Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 87
October 27, 2014
When You've Had a Fight
It’s a bad feeling, being at odds with your spouse. Nine times out of ten it begins with something small. The socks he leaves on the den floor—a memorial to a hard day’s work. The laundry room is right there. Couldn’t you just open the door and throw them in? The way he takes up two thirds of the bed and hogs the covers. It’s a big bed—just slide over. And quit stealing the blankets.
But it doesn’t stop there, because for every offense, however small, there’s an equal and opposite offense. I’m sure Newton wasn’t married or he’d have written the third law of marriage rather than the third law of motion. Well, you leave books and papers scattered everywhere. And don’t think I didn’t notice that you ate the last of the dessert and didn’t offer me any.
The tit for tat sucks you in, and before you know it you’re sleeping on opposite ends of the bed with your backs turned sharing a silent treatment that screams louder than a two-year-old who's missed his nap.
If you sleep at all, You can have your blankets and your half of the bed; maybe I should go sleep on the couch, you awaken grumpier than when you went to bed. You exchange the minimum conversation necessary to delegate the kids, errands, and carpool duties, and then you part ways. You were going to ask him for help with a problem before the fight began, but not anymore. And the light that came on on the dashboard? You’ll have to figure that out for yourself.
It’s a bad feeling, being at odds with the one you love.
It’s even worse being at odds with God.
In my quest to read through the Bible in a year, I read in Colossians about the amazing work of reconciliation Christ accomplished on the cross. Greater than negotiating peace between Sunnis and Shiites, Democrats and Republicans, or Cowboys and Redskins, Christ brokered a peace agreement unlike any other. And we were the beneficiaries.
Sins of rebellion, pride, and self-will that sprouted in the Garden of Eden and bore fruit for thousands of generations had created a breach between us and our Savior. Separated from the Lover of our souls, we were helpless and hopeless, toddlers attempting to cross the interstate during rush hour traffic. We were our own worst enemies, trying to fill the emptiness of our hearts and lives with toxic pleasures that would one day kill our bodies and our souls.
But “. . . it pleased the Father,” through Christ, “to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Gal. 1:19-21). God could have said, “Forget it. They’re too far gone. Too hopeless. Too sinful. I don’t need them in my life. They’re nothing but trouble.”
Instead, “it pleased the Father” to sacrifice his precious, holy Son to reconcile me. And you.
Now, instead of guilt, fear, and loneliness, we have freedom, peace, and God’s comforting presence. We can come boldly to the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that all is well between our Savior and ourselves. We don’t have to fear the future, the present, or the past, for the hands that hold the universe also hold our lives.
“And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight . . . “(v. 21-22).
I’m thankful that marital fights don’t last forever, and that God’s forgiveness does. As we rest in the reconciled peace of our Savior, may we also extend this restoring grace to those around us.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you,” (Eph. 4:32).
Is there someone with whom you need to reconcile? Don’t wait. Do it today. For Jesus’ sake.
I'll be leading a DEVOTION WRITING WORKSHOP in Columbia Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9-12
New Testament Baptist Church, 300 Sims Ave.
Registration is required. $25/person. Contact dianna@mcwhirterlaw.com
For more information on the writing workshop, CLICK HERE.
Learn how God can use your life experiences, spiritual insights, and unique perspective to impart spiritual truth to others. Learn how to connect your life lessons to God’s word in a way readers can easily understand in this fun and dynamic writing workshop.
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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher
October 23, 2014
When your heart is full--how to say "Thanks"
I’ve recently enjoyed spending time with a very special little person.
Just over a year old, Lauren is a 24-pound bundle of curiosity, wonder, and fun. She reminds me how delightful it is to look at the world with new eyes. Everything’s an adventure. The most mundane objects (dog toys, light switches, and kitchen gadgets) are fascinating and worthy of exploration and investigation.
This isn't Lauren, but apparently she likes strawberries, too.One fun aspect of hanging out with Lauren is watching her eat. I’m not surprised, really, after an exclusive diet of mommy’s milk for most of her life, that she finds food delightful. I love how she interacts with me about her food. If she’s hungry, she asks (as only a one-year-old can) for something to eat or drink. When we sit down to eat, she turns eager eyes toward me, confident that I will share whatever I have. If the steady supply of grapes or strawberries slows, she asks for more. Her trust that I will supply her need and her frequent requests for more fills my heart with happiness. I enjoy being her bountiful provider.
Psalm 116 reminds me God feels the same way.
It’s apparent that the psalmist’s heart was overwhelmed by God’s goodness when he penned this song of gratitude and praise. His thanks just bubbles out:
“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low and he saved me. . . You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling” (v. 8). And because the psalmist is overwhelmed with gratitude, his natural response is to want to do something wonderful for God in return: “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?” He asks. How can I bless God like he’s blessed me? Listen to the unusual conclusion at which he arrives:
“I will lift up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord” (v. 13).
Lifting up (or celebrating) our salvation makes sense to me, but calling upon the name of the Lord? How does praying to God express love and gratitude to him? Asking him for more seems like the opposite of thankfulness.
If a stranger gave me a hundred dollars, I don’t know if he’d feel especially blessed if I said, “Thanks, now may I have another hundred?”
Except God isn’t a stranger. He’s a rich, loving, generous provider who DELIGHTS in giving good gifts to his children (Luke 11:13).
Just like I love sweet baby Lauren, God loves me. Because he loves me, it gives him great pleasure when I come to him in faith and trust to ask for what I need. It gives him even greater pleasure to pour out his provision on me and see me smile. So the next time your heart bubbles up in gratitude because of how God has worked in your life and you want to bless him back, stop and pray. Talk with him about whatever your needs are and trust him to answer your prayers as only he can.
It will bless him, and it will bless you.
For what are you thankful today? And what are you asking God to do for you in the future? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher
October 20, 2014
Taking my salvation for granted
True story—there was a man who:
Traveled constantly and had no home of his own.
Experienced racial abuse and prejudice.
Was betrayed by co-laborers.
Was sleep deprived.
Was hungry and thirsty, often and for long periods of time.
Lacked proper clothing and shelter.
Went to prison more times than he could count.
Was beaten repeatedly for his faith, sometimes legitimately fearing for his life.
Was whipped with a cat o’ nine tails five times.
Was beaten with rods three times. Was once stoned and left for dead.
Was shipwrecked three times, once spending a day and a night in the sea.
Carried the emotional and spiritual burden for thousands of church members and worked harder than anyone else.
Before he accepted Christ as his Savior and surrendered to the ministry, the apostle Paul had been on the fast track to a lucrative and prestigious career. He traded it for a life that included the experiences I’ve listed above.
When I read about the ways the apostle Paul suffered for his faith in 2 Corinthians 11, I am overwhelmed. If I were Paul, I suspect I’d be whining. Often and loudly.
My dirge would sound like this:
God, life was pretty good before you intervened. Since the day I accepted you as Savior, I’ve had nothing but trouble. People don’t like me. Even my friends don’t understand me. I do what’s right and get in trouble. I don’t have a lot of the stuff others have, and sometimes I even do without basic comforts. I thought having you in my life meant everything would be sunshine and roses. Instead, everywhere I turn, life’s hard. If this is the faith life, I’m not real impressed.
Instead, listen to what Paul wrote from a Roman prison:
“Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”
“. . . this grace was given me: to preach.”
Paul didn’t see his calling as a burden or a sacrifice; he saw it as a joy. A grace. An awesome privilege.
And instead of seeing himself as a prize God was lucky to get, listen to how he described himself: “less than the least of all God’s people.”
Paul understood that the greatest thing in the world is to be saved. And the next greatest thing is to be used in God’s service. No matter what it costs us in this life.
Sometimes I’m guilty of forgetting just how lost I really was, but Paul never lost sight of this. Listen to how he describes himself:
“For I am the least of the apostles, and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God,” (1 Cor. 15:9).
Paul never got over how lost he was when God saved him
Sometimes I do.
I forget the fear, guilt, confusion, emptiness, and hopelessness of a Christless life.I forget how far away from God I was and how far he had to reach to save me. I forget that I was destined for a Godless eternity in a place called Hell. And I forget the bloody, torturous death Christ suffered in my place.
And I whine that God isn’t serving me well. That life’s too hard. That the promise of future rewards doesn’t compensate for present pain.
And my foolish heart becomes ungrateful.
Until I read Paul’s words, and I remember, as John Piper writes in Taste and See, how it is to feel “that you are justly damned and hopelessly lost and cut off from God and life and joy. Then to learn that God has made a way. That he will forgive you. That he will accept you and love you and work all things for your good. That all your sins can be forgiven and cast into the deepest sea and never brought up against you anymore. Oh, the preciousness of being saved . . . !”
Yes, indeed. The preciousness of being saved.
How about you? Is it easy to forget what life was life before Christ? How do you keep the joy of your salvation fresh? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher
Traveled constantly and had no home of his own.
Experienced racial abuse and prejudice.
Was betrayed by co-laborers.
Was sleep deprived.
Was hungry and thirsty, often and for long periods of time.Lacked proper clothing and shelter.
Went to prison more times than he could count.
Was beaten repeatedly for his faith, sometimes legitimately fearing for his life.
Was whipped with a cat o’ nine tails five times.
Was beaten with rods three times. Was once stoned and left for dead.
Was shipwrecked three times, once spending a day and a night in the sea.
Carried the emotional and spiritual burden for thousands of church members and worked harder than anyone else.
Before he accepted Christ as his Savior and surrendered to the ministry, the apostle Paul had been on the fast track to a lucrative and prestigious career. He traded it for a life that included the experiences I’ve listed above.
When I read about the ways the apostle Paul suffered for his faith in 2 Corinthians 11, I am overwhelmed. If I were Paul, I suspect I’d be whining. Often and loudly.
My dirge would sound like this:
God, life was pretty good before you intervened. Since the day I accepted you as Savior, I’ve had nothing but trouble. People don’t like me. Even my friends don’t understand me. I do what’s right and get in trouble. I don’t have a lot of the stuff others have, and sometimes I even do without basic comforts. I thought having you in my life meant everything would be sunshine and roses. Instead, everywhere I turn, life’s hard. If this is the faith life, I’m not real impressed.
Instead, listen to what Paul wrote from a Roman prison:
“Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”
“. . . this grace was given me: to preach.”
Paul didn’t see his calling as a burden or a sacrifice; he saw it as a joy. A grace. An awesome privilege.
And instead of seeing himself as a prize God was lucky to get, listen to how he described himself: “less than the least of all God’s people.”
Paul understood that the greatest thing in the world is to be saved. And the next greatest thing is to be used in God’s service. No matter what it costs us in this life.
Sometimes I’m guilty of forgetting just how lost I really was, but Paul never lost sight of this. Listen to how he describes himself:
“For I am the least of the apostles, and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God,” (1 Cor. 15:9).
Paul never got over how lost he was when God saved him
Sometimes I do.
I forget the fear, guilt, confusion, emptiness, and hopelessness of a Christless life.I forget how far away from God I was and how far he had to reach to save me. I forget that I was destined for a Godless eternity in a place called Hell. And I forget the bloody, torturous death Christ suffered in my place.
And I whine that God isn’t serving me well. That life’s too hard. That the promise of future rewards doesn’t compensate for present pain.
And my foolish heart becomes ungrateful.
Until I read Paul’s words, and I remember, as John Piper writes in Taste and See, how it is to feel “that you are justly damned and hopelessly lost and cut off from God and life and joy. Then to learn that God has made a way. That he will forgive you. That he will accept you and love you and work all things for your good. That all your sins can be forgiven and cast into the deepest sea and never brought up against you anymore. Oh, the preciousness of being saved . . . !”Yes, indeed. The preciousness of being saved.
How about you? Is it easy to forget what life was life before Christ? How do you keep the joy of your salvation fresh? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul.
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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher
October 16, 2014
Why do we forget His power when the evidence is all around us?
O LORD my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made;
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed:
When through the woods and forest glades
I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Remembering that the same God who created the universe and holds the stars in placecares for you and me.
He is powerful.He is wise.He is good.
Why do we fear?
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made," (Rom. 1:20).
What truth about God does his creation remind you of? Share it by leaving a comment below and bless us all.
(My husband and I recently enjoyed a 30th anniversary trip to Canada and New England, including my home town of Bristol, Rhode Island. These are a few of our photographs.)
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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher
October 13, 2014
Because Satan wants our children - a prayer
“For I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children” (Isaiah 49:25). Father, thank you for hope.
We claim Isaiah's promise in the name of the shed blood of our Savior Jesus Christ, who did not come so we could be weak and powerless, but so we could be mighty in prayer and faith.
In the strong name of Jesus our Lord, I rebuke Satan and his influence and claim our children for God’s mighty kingdom. Satan, leave them. They are children of God for whom we, believing mamas, have prayed since their births.
They are washed in the blood of the Lamb, sealed with his blood, and created for a rich, and full, and triumphant life by the power of God’s Spirit who lives within them. Greater is He that is in us than you, Satan, who is puny and worthless. I call the host of heaven to surround our children lest they dash their feet upon a stone and stumble. Instead, may they be mighty and triumphant for God’s glory.
In the strong name of Christ, I bid the demons of darkness, and despair, and defeat to flee and the light of your presence and power to fill and overflow them. Fill their mouths with stories of how you translated them out of the kingdom of darkness and into your marvelous light.
Satan, you will not sift them. You will not claim them as your own. You will not drag your poisonous tentacles across their lives any longer. Where you have, I pray the healing blood of Jesus will cleanse and heal their wounds. You will not control their minds nor fill them with dark and hopeless thoughts, but instead, I pray that Truth and Light will flood their hearts so they can think clearly and soundly.
Wherever they look, instead of hopelessness and despair, I pray they will see light and hope. No more will Satan have the victory. Instead, may the Champion of our souls stamp THEY ARE MINE across their lives and put up a NO TRESPASSING sign across their hearts. Lord, so many years ago when we were so hopelessly lost, you reached down, convicted us of our sins, and offered cleansing and forgiveness. You gave us the desire to surrender our lives to you—lock, stock, and barrel--and throw ourselves upon your mercy, no holding back. Do this for our children, we pray, in Jesus name.
“. . . that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is . . . the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead” (Eph. 1:18). I’m praying for your children and mine today and every day.
“Be not weary in doing good, for you will reap a harvest if you do not lose hope” (Eph. 6:9).
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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher
October 9, 2014
9-11 Changed Us
Nine eleven changed us.Even if we didn't lose someone in the World Trade Center attack, the Shanksville crash, or the attack on the Pentagon, we all lost something. And we gained something else.
I was reminded of this when I flew to Boston not long ago.
I smiled a greeting to my seat mate, but he didn't speak. Wedged into the spot by the window with his long legs bent uncomfortably, he sat in a space not built for his six-foot-something frame.
I watched as he tapped out a quick text message on his iPhone, tucked it into his pocket, and then thought better of it.
"Hi Honey," he said to the voice mail on the other end. "I'm getting ready to take off. I sent you a text, but I just wanted to say I love you. . . . I'll let you know when I arrive. . . " His voice trailed off, and he ended the call.
It was a typical post-9-11 phone call; one we now all make before we fly.
The bravado of the Reagan years--that wonderfully secure certainty that we lived in a powerful, untouchable country--is gone. Flying's no longer fun. Or carefree. Or easy.
On this plane, the presence of the air marshal reminded us that our planes had been hijacked and used against us. So did the wanding, the pat down, and the armed guards with fierce-looking dogs.
Now when we travel, we part more intentionally. We don't leave without considering that we might never return. We say,"1 love you," more easily. We hug a little tighter. We wave until we're out of sight, and we pray. We say the words that are most important, to each other and to God, and we rejoice exceedingly when, in God's mercy, we are reunited. Every safe arrival is a gift we no longer take for granted.
Nine-eleven changed us, but maybe not all for the worst. We lost something, but we gained something, too.
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. (Prov. 27:1)
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14)
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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher
October 6, 2014
The Most Important Bible You'll Ever Buy
Parenting.
Do you ever wish you could start all over again?
Sally Lloyd-Jones makes me feel this way.
Sally’s a Brit who lives in New York City and writes children’s books. During a recent interview with Family Life Today radio host Dennis Rainey, she shared her childhood perception of God.
“I grew up hearing Bible stories like Daniel in the lion’s den, and I used to think I had to be as brave as Daniel, and then God would love me. But I knew very well I wasn’t nearly as brave as Daniel, and I wouldn’t want to be thrown into a den of lions, and . . . I thought how could God be pleased with me? He can’t.”
Her children’s Bible,
Sally has no children of her own, but when she began to write Christian stories for children, she pictured her four-year-old nephew, Harry.
“How would you explain sin to a child?” she wondered. Sally pictured a conversation and began to write sound, biblical, easy-to-understand versions of Bible stories and concepts.
“Sin is like running away and hiding.”
“Sin is like a poison—it makes your heart sick.”
“Sin is thinking you can be happy without God.”
God revealed to her that the most effective way to share the gospel story is to place it in the context of relationships. “Bible story books are only about rules,” she says, “but our hearts are hard, and rules make us want to rebel. But if you hear that sin is actually breaking God’s heart, a child responds to this, because they don’t want to break someone’s heart who loves them.” Sally’s goal in writing The Jesus Storybook Bible was to use every story to point children to Jesus.
Her wise, divinely inspired perspective is what makes me wish I could go back to the early days of parenting and do it all over again.
I’d still tell my children they should be honest, diligent, respectful, and moral, but I’d be sure they understood the most important reason why: Because God loves them more than anyone else in the world, and when they sin, they break his heart.
I can’t read The Jesus Storybook Bible to my children, but I can share it someday with my grandchildren. As I read, I’ll ask God to reveal his deep, wide, unconditional love to them. And I’ll pray that they will love him so much they will never want to break his heart.
How about you? Is there a child in your life who needs to know how much Jesus loves him? Have you come to an understanding of this yourself?
If you’d like to hear Family Life Today’s interviews with Sally Lloyd-Jones, I’ve included the links below. If you’re reading by email, click here for the links to Sally Lloyd-Jones’ interview.
And if you’d like to purchase
Sally Lloyd-Jones Engaging with Children radio interview– Family Life Today
If you enjoyed this post, you might like, "When the Bible is Dry and Boring" a post about my favorite grown up Bible.
*Occasionally I include affiliate links for products I use and believe in.
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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher
Do you ever wish you could start all over again?
Sally Lloyd-Jones makes me feel this way.
Sally’s a Brit who lives in New York City and writes children’s books. During a recent interview with Family Life Today radio host Dennis Rainey, she shared her childhood perception of God.
“I grew up hearing Bible stories like Daniel in the lion’s den, and I used to think I had to be as brave as Daniel, and then God would love me. But I knew very well I wasn’t nearly as brave as Daniel, and I wouldn’t want to be thrown into a den of lions, and . . . I thought how could God be pleased with me? He can’t.”
Her children’s Bible, Sally has no children of her own, but when she began to write Christian stories for children, she pictured her four-year-old nephew, Harry.
“How would you explain sin to a child?” she wondered. Sally pictured a conversation and began to write sound, biblical, easy-to-understand versions of Bible stories and concepts.
“Sin is like running away and hiding.”
“Sin is like a poison—it makes your heart sick.”
“Sin is thinking you can be happy without God.”
God revealed to her that the most effective way to share the gospel story is to place it in the context of relationships. “Bible story books are only about rules,” she says, “but our hearts are hard, and rules make us want to rebel. But if you hear that sin is actually breaking God’s heart, a child responds to this, because they don’t want to break someone’s heart who loves them.” Sally’s goal in writing The Jesus Storybook Bible was to use every story to point children to Jesus.
Her wise, divinely inspired perspective is what makes me wish I could go back to the early days of parenting and do it all over again.
I’d still tell my children they should be honest, diligent, respectful, and moral, but I’d be sure they understood the most important reason why: Because God loves them more than anyone else in the world, and when they sin, they break his heart.
I can’t read The Jesus Storybook Bible to my children, but I can share it someday with my grandchildren. As I read, I’ll ask God to reveal his deep, wide, unconditional love to them. And I’ll pray that they will love him so much they will never want to break his heart.
How about you? Is there a child in your life who needs to know how much Jesus loves him? Have you come to an understanding of this yourself?
If you’d like to hear Family Life Today’s interviews with Sally Lloyd-Jones, I’ve included the links below. If you’re reading by email, click here for the links to Sally Lloyd-Jones’ interview.
And if you’d like to purchase
Sally Lloyd-Jones Engaging with Children radio interview– Family Life Today
If you enjoyed this post, you might like, "When the Bible is Dry and Boring" a post about my favorite grown up Bible.
*Occasionally I include affiliate links for products I use and believe in.
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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher
October 2, 2014
When the Bible is Dry and Boring
“I don’t know how many read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year commitments are wrecked on the shores of Leviticus,” my pastor commented last spring. My friend Sharon is a case in point.
“I really wanted to read through the Bible this year,” she lamented, “but I can’t seem to make it out of Leviticus.” Their statements validate my own experience.
Every January 1 I’d eagerly commit to read through the Bible before the year’s end. I’d write the date in the front of my Bible:
January 1, 2005, started reading.
I’d begin strong, marveling at the creation story in Genesis 1-3. The account of the flood followed next, then Abraham’s call, then Jacob and his twelve sons, then Joseph’s kidnapping and resultant slavery. Exodus was equally dynamic with Moses and his burning bush, the Egyptian plagues, and God’s miraculous deliverance of the children of Israel from Pharaoh’s oppression. Reading God’s Word was fascinating and practically effortless.
And then came Leviticus.
And the rules for sacrificial offerings, dietary restrictions, and health issues:
"All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you (you’ve got that right). There are, however, some winged creatures that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground (I don’t think so!). Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. But all other winged creatures that have four legs you are to detest (no problem there)” (Lev. 11:20-22).
And:
"If a man or woman has a sore on the head or on the chin, the priest is to examine the sore, and if it appears to be more than skin deep and the hair in it is yellow and thin (EWWW!), the priest shall pronounce that person unclean; it is an itch, an infectious disease of the head or chin” (Lev. 13:29).
Despite my deep desire, firm commitment, and the fact that I’d written it in the flyleaf of my Bible, my enthusiasm to read my Bible would begin to wane. I’d miss one day (Lord, I’m a little queasy already this morning. I don’t think I can handle reading about red spots with black hairs in them today.)One day would become two, and before long, I wasn’t reading through my Bible anymore.
After a few years, I had quite a list going in the front of my Bible:
January 1, 1998, started reading.
January 1, 1999, started reading.
January 1, 2000, started reading.
It wasn’t until 2005 that I wrote this in the flyleaf of my Bible:
January 1, 2005, started reading.
March 31, 2006 finished reading.
YES! I did it! I read through the whole Bible!
(It’s important to note that I did NOT read through the Bible in a year. I got behind, missed quite a few days, and didn’t finish until the end of March. I was tempted to quit when I got behind, but then I realized, so what if it takes me 15 months instead of 12? I WILL HAVE READ THE WHOLE BIBLE.
Fifteen months after I began, and for the first time in my life, I had read through the whole Bible.I discovered amazing passages and verses and characters and stories I had never read before. I fell in love with minor prophets whose names I still can’t spell. And I read every word of Leviticus
What made the difference? 
I discovered The One Year Bible.
Available in several translations, The One Year Bible takes a portion of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs for each day of the year. Each daily reading takes about 15 minutes to complete. Because each day’s reading contains portions of the Old and New Testament as well as Psalms and Proverbs, if you hit a particularly challenging or dry portion of the Old Testament, the passage is relatively short and balanced by a more dynamic or interesting selection from the New Testament. This is what helped me (and my friend) read through Leviticus without giving up.
Since that year, I’ve read through the Bible at least six more times. And every time, it gets better. Reading through the Bible means I encounter books and passages I wouldn’t normally choose to read, and in them I find treasure. There’s also often a surprising parallelism between many of the Old and New Testament passages. Since the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old, there’s a beautiful synergy.
I don’t read through the Bible every year. Sometimes the Lord leads me to use a different Bible reading method. But when I do, The One Year Bible is the most effective way to help me reach my goal.
How about you? Have you struggled through some of the more difficult portions of Scripture? How have you worked through them? Do you have a favorite Bible reading plan? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
In my next post, I'll share my favorite children's Bible -- who says God's Word has to be dumbed down for kids?
*This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. Occasionally I promote products I personally use and believe in. If you prefer to purchase your books used, like I often do, I’ve also included a link for the older version of The One Year Bible on Amazon’s used book site.
If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul.
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life.
Enter your email address and VALIDATE the Feedburner email sent to your inbox.
Delivered by FeedBurner
Hungry for God is on Facebook! Will you take a moment and LIKE my page? CLICK HERE to help HFG share 5-minute devotions.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher
“I really wanted to read through the Bible this year,” she lamented, “but I can’t seem to make it out of Leviticus.” Their statements validate my own experience.
Every January 1 I’d eagerly commit to read through the Bible before the year’s end. I’d write the date in the front of my Bible:
January 1, 2005, started reading.
I’d begin strong, marveling at the creation story in Genesis 1-3. The account of the flood followed next, then Abraham’s call, then Jacob and his twelve sons, then Joseph’s kidnapping and resultant slavery. Exodus was equally dynamic with Moses and his burning bush, the Egyptian plagues, and God’s miraculous deliverance of the children of Israel from Pharaoh’s oppression. Reading God’s Word was fascinating and practically effortless.
And then came Leviticus.
And the rules for sacrificial offerings, dietary restrictions, and health issues:
"All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you (you’ve got that right). There are, however, some winged creatures that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground (I don’t think so!). Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. But all other winged creatures that have four legs you are to detest (no problem there)” (Lev. 11:20-22).
And:
"If a man or woman has a sore on the head or on the chin, the priest is to examine the sore, and if it appears to be more than skin deep and the hair in it is yellow and thin (EWWW!), the priest shall pronounce that person unclean; it is an itch, an infectious disease of the head or chin” (Lev. 13:29).
Despite my deep desire, firm commitment, and the fact that I’d written it in the flyleaf of my Bible, my enthusiasm to read my Bible would begin to wane. I’d miss one day (Lord, I’m a little queasy already this morning. I don’t think I can handle reading about red spots with black hairs in them today.)One day would become two, and before long, I wasn’t reading through my Bible anymore.
After a few years, I had quite a list going in the front of my Bible:
January 1, 1998, started reading.
January 1, 1999, started reading.
January 1, 2000, started reading.
It wasn’t until 2005 that I wrote this in the flyleaf of my Bible:
January 1, 2005, started reading.
March 31, 2006 finished reading.
YES! I did it! I read through the whole Bible!
(It’s important to note that I did NOT read through the Bible in a year. I got behind, missed quite a few days, and didn’t finish until the end of March. I was tempted to quit when I got behind, but then I realized, so what if it takes me 15 months instead of 12? I WILL HAVE READ THE WHOLE BIBLE.
Fifteen months after I began, and for the first time in my life, I had read through the whole Bible.I discovered amazing passages and verses and characters and stories I had never read before. I fell in love with minor prophets whose names I still can’t spell. And I read every word of Leviticus
What made the difference? I discovered The One Year Bible.
Available in several translations, The One Year Bible takes a portion of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs for each day of the year. Each daily reading takes about 15 minutes to complete. Because each day’s reading contains portions of the Old and New Testament as well as Psalms and Proverbs, if you hit a particularly challenging or dry portion of the Old Testament, the passage is relatively short and balanced by a more dynamic or interesting selection from the New Testament. This is what helped me (and my friend) read through Leviticus without giving up.
Since that year, I’ve read through the Bible at least six more times. And every time, it gets better. Reading through the Bible means I encounter books and passages I wouldn’t normally choose to read, and in them I find treasure. There’s also often a surprising parallelism between many of the Old and New Testament passages. Since the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old, there’s a beautiful synergy. I don’t read through the Bible every year. Sometimes the Lord leads me to use a different Bible reading method. But when I do, The One Year Bible is the most effective way to help me reach my goal.
How about you? Have you struggled through some of the more difficult portions of Scripture? How have you worked through them? Do you have a favorite Bible reading plan? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
In my next post, I'll share my favorite children's Bible -- who says God's Word has to be dumbed down for kids?
*This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. Occasionally I promote products I personally use and believe in. If you prefer to purchase your books used, like I often do, I’ve also included a link for the older version of The One Year Bible on Amazon’s used book site.
If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul.
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life.
Enter your email address and VALIDATE the Feedburner email sent to your inbox.
Delivered by FeedBurner
Hungry for God is on Facebook! Will you take a moment and LIKE my page? CLICK HERE to help HFG share 5-minute devotions.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher
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