I understand that these notes aren’t actual blog worthy posts; I’m just trying to get back into the hang of posting anything at all. Real stuff will come I promise. . . besides I don’t think any of you are there anymore anyway.

Nehemiah 7:73-9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 21:11-12

Still no time to write and discuss here are just a few of my quick notes:

In Nehemiah 8 :When Ezra read the law to the people and they understood they began to mourn and weep. Nehemiah told them to “not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” They were then instructed to go out “to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. ”

Nehemiah 9 is very powerful as Israel confesses their sin then stand and bless the Lord.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,” the whole selection from Psalms it great, I would copy the whole thing and put it here had I not already linked to it.

Kaleb and Charleigh are starting the One Year Bible reading plan today as well. They will be reading Jan 1 today.

Currently I’m reading on the “read your Bible in a year plan”. This generally doesn’t work out for me because more often than not I end up cross referencing something and ending up in an entirely different part of the Bible. Now that I’ve got DSL though I’m having my current plan zapped to me daily and I’ll read straight through it once then pull out my “real Bible” (real meaning printed on paper and not digital) and dig in a little deeper.

If you want to jump in and read along you can click on over to the One Year Bible and choose your version and click on today’s day.

Today we read Ezra 7-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30

It’s back. . .even if for my own use. We used to post here what we were reading in our Bible study each day and then discus it. Today I won’t be going into any great interpretation or discussion I’m just trying to get back in the habit of posting again. I figure if I post a verse or two that stand out to me it will keep me accountable to my study and get my feet back in the water of blogging. It might not be good writing but then again it might. Perhaps if my fingers get back in the hang of typing and my mouse used to clicking we might just have a real blog here again.

1 Corinthians 3:10-16

10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in[a] you? 17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Will my work survive or be burnt up?
Look at verse 15:
“But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.”

Something to think about.

I wrote last year declaring this Joshua’s Favorite book. It still is.

Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers: The Gospel By Joey Allen The Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series introduces preschool and elementary children to the most foundational teachings of the Christian in this four-book set at a level they can understand. Colorful illustrations compliment every page, creating an enjoyable learning experience for the child. The Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series promotes God-centered theology with simple and precise teaching while offering stability and a strong, lasting connection with the faith. The Gospel relates a gospel message of salvation to children, at their level of understanding, planting seeds that will hopefully blossom into a Christian life of dedication to our Savior and Lord. Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

I still plan on getting him these ones some day:

Have any of you read these other ones?

Kaleb wanted to share with you his recent literary choice.
He’s been reading a Bill Myers series. We first were only able to find them at our local Christian book store but he now reports the whole series being stocked at his school library!

My Life as a Broken Bungee Cord: The Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle #3, Hardcover By Bill Myers / Thomas Nelson Dorkoid Wally McDoogle has never looked so cool! This special edition gives readers all of the McDoogle out-of-control humor n a hip, hardcover format with never-before-seen wacky illustrations. This book keeps readers on the edge of their seats as one calamity builds upon another until, with his life on the line, Wally learns what it means to fully put his trust in God. Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Some of his favorite titles so far are:

My Life as Alien Monster Bait

My Life as Blundering Ballerina:

My Life as a Bigfoot Breath Mint

My Life as Polluted Pond Scum:

Charleigh is loving this Beverly Lewis “Cul-De-Sac Kids” series.

Cul-De-Sac Kids, Volumes 1-6 By Beverly Lewis / Bethany When your 7- to 10-year-olds join the kids on the cul-de-sac at Blossom Hill Lane, they’ll encounter realistic (and funny!) predicaments that point to Jesus as the ultimate mystery-solver! This boxed set of six softcover chapter books includes: The Double Dabble Surprise, The Chicken Pox Panic, The Crazy Christmas Angel Mystery, No Grow-ups Allowed, Frog Power, and The Mystery of Case D. Luc.

She’s been checking them out at the school library and just can’t get enough of them! She says they are way more cool than the Junie B. Jones books! Charleigh can’t even hold still when she’s reading them, she has to jump up every two minutes to update me on the story.

Please read this and this and tell me what it says to you. . .

Hebrews 6:4-6

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Ok, Bible Buddies we’re back, for those of you that were previously reading along with us here’s what we’re reading today:

1 Corinthians 1-2
Well actually we read chapters 1-10 this morning but that’s a little too much to discuss at once.

In chapter 1 Paul appeals to the church to unite as one body. Many of the Corinthians were becoming more devoted to the ministers of the gospel than than the gospel itself. This problem is still prevelant today. Many believers attach their hearts more to a pastor or denomination than they do to the Truth of God. When we focus our loyalty solely on an organization or teacher we often loose our focus on Christ and his sacrifice. This is one of the major causes of division in the church.

In verse 1 Corinthians1:25 Paul reminds us:

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”

I love the second half of this chapter. We are reminded that God chooses us, the foolish and the weak, to proclaim his wisdom. It is through our weakness that he shames the strong. So that we may boast only in the Lord.

Chapter 2 explains how we get wisdom from the Spirit. Having been given the mind of Christ we are now able to grasp God’s secret wisdom.

1 Corinthians2:9-12
“However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”

So what stood out to you? What do you see in these first 2 chapters

This morning Amy directs us to James 1 and asks us how it applys to us today.

I intended on reading it and posting a few verses that stood out to me. Problem being it is all fabulous so I encourage you to follow the link and read the whole chapter. Please.

Today we’re reading John 16.
It’s a very passionate and insightful chapter. Almost too much to point out so I’ll pick just a few verses.

7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:

Holy Spirit, my couselor open my eyes to my own sin. Show me my heart that I might know what I need to change to be more like Christ.

13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

Holy Spirit, show me the truth. Father show me who you are and who you want me to be.

24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Your joy will be complete, WOW.

26In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

I deleted this comment as it didn’t properly express my thoughts, I’ll come back to it later. . .

30Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
31″You believe at last!”Jesus answered.

I like Jesus’s excitement here when he exclaims “You believe at last!”

33″I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”