B is for Bible Study

Within the last two months, I've really started focusing on personal Bible study.  I've always struggled to have consistency in this area, and two and a half months ago, I decided I would buy a Bible that would inspire me to read more often.  That sounds way more "buy a Bible that makes me happy" than it should, but the goal was to choose (out of the thousands available) a Bible that would actually HELP me find excitement in studying.  I chose this one

And guess what... I LOVE IT!! It's not your typical Bible in that it isn't divided by Book; rather, it is divided by date.  Each day of the year has a heading, and you read all the Scripture under that heading until you reach the heading for the next day. It is SO simple and easy to stay on track! Part of my problem finishing a "read it in a year" Bible schedule before was that I'd get bogged down flipping from book to book.  The way this is laid out, There is an Old Testament excerpt, a New Testament excerpt, a Psalm, and 1-3 verses from Proverbs. I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who wants to read through the Bible in a year, but struggles to finish. The only draw back is that [at least on Amazon] it only comes in NLT or NIV.  The NLT is what I chose, and I've rather enjoyed it, as I've never read this version before. But if you're a die-hard KJV-er... maybe this option isn't for you.  Or then again... maybe it is! ;)

One last note: I do my daily reading at night, usually first thing when I crawl into bed. I only have 4 supplies I use for this: NLT One Year Bible, twistable crayons (BEST thing I've ever discovered for color-coordinated highlighting!), a notebook, and a pen.  Before I started, I chose 5 things I wanted to look for in my reading, and I chose a color to use for that topic (Red = warnings, Blue = God's promises, Green = Christian Living, Purple = interaction with others, Yellow = Things about God). After I finish the reading, I pick ONE thing from at least 3 of the portions to write in my notebook (things I found interesting, notes on Christian living, challenging things, etc.).  

Anyway, all that to say I'm so THANKFUL that (1) I'm finally having consistent personal devotions (2) there are SO MANY options and useful tools out there today to help in this area (3) time in God's Word is NEVER wasted!

43/52 - Leaves

The tree in our front yard is always beautiful in the Autumn! We planted this tree shortly after we moved into our house when I was 5...

A is for Abounding: Alphabet of Thankfulness Project

For the past several years, I've done the "Thankful November" posts, wherein I post something for which I am thankful for every day of November.  This year, since Thanksgiving falls on November 26, I've decided to do the "Alphabet of Thankfulness," by naming something I'm thankful for using the letters of the alphabet. Today's letter, obviously, is A.

A is for Abounding.

This morning's message at church was based on 1 Cornithians 15:58, which admonishes us to be "abounding in the work of the Lord." I'm so thankful for our pastor, and the messages he brings on Sunday Mornings! What a challenge for me to think about as I involve myself in the ministries of daily living this week.  Am I abounding? Or am I just putting in my time? I'm THANKFUL that God rewards those who abound with eternal benefits!  I'm thankful that when I am ABOUNDING, I can be assured that my labor is not in vain!

Also, I'm thankful for Apples.

42/52 - Feature

This week's photo is "your favorite feature about yourself." I chose my eyes. Sometimes they're blue; sometimes they're green; sometimes they're a beautiful, fabulous (in my opinion) mix of the two:

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Well it IS October, so... the Celtic Thunder has been my go-to music lately! I also happened upon a Pandora station called "Film Scores," which has made for some fabulous study music.

Watching: I'm working my way through Revenge again. I'm kind of glad that it ended last season; now I can watch it all the way through and know how it ends!

Reading: At the moment, I'm reading a nice big book called "Life & Health Study Manual." Talk about intrigue. So many twists and turns... (haha)!

Working on: (1) Making my baby booties in a larger size to accommodate babies in my life who aren't exactly newborn size (2) wedding music for this weekends ceremony. 

Wishing: Hmmm... not sure there's anything I'm really wishing for at the moment. Just trying to be content & happy with what I have.

Needing: A photographic brain.  It would make this studying stuff way easier!

Rejoicing: I passed the first set of tests for my new job on the first try! I take the second set next week, so I'm hoping (and studying, too) that I pass these on the first try as well!

Reflecting on: This is a little deep (and when things get too deep, people drown), but in yesterday's Bible reading (which was actually Sunday's reading because I somehow ended up a day behind...) I came across a verse in Jeremiah that says something along the lines of (Vance paraphrase) "God has forgiven you sins in their entirety, and He is choosing to never again recall them." WOW! What an encouragement! Sometimes I get so bogged down by my past sins, that I start feeling as though God will eventually give up on me.  BUT... He has chosen to never again remember my sins!  So maybe, I should learn from them, and then take my cue from The Redeemer: stop dwelling on my past sins!

Picturing: This girl... from this weekend's shoot.  Also, I had trouble choosing just ONE... Love her!