How do you like it?

I love the Fighter Verses program. I have the Fighter Verses app on my phone. I now memorize scripture at every free chance I have: on the toilet, waiting for someone, sitting on hold, waiting for my computer to boot up, etc.

Some of my most visited posts this year have been on reading the Bible as a Discipline.  This makes me so excited!  My desire is that everyone who reads this would take extended time daily to connect with our loving Father in Heaven through His Word.

This New Years I am making a resolution to keep up my Bible reading!  I also have added in a discipline of memorizing scripture following the Fighter Verses program.

Here’s the post from last year:  10 Tips for a Successful Bible-in-a-Year Reading Discipline

You can also read my post from July about “Just Read for the Day“, an effective program that has enabled dozens of people I know to keep with their Bible reading discipline!

This is the Bible reading plan I'm doing right now. I like having Psalms and Proverbs every day. I likely will continue this one again next year.

I am a very firm believer in reading the Bible every day, as you can tell by my previous posts about reading the Bible in a year and tips on how to read the Bible in a year.

So its almost August.  You’re wondering why I’m bringing this up.  Its because you should be reading your Bible.  Just start.  Whoever you are, whenever you are reading this, wherever you are at in life, I can confidently say that God wants to speak to you daily through His Word and you will be blessed by reading daily.  So let’s go:

Here’s how you can get started on your Bible-reading discipline.  Its really easy!

Get yourself a Bible reading plan (I’m doing the One Year Bible, which I HIGHLY recommend).  Print it up and stick it in your Bible.  Or you can use an app like YouVersion, although I still recommend going paper because it is much easier to jump around and view the context compared to a tiny screen.

Ok, here’s the most important step:  find today’s date on the Bible reading plan and JUST READ THE PASSAGES FOR THAT DAY!  That’s it!

What if you miss a day?  Oh well.  Don’t try to catch up, just continue with the next day’s reading.  What if you miss 6 months?  Pick up your Bible and look up THAT day and just read THAT day.  If you try to catch up, you never will.  Just read the day.  God wants to speak to you EVERY day.  Even if you’re in 1 Chronicles or deep in the minor prophets, God has something to speak to you that day!  It is amazing how relevant passages written almost 3000 years ago can be to your life today, if you allow God to speak through them.

Right now some of you are resisting because you don’t want to skip anything.  Die to that desire friend.  The beauty of this way of doing things is that it’ll help you make this a life-long discipline, so you’ll be sure to catch that passage in future years.

IF you are going to go back and “catch-up” in the reading (like if you’re in the middle of a narrative and are missing key context), then do it AFTER today’s reading.  Again, it sounds counter-intuitive, but trust me.  You want to make sure you get TODAY’S done first, else you’ll dig a deeper and deeper hole trying to “catch up” and will lose motivation.

May God bless you in your reading discipline and speak to you daily!

Don't ever stop!!

To the handsome Conductor driving this happy train!!  You are so creative, hardworking and fun with our sweet boys!   Thank you for showing the love of Christ to our children through your fathering.  I don’t think they will have much trouble understanding what God is like through your example.

What an overwhelming blessing.  I got to be strengthened and encouraged by my sweet friends until midnight.  Thanks especially to those sleep-deprived friends (you know who you are ) who stayed up with me!  And thank you for your kind words of affirmation and for praying for me!  Thanks also to the particular person who reminded me in her prayer that I “haven’t yet reached my prime.” Wow, this was definitely the best birthday party I’ve ever had.

Not that I needed a special birthday party to know that my husband  and my friends love me, but this greatly humbled me I felt so loved!  Paul even planned a game.  He listed out all the jobs I’ve ever had and included 2 fakes.  Everyone had to pick out the fake ones.  Can you guess which two I’ve never worked?

1. Waitress at an Italian restaurant
2. Bakery Worker
3. Waitress at a Country Club
4. Golf Course attendant and landscaper
5. District Manager of a swimsuit store
6. Glamour Shots Make-up and Hair Artist
7. Graphic Designer
8. Cashier at a Grocery Store
9. Telemarketer
10. Event Planner
11. Store Manager at a Wet Seal
12. Stay-at-Home Mom
13. Key Attendant for Music Practice Rooms
14. In-Home care for an elderly couple
15. Assistant Manager at a Birkenstocks Store
16. Daycare worker
17. Salon Receptionist
18. Intern at a church

Yes, carpet on the wall. It's coming off don't worry.

After God answered our prayer for some carpet, we began praying for the other needs for our new ministry space, especially paint.  Right now it is white with denim-blue carpet on the walls (see picture)

My friend told me about a paint store and I went by there and it turns out they are going out of business.  I e-mailed the owner and told him about what we’re doing and he said “come take what you need”!!!  God bless that man!  So we went and received about 25 gallons of free paint, which some very nice colors!  We got two 5 gallon buckets of super high quality industrial paint that sells for $95 a gallon!  God also provided Barett – who has painting experience – and Amy – an interior designer – both who volunteered their time and helped me figure out how much paint we need and what colors.  Praise God!  And to kick it over the edge, we also got 5 halogen lamps worth at least $20 a piece for free!

As we drove back with a car full of paint and lamps, I just kept saying “THE LORD!  YOU ARE SO GOOD!”

Look at all this FREE paint and primer

When I put samples on the wall (see the picture) I realized some will need primer.  So I asked God for some primer.  And some white paint (for the trim and to possibly lighten a couple color).  I then called my wife and she had just talked to her mom and she said her dad had some paint.  I went over there and he graciously gave us 7 gallons of primer, 5+ gallons of white paint, some carpet glue (which we’ll need for that free carpet), and a couple other 5 gallon buckets of nice paint.  Praise the Lord!

We look forward to seeing what God is planning for this place!

Oh, and by the way, God totally answers prayer!

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15)

We figured free carpet would be really nasty (like the ugly carpet pictured here), but we got some great carpet that is blue with multi-colored accents. Better than I could have picked out really!

So you may or may not know, but we have leased a ministry space in the Philips neighborhood of Minneapolis and are in the process of updating and renovating the space (I’ll share more about our needs on our blog soon, but if you have furniture to donate – especially couches, chairs, and standing lamps – then contact me!).  As part of that we needed new carpet both upstairs and in the basement.

After our meeting yesterday Ryan and I walked out of the NCD office building and were talking while getting into our cars.  The last thing I said to Ryan was:  ”We really need to pray hard about getting carpet!  That’s the first step.”  I got into my car and prayed for some carpet.  I then started backing up.  As I pulled back, a big dumpster came into view which had previously been hidden behind a UPS truck.  I could see large rolls of carpet sticking out the top.  I pulled back into the spot, got out, and walked over to look at it.  Ryan was already driving away but saw me in his rear-view mirror and stopped.  He got out of his car and asked if God had already answered our prayer.  I climbed into the dumpster and took a sample.  It was blue patterned commercial carpet, mostly unstained and lightly used.  It was not even covered in snow yet, which meant it was literally just put outside within the last hour.  ”Yes, God has provided!” I replied.  It is perfect carpet for the basement (we’re still praying for nice carpet for the main area upstairs!).

This was a huge confirmation for our plans for this ministry house!  We do believe God is in it!  You don’t get that kind of instant answer to prayer every day!  Praise the Lord!  There is NO doubt that God is here, that God listens to us, and that God can and does answer prayer!  Indeed, it says in 1 John:

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15)

(This has been one of my most visited posts within the last year.  It was originally posted 12/31/2010.  I’m re-posting it with a few new comments.)

My desire is that everyone’s New Year’s resolution is to read the Bible daily in 2011.  The Word of God is so powerful in its transformation that it’ll likely also accomplish all those other resolutions you’d think of making.  Yesterday I wrote about reading the Bible in a year.  Today I’d like to share some tips on how to be successful at doing that.  (Note: Justin Taylor has a great post on various Bible reading plans here if you are still looking for one.  We are doing the One Year Bible Plan.)

1.  Treat your reading as Relationship Time

All of us tend to read like we were taught in school, which is to seek information and learn.  There is a time to do that with the Bible, but not in your daily time.  That is not the time to view the Bible as a textbook or manual, instead that time to – through the Word of God – connect with God, be guided by His Spirit, and be conformed into the likeness of Jesus.  If you see it as relationship-building time with your God who loves you so much that He sent His own Son to die for you, you’ll be more compelled to keep on the reading.

2.  Read only the day’s reading.  DO NOT play “catch-up”

This is so drastically important I cannot stress it enough.  Everyone who attempts to read the Bible-in-a-year and fails does so because they miss days and get behind and then get weighted down by trying to catch up.  But given #1 above, the point is not simply reading all of the Bible, the point is to hear from God and yield to His Spirit.  So if you miss a day, LET IT GO!  Just read the day’s reading that is assigned.  If you have more time after doing today’s reading, you can go back to yesterday’s.  But no stress!  Do today’s first and focus on hearing from God in that text.

(Update:  I have talked to some people who try to make it through all of the Bible – like using the Navigator’s Bible reading plan – but just not do it in a whole year but instead try to do it within 2 or 3.  I think that is another reasonable approach that does not set oneself up for failure.

3.  Pray

Pray before and after you read.  Seriously.  You can read this great post from John Piper on how to Pray for your Soul using his IOUS method (reposted on my friend Ryan’s blog).

4.  Consider the Reading Medium (Be Hesitant to use a Study Bible or an Electronic Bible)

I recommend not using a study Bible for your daily reading when you’re by yourself.  Why?  In my experience, you’ll tend to get sidetracked reading the notes.  Plus, instead of seeking God’s Spirit for the hard things in Scripture (again, we’re trying to hear from God first and foremost here) we all will tend to seek the notes for answers instead.  (By the way, I love study Bibles and, as I have written, I recommend the ESV Study Bible.)  That said, I WOULD recommend using a Study Bible if doing your reading with other people, as that time will involve more discussion, or if you are newer to the Bible and the notes may help you better orient and guide you through the reading.

I also am not keen on reading the Bible electronically (on computer or phone).  I grew up reading things on the computer and have read whole books on a computer.  The problem is, almost all of us (myself included) tend to read differently on an electronic device.  We tend to skim and not really think deeply.  In addition, in my experience people who read on an electronic format will spend less time reading and will be more anxious to “get done” with the reading so they can jump on their e-mail.  Now it may work for some of you, but I would advise you to really consider it first.  If that is your best option given your circumstances, then great!  The Word of God is powerful no matter the form.  However, when you have flexibility you should consider the medium and the atmosphere that will best help you focus on God and His Word.

(Update:  I tried to do some of my Bible reading on my Android phone this year.  I simply do not concentrate as well for long passages.  It is really handy to maybe read the Psalm of the day or the Proverb or to do Bible memorization.  By the way I highly recommend the Fighter Verses app for iPhone or Android.

5.  Keep your reading plan in your Bible

Get a small enough print-out to keep in your Bible that you use for reading.  If you have to go look for it, you may get distracted or will likely simply not read.

6.  Incorporate Journaling

I love journaling.  I am irregular at it, but it has been one of the key things that has helped drill God’s Word down into my mind and heart.

Here is the method I use:
Request – I pray to ask God to guide my reading
Read – I do my reading
Rewrite – After the reading or while I am reading, I copy down (yes word for word!) the verses that stand out to me.  Sometimes it is one or two, sometimes I feel compelled to write down a couple paragraphs.  Rewriting a verse is HUGELY helpful in remembering it and meditating upon it!
Respond – Then I write out a prayer to God telling Him what I believe He is showing me and how those verses relate to me at the moment (this is very helpful to look back on!).
Release -  I then write out quick petitions to God for all the things I am concerned about in my day.  I then release those to God, knowing God has heard and He will respond (see Phil. 4:6-7 and 1 John 5:14-15)

7.  Don’t Get Distracted!

Satan hates it when we read Scripture.  He WILL try to distract you.  Your flesh will also yearn for distraction and will push you to think about the concerns of your day rather than God.  For those that read in the morning, read BEFORE looking at e-mail.  It might be helpful to keep some 3×5 cards and a pen handy to write down notes in case you remember something that you need to do later.  Write it down then move along with your reading.

8.  Set aside time and Establish your routine

I have a completely different schedule every day, so I understand the difficulty of finding a set time.  I have a few set things early morning two days a week and I always read during that time.  On other days, I try to read in the early morning.  If not, then I read in the later morning before lunch.  If not then, I read later in the day.  But when I get a window, I seize that time!  So while I do not set aside a specific time, I make sure there is time set aside.  For those of you who have a more consistent schedule due to job or school, I recommend doing a consistent time, especially the morning if possible.

(Update:  After talking to many people about when they read during this year, I think that morning is really the best time.  I have yet to meet someone who has a consistent and engaging evening reading time instead of a morning time.  I do know people who read consistently both morning and night and are able to keep that up.)

9.  Find a buddy to read with you

If you are married, try to read together as a couple.  Kaelin and I have been reading in the evening together and it has been wonderful!  If you live in a house with other people, try to get some people to read with you (either at the same time or to be doing it together).  Or get some friends to read with you and meet together to talk about it once a week.  Or at very least, ask someone to keep you accountable.  We need to all be encouraging one another daily (Heb. 3:13)!

(Update:  For couples, I would recommend not only reading together.  Given changes of schedules and the inevitable days when you both cannot do it together, this can lead to neither of you reading.  I also think we do need personal time with God as well as community time with God.)

10.  Read Scripture on Why the Bible is so Important

When you start slacking doing reading, seek verses in the Bible that impress how important the Bible is, such as Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:10-17, 2 Peter 2:16-21, Psalm 119, Proverbs 30:5, Matthew 24:35, James 1:21, and Isaiah 55:11.

Word.

Jesus, quoting Moses, said:

‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

What do you live on?

This question has been bugging me lately.  Do I spend as much time ingesting my true food (the Bible) as bread?  Do I spend as much time reading and memorizing the Word as I do ingesting movies, blogs, Facebook, and everything else?  What am I really living on?

Don’t waste your life. Right now I am listening to Lecrae’s “Don’t Waste your Life” (watch the video!).  I loved John Piper’s book by the same title.  I need this reminder continually.  So quickly my flesh wants to live for itself, for my own glory, and not for God’s.  The ONLY way I can be sure I am not wasting my life is allowing God’s Spirit to refocus me on what matters.  And that happens through the Bible.

You should read through the Bible in a year.  The last few years I have been doing a Bible-in-a-year plan.  It is WONDERFUL.  God SO often meets me with exactly what I need for the day in the scripture for that day.  It is really quite amazing.  Plus it continues to keep the Word fresh in my heart, which helps keep my flesh at bay.  God never commands a way to ingest His Word, but scripture resounds with the importance of the scriptures in our daily lives.  I really like Psalm 143:

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul. (Psalm 143:8)

I really do need to hear from God in the morning.  I need to be reminded of how great a God we have, how wonderful of salvation Christ has given me, and how amazing is the grace God gives me daily.  I need to listen to His voice and not millions of ones coming from the world at every step through my day.

Which Bible-in-a-Year reading plan?

There are a lot of good ones.  Here’s a helpful graphic of various plans.  This year we are  going to go through the “One Year Bible” (which was recommended by my Mom’s church).  This has a New Testament, Old Testament, Psalm, and Proverb reading each day.  Here’s a printable version of the reading plan.  I like this one because it spaces out the Proverbs, so we can read a few each day with my family.  I also like that it includes New Testament as well as Old, which is more friendly to people who are new or not yet Christians.  Pick a plan and invite your friends! I invite you to join me in reading God’s Word through 2011!

My biggest tip: Forget missed days, Read just for that day

In my experience, everyone who fails to keep up with their Bible-in-a-Year does so because they miss a few days.  The reading then stacks up and they never return to it.  I cannot stress enough: forget about it.  Really!  Just read the passages for the day you’re on.  God will meet you there.  If you start worrying about “catching up”, you won’t and then you’ll be worse off by not reading.  Just read the day’s reading!  God will meet you there. I also highly recommend journaling daily (which I’ll write about in another post).

We noticed something interesting.  Luke specifically decided on two people who he calls “Mama” and “Daddy” when he is playing with his people.  Can you guess which ones?

Which one is Mama? From left to right, A, B, C, or D?

Which one is Daddy? From left to right, A, B, C, or D?

Which ones did you guess?  Post a comment to share!

The one Luke calls “Mama” is B from the first picture.  The one Luke calls “Daddy” is A from the second picture.  Why these ones?  I’m not sure.  When I asked him, he pointed out to me that the Daddy has a mustache like I do.

We look forward to how Luke will be impacted by growing up in such a diverse part of the city where we see lots of different people and play with kids from many different countries.  One African-American guy (and former gang member turned Christian) who we hung out with this summer said, “I can’t believe he isn’t afraid of me!  All little white kids run from me!”  For Luke, interacting with him was not out of the ordinary.

We are thankful for Luke to have an opportunity to have a heart like Jesus, because Jesus loves all people form every tribe, tongue, and nation.  Everyone is equal in Jesus’ eyes, as he died for all of us sinners.  The book of Revelation tells us that this song is being sung to Jesus in heaven:

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:9-10)