Are you looking ahead yet?

While I don't want to bypass anything about Christmas, I want to get you thinking about something...

If you're like me, you probably don't make many New Years Resolutions.  However, this past year, I chose to aim at reading the entire Bible through in a year.  I'll confess now that I often struggle with plans like this due to the sheer volume of reading and the lack of time I have to simply sit and read.  As a result, I often give up... like I did this year (Ahem.).

I want to let you in on what I'm going to do instead in 2011 to keep my mind fixed on Christ and on knowing Him through God's Word. 

In the mornings, I plan to read a short daily entry in the book I shared with you recently:  Parenting Moment by Moment.   I will reflect on it and the additional verse(s) for the rest of the day.

In the car line at Caleb's school, where I have about 30 min. to sit, I plan on reading a short daily entry in another book I'm excited about:  The One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament, by Nancy Guthrie.  I get all excited when I see evidence of the meta-narrative (or Big Story / unfolding plan from the beginning) of God's plan of Salvation.  It helps me immensely to remember that all the individual characters and their life experiences/stories are united, not disjointed -- that, as my kids'  Jesus Storybook Bible reminds us, "Every story whispers His name."  It also reminds me that as a redeemed, adopted child of God, I also get to play a part in that grand story.

At another point in the day, probably bedtime, I will read a short New Testament passage in a Bible Reading Plan I adapted from a friend of ours, who copied it from a friend of a friend to use with his own church.  You can find and download it in PDF form here.

This way, with 3 brief readings, I'll get a chance to reflect on 1. The Gospel and its continuation in the New Testament,  2.  How God was planning to bring Jesus to give us a chance to be reconciled to Him from the beginning of sin's entry into the world,  and 3.  How I can better use Scripture that I'm encountering to train my own children God's Way.


I don't know about you, but that seems much less daunting to me than a daily reading plan with 4-5 lengthy passages.  Join me on January 4 (Gives you a few days to get into routine)?

Have another reading/study goal for the new year?  Share it in the comments below!

Countdown!

***UPDATE*** Found it on my doorstep tonight when I got home... WOOHOO! Whoop!



I've been waiting for some time for this one... When Scott asked me what I wanted for our anniversary, the answer was EASY. Crossway Publishing is releasing the study Bible version of its new translation of the Bible on October 15th! He pre-ordered a copy, and I can't wait for it to get here!

Why am I so excited?

I love to know the context of Scripture. It shows me exactly what God intended when He inspired what I am reading. I love diving into the context of Scripture by checking out maps, using study materials, understanding the culture and traditions of the time periods, etc. Doing so helps me properly apply Scripture to my own life and truly reminds me how God's Word is living and active.

This Study Bible (in addition to being one of the most closely accurate-to-the-original-language translations) is chock-full of the following:

• Over 200 full-color maps—created with the latest digital technology, satellite images, and archaeological research; printed in full color throughout the Bible.


• 200-plus charts—offering key insights and in-depth analysis in clear, concise outline form; located throughout the Bible.
• 80,000 cross-references—to encourage easy location of important words, passages, and biblical themes.
• 40 all-new illustrations—including full-color renderings and architectural diagrams of the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, Solomon’s temple, Herod’s temple, the city of Jerusalem in Jesus’ time and throughout the history of Israel, and many more.

Here is a sample image from Crossway's ESV SB website: (click to enlarge)


I respect the attitude of the Godly men and women who have worked hard to put this together. Here is the stated purpose from the Crossway site (Linked to above):

The goal and vision of the ESV Study Bible is, first and foremost, to honor the Lord—in terms of the excellence, beauty, and accuracy of its content and design; and in terms of helping people come to a deeper understanding of the Bible, of the Gospel, and of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Crossway is a not-for-profit publishing ministry and all receipts from the ESV Study Bible go directly toward the support of this ministry goal around the world.

McDonaldSpot version 2.008 with readme.txt

Happy New Year to you and yours!

The dawn of the year of our Lord 2008 finds us blogging in the home of First Monday Trade Days as we wrap up our visit with Scott's family. We missed First Monday by a week (the event is held on the weekend that precedes the first Monday of each new month), and while I was slightly disappointed, the trip has been wonderful and relaxing.

Have you made any new resolutions to accompany the new year? Some avoid them because they seem cliche or lack the seriousness required for change. Others show their willpower by keeping them all year long. Regardless, many people would like to change things or introduce new behaviors (workouts, anyone?)

Was reading on your list? Scott and I have compiled a favorite authors list, along with a few specific books that you might be interested in. The nerd in me wants to organize them by genre, then author, then title. The efficient side of me knows that I don't have a lot of time (football is on, the kids are wanting to play games, and the New Years queso dip and snacks are beckoning). So, here goes, and hopefully it's more organized than chaotic:

Favorite Christian Authors and some book titles (with genres included where possible)

a non-exhaustive list

the book titles listed are not necessarily the only books we recommend by that author

• CS Lewis
• AW Tozer Knowledge of the Holy, and others
• Dallas Willard Spirit of the Disciplines, I'm wanting to read The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus' Essential Teachings on Discipleship
• Oswald Sanders Spiritual Leadership
• Os Guinness Dining with the Devil
• Wayne Grudem Christian Beliefs:20 Basics every Christian should know, Systematic Theology (mainly theology)
• Richard Foster Celebration of the Disciplines
• DA Carson (mainly theology, I think)
• John Piper Don't waste your Life, Sex and the Supremacy of God, Brothers We Are Not Professionals (many genres)
• JI Packer Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, Knowing God
• Mark Dever Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
• John MacArthur
• Ravi Zacharias The Grand Weaver, and many others
• CJ Mahaney Humility
• Elisabeth Elliot
• The Jesus Storybook Bible
• Teach Them Diligently by Lou Priolo (parenting)

Now, there are probably many that we missed, and I know that I've received good suggestions and guidance from these places also.

The Discerning Reader

GirlTalk search for entries categorized "books" or "reading"

Al Mohler's website Mr. Mohler often discusses good books and critiques others.

Be wise as you select reading material! As a believer, it would sadly be unwise to assume that any book you find in the Christianity section of a bookstore (or a christian bookstore, for that matter) is Biblically accurate and reflects Truth.

Replaced with the more efficient...

I'm de-commissioning the book blog I started in favor of recommending a new one! Are you looking for a site that reads and reviews the latest books? Try Discerning Reader; the editors review a variety of books with the goal of promoting books that honor God and helping believers sort through the plethora of published material vying for your attention. Expect a bold (but not intended to be harsh or judgmental) take on the content and value of each book. Whether you agree fully or struggle with their take on a book, prepare to be challenged on what internal filter you use when choosing reading material!

Welcome Scott to McBookSpot

Scott just finished reading Blue Like Jazz. Don't miss his comments on this "trendy" book at our book blog: http://mcbookspot.blogspot.com.