A Prayer for President Obama
Al Mohler http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=3113
Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 2:00 am ET
Our Father, Lord of all creation, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We pray today with a sense of special urgency and responsibility. We come before you to pray for our new President, Barack Obama, and for all those in this new administration who now assume roles of such high responsibility.
We know that you and you alone are sovereign; that you rule over all, and that you alone are able to keep and defend us. We know that our times are in your hands, and that "the king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord" [Proverbs 21:1]. Our confidence is in you and in you alone. We come before you as a people who acknowledge our constant need for your provision, wisdom, and protection.
Father, we pray today for Barack Obama as he takes office as President of the United States. We pray that you will show the glory of your name in our times and in these days, confounding the wisdom of the wise, thwarting the plans of the arrogant, and vindicating those who do justice and practice righteousness.
Father, we pray with thanksgiving for the gift of government and the grace of civic order. Thank you for giving us rulers and for knowing our need for laws and ordered life together. Thank you for this nation and the blessings we know as its citizens. Thank you for freedoms unprecedented in human history. We understand that these freedoms come with unprecedented opportunities.
Lord, we pray with thanksgiving for the joy and celebration reflected on millions of faces who never expected to look to the President of the United States and see a person who looks like themselves. Father, thank you for preserving this nation to the moment when an African-American citizen will take the oath of office and become our President. Thank you for the hope this has given to so many, the pride emerging in hearts that had known no such hope, and the pride that comes to a people who have experienced such pain at the hands of fellow citizens, simply because of the color of their skin. Father, we rejoice in every elderly face that reflects such long-sought satisfaction and in every young face that expresses such unrestrained joy. May this become an open door for a vision of race and human dignity that reflects your glory in our differences, and not our corruption of your gift.
Father, protect this president, we pray. We pray that you will surround this president and his family, along with all our leaders, with your protection and sustenance. May he be protected from evil acts and evil intentions, and may his family be protected from all evil and harm.
We pray that the Obama family will be drawn together as they move into the White House, and that they will know great joy in their family life. We are thankful for the example Barack and Michelle Obama have set as parents. Father, protect those precious girls in every way -- including the protection of their hearts as they see their father often criticized and as he is away from them on business of state. May their years in the White House bring them all even closer together.
Father, we pray for the safety and security of this nation, even as our new president settles into his role as Commander in Chief. We know that you and you alone can be our defense. We do not place our trust in horses or chariots, and we pray that you will give this president wisdom as he fulfills this vital responsibility.
Father, grant him wisdom in every dimension of his vast responsibility. Grant him wisdom to deal with a global financial crisis and with the swirling complex of vexing problems and challenges at home and abroad. May he inspire this nation to a higher vision for our common life together, to a higher standard of justice, righteousness, unity, and the tasks of citizenship.
Father, we pray that you will change this president's heart and mind on issues of urgent concern. We are so thankful for his gifts and talents, for his intellect and power of influence. Father, bend his heart to see the dignity and sanctity of every single human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. Father, lead him to see abortion, not as a matter of misconstrued rights, but as a murderous violation of the right to life. May he come to see every aborted life as a violation of human dignity and every abortion as an abhorrent blight upon this nation's moral witness. May he pledge himself to protect every human life at every stage of development. He has declared himself as an energetic defender of abortion rights, and we fear that his election will lead directly to the deaths of countless unborn human beings. Protect us from this unspeakable evil, we pray. Most urgently, we pray that you will bring the reign of abortion to an end, even as you are the defender of the defenseless.
Father, may this new president see that human dignity is undermined when human embryos are destroyed in the name of medical progress, and may he see marriage as an institution that is vital to the very survival of civilization. May he protect all that is right and good. Father, change his heart where it must be changed, and give him resolve where his heart is right before you.
Father, when we face hard days ahead -- when we find ourselves required by conscience to oppose this president within the bounds of our roles as citizens -- may we be granted your guidance to do so with a proper spirit, with a proper demeanor, and with persuasive arguments. May we learn anew how to confront without demonizing, and to oppose without abandoning hope.
Father, we are aware that our future is in your hands, and we are fully aware that you and you alone will judge the nations. Much responsibility is now invested in President Barack Obama, and much will be required. May we, as Christian citizens, also fulfill what you would require of us. Even as we pray for you to protect this president and change his heart, we also pray that your church will be protected and that you will conform our hearts to your perfect will.
Father, we pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, the ever-reigning once and future King, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He and he alone can save, and his kingdom is forever. Above all, may your great name be praised. Amen.
_________________________
Christians are, first of all, citizens of a heavenly kingdom. The followers of Christ know no allegiance of ultimate rank to any government or earthly authority. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that God has given us the gifts of law, government, and ruling authorities for our good. We are instructed to pray for "rulers and all who have authority" and to be faithful in praying "so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God" [1 Timothy 2:2].
As Barack Obama prepares to take the oath of office and become the 44th President of the United States, Christians should be thinking about how to pray for the new President. I offer this prayer as a place to start, as we observe the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States together.
January 20, 2009
Hebrews 13:3
Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Hebrews 13:3
Location: China Arrested: January 2007 Days Imprisoned: 726
Print Fact Sheet
On January 26, 2007, 76-year-old Shuang Shuying and her son, house church leader Hua Huiqi, were attacked, wounded and arrested by police while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing. Shuying has numerous medical problems and is serving two years in prison. We invite you to write a letter of encouragement to Shuying. We have experienced incredible results when readers write to believers who have been imprisoned for their faith. The letters often result in shorter prison sentences. Send a letter of encouragement to Shuying and let her know you are praying for her. Also, write to the Chinese government requesting she be released. Let your friends know about suffering believers in China and encourage them to pray and write too. Get involved. Pray and write today.
http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_177_profile.html
Location: China Arrested: January 2007 Days Imprisoned: 726
Print Fact Sheet
On January 26, 2007, 76-year-old Shuang Shuying and her son, house church leader Hua Huiqi, were attacked, wounded and arrested by police while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing. Shuying has numerous medical problems and is serving two years in prison. We invite you to write a letter of encouragement to Shuying. We have experienced incredible results when readers write to believers who have been imprisoned for their faith. The letters often result in shorter prison sentences. Send a letter of encouragement to Shuying and let her know you are praying for her. Also, write to the Chinese government requesting she be released. Let your friends know about suffering believers in China and encourage them to pray and write too. Get involved. Pray and write today.
http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_177_profile.html
January 19, 2009
Quote of the Day
“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the Word of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle front besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.” -- Martin Luther
January 18, 2009
Christians in Retreat
The Tennessean today published a story titled “Southern Baptist Fight decline” which can be found here http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090117/NEWS06/901170354. In this article Bob Smietana, wote,
“The biggest problem facing Baptists may be that they talk a lot about saving souls, but church members have become reluctant to share their faith. Baptists emphasize believer's baptism, which means that new converts should be immersed after professing their faith in Jesus Christ.
Ed Stetzer, head of LifeWay Research, said that a grass-roots evangelism revival is needed in Baptist churches. He says too many Southern Baptists rely on preachers to talk about Jesus.
"Southern Baptists are people who love to talk about evangelism, as long as it is being done by someone else," he said.
In 1978, just before the start of the resurgence, there was one baptism for every 36 members of the convention. By 2007, that ratio was one baptism to every 47 members.
"We are baptizing fewer of our own children, and fewer unchurched people," LifeWay's Rainer said.
More than 9,000 congregations, or almost a quarter of all Southern Baptist churches, reported no baptisms in 2007. And, in that year, only 8.3 percent of the churches were responsible for 49.8 percent of the convention's baptisms.”
The problem has to be that Southern Baptist either:
A. Do not believe in Hell any more.
B. Hate the people around them so much that they wish they would go to hell.
C. Are so lazy and narcissistic that they would rather watch football (or read or play Boggle or whatever) than warn people about hell.
D. Are trying to stay out of hell themselves by playing religious games, and once they have checked off the Church box they are done.
I think the answer is either C or D and it breaks my heart. And, the enemy is not taking a break either. If he can get all of us focused on the election, or putting together a petition to have “Desperate Housewives” taken off the air, or making sure that the Jesus fish on my pickup is well polished then there is no one left to share the gospel with the guy at your job. I would invite you the visit http://www.wayofthemaster.com/learntoshare.shtml, and dedicate your life to Jesus and doing the work he has called us to do. Jesus said “Go” and if we disobey that, if we thumb our nose at the King and make silly excuses then how can we expect anything but condemnation in our lives?
Blaurock Luke 12:47
January 17, 2009
How Barack Obama Will Make Christ a Minister of Condemnation
How Barack Obama Will Make Christ a Minister of Condemnation
January 17, 2009 By: John Piper
At Barack Obama’s request, tomorrow in the Lincoln Memorial, Gene Robinson, the first openly non-celibate homosexual bishop in the Episcopal Church, will deliver the invocation for the inauguration kick-off.
This is tragic not mainly because Obama is willing to hold up the legitimacy of homosexual intercourse, but because he is willing to get behind the church endorsement of sexual intercourse between men.
It is one thing to say: Two men may legally have sex. It is another to say: The Christian church acted acceptably in blessing Robinson’s sex with men.
The implications of this are serious.
It means that Barack Obama is willing, not just to tolerate, but to feature a person and a viewpoint that makes the church a minister of damnation. Again, the tragedy here is not that many people in public life hold views (like atheism) that lead to damnation, but that Obama is making the church the minister of damnation.
The apostle Paul says,
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves , nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
What is Paul saying about things like adultery, greed, stealing, and homosexual practice? As J. I. Packer puts it, “They are ways of sin that, if not repented of and forsaken, will keep people out of God’s kingdom of salvation.” (Christianity Today, January 2003, p. 48).
In other words, to bless people in these sins, instead of offering them forgiveness and deliverance from them, is to minister damnation to them, not salvation.
The gospel, with its forgiveness and deliverance from homosexual practice, offers salvation. Gene Robinson, with his blessing and approval of homosexual practice, offers damnation. And he does it in the name of Christ.
It is as though Obama sought out a church which blessed stealing and adultery, and then chose its most well-known thief and adulterer, and asked him to pray.
One more time: The issue here is not that presidents may need to tolerate things they don’t approve of. The issue is this: In linking the Christian ministry to the approval of homosexual activity, Christ is made a minister of condemnation.
Desiring God Blog
January 17, 2009 By: John Piper
At Barack Obama’s request, tomorrow in the Lincoln Memorial, Gene Robinson, the first openly non-celibate homosexual bishop in the Episcopal Church, will deliver the invocation for the inauguration kick-off.
This is tragic not mainly because Obama is willing to hold up the legitimacy of homosexual intercourse, but because he is willing to get behind the church endorsement of sexual intercourse between men.
It is one thing to say: Two men may legally have sex. It is another to say: The Christian church acted acceptably in blessing Robinson’s sex with men.
The implications of this are serious.
It means that Barack Obama is willing, not just to tolerate, but to feature a person and a viewpoint that makes the church a minister of damnation. Again, the tragedy here is not that many people in public life hold views (like atheism) that lead to damnation, but that Obama is making the church the minister of damnation.
The apostle Paul says,
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves , nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
What is Paul saying about things like adultery, greed, stealing, and homosexual practice? As J. I. Packer puts it, “They are ways of sin that, if not repented of and forsaken, will keep people out of God’s kingdom of salvation.” (Christianity Today, January 2003, p. 48).
In other words, to bless people in these sins, instead of offering them forgiveness and deliverance from them, is to minister damnation to them, not salvation.
The gospel, with its forgiveness and deliverance from homosexual practice, offers salvation. Gene Robinson, with his blessing and approval of homosexual practice, offers damnation. And he does it in the name of Christ.
It is as though Obama sought out a church which blessed stealing and adultery, and then chose its most well-known thief and adulterer, and asked him to pray.
One more time: The issue here is not that presidents may need to tolerate things they don’t approve of. The issue is this: In linking the Christian ministry to the approval of homosexual activity, Christ is made a minister of condemnation.
Desiring God Blog
"God Told Me"
A Friend of Mine, John Killian Ask me the following question:
"In light of the position we hold that Scripture is our sole authority, I would like comments on the matter of those who constantly claim that God speaks personally to them. Do people today hear voices from God? Is God silent? Do these personal messages from God possess a value on par with Scripture? Lest I am perceived as harsh, I am sincere in wanting input on this question.
I believe that God is still free to speak (just as he did to the prophets) and still does speak to people through many aveunes. The inner conviction of the Spirit, through other believers, through creation through a variety of methods and means. These convictions or experiences however must be interpreted through the lense of scripture. God will never tell you something that contridicts scripture or goes against it in any way. These experiences are in no way equal to scripture. When I preach do I believe God is speaking through me, yes. Do I believe that I have been inspired by he Holy Spirit to speak, yes of course, I pray that every time I speak I am inspired. But, is it inspired to be equal to scripture no way. The same applies to any other Word we have from God. Scripture has a higher level of authority above all other forms of revelation."
An Excellent question, one that I think the Church has avoided for far too long out of the fear of offending someone. Hebrews 1:1-2 says "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." So, I think that John Piper rightly points out that there are two phases of Revelation 1.) God spoke through prophets, and 2.) He now speaks through Jesus. When we look for a third way are we not saying, "I have plumbed the depths of this Jesus guy, and have found Him wanting. I need more than Jesus." Really, Has my wicked evil heart Really exausted all that Jesus has to offer me so that I long for another word? Or, could it be that I am too lazy to fall on my knees with my face in The Book and seek Him with all my being and effort. I believe that if we seek more of Him, if Jesus becomes the goal and not the means then the "Who do I marry", and "What house do I buy" kind of questions fade to grey and more or less take care of themselves.
It seems to me from observation and personal experience (Not very valuable I know) that when most people say "I feel lead" it means "I really want to", or "I feel strongly" and "God has laid ____ on my heart" means "I just thought of this". As a pastor I have had different people say that "The Lord has lead me" to leave their wife, sue a fellow christian, and take a job as a bartender. I have also had two separate people in the midst of an affair tell me that "God has given them peace" about the illicit relationship because they "really love" the person they are not married to at the time. I realize that these are extreme examples, but they highlight the fact that Our heart is deceitful (A liar) above all things and desperately wicked. I cannot (Nay Must not) believe what my heart/mind tell me. God, I believe does speak to us, through His Word primarily and through His Church, (but we are to test these against the word). Personally, I have excised all the "God lead, God spoke, God called" phrases from my vocabulary lest I break the commandment to Not Take the Lord my God's Name in vain. I think that God guides us through various means, but if it isnt in text I cannot be SURE that it is Him, and must treat it as a lesser, much lesser, authority.
Blaurock
"In light of the position we hold that Scripture is our sole authority, I would like comments on the matter of those who constantly claim that God speaks personally to them. Do people today hear voices from God? Is God silent? Do these personal messages from God possess a value on par with Scripture? Lest I am perceived as harsh, I am sincere in wanting input on this question.
I believe that God is still free to speak (just as he did to the prophets) and still does speak to people through many aveunes. The inner conviction of the Spirit, through other believers, through creation through a variety of methods and means. These convictions or experiences however must be interpreted through the lense of scripture. God will never tell you something that contridicts scripture or goes against it in any way. These experiences are in no way equal to scripture. When I preach do I believe God is speaking through me, yes. Do I believe that I have been inspired by he Holy Spirit to speak, yes of course, I pray that every time I speak I am inspired. But, is it inspired to be equal to scripture no way. The same applies to any other Word we have from God. Scripture has a higher level of authority above all other forms of revelation."
An Excellent question, one that I think the Church has avoided for far too long out of the fear of offending someone. Hebrews 1:1-2 says "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." So, I think that John Piper rightly points out that there are two phases of Revelation 1.) God spoke through prophets, and 2.) He now speaks through Jesus. When we look for a third way are we not saying, "I have plumbed the depths of this Jesus guy, and have found Him wanting. I need more than Jesus." Really, Has my wicked evil heart Really exausted all that Jesus has to offer me so that I long for another word? Or, could it be that I am too lazy to fall on my knees with my face in The Book and seek Him with all my being and effort. I believe that if we seek more of Him, if Jesus becomes the goal and not the means then the "Who do I marry", and "What house do I buy" kind of questions fade to grey and more or less take care of themselves.
It seems to me from observation and personal experience (Not very valuable I know) that when most people say "I feel lead" it means "I really want to", or "I feel strongly" and "God has laid ____ on my heart" means "I just thought of this". As a pastor I have had different people say that "The Lord has lead me" to leave their wife, sue a fellow christian, and take a job as a bartender. I have also had two separate people in the midst of an affair tell me that "God has given them peace" about the illicit relationship because they "really love" the person they are not married to at the time. I realize that these are extreme examples, but they highlight the fact that Our heart is deceitful (A liar) above all things and desperately wicked. I cannot (Nay Must not) believe what my heart/mind tell me. God, I believe does speak to us, through His Word primarily and through His Church, (but we are to test these against the word). Personally, I have excised all the "God lead, God spoke, God called" phrases from my vocabulary lest I break the commandment to Not Take the Lord my God's Name in vain. I think that God guides us through various means, but if it isnt in text I cannot be SURE that it is Him, and must treat it as a lesser, much lesser, authority.
Blaurock
January 1, 2009
New Year’s Day 2009
To follow up the post on New Year’s Resolution, I want to look at a short passage of Scripture.
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16 The year ahead is always something we cannot predict. Things often take turns we didn’t expect. Our passage points out that the days are evil. We know, from Scripture, that the days will get worse as we draw closer to the end. We don’t know when that day will actually be (Matthew 24:36) but we know that they will be similar to the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-38). Genesis 6:5 says “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” The days that we live in are truly no different. People are focused on the temporal, the past, the here and now.
We are to be different “not as unwise, but as wise.” Pay attention to your walk. Place one foot in front of the other, steady as you go. Carpe Diem, as the saying goes. The Greek word for time here means opportunity. Make the most of the opportunity that is the life you have been given. Worship and serve! God is to be our focus, our passion, our life!!
David Brainard, missionary to the Native Americans in the early your of
New Years Resolutions
Every year people make New Year's Resolutions. Sometimes they are a repeat of the resolutions of last year that never got done, sometimes they are new resolutions that won't get done. There is just something about the changing of the calendar that makes people want to change, be better, improve one's self.
That being said, here are mine!!
First of all, I want to improve things here at A&S. I want to post with some kind of regularity, at least once a week. It would help if I had a focus, like I did with the Proverbs, so I may try to find something like that. I also have to finish my post on the Great Commission!!
Second, I want to be better read. I am planning on setting aside $25-30 a month to buy books, hopefully getting at least two books a month. I don't plan on doing book reviews, although I may attempt one or two. Mainly, I just need to feed my mind more (which meand less television).
Third, I want to finally complete a "through the Bible in a year" plan. Every study bible I have has one in the back but I never seem to complete it. I worked on a couple of plans the other day that I think will work quite well though, with a big emphasis on the New Testament. I'll lay it out below.
Plan 1
This plan takes you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament 13 times, reading 10-11 chapters a day of NT. Wow, I know!
1. Read 3 chapters from the OT, 6 days a week, starting January 1st.
2. Week 1 (starting the first Sunday of January)
Sun: MT: 1-10
Mon: MT: 11-19
Tue: MT: 20-28
Wed: 1 Cor. 1-10
Thu: 1 Cor 11-16, 2 Cor 1-3
Fri: 2 Cor 4-13
Sat: 1&2 Thessalonians
Week 2
Sun: Mark 1-8
Mon: Mark 9-16
Tue: 1&2 Peter
Wed: Galatians, Colossians, & Philemon
Thu: Ephesians & Philippians
Fri: Hebrews 1-10
Sat: Hebrews 11-13 & Titus
Week 3
Sun: Luke 1-10
Mon: Luke 11-20
Tue: Luke 21-24 & Acts 1-6
Wed: Acts 7-16
Thu: Acts 17-25
Fri: Acts 26-28 & James
Sat: 1 & 2 Timothy
Week 4
Sun: John 1-10
Mon: John 11-20
Tue: Romans 1-8
Wed: Romans 9-16
Thu: 1-3 John & Jude
Fri: Revelation 1-11
Sat: Revelation 12-22
Plan 2
This plan takes you through the OT once and the NT 6 times(actually 6.5), reading 4-5 chapters a day of NT.
1. Read 3 chapters from the OT,6 days a week, starting January 1st.
2. Week 1 (starting the first Sunday of January)
Sun: Mt 1-5
Mon: Mt 6-10
Tue: Mt 11-15
Wed: Mt 16-20
Thu: Mt 21-24
Fri: Mt 25-28
Sat: James
Week 2
Sun: Mark 1-5
Mon: Mark 6-10
Tue: Mark 11-16
Wed: Romans 1-5
Thu: Romans 6-10
Fri: Romans 11-16
Sat: Jude
Week 3
Sun: John 1-5
Mon: John 6-10
Tue: John 11-15
Wed: John 16-20
Thu: 1 John
Fri: 2-3 John
Sat: Galatians
Week 4
Sun: Luke 1-4
Mon: Luke 5-9
Tue: Luke 1-14
Wed: Luke 15-19
Thu: Luke 2-24
Fri: 1 Thessalonians
Sat: 2 Thessalonians
Week 5
Sun: Acts 1-5
Mon: Acts 6-10
Tue: Acts 11-15
Wed: Acts 16-20
Thu: Acts 21-24
Fri: Acts 25-28
Sat: Philippians
Week 6
Sun: Colossians
Mon: 1 Cor 1-5
Tue: 1 Cor 6-10
Wed: 1 Cor 11-16
Thu: 2 Cor 1-5
Fri: 2 Cor 6-9
Sat: 2 Cor 10-13
Week 7
Sun: Hebrews 1-4
Mon: Hebrews 5-8
Tue: Hebrews 9-13
Wed: Ephesians
Thu: 1 Timothy
Fri: 2 Timothy
Sat: Titus
Week 8
Sun: 1 Peter
Mon: 2 Peter & Philemon
Tue: Revelation 1-5
Wed: Revelation 6-9
Thu: Revelation 10-13
Fri: Revelation 14-17
Sat: Revelation 18-22
That being said, here are mine!!
First of all, I want to improve things here at A&S. I want to post with some kind of regularity, at least once a week. It would help if I had a focus, like I did with the Proverbs, so I may try to find something like that. I also have to finish my post on the Great Commission!!
Second, I want to be better read. I am planning on setting aside $25-30 a month to buy books, hopefully getting at least two books a month. I don't plan on doing book reviews, although I may attempt one or two. Mainly, I just need to feed my mind more (which meand less television).
Third, I want to finally complete a "through the Bible in a year" plan. Every study bible I have has one in the back but I never seem to complete it. I worked on a couple of plans the other day that I think will work quite well though, with a big emphasis on the New Testament. I'll lay it out below.
Plan 1
This plan takes you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament 13 times, reading 10-11 chapters a day of NT. Wow, I know!
1. Read 3 chapters from the OT, 6 days a week, starting January 1st.
2. Week 1 (starting the first Sunday of January)
Sun: MT: 1-10
Mon: MT: 11-19
Tue: MT: 20-28
Wed: 1 Cor. 1-10
Thu: 1 Cor 11-16, 2 Cor 1-3
Fri: 2 Cor 4-13
Sat: 1&2 Thessalonians
Week 2
Sun: Mark 1-8
Mon: Mark 9-16
Tue: 1&2 Peter
Wed: Galatians, Colossians, & Philemon
Thu: Ephesians & Philippians
Fri: Hebrews 1-10
Sat: Hebrews 11-13 & Titus
Week 3
Sun: Luke 1-10
Mon: Luke 11-20
Tue: Luke 21-24 & Acts 1-6
Wed: Acts 7-16
Thu: Acts 17-25
Fri: Acts 26-28 & James
Sat: 1 & 2 Timothy
Week 4
Sun: John 1-10
Mon: John 11-20
Tue: Romans 1-8
Wed: Romans 9-16
Thu: 1-3 John & Jude
Fri: Revelation 1-11
Sat: Revelation 12-22
Plan 2
This plan takes you through the OT once and the NT 6 times(actually 6.5), reading 4-5 chapters a day of NT.
1. Read 3 chapters from the OT,6 days a week, starting January 1st.
2. Week 1 (starting the first Sunday of January)
Sun: Mt 1-5
Mon: Mt 6-10
Tue: Mt 11-15
Wed: Mt 16-20
Thu: Mt 21-24
Fri: Mt 25-28
Sat: James
Week 2
Sun: Mark 1-5
Mon: Mark 6-10
Tue: Mark 11-16
Wed: Romans 1-5
Thu: Romans 6-10
Fri: Romans 11-16
Sat: Jude
Week 3
Sun: John 1-5
Mon: John 6-10
Tue: John 11-15
Wed: John 16-20
Thu: 1 John
Fri: 2-3 John
Sat: Galatians
Week 4
Sun: Luke 1-4
Mon: Luke 5-9
Tue: Luke 1-14
Wed: Luke 15-19
Thu: Luke 2-24
Fri: 1 Thessalonians
Sat: 2 Thessalonians
Week 5
Sun: Acts 1-5
Mon: Acts 6-10
Tue: Acts 11-15
Wed: Acts 16-20
Thu: Acts 21-24
Fri: Acts 25-28
Sat: Philippians
Week 6
Sun: Colossians
Mon: 1 Cor 1-5
Tue: 1 Cor 6-10
Wed: 1 Cor 11-16
Thu: 2 Cor 1-5
Fri: 2 Cor 6-9
Sat: 2 Cor 10-13
Week 7
Sun: Hebrews 1-4
Mon: Hebrews 5-8
Tue: Hebrews 9-13
Wed: Ephesians
Thu: 1 Timothy
Fri: 2 Timothy
Sat: Titus
Week 8
Sun: 1 Peter
Mon: 2 Peter & Philemon
Tue: Revelation 1-5
Wed: Revelation 6-9
Thu: Revelation 10-13
Fri: Revelation 14-17
Sat: Revelation 18-22
December 20, 2008
Atheist Penn Jillette on Proseletyzing
I've never really been into Penn and Teller, though I have been aware of them and their Vegas show. I found this video on another blog, The Contemporary Calvinist, and thought you would all enjoy it. Interesting and convicting!!
December 17, 2008
The Picture As It Becomes
But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me I shall come forth like gold.
Job 23:10
It's like translating: like learning, only less me.
The unsettling urge to rescue
What falls away. Because all I know-
I am unlearning. Seeing is closer to it
(closer to being able to breath as ) I
Understand the cracks, the holes,
And gaps ARE the picture
as it becomes. And as I surrender.
Seeing is closer to it.
See, I keep piling up
The broken pieces around me thinking
That's what will protect, will defend me.
But the garbage is not
keeping me from sinking.
I cry for what's taken away.
Blind to what you are revealing.
The promise that "you know" means more than
My pretty garbage. Its stronger than my hands,
Wrapped around what used to make sense.
Its right, not familiar.
Clean, not common.
If You know - then, this is worth everything.
So. What's lower than weak?
What's higher than calm?
It is not what's left, Its what
is being revealed.
Letting go of my pretty garbage -
and trusting
( in ways, with means)
by forgetting what I call control.
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