The Vision

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

By the time you receive this, the countdown will be shrinking quickly toward the end of 2008. I count myself so blessed and humbled by having been allowed by the Lord to serve as your pastor throughout this busy year. We have had heartbreaks, loss of loved ones, illnesses and pain, disappointments...and yet, every moment God's grace has been sweet and sufficient. Christ has never left us nor forsaken us, but has gone with us every step of the way. And He has granted us many, many great blessings!

Tileta and I gained a son-in-law and have just received the news that four or five months into 2009 we will be grandparents for the first time! Some of you are "old hands" at this grand parenting business, and " of course, being young, am new at it all, but every one you assures me the joy is matchless and the "new" never wears off.

One of the things we have done together during this past year that has been most meaningful to me has been our journey through God's Word together. We are now almost all the way through The One- Year Bible (ESV), reading a section of the Old Testament, a portion of the New Testament, a Psalm and a bit of Proverbs each day. First Baptist Church has truly been "all on the same page" this year! I know that when December 31 ends and you have completed your reading, you will feel a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment in having read every "jot and tittle" of the Bible.

Even those who have been reading God's Word a long time have found many "new" insights and truths. The Word is always fresh and is a living book...it speaks to us every time as though the first time, and yet...it becomes more comfortable and precious to us with every moment we spend within its pages. Beginning on January 1, 2009, I want us to begin again reading through the Bible. This year we will tackle it from a new direction. As I noted, our reading during the past year has involved selections from both Old and New Testaments from the start.

This year, now that we're sort of "broken in," and realize the Bible, though huge and formidable, is not overwhelming. There are parts that are more interesting than others, and places in which the meaning for our current lives is more immediately obvious. But this year, we will read through the whole Bible from beginning to end. By reading a mere 4 chapters each day...28 chapters each week...we will accomplish this goal.

It won't be an "even" read, of course; in one book alone, the Psalms, there is Psalm 117...the shortest chapter in the Bible; and Psalm 119...the longest. But overall it will balance out...4 chapters per day. We will list for you our weekly readings so you can keep track of where you are and where you need to be.

To begin: On Thursday, January 1, we will read Genesis, chapters 1,2,3, & 4. On Friday, January 2, we will ready the chapters of Genesis 5-8. On Saturday, our reading will consist of the Genesis chapters 9-12. Then on Sunday, Genesis 13-16...and thus continuing on into the month and year.

If you have any questions about this, please call me. I love discussing reading God's Word, and would love to talk with you about it.

 

                          I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and very good new year...

 

Your Friend,