Old Resolution, New Resolution

In December of 2009, I made a bold and ambitious resolution to read the Bible in chronological order in one year. And I made great progress, too...until I made it to the prophets. And then things began to slow down. I started to ponder the words and meditate on them, which isn't a bad thing. It is now December 2010, and I can say with pride that I successfully read the entire Old Testament. Thirty-nine books of the Bible! woo hoo!

A lot of people like to look at God in two persons...the Old Testament God of vengeance and punishment, and the New Testament God of love and forgiveness. They will dismiss the Old Testament because it doesn't fit with the Jesus image. This really couldn't be further from the truth. If we believe in one God, and we believe that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then we have to see the OT God and the NT God as one and the same.

Yes, our God is a jealous God. He is jealous for our love and attention and devotion, more so in our society than ever before. Beth Moore says that if the devil cannot get us with destruction, he will get us with distraction. And oh baby, do we have distractions! Television, texting, internet, entertainment, you name it.

Yes, there is a cost to be paid for sin. Our God is a God of judgment. No sinful being can stand before the presence of the Holy of Holies and live.

But from the very beginning, God built a redemption plan for His people, His special possession. A savior would be born who would take away the sins of the world. A king would come from the line of David, and his kingdom would have no end. It is the constant and recurring theme of the Old Testament. For God so loved the world!

Which leads me to my new resolution...

...I plan on reading the entire New Testament in 2011. As a matter of fact, I'm thinking of this as my year to walk with Jesus. I will read the words of Jesus, read books about Jesus, and just keep Jesus at the forefront of my thoughts this year.

The best part? Having finished the Old Testament this week, I can dive into the nativity story next week leading up to Christmas. How's that for perfect timing?




{recipe: amuse stamps, amuse twinkle star, kraft/white/night of navy cardstock, stickles, prisma marker}

Inside of card:



{recipe: stamp from Uptown Rubber Stamps, more mustard cardstock, stickles}

Today is my sweet husband's birthday. And do you know what he asked for this year? His very own chronological One Year Bible. I guess I talked about it so often that he decided he'd be missing out if he didn't read it, too. :)

Happy Friday, friends!