The title of this post is an understatement. I could have told you that without even looking to see that my last post was in early November.
So Happy Thanksgiving to you, Merry Christmas to you, Happy New year to you, and any other major events I might have missed.
When things get busy for me, this blog is usually one of, if not, THE first thing I cut out. It's not that I don't like to write...rather...it's probably that I spend so much of my time writing (bulletin articles, lessons, sermons, announcements) that coming over here and doing it gets a little tedious sometimes.
That probably also explains why most of the writing you see here is sports writing, which is not the way I originally planned this to be.
But here's the way I see it...I either want to do this well, or not do it at all. I'm going to try to attempt to revitalize my blogging a bit. I've got a couple of ideas stirring in my head about things to write about but the one I'm most excited about is this:
In the year 2009, I plan to read the Bible all the way through, like I did the previous 2 years (I'm not counting the times I read through the Bible in college, as that was "mandatory"). I don't tell you this because I think I'm better than others, I don't believe that's true. In fact that is very far from the truth.
Rather...I've come to realize how much of a blessing it is to spend time in God's word everyday. I've grown so much the past few years and I know that spending time in his word will help me grow towards him.
So why am I telling you this? Well, what I want to do is, probably on a weekly basis, log some of my thoughts on this blog as I read through the Bible. It might share a few passages or verses that stuck out with me...I might type out an entire sermon that came to me while reading. Some posts might be 3 verses and thats it...other posts might have one verse with 3 paragraphs of thoughts behind it. I'm just gonna do whatever the spirit leads me.
Below will be my first entry of the year doing this:
So far this year I've read Genesis 1-36. Here's what stuck out to me:
Genesis 1:2b and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Gen 12:2 I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I don't really know why...but for some reason the spirit has led me to really focus on the promises that God has made thus far in the Bible story. So I highlighted the promises he made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob specifically, although it's more of a reaffirmation of the same promise.
Genesis 13:18, 18:1, 23:17 The great trees of Mamre
This I've noticed for the first time...and I feel kind of ashamed of that. This would make a great sermon sometime...the Trees of Mamre.
The great trees in Mamre refers to a location that featured a number of significant events in the life of Abraham. It was at this location where:
Abraham built an altar after he parted ways with Lot. The Lord promised him this land. (13:18)
Abraham bargained with the Lord for Sodom and Gomorrah (18:1)
Abraham and his wife were told they would have a son (18:9-10)
Sarah (and eventually Abraham) were buried here (23:17)
Also - I highlighted this verse: Genesis 29:20b - but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her
That's what stuck out to me thus far in my reading. I look forward to sharing my findings with you.
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2 comments:
Glad you're back on the blog. I feel the same way about blogging sometimes. There are times when it feels too much like work, and I work enough as it is.
Also glad to hear about your Bible-reading accomplishments. I only read through the OT in Dr. Stockstill's class my freshman year, and Dr. Cochran didn't require it for the NT (although I'm sure I've probably read it through over the years, except maybe for Revelation).
I haven't done the read-it-in-a-year thing, but I probably should. I've been thinking about church/doctrinal issues and strategies lately more than ever before, but my knowledge isn't really going to get deeper if I don't get into the text every now and then.
One site that I've been reading recently, if you want some good theological or CoC-specific stuff to read is oneinjesus.info by Jay Guin. He's written on an incredibly broad base of relevant Bible topics and has what I think is an admirable (if maybe a bit far-sighted) goal: to lay the groundwork for the reunification of the CoC.
I'm a little late on this, but I'm glad you're blogging too. It's always encouraging to read the thoughts and insights of my long-distance friends.
I'm liking the highlighter series idea so far. Thanks for sharing. I wish I had the time and energy to devote to reading the Bible through in a year. I never have, but for required reading. Reading your thoughts and highlights is very uplifting and thought-provoking for me.
One thing that has always stood out to me in Genesis 12 is that God promises to bless all nations through Abraham. Of course, this promise was ultimately fulfilled through Christ, so we see that thousands of years before Christ on earth, the plan is set into motion. Great stuff.
I look forward to reading more of your insights in the future.
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