In the Beginning....

I am going to be reading through the Bible this year, and have signed up with OneYearBibleBlog.com where I get a weekly email that has questions regarding each weeks reading. I plan to read and post my answers on here, as a way to journal and also share with others what I have learned. So far, my Mom and Ryan have decided to do this with me! If you would like to join me, its really easy thanks to technology! If you go to OneYearBibleBlog.com they have links to the scripture to read online, or have it on audio. How easy is that? You could do it at work, or while cooking dinner! Anyway... check it out if you would like, or you can just read what I have to say! :) I would also like to hear what you have to say, so comment me! :)

Questions for this week:

"1. This week we will read in Genesis chapter 1 verse 27: "So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them." Do you believe that you are made in the image of God? Is this a powerful thing to reflect upon? What might this mean for your life in 2009, knowing that you are made in the image of God? Does this give you a sense of possibility for your life? A sense that you are made for a great purpose in this life?

2. This week in Matthew chapter 4 we are introduced to John the Baptist! I don't know exactly what it is about John the Baptist - but I love reading about him and his life. He is just on fire for God and Jesus and he is encouraging others to get on fire too! I guess I like that in a person. J Another thing about John is that he is so focused on his mission to call others to repentance and to baptize them, that he really does not care about worldly things - like how he looks or what he wears or what he eats. None of that really matters to him. It is the message of the coming of Jesus that matters to him. Maybe it is verse 4 that really stands out to me about John: "John's clothes were woven from camel hair, and he wore a leather belt; his food was locusts and wild honey." I think this is really saying that John lived a simple life. He did not "major in minor things" - he "majored in the major thing" - Jesus! Is there something we can learn from John the Baptist in our lives today? Are we perhaps focusing too much on things of this world and not enough on God and Jesus? Are we truly loving God and loving people like John did? Or are we spending our life "majoring in minor things"? Will we instead "major on the major thing" that John is calling us to even today - complete passion and love for God, Jesus, and other people?

3. This week we will read this reflection on the godly in Psalm 1 verse 2: "But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law." How well does this verse ring true with your life today? Do you delight in being obedient to God? Do you think about God's Word, the Bible, day and night? Should you? In 2009, will you?

4. This week we will read in Proverbs chapter 1 verses 2 through 4 a great overview of why we should read and study the Proverbs: "The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings. Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people." Do you want wisdom? Do you want discipline in your life? Do you want to do what is right, just and fair? Do you want purpose for your life? Do you believe this journey through the Bible in 2009 will move you forward in these areas?"

I'll be answering these questions at the end of the week when I finish the reading. Enjoy!