Category Archives: Word Work

Thoughts on books and writing

Treasure

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“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy
and where thieves break in and steal,
but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matt. 6:19-21

“Treasure” is my word for 2024.

I picked this word because Jesus used it in The Sermon on the Mount. He made a distinction between “treasures on earth” and “treasures in heaven.”

I want to make sure I’m collecting the right kind of treasures.
I want to check up on my heart and see what’s stored up in there.
I want to find out what is truly precious and what’s worth a rust bucket.

The Bible Project is doing a year-long series on The Sermon on the Mount. I am giddy about this. A whole year on three chapters! As I was perusing Jesus’ sermon in Matthew 5-7, my eyes kept going back to that one short passage. Like a magnet. That’s when I knew.

I’ll be on the lookout for the word “treasure” in the days ahead in songs, in books, in dreams and especially in the Word. A true treasure hunt!

Do you pick a word for the year? What is your word for 2024? 

2024 Bible Reading Plan

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Every year for the past 10 years, I have created my own Bible Reading Plan. There are lots of good ready-made plans available online that are perfectly fine. I just get a thrill out of making assignments for myself and anyone else who wants to come along!

The first half of the year is a true “reading” plan (not a “study” plan) with no deep dives into passages. This plan is set up for reading on Monday through Friday, with weekends for catch-up. The year begins with the gospel of Mark, and then a reading of the Old Testament book of Job.

I have been wanting to read through the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, most of which Jewish boys in Jesus’ day had to memorize), so Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus will be next. I will be reading 10 chapters a week in a kind of “fly-over” to get the big picture. Numbers and Deuteronomy will be picked back up in the fall.

Past years have taught me to ease up a bit in the summer, so in July I will be doing a word study on peace (the third Fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-23) and August will bring a look at the 12 Psalms written by Aseph (one of the Psalm writers). The year will wrap up with a reading of John’s letters (1 , 2, 3 John — not the Gospel of John).

May God bless the reading of His Word!

Books of 2023

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I took a different approach in my reading life this year. Instead of setting a goal to read a certain number of books (I read 37 – of course I kept track), I created some categories in hopes of becoming a more well-rounded reader. I think it worked. I feel rounder.

1 book by Elizabeth Goudge — Genetian Hill by E. Goudge
I read a Goudge book every February. Her writing is full of English cottages and rose gardens and lovely language. I seem to need that in February. During the year, I look for copies at used book sales and shops. The musty smell and worn pages enhance the overall experience.

1 book by Eugene Peterson — Leap Over a Wall by E. Peterson
This book on the life of David and his relationships with various people was a great companion while I read through the Biblical record of David in 1&2 Samuel. Peterson communicates deep theology without being stuffy.

1 book on the Fruit of the Spirit: Joy — Aggressively Happy by Joy Marie Clarkson
Clarkson is delightful, funny and tells good stories. She’s also a realist: “Cultivating happiness takes grit, determination and a good sense of humor. It’s a lot of work.” One other book in this category: Choose Joy by Kay Warren.

1 book on prayer — Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton
Staton is the director of the 24/7 Prayer Movement in the USA. He can write about the topic because the man is a pray-er. I needed his passionate words to give my prayer life a jolt.

1 old Christian classic — The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (written in 1678) and Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard (written in 1955). I’ve read them both before, but I was given beautiful gift copies, so I read them again. And I’ll read them in the future. Classics.

1 English classic — Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I haven’t read this iconic story until now. I picked it up because it was short (only 100 pages) and it fit my category. It’s kind of creepy and kind of cool and now I know what references to “Jekyll and Hyde” really mean.

1 book of poetry — The Word in the Wilderness by Malcolm Guite
Poetry is hard. Malcolm is here to help. This book contains a poem a day for the season of Lent and Easter. I read the poem each day, then read Guite’s explanation of the poem, then read the poem again and said, “Ahhhhhh. I get it now.” Poetry is wonderful.

1 book on nature — The Heart of John Muir’s World by Millie Stanley
Muir was the “Father of National Parks” and grew up in the mid 1800’s a few miles from where I live. He wrote, “Oh! that glorious Wisconsin wilderness!” I need to be reminded to open my eyes and take in all the natural glory right in my own backyard.

1 biography/memoir — All My Knotted Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore
Over the years I’ve done several Beth Moore Bible studies. Sometimes I love her, and sometimes I roll my eyes a little bit. Shame on me. You never know what a person has gone through in life. Her transparency and conversational style had me gobbling up this book in two days. Then I listened to her read the audio version. I also read the memoir Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield.

1 Jane Austen book — Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
I’ve read “Pride and Prejudice” several times, but now I’m making my way through her other books, one by one. Three down, three to go.

1 book on writing — Write Tight by William Brohaugh
I’m a sucker for books on the craft of writing. I’ve read so many they all are starting to sound the same. Basically, “sit down and write.” All right already.

1 Montana historical novel — The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig
My great grandparents homesteaded in Montana in the late 1800s and I’ve dreamed of living in Big Sky country ever since I was a little girl. I’ve read this title before, but PB and I listened to the audio book on our way to Montana in June. Pure delight! I also read Dancing at the Rascal Fair by the same author.

1 book on the church — Positively Irritating: Embracing a Post Christian World to Form a More Faithful and Innovative Church by Jon Ritner
This was my #1 book of 2023. It shook me up (in a good way) and caused me to think hard about church and culture in new, scary, and exciting ways. Ritner asserts that the church needs to pivot from being a “restaurant” (expecting people to come in and be served) to becoming a “food truck” (taking the gospel out to where people are). I can’t stop thinking about it.

Honorable Mention:
The Sound of Life’s Unspeakable Beauty by Martin Schleske
Secrets Of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge
On Getting Out of Bed by Alan Noble
David Rise by Mark Buchanan

May God bless your reading of books in 2024!
 

1001

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I’m not a numbers girl.
Words hold much more allure for me.
But this one got my attention:
1000

This is my 1001st blog post.

It only took 13 years to reach this milestone. I don’t keep track, so it was a surprise when WordPress sent me a congratulatory email last week. It goes to show that if you keep plugging along day after day, month after month, year after year, the output piles up.

Five minutes can be spent working on something trivial or working on something life-changing. Most daily actions evaporate. Some accumulate.

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits

The floors I mopped yesterday, the dinner I made last night, the time I spent watching a baseball game on TV — those will evaporate.

The notes I took on Matthew 18 this morning, the prayers I prayed on the porch, the words put down in my journal — those will accumulate.

Much of what I do on a daily basis doesn’t last much longer than five minutes. (Clean floors and pot roast.) But if I can spend a moment or two, here and there, doing something significant, it adds up over time.

I’m not a numbers girl.
But this one got my attention.
305,509 words posted on this blog.
One at a time.
Accumulation.

2023 Bible Reading Plan

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If I fail to plan, I can plan to fail. Hence, I like to create a roadmap to help me stay on a good path in the year ahead.

After spending last year in a long, leisurely stroll through the Psalms, I’m anxious to get back into some New Testament books. I’ve made a tentative plan for 2023, but will stay open to the Spirit’s leading in the months to come.

This year I’m going for a good mix of Old and New Testament, some gospel words of Jesus, a little history and several weeks focusing on the word joy. There’s enough variety to keep it interesting and several places to start fresh if I run off the rails. The year will start with a slow walk through James and end with a faster jaunt through 1 and 2 Samuel. In September, I’ll start looking for an Advent study to close off 2023. Sounds like fun! You’re welcome to join me!

It looks something like this:

January 2 – April 7: James, studying 6-12 verses per week
April 9 – June 30: “Joy” word study
July 3 – September 8: Parables in Matthew
September 11 – November 24: 1 and 2 Samuel, reading 5 chapters per week
November 26 – December 31: Advent study, TBD

(To see past years’ plans, click on 2023 Bible Reading Plan on the top menu and scroll down.)

Keeping Christ

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It seems we really do want Christ around at Christmas time. We do want the baby in the manger and the shepherds and the angels. It’s such a nice story. There’s a longing to hear that story, evidenced by the number of people who come to church once a year on Christmas Eve. Without it, Christmas would simply be a commercial boon to those who want to get into our pocketbooks. Without the nativity, Christmas would become a secular day off because of a fictional man in a red suit. Without Jesus, we’re left with trees and twinkly lights and paper and ribbon. We do want Christ in Christmas — it’s the only way it can mean anything.

But the sign in my neighbor’s yard will come down soon. And it won’t be long before it’s obvious that we don’t want to keep Christ in the rest of the year. Certainly not in the public square. Certainly not in our personal space. Most of us are not too keen on letting that sweet baby who is asleep on the hay, wake up and grow up to rule the world with truth and grace. So the sign comes down and the decorations get put away and we get on with our lives until next year.

Let’s keep Christ in Christmas, yes. But let’s free Him from the manger bed and see what happens when we give Him the right to rule and reign in our lives every day, all year long.

2020 Bible Reading Plan

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Well, hello there.
Let’s get reacquainted, shall we?
It’s a good time for a fresh start.

plan

I’ve got to have a plan or else I tend to wander aimlessly. A guide helps keeps me on track. I may stumble and fall off at some point during the year, but it’s easy to get back on and keep going. At the top of the home page, you will see an update  — “2020 Bible Reading Plan”.

This year’s plan is a balanced diet of Old and New Testaments.

  • 3 months in the first ten chapters of the gospel of John (Jan.-Mar.)
  • 3 months in Paul’s letter to the Galatians (May-July)
  • 3 months in the historical account of Joshua (Sept.-Nov.)
  • 3 months in the Psalms (Apr., August and Dec.)

Click on 2020 Bible Reading Plan for all the details!

I hope to write weekly reflections based on the readings. Please feel free to share your insights in the comments as well.

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How to Have a Bible Party, part 4

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In this final post on how to develop a personal Bible study time, I’d like to offer three additional steps for those who wish to dig deeper.

A word of advise: these steps are optional and should only be considered after spending time on Reading, Receiving, and Responding. Let God’s Word speak directly to you before researching what other people have to say about it. If you have a study Bible with notes, I’d encourage you to use self-control and avoid reading them until the very end of your study time. When we don’t fight for understanding on our own, the learning process is short circuited. God might give you an insight unique to your situation that you won’t want to miss!

There are three websites I routinely visit when studying a passage:

1. www.biblegateway.com 
Enter the verse you are studying (ex: “Luke 8:22”) in the search bar. Below the verse you will see “Luke 8:22 in all English translations”. Click on the link and 59 translations of that verse will come up. It’s helpful to read other versions to catch nuance and expanded interpretation.

For instance, the Message Version of Luke 8:22 says, “One day he and his disciples got in a boat. ‘Let’s cross the lake,’ he said. And off they went.” Did you catch the difference? It’s subtle! Jesus got them into the boat first before saying, “Let’s go.” How does that impact your thoughts on this passage?

2. app.wordsearchbible.com/reader 
This site will give you access to the original language of the scriptures (Hebrew for Old Testament, Greek for New Testament).
Go to “Library” on the left menu and choose The Holy Bible: HCSB Digital Text Edition. Then go back to the “Workspace”. Choose a book, chapter and verse from the drop down menu. Then click on the three vertical dots on the top toolbar. Click on “Strong’s Numbers”. Numbers will be added to the text which you can click on and see definitions and usage.

Example: The word “cross over” in Luke 8:22 has “G1330” above it. Click on that and you will see other words that have that same number and how often they are used in the Bible. Included in the dictionary definition of the Greek word used here is the phrase “pierce through”. How does that aid in your understanding of what Jesus was doing? (He was crossing over the lake in order to pierce through the evil that was on the other side.)

3. www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/guzik_david
This link takes you to a commentary written by David Guzik. There are many wonderful commentaries you can choose from, but I like this one because it explains things clearly and simply. There are cultural and historical insights that we wouldn’t otherwise be aware of without the research and knowledge of other scholars.

Guzik cited this fact about Luke 8:22 — ““The Lake of Galilee is 13 miles long at its longest, and 8 miles wide at its widest. At this particular part it was about 5 miles across.” That helpful information gives details to enhance our study. The disciples rowed for 5 miles while Jesus slept!

Feel free to take or leave these extra study ideas!
I’d love to hear about resources you find!

One last word: Many people love devotionals which contain inspirational thoughts and reflections based on scripture verses. I enjoy them too, and have even written some myself. But don’t let devotionals take the place of focused time engaging with God’s Word. Consider using devotionals in the evening (or in the bathroom!).

Blessings on you as you commit to becoming a student of the Word.
May you find much joy in the journey!

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How to Have a Bible Party, part 3

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Enough already. Let’s get to it!

Plan to set aside 15-20 minutes in a place where you can have some peace and quiet.* I’m a fan of early morning because it sets the tone for the day. I like getting in some Good News before being hit with the bad news. I have found that once I turn on the TV or open up the newspaper or look at the news feed on my phone, I have entered the world. My spirit needs some bolstering up before entering that war zone.

My Best Tip for Staying Consistent

This is going to sound deceptively simple, but it is surprisingly effective.

Before going to bed at night, go to your chair or desk or wherever you plan to study, and set out your Bible, notebook, pencil and glasses. Open up your Bible to the passage you plan to read in the morning. That’s it.

There is something about the open book that produces expectancy. When tempted to skip a day and snuggle down into my warm bed for some extra sleep, the image of that book waiting for me is motivating. God is waiting. To speak to me. Treasures abound. I must go.

3 Step Method: Read, Receive, Respond

Let’s walk through an example together.  Let’s say Luke 8:22-25 is your passage for the day. Some Bibles are nicely divided up into sections with headings, but you can take one verse at a time, one paragraph each day or one section per week — whatever pace you want. As you get situated, pray “Lord, open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word.” (Psalm 199:18)

1. Read the passage slowly and deliberately. Try to read it out loud or whisper it to yourself. Then, pick one verse to zero in on and copy it word for word into your open notebook. This helps you see every word and think about the meaning.

2. Receive, or take in the verse by doing 2 things: 1) make an observation, and 2) ask a question. Write them in your notebook. Start with one observation and one question. As you progress, you might make a list of observations and questions. The point is to engage with the words.

Here is Luke 8:22 — One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.

Possible observations:

  • It must have been a pretty big boat to hold 13 men.
  • They didn’t just take somebody else’s boat – it must have belonged to Peter or James, the fishermen.
  • Jesus was the one calling the shots, in charge.
  • The disciples obeyed without questioning.
  • Jesus had a purpose for going but the disciples didn’t know the reason.
  • One day – Jesus chose the day for this trip.
  • Today Jesus wants me to get into His boat and let Him direct the course.

Possible questions:

  • Why did Jesus want to go to the other side of the lake?
  • What was on the other side?
  • Who did the rowing?
  • Did the boat smell like fish guts?
  • What did the men in the boat see, hear, smell?
  • How far was it to the other side? How long did it take them to cross?
  • Am I willing to get into the boat with Jesus, not knowing where He’ll take me?

The observations are meant to help us enter the scene and connect with the people in it. The questions are to help us dig into the passage. Don’t worry about the answers! Gradually move from the surface to deeper, underlying meanings.

3. Respond by turning your observations and questions into a prayer. You might consider using the acronym A.C.T.S. to give some form to your prayer. Example:

  • A (Adoration) — I praise You, Lord, for knowing where this day is going. You know everything. I love that about You.
  • C (Confession) — I admit there are times when I dig in my heels and don’t want to get in the boat. Forgive me for being resistant.
  • T (Thanksgiving) — Thank You for inviting me to come with You into this day. I don’t know what’s coming, but I know You’re with me. Thank You.
  • S (Supplication) — Help me to trust Your plan, Your purpose. Help me to jump in when You say, “Let’s go!”

There it is. Copy a verse, write an observation and a question, pray a 4-sentence prayer, and you have the beginning of a life-long habit of hearing God’s Word and letting it work its way into your heart and life.

Next Up: 3 Additional Steps to Deeper Study

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*15-20 minutes of peace and quiet are attainable for some people, but not everyone. If you are a mom of a newborn, in a household with several “littles”, or transitioning in life, you are in a season when personal study time is challenging. Grace abounds for you! There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Snatching a prayer time during a 2:00 a.m. feeding or singing a praise song in the shower may be all you can manage for now. Someday, bigger blocks of time will come your way. Stay faithful in the small things now!

How to Have a Bible Party, part 2

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Where Do I Start?

The old adage, “If you fail to plan, you can plan to fail,” is especially true when trying to develop a personal Bible study and devotion time. It doesn’t need to be a detailed or complicated plan, just a loose guide to help keep you on track. There’s not one right way to do this. Different personality types will be drawn to different methods, systems, or tools. Regardless of your temperament, regular time in God’s Word will prove to be life-changing.

Ephesians 4:16 says, “Grow and build yourself up…” God wants His people to step up and take some responsibility instead of depending on others to feed them spiritually. I’ll offer some suggestions but you can tweak them to fit your preferences. It may take some trial and error and you may want to change things up from season to season. Just start!

Where to start?
Ask God. You might be drawn to a book of the Bible after hearing a sermon or a podcast or a song — follow that lead. If you don’t sense any direction, start with one of the gospels. There’s wisdom in spending time in the gospels. We need to watch Jesus, hear His words, keep falling in love with Him. Some people think the gospels are “JV” material and that studying the deep theology in Paul’s letters is for the mature. I beg to differ. Get a front row seat and watch the Master. Start with Mark (the shortest gospel and most action-packed) or Luke (the only gospel written by a Gentile for a non-Jewish audience).

If you’d rather start with a shorter book, try Philippians, James or 1 John. You can’t go wrong! The main thing is to pick one and go straight through the book, taking a small passage or paragraph at a time. (Details coming in next post.)

There are two methods I would not recommend for personal study.

1. The Flip and Point Method
You are looking for help with a problem, so you flip open the Bible, close your eyes and land your finger on the page. This is not a good plan. This is how cults start because it is easy to take words out of context and make the Bible say anything you want. For instance, if your finger lands on Matthew 27:5 (“Judas went out and hanged himself”) and then for a second swipe at it, you land on Luke 10:37 (“Go and do likewise”), you could make a case for something the Bible doesn’t actually say. Context is key. Stay put in the same book for a while. Soak in it, savor it, take your time.

2. The Read Through the Bible in a Year Method
There is nothing wrong with reading the Bible from cover to cover. It’s just not conducive to lingering over passages and it’s hard to engage with the scripture at the pace required to get through it in one year. This is not a race. Take a long term view. Read slowly and deliberately. Volume doesn’t equal blessing. God want us to enjoy this!

Next: How to Have a Bible Party, part 3
My Best Tip for Staying Consistent
My 3 Step Method: Read, Receive, Respond

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