TreasuresInTerraCotta

Take a deep breath we're headed into Revelation.  Of all the books, Reveleation seems to be one that we most often view in small snipitts.  We might be familir with the letters to the seven churches, the scrolls and seven seals, the image of the dragon or the views of the new heaven and new earth.  But now that we've experienced the benefits of a wide-lens perspective of the New Testament, I am persuaded that the same overview of Reveleation may be very beneficial.  We're nearly finished!

Hooray!  We're starting the epistles!  The letters of the New Testament.  I have to admit that I was in college before I was ever introduced to the epistles as actual letters .  Reading them with that in mind opens up a whole new level of understanding.  Are you hanging in there? Remember that perfection is not necessairly the goal. I shamelessly selected verses from Philippians, but I beleive they convey at least part of our goal as we read through the New Testament in 30 Days (regardless of whether it takes a few day more or less). What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...I want to know Christ... Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Phil 3:8, 10, 12 Keep pressing on, friends!

Late last week I met with three other ladies who are also reading through the New Testament in 30 days.  It was so encouraging to chat with them.  We are all within a few days of where we should be, even in spite of vacations, interruptions, children, grand-children and busy households.  But what I loved most about talking to them was being reminded that we are a community and somehow there is a lot of encouragement in knowing that we are doing this together.  So here we are at the end of John.  This book is very different and very insightful in ways the other gospels are not, but I think that if John and I took a personality test we would be in opposite corners. Of course, this provides a good challenge to me, but I recognize that he and I do not necessarily speak the same language. My insights from this reading are mostly related to the last chapter.  The more I think about it, it seems to be a fi...

How's your reading going?  I've been keeping up but I haven't found the prefect routine yet.  I prefer to do Bible study/Bible reading in the afternoon when the boys are quiet napping or resting.  But with Baby Boy #3 on the way we recently moved Andrew into Calvin's room.  We have yet to find a workable afternoon nap/rest combination, so the afternoon has been hit-and-miss.  I also often read or study in the evenings after the boys are in bed, so that has been part of my plan for this New Testament blast.  Each day has been a little different, but I am striving not to let me perfectionism keep me from it.  All I wanted to say today is that I love Luke!  It is my favorite gospel and has been for as long as I can remember.  I love the inclusion of the Christmas story.  I like that there are a lot of stories about women.  And reading it now immediately following Matthew and Mark I re...

How does a story like the beheading of John the Baptist make it into the Bible.  It is horrifying, it is pure wickedness and it is so absurd that it could be fiction.    [Herod] sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  (Matthew 14:10-11) What happens next is, perhaps, often overlooked or viewed without much consideration of the human emotion surrounding a tragic death.    And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus. (14:12) That's the end of the segment in my Bible.  It would appear that we aren't told about Jesus' reaction.  We aren't even certain about the personal relationship between Jesus and John.  But the next segment, I believe, gives us a glimpse of Jesus' heart.  Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place b...

I recently learned that March is the only month with a date as a command...March 4th.  March Forth!  Wouldn't it be great to set out on a grand adventure on March 4th. Hike the Grand Canyon. Get married. Graduate. Set sail. Something significant or even not-so-significant.  Here we are at the beginning of March and we have a challenge before us; perhaps it will be a grand adventure:  Read the New Testament in a month.  (If you pay attention to such things, you will be happy to note that March actually has 31 days.  That's grace, right there!)  I do not intend to post a comment each day, but I'll keep you updated periodically with my progress and perhaps share some thoughts.  I hope you will chime in as well with what you are reading and how it is affecting you. Day 1:  For me, these chapters were mostly familiar.  But already I can see that reading a large section give me per...

Now that we're finished with Ruth what's your plan?  If you're anything like me, you might have to admit that on a random Thursday you discover that your Bible hasn't moved from the bag you carried it to church in on Sunday.  Our pastor challenged us to read 30 Days Through the New Testament.  It's a pretty aggressive reading plan, but I'm going to do it in March.  Is anyone with me? Here's the schedule.    1. Matthew 1-9   2. Matthew 10-15   3. Matthew 16-22   4. Matthew 23-28   5. Mark 1-8   6. Mark 9-16   7. Luke 1-6   8. Luke 7-11   9. Luke 12-18   10. Luke 19-24   11. John 1-7   12. John 8-13   13. John 14-21   14. Acts 1-7   15. Acts 8-14   16. Acts 15-21   17. Acts 22-28   18. Romans 1-8   19. Romans 9-16   20. 1 Corinthians 1-9   21. 1 Corinthians 10-16   22. 2 Corinthians 1-13   23. Galatians - Ephesians   ...