66 Books

I wanted to share with you something else I've been doing this year.

I have embarked on a journey to read the Bible in a year. If you've never done this, I strongly encourage you to give it a try. Regardless of where you are in your own spiritual journey, I feel there is so much to learn from reading the story as a whole.

I did this once before a couple of years ago, and gained so much from the process.

Knowledge of God.

Seeing how He has woven certain themes throughout the Bible.

The spiritual growth from being in God's Word every day.

The last time I set out on this journey....it ended up taking me a year and a half to complete it. There were a few days that I skipped and some days where I wanted to go back and reread what I read the day before. But, still I persevered and was able to finish.

This year my church set out on Jan 1 together. We have a guide that we are following. I have made it all the way to Numbers!! Woo Hoo!!!

This is something that you can start at any time. You don't need to wait until Jan 1 to get started. Jump in today.

Some things that have helped me:

1. I do not read my daily reading in a Study Bible. I get too bogged down in the notes and it distracts me. Instead, after I'm done reading for the day if I have questions (I usually do) then and only then do I look at the notes in my Study Bible.

2. Before starting each book of the Bible, I read a summary of it in the book The Map: Making the Bible Meaningful, Accessible, Practical by Nick Page. It is a great resource tool.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is well worth the money spent. It was recommended to me this fall by Jen Hatmaker, who spoke at our church's Women's Retreat.

Each chapter includes a quick overview, details, puzzling points, graphics & much more.

3. A friend of mine is part of a group of bloggers all reading the Bible in a year. They've started a blog and one of them posts each day on that day's passage. It is encouraging to know others are with you on the journey and also to read their insights.

Check it out: 66 Books

If you decide to do this, let me know. Or if you've done this in the past and have anything you'd like to share that has helped you, please let me know in the comments.

Favorite SuperBowl Commercial

So this is totally random...but I love this ad!!!

Makes me laugh every time I see it.

Just a thought, I'm adding on to this post.  It's something that has been bugging me since the Superbowl.  We were at a friend's house and were watching it live.   I found it totally disheartening to see some of the inappropriate ads that were run during a broadcast that families were watching.  The sexual innuendo is something that I have become increasingly aware of, as my kids have gotten older.  I find it hard to believe that there are people who are okay with their children viewing this garbage.  Is that what Americans really want???  It has made me very thankful for my DVR, which is how we normally watch prime time programs when we are at home.  

Now, I am getting off of my soapbox.  Click on the video above, it will make you laugh.

So how are your New Year's Resolutions coming along???

Here we are 5 days into February and I'm just wondering....how are your New Year's Resolutions coming along??  

Broken??

Forgot about 'em???

Doing great???

Checking 'em off??

I was messing around online and came across a list of the most popular New Year's Resolutions (These are from www.boncherry.com):

1.  Lose Weight

2. Pay off Debts

3.  Save Money

4. Get a Better Job

5.  Get fit

6. Eat Right

7.  Get a Better Education

8.  Drink Less Alcohol

9.  Quit Smoking

10.  Reduce Stress Overall

Quite a list, huh???  Sound familiar??

How about these funny New Year's Resolutions? (From the same website):

1.  I will do less laundry and use more deodorant.

2.  I will give up chocolates totally.  100%.  Completely.  Honestly...

3.  I will figure out why I really need 9 email addresses.

4.  I will not bore my boss with the same excuse for taking leave.  I will think of some more excuses.

5.  I will stop sending emails to my wife or husband.

6.  I resolve to work with neglected children- my own.

7.  I will spend less than one hour a day on the internet.  This of course will be hard to estimate since I'm not a clock watcher.

8. I will not tell the same story at every get together.

9.  I will not read email or text when I am on the phone with someone else.

10.  I will think of a password other than "password."

I no longer make a list of New Year's Resolutions.  A whole list is a lot to change.  I used to do it in the past, but by Feb I'd already failed.  Instead, each year, I focus on one thing that I'd like to emphasize.

This year, 2009, I am trying to laugh more.  That's it. Laugh more.  Two little words.  It's something that I can think about as I'm going through my days and it's a change that I can make.  2008 was a trying year for me, both emotionally and spiritually.  It was a rough road. Laughter is good for the soul.  I mean the real laugh out loud until tears come...that kind of laughter.  Laughter is healing.  That is why I'm trying to laugh more.

Let me share what I was striving for the past couple of years with you:

Last year, 2008, I was trying to be authentic.   Not that I was a liar before, but there were certain areas in my life where I'd kind of hide behind a mask.

In 2007, I was trying to simplify.  That's it. To simplify....in all areas, organization, schedule, kids stuff and mine.

I've found that focusing on one little area can bring true change.  It's something that can be achieved.

So, I probably should've posted this post Jan 1....but you know, I've been busy.  I've been living life.  So, I'm sharing it with you now, better late than never.  Who needs a new year to make change?? Start today!