Choosing His Words - Part 4

For the first week or two of the new year I asked some friends to share on the topic of Bible reading. Often we women feel guilty and frustrated about our Bible reading habits and I hope this can bring inspiration.

I can certainly identify with feeling guilty! I remember being upset at feeling guilty when I knew I was doing the best I could with taking/finding time for Bible reading. But eventually I understood that there was some good coming from feeling guilt; feeling guilty kept me alert to be sure I really was doing what I could and that I was making a conscious effort to take enough time, and to keep updating my methods and length of time I spent. 

So some things that have helped me...I have an app, YouVersion, that sends me a verse a day. I have it set to come early morning so it is there when I wake up. And it comes again in the evening, so I can again meditate on it at the end of the day.

BibleGateway is also a website that emails a verse of the day.

Our Daily Bread emails out a devotional if you sign up for it.

When I had young children and babies, my nights often interrupted, and being told to get up earlier to find time for Bible reading, was not what I wanted to hear...not when I felt like more sleep was what I really needed! In that season of life, I simply fit Bible reading into a quiet slot in the middle of the day whenever it fit.

More recently now, I find that my best time is right after the children have left for school in the morning. The rush is over, the preschooler relaxes and finds something quiet to do while I have my quiet time.

I continue to read about how to find time for Bible reading and different methods of Bible study, because fresh ideas keep my personal experience fresh too. - Leona H.

Choosing His Word - Part 3

For the first week or two of the new year I asked some friends to share on the topic of Bible reading. Often we women feel guilty and frustrated about our Bible reading habits and I hope this can bring inspiration.

My life has spiraled into survival mode as I fight the nausea and exhaustion that has accompanied the beginning of my fifth pregnancy. I love Bible journaling and Bible doodling, but even that has been a source of overwhelm recently.

For this season of my life, I’ve found some lower-key ways to stay in God’s word, and they’ve fed me.

Listening – The YouVersion Bible is a free app that has many translations (including other languages) read by professional narrators. Especially on Sunday morning when I have to prepare a meal before I get the children up, or when the Sunday school lesson scope covers several chapters, listening to the Bible read aloud is an easy way to be in the Word.Sometimes hearing someone else read will make a phrase stand out in a new way. 

Repeat reading – Picking a passage, a few chapters, or even a short book and reading it over and over for a week or even a month can help the truth sink through to my mommy brain. 

Defining new words – Tecarta Bible has a Strong’s Concordance app. It’s not free but has been well worth the money we paid for it. Sometimes reading over a passage and looking up the words I don’t know can help me find that nugget to take through the day.

I desire to say with the psalmist, “Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)  - Crystal S.

Choosing His Words - Part 2

For the first week or two of the new year I asked some friends to share on the topic of Bible reading. Often we women feel guilty and frustrated about our Bible reading habits and I hope this can bring inspiration.

I’ll be honest: when I read Gina’s request my initial reaction was not a calm joy but a horrified, “No way! I’m not __________enough for that!” I tried to think what modifier belonged in the blank – good enough? Dedicated enough? Holy enough? Old enough? (Maybe all the above.) I share this, not as humble-bragging but so you know I’m fully as human as you; flawed but forgiven; worshiping with – at times – a wandering heart.

Journaling the Word was an idea I first got from Bethany Eicher in this post. As someone who thinks best with a pen in my hand, I was still surprised what a difference it made. I’ve written out several books of the Bible since then, and now I have my own Journaling Bible with wide margins for sermon notes, cross references, quotes, and other jottings. I love it, love it.

We’re not all wired the same and this may not work for you. But if you enjoy writing, and typically write lists and other notes to yourself, it may be a tool you’ll enjoy too.

This year I’m hoping to read the Bible through in chronological order, following a plan I found online. So far I’ve never managed to read the entire Bible in a year, so if I state my goal publicly here you can all hold me accountable.

Remember that the power is not in the organized plan, the Power is in the Word. And if I stay there, the Word Himself can bind even my wandering heart to His. - Marlene B.

Choosing His Words - Part 1

It began accidentally several years ago, but today I choose to continue the tradition. 

Every January, I begin the blogging year with a discussion on Bible reading.

But there is a problem. Any time we women discuss Bible reading, most of us react with guilt and frustration.

We want to read the Bible; we know we need the truth of God's Word, but we fall short of our goals.

Sometime we imagine that we are the only ones who don’t read our Bible every day. When we fall asleep while reading or can't remember what we read ten minutes later, we are sure that every one else is having meaningful devotions.

To combat this feeling of guilt, comparison, and intimidation, I asked several friends to share about Bible reading. These women come from various seasons of life - married, single, mothers of toddlers, mothers of teens. For the next week or so, every day one of these ladies will share. I hope that their honesty and practical tips can be an encouragement for you. 

And we’d love to hear your thoughts on the comments.

We'll start today with Darletta.

My husband and I regularly read a chapter aloud together before we go to bed at night.  If a particular thought stands out from that reading or from a sermon or Sunday school lesson, I like to make a note of it.  Later I can look up the verse or idea on my Power Bible CD (available from Christian Light Publications) and study it in-depth.  

Sometimes this leads to inspiration that results in an article or poem.  Afterward, the verse or chapter remains special to me as reminder of God's grace in that era of my life.  The Power Bible CD includes Bagster's Daily Light and Morning and Evening Readings, both of which provide bites of soul food tastefully arranged.                          --Darletta M.

Past blog posts on this topic...

One year ago: Bible or Email? 

Two years ago: Are Bible reading plans legalistic?

Three years ago: Realistic Bible reading planning - Beginner's Bible Reading plan

Four years ago: One Year Bible

Six years ago: The One Needful Thing - A friend's Bible reading challenge

A Good MRI

My blogging break didn't last long. So many of you have faithfully prayed for us that I wanted to share some good news this time.

I have been concerned about the results from Ed's MRI since his ability to focus was declining, and his fatigue was increasing. He didn't feel as bad as in November, but the symptoms were worrisome.

But Ed's MRI this week was a huge improvement from his last one in November. The inflammation was decreased, and the tumor/scar tissue areas were much smaller. We haven't had an MRI this encouraging for many, many months. The new medication he started in November must be having the desired affect.

We are adjusting some of his medications in hopes that we can increase his focus and energy level. Once again I have to practice gratefulness for what I have instead of focusing on the losses. I try to enjoy today without worrying that next month's MRI could move in a worse direction. We try to find things we can do as a family with Ed's limited energy.

This afternoon, just for fun, we drove over to the Gettysburg Battlefield. We climbed some monuments, scrambled over rocks, and shared a winter picnic. We've had so many rainy days that even though it wasn't sunny, the day felt pleasant. 

Thanks again for your prayers. We couldn't walk this road without prayer.

"The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace." 

Psalm 29:11

Christmas Links

I don't plan to blog for the rest of December.

Unless I can't help myself. Several of you have told me that when I post, you are reminded to pray for our family. So if we are in need of prayer extra prayer, you might hear from me again before January.

And who doesn't need prayer? We do. Every day. This past week Ed hasn't been feeling as well. His ability to focus is declining again, though not as bad as in November. I have to push down the panic when I think of his next MRI and the bad news we could possibly hear.

But back to this post...I do plan to take a blogging break. But I'll be back. I'm excited about some of the topics I hope to write about in January, Lord willing.

But if you want some reading now, here are some links to Christmas posts in past years. (The children look so little in some of these posts that I get hit with a wave of nostalgia.)

Favorite music of Christmas

What Makes a Meaningful Christmas?

Book Lists

Favorite Christmas Books for Children

And Another List for Children

And Yet Another List for Children

Chapter Books for Children

And a list for Adults

Recipes

Lemon Strawberry Swirls

Peanut Butter Critters

Graham Cracker Houses

Monster Cookies

Peppernuts

Three Recent Nonfiction Reads

A few nonfiction books that I've enjoyed in recent weeks.

This post contains affiliate links.

One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven by Mark Cahill

I often evaluate a book's quality on whether I want to read it again. This book I finished and immediately planned to reread it. Cahill is passionate about sharing Jesus with others. I'm a wimp when it comes to opening up my mouth and witnessing for Christ, but Cahill didn't make me feel guilty, just inspired. He shares so many practical ideas on how to get conversations started and answer common questions.The book isn't long, but it is full of information and will be pulled off my shelf again. I think every Christian would benefit from reading this book.

The Hardest Peace: Expecting Grace in the Midst of Life's Hard by Kara Tippetts

Kara wrote this book when she was dying from breast cancer. As a mom with young children, she writes about the challenge of facing death and leaving her family. The book is a tear-jerker, but I didn't find it morbid or depressing. Instead, Kara reminded me that the God that gives grace to die of old age is with us when we face death by cancer as a young mom. My faith was bolstered by Kara's testimony. I read my sister-in-law's copy of The Hardest Peace but when I finished it I immediately bought my own copy. 

I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel

I slipped this little book in my purse last month when Ed had a number of stressful tests at the hospital. It was the perfect fun read in the waiting room. Anne shares her love of books and infatuation with reading that has led to the popularity of her podcast What Should I Read Next. If you love books and want some light reading, this book is a joy.

What are you reading?