The Challenge

Here is the challenge: to read the Bible in 90 days, sounds daunting, but not really if you look at the reading plan. If you're Bible was say 1790 pages long, which apparently some are, that's only 20 pages a day. So doable. :)

So here's the plan, set to embark this Saturday, June 19. I encourage you to join me. Here's the little tagline from Steven Furtick and Elevation church.

"B90X is a revolutionary system of intense, truth-absorbing,
brain-busting Bible reading that will transform your
understanding of Scripture from intro to nitro in just 90 days!
Your personal trainer, Ruach "The Breath" Yahweh, will drag you
through the most intense infusion of His vision that you have
ever experienced and you won't believe the results!"

My plan is to read and journal and I'd love to share with anyone who'd like to join me.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Day 45-46: I'm baaaack with the rest of Psalms and Proverbs

So sorry for the very long hiatus.  Things started happening and quite frankly I decided not to stay up too late because I was getting worn down.

Back to Psalms -

136 - fun choral psalm

137 - By the rivers of Babylon... I like this psalm.  It's a psalm of exile and heartbreak.  It's an angry psalm too.  Puts things in perspective and it's okay to feel those things at times.

139 - One of my all time favorites.  In high school and junior high, I would read this A LOT.  It is good to be reminded that God has created and he knows us deeply and intimately and he loves us.  We were created to be with him and he is all around us, never leaving us.  It's comforting and powerful and transforming.  Good for bad self-esteem day.

143 - Hey check it out!  The Holy Spirit is in there!

145 - "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations."  If that's not the kingdom of God, I don't know what is.

150 - A great way to end.  "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!!!!"

Proverbs
I have to admit, proverbs has never been a favorite book of mine and it kind of irritates me a bit.  I suppose it's important and good.  Short, pithy sayings are always good right?  Well sometimes...  I've looked at Proverbs from many sides and been encouraged to study it on many occasions, but my reaction is generally, what's the use?  I know that's rather pessimistic and perhaps this reasoning is part of the reason I have not been too gung ho about keeping up with the reading lately.  Still I've found some pretty important things in Proverbs that cannot be passed up.  So without any further ado...

1:7 - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge"  It's basic and has been touted as the foundation of Proverbs.  However, as basic as it may be it is true.  You cannot have a right understanding of God or of faith or of life without first recognizing and standing in awe of the Almighty Creator of the universe.  This is something I am still learning and constantly reminded of.

Another theme of Proverbs then is, if you want wisdom, seek the LORD.  Don't fall prey to the fool or pride or your own knowledge and strength.  Seek the LORD; "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6.

The importance of words.  This too is a theme in Proverbs.  Be careful what you say and how you say it.  You may do more damage than you thought and by your words and tone, you may be able to heal a multitude of hurts.

Proverbs is also filled with simple insights, truths, and reminders that this life we lead is not perfect and comes with its own limitations.  "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." 14:10; "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief." 14:13.  "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." 15:1.  "Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred" 15:17.  "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" 16:9.  A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" 17:17.  For my friend Dani, "Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent - the LORD detests them both" 17:15.  I know Dani would agree with that.

An old song that we still sing sometimes, goes something like this, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe" 18:10.  "[T]here is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" 18:24.  That friend I like to think of as Jesus.

I've been struggling recently with plans.  I'm contemplating taking on a different job within my current organization, CPS.  It is a difficult decision and one that I am not taking lightly because people's lives are involved, but it could be a potentially very advantageous career move for me.  Secondly, I'm still trying to discern what, if any role God would have me play in Bible translation.  There are a lot of things that I would like to do with my life, but is it really what God wants.  "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails" 19:21.  God, I pray that would be so.  May I not be caught up in pride or my own desires that I lose sight of you and your will for this life.

Tomorrow (hopefully) the rest of Proverbs.
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