Today's Reading--I'm Very Excited!

I decided (felt led, actually) to do something different with my Bible studies some time ago. I felt I needed to learn more about the history behind things that occurred in the New Testament, so I decided to start at the beginning (not what I would ordinarily recommend) and go through the Bible in order. My mind tends to wander, so I always read it aloud, and that has made such a difference in my understanding. I also keep a journal as I read. Sometimes all I write are the chapters I have read, but if a certain scripture moves me, I write about it, or I write interesting facts and ideas I read, etc.

The amazing thing is that even though I sometimes put it off for awhile, a lot of what I read is exactly what I need at that moment. For instance, what I have been reading in the various prophets' books has gone so perfectly with our financial and spiritual situation the last few weeks. I have felt that God has some big plans for our lives and much of what I have read has been very encouraging and confirming.

I have read a lot of the Old Testament over the years, but it has always been in bits and pieces. I knew the familiar stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and the flood, Job, Jonah, etc., but I had not often read beyond the main parts. Reading it through like this has been so helpful.

Anyway, I am very excited because I finished the Old Testament today and will begin the New Testament tomorrow. Of course, that doesn't mean that I will never read from the Old Testament again. I plan to read through the Bible as many times as I can before my time here is finished, but I will probably (never say never!) never read it from start to finish again. This time, as I explained, I felt it was what I needed.

By the way, if you have never read the Bible, I would suggest you begin with the book of John, followed by Romans. A very exciting and interesting read!

Thomas is on the Way!

When we got home from working at Vacation Bible School tonight (around 9:30), I found a message on our answering machine from my sister. I had forgotten after the last power outage to reset the clock on the answering machine, but it was somewhere between 6:00 and 9:30. The message was that Nancy is in the hospital getting ready to give birth. WooHoo! I can't wait to meet Thomas!