds blew, we started a journey together, my family and my local church.


With the first of the year, we began the first verses of His Word. 

Each day our journey has taken us deeper and further on our walk.

Today, when we read, we will complete the entire Old Testament. 







Together, we have groaned in understanding, rejoiced with the book of Psalms, pondered the Proverbs, and labored over some difficult passages. 

Daily, our anticipation to read of His first coming has enlarged in our hearts. 



With the turn of a page, we journey onward into the New Testament.

During each day of October, we will read from the Gospels. 

Four times we will observe His earthly ministry, His death, His burial, and His resurrection. 

A month spent seeped in the good news awaits each of us on this walk.

Though I have read straight through His Word before in a much more condensed time period, this time reading through in a community of believers has been a blessing.
~ Dorie

Reading Straight Through

It began on a whim, or so I thought.

God had a plan and a purpose.
He always does.

I knew that,
and 75 days later,
I know it even better.

I had read a few blog post testimonies,
read about the Bible in 90 Days program,
and was inspired to start.


On October 5, 2010,
I began at the beginning.
The real beginning...
Genesis 1:1 states
"In the beginning...."

For the next 75 days,
I read,
and read,
and read.

I read when I felt like it, and when I didn't feel like it.
I read when I had time, and when I felt like I didn't have time.

I took my Bible everywhere
EVERYWHERE.

I read during pockets of time I didn't know I had.

There were moments of waiting, so I read.

There were moments of time I previously wasted, and instead I read.

I won't lie.  It wasn't easy.

BUT

It was worth it.
I learned
a lot.

I gained a better understanding
of the Bible,
of God's love for all people,
of God's interactions with man,
of God's timing,
and
of God's sovereignty.

Every time I opened my Bible and read, I was blessed.

The morning of the day I finished,
on December 19, 2010,
I signed up to do it

ALL
 OVER
  AGAIN.

This time, not 'on my own,' but with my family and my local church family.

The elders have been planning a year long reading for 2011 using the "Walk Thru the Bible" Ministry's
"Daily Walk" devotional. We, as a local body of Christ, will be reading
together through the Bible in the year 2011.

The pace will be slower, and I will be joining my husband, my children, and my church family.

I can't wait!

If you desire to read straight through the Bible in any amount of time...

I urge you not to delay.

However, you choose to read and whatever pace you choose to read,
just read.

You will be blessed
EACH and EVERY TIME you read.

Esther & Job

As you may already know, I am reading my way straight through the Bible.  I am learning so much and would encourage anyone to try it.
This week, I have read through both Esther and Job.  (Esther is located right before Job in the Bible.)  I was struck by the similarities and differences of these two books.  I picked just five to share with you, and I have listed them below.

Esther...                                                                                Job...
1. orphaned                                                           1. loses family
2. primped and pampered                                         2. physically suffers
3. marriage:                                                           3. marriage:
respects husband, humbles self to him                          wife tells him 'to curse God and die'
4. the book never mentions the Lord by name              4. talks to the Lord one on one
5. counseled wisely by Mordecai                                5. counseled unwisely by three friends

Loving Leviticus!

Yes, it's true.  I am loving Leviticus.  I have always thought it was a book of the law, and it is.  However, it is so much more.  I realized that these rules were put in place to benefit the Israelites, and were not meant to be a burden.  These rules surrounded them with a hedge of protection.  It created fences in which to operate and live.  Yet, there was freedom within these rules, too.  As a parent, I can completely relate.  Our children live within the confines of our rules.  Our rules exist for their protection, but there is freedom within these rules as well. 

More importantly, I saw how these rules lovingly point to our Savior.  Breaking a rule meant consequences.  The price was blood.  In Leviticus it is the blood of an animal, but this was always temporary.  This temporal cleansing only lasted until the next time you broke another rule.  Continuously, the people where reminded of their need for a Savior who would offer permanent cleansing from sin.  By our Savior's blood we are cleansed for all time.  How grateful I am to be blessed to experience this permanent cleansing of my sin.  Thank you Jesus!

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