Bible in 90 Days -Week 8

I am currently caught up on my reading and am now reading in the prophets.  Admittedly, the prophets are some dry and difficult reading for me.  I often wonder why the Israelites never got it right- even after repeated warnings.  But, I suppose I often don't get it right myself.  I also wonder about the crazy things these people did.  What did their contemporaries think of them?  They sure did have some interesting lives!

Kathryne is also currently caught up, and we are on the downhill side now- over halfway through!

Something to Think About

As you look on the church landscape, youth are leaving the faith in droves. The modern church, overall, is struggling to reach the next generation with the gospel. What has happened? Whether for good or bad, men, for many years, have been inventing solutions or brainstorming ideas without fully relying upon the foundation of God’s Word. God, however, is greater than man, and as the heavens are above the earth, so are His ways higher than ours and His thoughts than our thoughts (Is. 55:8-9). We have substituted the greater for the lesser – God’s wisdom for man’s ideas. Jesus said that he who hears His Word and does it, is like a man that built his house upon a rock, and when the storm came, it stood firm. On the other hand, he who rejects His Word, is like a man who built on the sand and when the storm came, the house fell (Matt. 7:24-25). Shouldn’t the church, as a whole, abandon the sandy ideas of man and shamelessly return to the firm rock of the Word of God? God’s Word sufficiently identifies how youth are to be reached. For more information on this issue, please see the film Divided, which is a documentary on age-segregated youth ministry in America. Watch it for free (for a limited time) at www.dividedthemovie.com. For an in-depth study, the book A Weed in the Church delves into the topic and more thoroughly handles the Scripture passages that address ministry to young people. For other details or to help spread the message, visit www.dividedthemovie.com.

I saw the link for this video on a homeschool fellowship site and was compelled to watch.  Jason and I have pondered these very ideas for quite a while now.  It was interesting to hear some of these things from a fresh perspective - inspiring and convicting.  I'm still not sure we as a family have all the right answers, but at least we're thinking.

I encourage you to follow the links and watch the movie.  It is about an hour long, very fast-paced, documentary style.  I'd love to know what you think.

Bible in 90 Days -Week 7

When I turned on my Kindle to read yesterday, I realized that we are almost half way through the Bible!  Today is day 43 in our reading.  Kathryne and I are both currently caught up in our reading and are reading through Psalms.

I find it difficult to read through Psalms quickly.  Because the Psalms are poetry, it is difficult to read so many at one sitting.  When I have time to read more slowly, I can take time to read and then pause before the next Psalm.  When I am in more of a hurry, I have to just read - even though it is all in a jumble.

Bible in 90 Days -Week 6

It is hard to believe that I am over one third of the way through the Bible in 90 days again.  I am currently caught up on my reading and Kathryne is also right on track.

We just read through the book of Esther today- one of my favorite books of the Bible, and we are headed into Job.  Job is one of those difficult books for me.  I sometimes struggle with really seeing the big picture of Job and get bogged down in all the suffering and blaming.  We'll soon be headed into the prophets- some of the most difficult reading of the Bible in my opinion.  It does help me get through the prophets easier when using this 90 day plan.  Because I am so recently out of the history books, it is easy to relate what the prophets are saying with what was going on historically for the Israelites.  It is also encouraging to know that in only a few weeks I'll make it through the prophets and their messages of gloom and doom and into the New Testament with the fulfillment of the promise of a Savior.

Meal Plan Monday

I am glad to be getting back into a regular routine.  I'll be really glad when Wednesday night dinners at church start back next week.

Monday- Crockpot Shepherds Pie

Tuesday- Frozen Pasta shells with sauce and cheese; garlic bread

Wednesday- Grilled Italian chicken and fettucine with alfredo sauce; green peas

Thursday- Top your own pasta; fruit

Friday- BBQ chicken; mac and cheese; corn

Saturday- Leftovers and Sandwiches (I'll probably take Charles to the football game.)

Bible in 90 Days -Week 5

I am right on track reading through the Bible 90 days.  I began 1 Chronicles today.  1 and 2 Chronicles is another telling of the kings- focusing on the kings of Judah, the Southern Kingdom.  I found this handy chart to help keep all those kings straight in the reading.

Kathryne is all caught up with her reading also.  She's had a few days that she has skipped, but she always doubles up and catches up in the next few days.  She's quite a reader!

Review of August's Molly's Digest

This month's Molly's Digest is all about closets.  Molly Saves in the Closet can be purchased at The Old Schoolhouse Store here.

This was another great Molly's Digest issue.  With articles on repairing the clothing you already have, how to buy inexpensive clothing, and even redecorating an old, cluttered closet, there are plenty of great ideas in this month's digest.

One of my favorite articles this month deals with making a "cloffice"- an office space made out of an old closet.  In my house of lots of stuff and not lots of room, I can always use ideas like this.  I was quite inspired.  Unfortunately I'm not a very good seamstress, but an article on repairing clothing and recycling old things to make new clothing accessories was full of some great ideas also.  And, it's not all work this month.  I can't wait to try out the recipe for homemade ice cream using ziploc bags.  I've heard of this before but never seen the recipe or tried it for myself.  Looks like something fun to do with the kids!

All of these great articles and the typical Molly fair- recipes, a craft idea making something new out of something old, pet care advice from a vet, and many other great ideas make up this month's digest.  You can purchase the digest at The Old Schoolhouse store.  Or find out more about a Molly Membership at the Econobusters website.

I received a free copy of this month's digest for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Bible in 90 Days -Week 4

Well, I didn't make it to check in yesterday, but I am currently on track for reading through the Bible in 90 days.  I am reading in 2 Samuel.  I always enjoy reading about the time period of the kings of Israel.  I'm sort of a history buff, and this bit of Israel's history always intrigues me.  I think it is interesting how so many events are just recorded in the Bible without a spin.  Actions of the various players in the drama that unfolds are just written, often without commentary of their morality. The big focus is not on the people or the events, but on the God that is over and above all things.  It really gives some perspective to see how big God is and how small we actually are.

I recently received a book from New Leaf Publishing that I am going to review over on my Good Reads blog, Unveiling the Kings of Israel.  It is a look at the Old Testament history and leaders from an archeological perspective.  It looks great so far, and I can't wait to look at it in light of where I am reading in the Old Testament right now!

Kathryne is all caught up in reading right now also.  She is really impressing me with her ability to keep up- especially when she read four days last week to catch up!