Saturday, December 31, 2011

Bible in 90 Days

I remember growing up as a child being in awe of people who read their Bibles in a year. It just blew my mind.  How could they read the whole thing in only a year?!  Of course this is the same child that read over 250 books in 3 months so she could get all the prizes offered through the library's summer reading program. But somehow that was different.

This same child was given a One Year Bible in her teen years, and she may or may not have read it completely through during her years in high school. She did however, read every text book from cover to cover, all the appropriate library books in the local library, and read books for the middle school librarian for age appropriateness.  But the Bible just seemed like a mountain too big to read.

And as an adult, this same child has multiple Bibles, devotions galore at her finger tips, is married to the preacher, and still, I cannot tell you if I have ever read the Bible cover to cover.  There. I said it out loud.  No more hiding. No more secrets.  You know my biggest fault in which I find much shame.  And now, there are no more excuses.

No more is this child going to say it's too big. No more can this child claim it's too hard. The little reading machine cannot pretend there just isn't enough time in the day to care for all that has been given her, and still CONSISTENTLY read the Word. 

The same struggles, the same fears are still there. Fear of failing. Struggling with finding out I may not be good enough.  Procrastination. Slothfulness. Bottom line, pride. What I want is far more important. 

So here I stand, child and woman, together beginning a new journey. I begin reading my Bible cover to cover in 90 days. But I make this commitment not from fear of disobeying God, or fear of the consequences. Nor do I make it from a place of shame and guilt. God is good. And He has offered me His grace, and I accepted. And this commitment is made out of faith and love to my Creator. The Saver of my soul.

If you are beginning a new Bible reading plan this year, let me know. If you would like to join in reading the Bible in 90 days, join our group being hosted by Jessica at Jezamama.  She has some wonderful tips, and is a great encourager. And if you don't mind, would you check in on me ever so often to see how I am doing?  Cheer me on, hold me accountable, push me when I need it?  Tomorrow is the big starting day. There is excitement in the air, and a few nerves as well. Lord, your strength is perfect, and it is honor I wish to bring to You. Cover me, and hold me up as I endeavour to worship you more. God is our refuge, a very present help in trouble. And He uses you and me to be the messengers of that help!

Beth

6 comments:

  1. You can do this, Beth!

    I haven't read it cover to cover yet either.....I JUST started getting back into reading the 1 year Bible. Not sure if I feel ambitious enough to do it in 90 days....maybe! =)

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  2. Yes! you can do it :) I know it feels overwhelming, I have not read the Bible 100% yet either. ((blush)) Not that I have even tried. I would too like to be able to read it cover to cover hmmmm... maybe I'll start my own challenge soon. Have faith and look at it as a wonderful journey rather then task that must be done.

    Keri- A Web-schooling Mom of two who geek out learning with web-based curricula, multimedia electives, and an online writing tutor!

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  3. This is really my line in the sand. No more excuses. And since I have such a short attention span, I need something less that an entire year goal. And six months sounded a little long as well. I needed to see the fruits of my labor much sooner. So that's why I have chosen the 90 day approach. But whatever your plan choice, it is important to be consistently in the Word, and that is what I am most excited about!

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  4. You can do it girl! (I've never read it cover to cover either) I started B90Days last year but did not finish. We're gonna do this though!!!

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  5. Hey! New follower. I am a pastor's wife, too, so I'm excited to follow someone else who is on my journey! (I only have 4 kids though!!) :)

    I have started the bible in a year devotional. I love it bc it kinda gives me something to focus on even in all those who begat whom chapters!! :)

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  6. Hi Beth! Nice to meet you through your blogs. Last year my church handed out plans for reading through the Bible in a year. It was the very first time I read through the whole Bible in a year's time. It was a good feeling, to get to the end of it, and know you accomplished it!

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