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Resolve to Understand The Bible This Year

How’s Your Bible Reading This Year?

No, my question isn’t meant to guilt you. Like many, I have attempted to read through the Bible each year and found myself behind schedule. Due to my own failure, some years I switch to different reading plans; other years I sped up my reading plan. Despite the differences, I’ve found one thing that works each year.

Each year I read through “The Story” by Max Lucado and Randy Fraizer Since there are only 30 chapters in the book, my approach is to read just one chapter a day.[1] That means within one month I have read through the overall narrative of the Bible, which becomes a foundation for me to read the rest of scripture throughout the year.

If you choose to follow my lead, know that this book is uniquely complied by Lucado and Frazier. Both authors have compiled significant sections in the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible to allow scripture to read in narrative form. Yes, parts are withheld from this compilation, but they are removed to facilitate the overall redemptive story of scripture. In between these gaps, Lucado and Frazier write transitional synopsis’ to guide the reader into the next portion of the larger narrative.

Technically, Lucado and Fraizer’s approach promotes Biblical Theology, which focuses on the redemptive story in the Bible. Both authors communicate this redemptive tale with great care through the scripture passages they include. As a result, anyone is able to read The Story and see how scripture points towards Christ being the fulfillment of redemption: A fulfillment that puts Abraham, Moses, The Law, Joshua, the Judges, Ruth, the Kings, Major and Minor Prophecy, and more into a redemptive context. A context that requires one to read the entire Bible, even the passages left out, to then realize scripture’s deeper redemptive narrative.

As I stated earlier, “it becomes a foundation for me to read the rest of scripture throughout the year.” Continue reading “Resolve to Understand The Bible This Year”

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Hawaiian Ballistic Missile Crisis Reflections

BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.[1]

On 13-January-2018 at 8:07am the above statement was my present reality. This alarming message occurred approximately one year ago, and I will never forget where I was and my reaction.

Specifically, I was lying in bed checking my smartphone for any messages that came overnight. While checking Facebook, I noticed many residents on my local neighborhood page asking others if they had received the emergency alert? Interestingly enough, I knew I had not received the warning and now know have made changes in my phone’s settings to receive future alerts.

Fortunately, by the time I saw my neighbor’s concerns I knew it was too late to matter the outcome. Continue reading “Hawaiian Ballistic Missile Crisis Reflections”

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My One-Word Goal For 2019

New Years has come and went; so are the resolutions many of us do not keep. Perhaps you made some resolutions, maybe not. Either way, I want to encourage you to restart by doing what I have done the past few years: choose a one-word goal.

In 2015, I did my first one-word goal by choosing to focus on hope. That year I learned a lot about hope, I gained a strong foundation on the topic, and I have since built on the theological virtue.[1]

Following hope, in 2017 my word was peace. Unintentionally peace has been my one-word goal for the past two years because I took multiple years to develop a solid foundation with the word. Now that there is a solid foundation, there is also room for peace to grow in my heart, which I look forward to explaining in future posts.

In 2019, however, it’s time to transition from the one-word goal of peace towards the foundation of a new one-word goal: The theological virtue, faith.[2]

Faith became my 2019 one-word goal after watching a montage of Billy Graham videos. At one point in the video, in his famous North Carolina draw, Graham addresses Phil Donahue with these words, Continue reading “My One-Word Goal For 2019”

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Highlights From My 2018 Reading List

Previously I shared my 2018 reading list. Within that list are a variety of books. Some were fun, some were serious, other books I wish I never started. The later books I will not spend anytime on. Rather, below, I want to share with you my big picture reflections over the books I read and the impressions they made.

Authors – In 2018 I read a lot from the same authors. Be it Richard Blackaby, Tim Keller, Eugene Peterson, or others. By reading the same author continually I read more books. Plus, since many authors emphasize consistent themes across their works, it is easier to retain the points they emphasize.

Francis Schaffer – Schaeffer resonated with me after finishing the biography on him. While reading this biography I discovered a kinship with him. Overall, I closely identify with his views on culture, worldview, theology, and ministry. As a result, I read two more works of his in 2018 and purchased the hardback version of the entire Francis Schaeffer Completed Works: Volumes 1 through 5. In 2019 I look forward to reading Schaeffer more with another author who I identify with.

Eugene Peterson – Peterson is another author I continually read in 2018. Across Peterson’s works I found an author who shares my ideal way to relate to God: through contemplation. Be it reading, writing, quietly thinking, music, and most of all praying, Peterson advocates to actively contemplate and see God at work. He believes we can see constant reminders that Jesus is on our side due to the free gift we have received through Christ alone. In response to the Peterson’s works, I have been reading, writing, and praying more. In 2019 I am looking forward to seeing how my faith grows and how I get to share Christ with other more through these contemplative disciplines. Continue reading “Highlights From My 2018 Reading List”