Read It in a Year?

Two things have intrigued me about reading the Bible.

One is that it is a big book and there are so many names and dates and places and those things confuse me.

The other is that some people read the entire book in a year and do it willingly and without hesitation.

I enjoy digging into the scriptures.  Ask anyone who has been in a group with me during OBS from Proverbs 31.  I love it!  But just sitting and reading through Genesis, which is where all Bible reading begins, just boggles my mind.  Too many names that I don't understand and can't even begin to pronounce.  Too many places that I have never heard of, let alone know where they are on a map.  Too mind boggling for me.

So I decided that the best route for me to study the Bible is during the OBS studies, or from reading a devotional book, or marking scriptures during Jim's sermons.

All that changed while we were in Tennessee for our annual New Years Eve trip.

I was looking at FB (one of the many times I check it through any given day) and noticed a post by Deb Sizemore.  Ok...Deb Parish.  (just like many former students still call me "Mrs. Siemens" I sometimes revert to maiden names, just like in my gradebook) posted that she had just finished reading the Bible in a year...and it was her second time to do so.

That amazed me for several reasons.  One is that not many will post that on FB.  Another is that I had no idea that Deb was an avid reader.  And still another is that I know very few people (at least who have shared this information with me) that have actually accomplished this other than those involved in ministry.

I started to think about this...and decided that maybe I should try it.  After all I am always looking for new challenges. I like to read the Bible and wish I could dig more deeply into it (even the parts with the weird names and places).  Maybe I should find out more.





What has happened is that I downloaded the Bible app from YouVersion, first onto my phone (since we were in Tennessee and my iPad had no storage available), then when we returned home, on my Nook.  I selected what I  guess is the Regular Bible in a Year which includes a devotional, then readings from Psalms, Proverbs, and the Old and New Testaments.

What I am enjoying so far:

• the devotional at the beginning - it sets the tone for the scriptures.  There is every day type of discussion about the content and connections to real life.  For instance - driving.  Needing directions every time we step into a car.  Just like we need directions from God on how to live our lives.  It relates.
• the scriptures.  I like how the scriptures begin with the Psalms (at least for right now) which for me are much easier to read.  Then it moves to Matthew (and I feel like this will continue through the New Testament) which is easier for me to read and understand also.  By the time I move to the Old Testament (which is currently Genesis and that means all of those names and places I can't pronounce) I am into the groove of reading the Scripture and can at least muddle through the names and places and get the gist of the message conveyed. 

What I am looking forward to:

• interaction with Deb on some of these passages.  She is my 'friend' but I am not sure what she can see of mine and how I can see what she is doing.  I hope to learn more about that.
• reading each day.  Really.  Sometimes (well, really, ALL the time) I begin strong, then slowly fade away, then finally days or weeks later there is a reminded in my mind - Oh yeah....I WAS writing in my journal every day but stopped on January 5. or Oh yeah....reading a Psalm a day lasted only about 4 days, then I got busy and forgot about it.  So far, I am excited about doing this.  I have made it part of my routine, and I hope it stays there.  
• The app is on my phone and on my Nook. Since I take my phone everywhere with me, I can easily read when we are in the car if I haven't had time in the morning to do so.  No excuses.

What I am hoping for:

• a better understanding of the Bible
• a deeper knowledge of the content of the scriptures
• a closer relationship with God
• more recognition of events, names, places and scripture itself
• a sense of accomplishment when I finish reading the Bible in a year!

I am excited about this!  I know that sometimes that excitement can wane and may need to be re-kindled, but for now I am very excited about this plan, this adventure, and learning more about the word of God.

Thanks, Deb, for the invitation to join you and others in this journey.