One of the difficulties that I have with such an "assignment" is that the overachieving student in me likes to bubble up to the surface and run amok. Instead of pacing myself and carefully poring over the lessons, the history, and the opportunity for worship, my nature says to try to read through the whole book in a couple of sittings. So far, however, I have been reading smaller amounts and stopping when I get fatigued or when I am just not in the proper frame of mind.
So, as I have arrived at the first "rest stop" along the way, I thought I would update my progress. Presently I have finished reading through the first 18 books of the Bible (Genesis through Job) and am now working my way through the book of Psalms. So we are a third of the way through the calendar and I am about a third of the way through the Bible. I have found this reading most enjoyable and challenging. I have also enjoyed my time so far with The Message. I will touch base with you all again when I reach the next rest stop a bit further up the road.
10 comments:
very cool...i read through the message a few years back...it is def enjoyable and enlightening to try a new translation...good job so far man...
First, thanks for the mention. I thought it was original until I saw that Chuck Swindoll did one awhile back. Bummer! :) important thing though is reading the Word. way to go my friend.
Brian, I have read bits and pieces of The Message on biblegateway when looking things up. This is my first extended read in it and certainly my first foray into the OT.
Thanks for the encouragement. Regardless of what Chuck did, I will still give you the credit. So there.
Man that's wicked awesome! Good for you.
Rob, thanks for the encouragement. This is a big commitment, but one that I think is good for me.
I use The Living Word translation of the Bible - and it's really interesting and enlightenting to listen to a different version read while following along in my Bible...Are you using any study guides in conjunction with your reading?
I sleep through most road trips and extended plane travel. But every once in a while I look up and am amazed at the colors of the sky, the textures in the landscape, or the inviting fluffiness of the clouds.
You are just ahead of me...I had made it through most of Job in The Message. By only reading a couple chapters at a time, I found myself noticing a lot more colors, textures, and fluffiness.
But now, instead of a rest stop, I have now taken a detour. I went back to "GO" and picked up my 11 year old son and 14 year old daughter. We are reading Randy Frazee & Max Lucado's The Story each night that they are with me. It seems there are A LOT more rest stops with the kids along (my son has always had a small bladder :/). But even more than the fluffiness is that I have noticed how much more fun traveling is with others...especially one's kids.
I print out organizers that I think helpful. So far some maps of the Middle East, some details of ancient Jerusalem, listings of kings of Israel and Judah, etc.
Sandy, thanks for stopping by and sharing. Good stuff here. One point that is important in such an undertaking is to make sure that this kind of "assignment" is not seen as a chore or burden. Then its value quickly falls off.
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