Read Through the Bible in 90 Days: A Challenge

From Keeping The Kingdom First:

In Amy’s words, a guest post:

Have you ever thought about reading the Bible… the whole thing, from start to finish?

I thought about it for years, and even attempted a few times on my own, before I discovered Bible in 90 Days, joined a group at my church and read the whole thing without stopping, cover to cover.

I was so blown away by the experience that I offered to facilitate it at my next church and have since facilitated several more times, trained facilitators and now plan to host an online community via my blog, MomsToolbox.

If you have ever considered reading the whole Bible, I cannot recommend strongly enough that you join me January 1- March 31, 2010, as I read and blog through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, bit by bit, in order, every day.

If you would like to join our online community, here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Plan to set aside about an hour each day from January 1- March 31 for an incredibly enriching experience.
• Get your hands on a Bible in 90 Days Bible (only $14.39 on Amazon) or from your local Christian bookstore.
• Consider also purchasing the Bible in 90 Days Participant’s Guide which offers weekly questions for you ponder to gain more insight from your reading. (I’ll be using these questions for our weekly Twitter meet-ups.)
• Consider purchasing the Bible in 90 Days Essential Bible Companion, which offers a snapshot of information to help you make it through each week’s reading without getting distracted by researching on the internet.
• Bookmark my site, www.MomsToolbox.com, and plan to visit January 1- March 31 after you have completed each day’s reading to see what I learned and report in that you have read for the day.
• Follow me on Twitter (@MomsToolbox) and plan to be on Twitter every Monday night of the program from 9-10 CST (much like a study meeting—just online!) when we can ask and answer each other’s questions. Use and look for the #B90Days hashtag for our group discussion (not required to participate).

I would bet some of you are asking “Why this particular Bible?” Here’s why:

The official Bible in 90 Days Bible is an NIV Bible, so it is an easy-to-read direct translation. This edition has large type, minimal footnotes and indicates where you should start and stop reading each day. Sure, you could accomplish this goal using your own Bible, but the statistics point to a huge success ratio for those using this official Bible… and not so much success for those who choose to use a different one. And don’t you want to succeed this time?

Although we won’t be meeting in person, my prayer is that via almost-daily online communication on my blog, as well as on Twitter we can still hold each other accountable, helping each other to accomplish our goal to read every word of the Bible attentively in 90 days.

I’d love to encourage you in this endeavor. It has been life-changing for me.

I cannot express how much reading the bible in 90 days has helped me with every study I have participated in and every sermon I have heard since then. I now know the context of the stories. I know where to find them… and I can clearly see how they are related. And to read about Christ and the fulfillment of countless prophesies just after you’ve read about those prophesies is amazing!

If you’re up for the challenge, I’m up for encouraging you every step of the way.

Pray about it. Think about it… And click on over to MomsToolbox.com to let me know if you’d like to join in the challenge and to learn more. But do it soon so you’ll be ready to start 2010 in His Word… all of it!

Hope to see you there!

** If you still have questions, plan to follow me on Twitter and join me for our first Twitter chat this Monday, December 21 from 9-10 CST. I’ll be there ready to chat about the program and would love to answer any questions you may have.

My thoughts:

I really did not stop to think long about this. I know I need this. While I read most evening before bed, I tend to be lazy at times about it. I need to be held accountable for my reading and study period. That's why I'm signing up. I hope you'll join us as well.

Sherry

Weekly prayer

Father,

I lift Eddie to You. Please be with him this week. Give him a sense of peace, especially during this busy holiday season. Thank You for bringing such a spirit filled man to me as my mate. Please continue to speak to his heart, guiding him in Your ways. May he bring You glory and honor in all he says and does. In Jesus' most precious name. Amen.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

~Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)

Weekly Prayer - Forgiveness

Forgive your husband. Find a quiet spot and prayerfully look through your heart for any areas where you have hard feelings toward your husband. Ask God to help you forgive him. (Realize that forgiveness does not necessarily mean a rebuilding of trust or a settling of important issues, just that you have released him from any debt toward you.)


Father,

I ask You to search my heart and show me any areas I may have hard feelings hidden toward Eddie. I ask You to also help me to forgive him for anything I may be holding against him. Create in me a clean, forgiving heart.

In Jesus' most precious name,
Amen.

Weekly prayer - Relationships

This week's prayer is about relationships. Please pray for your spouse's relationships with his/her extended family.

Father,

I lift Eddie to You. I pray for his relationships with his extended family, especially those that seem strained. Please open the hearts and minds of all parties to let go of any hurt or pain they may be holding onto. Give them peace and joy in their lives. May each one seek You and leave any hard feelings at Your cross. In Jesus' most precious name, Amen.

30-day Giving Challenge Day 3

For day three of the 30-day Giving Challenge I stuffed a small amount of cash into a friend's bag after over-hearing her speaking to someone else about a need she had.

Isn't giving fun? I'm having a blast already!

The 30-Day Giving Challenge: Day 2

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
~Galations 6:9

For day two of the 30-day Giving Challenge I picked up a co-worker that does not have a car and took her around town to do her shopping and other errands. I was immediately blessed by a great time of fellowship with a Christian sister!

The 30-Day Giving Challenge: Day 1

Alyssa with Keeping the Kingdom first has started the 30 day giving challenge.

I'm a few days late getting started (as usual), but here's my contribution for day one:


The picture below is my stockpile of "deals" from CVS or Walgreens. These have been bagged and are headed to our church were they will be boxed and sent to one of the missionaries we support. He is collecting items for one of the Indian Reservations in South Dakota.