This year I am reading through the Bible in a year. More specifically, and more accurately, I am reading the whole Bible chronologically and hopefully finishing in a year. I’ve been a Christian for the majority of my life, and the four years preceding that I heard the gospel preached and the Bible stories read aloud. So many (if not most) of these words are not new to me. What is new is the specific intention to read the whole Bible as one bigger story chronologically from cover to cover.
I have two preschoolers that I am homeschooling this year. Our curriculum isn’t intense or crazy and includes a lot of park dates, music classes, picture books, water colors, and free play. But it has honestly changed my outlook on life. I am captivated by stories in a fresh and new way, and I am constantly blown away with the way my girls both so easily fall into a good story and are changed by it. Stories are soul food. And the Bible is the best story of all. It tells us who and whose we are, gives us hope and direction, and holds the words of life.
The Bible isn’t just a Story, it is the Word of God. The same Word made flesh. When you read the Bible as one big story, you see that the God of the old testament is the same as the God of the new. He is never changing, always good, completely Holy, and awe inspiring.
Along the way I’ve been surprised and drawn into the story, seeing things with new eyes. One of them in the middle of Leviticus of all places- a book we can often dismiss as a bunch of outdated laws, unfamiliar (and often uncomfortable) sacrifice rules, and brain-numbing details:
You must not deal unjustly in judgment: you must neither show partiality to the poor nor honor the rich. You must judge your fellow citizen fairly. You must not go about as a slander among your people. You must not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is at stake. I am the Lord. You must not hate your brother in your heart. You must surely reprove your fellow citizen so that you do not incur sin on account of him. You must not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you must love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19: 15-18
I read this one morning with a coffee cup in hand and a little baby perched in my lap, reaching for the cheerios I placed in front of him. I quickly grabbed my journal to write it down because I was just struck with how much it resonated with our lives today. Something written several hundred years before Christ can still be true and relevant thousands of years later. The Word of God really is living and active! (Amen!)
We must not be unjust. We must be fair. We must not lie. We must protect the vulnerable. We must not hate. We must not take vengeance. We must love. For these are the things of the Lord’s heart and what he desires of His children.
It’s May again: my birthday, Mother’s Day, and the Walk for Life. My first Walk for Life was in 2012 when I started working at Life Network. And now, even though I stopped working there in the summer of 2016, I’m passionate about what they do in our city and I still walk for life.
There is a lot going on politically in regards to abortion and many states are taking different stances in that arena, but in all cases, there are many women who are looking for direction and help in a hard and confusing time. At Life Network we are able to educate on the reality of abortion as well as adoption and parenting – injecting hope into what feels like a hopeless situation for so many of these mothers (and fathers). Providing free pregnancy ultrasounds which dramatically impact a mother’s choice to choose life as well as free pregnancy testing, STD testing & treatment, community and medical referrals, Abortion Pill Reversal treatment, emergency material needs, parenting education & classes, mentoring, clinical counseling, and so much more.
Life Network remains a faithful stronghold in our city of light & hope – year after year, no matter what legislation may pass in Colorado or in our country. If you don’t personally know the work that is going on at Life Network, I encourage you to read their website, look at all of the free services they offer, see how much they care, talk with staff and volunteers, and pray for the work they are doing. It is Kingdom work, and it’s so much more than “just saving babies” – although that is still a wonderful outcome worthy to be celebrated!
Every year I raise money for the Walk for Life with Life Network, every year my goal is at least $1,000, and every year you guys help me meet it! Would you join me in raising money for Life Network so that they can continue providing FREE and life-changing services to our community?
CLICK HERE to give: https://page.fundeasy.com/6204724
I’d forever be grateful for your partnership in this worthwhile & eternal cause!
If you want to see my essays from the last years, click here: 2022 & 2021
