Sunday, May 28, 2017

Read the Bible in a Year Week 20

I completely missed posting the week's reading last Sunday, but used that time to catch up (somewhat) with my daily bible reading. I'm still a few weeks behind (okay, I'm 5 whole weeks behind) but feel confident that I will, someday, eventually, catch up. Besides, this is meant to get us to read the Bible everyday, not a competition. If we speed-read through the scriptures, then we aren't really reading. I am reading straight through this year, but will go back to reading a chapter, then reading commentary about that chapter next year. If you don't have a study Bible, I highly recommend getting one. It has made such a difference in my understanding and growth.

Week 20
Sunday, May 28                 Leviticus 23:26 -25:38
Monday, May 29                Leviticus 25:39 - 27:34
Tuesday, May 30                Numbers 1:1 - 2:34
Wednesday, May 31           Numbers 3:1 - 4:33
Thursday, June 1                Numbers 4:34 - 6:27
Friday, June 2                     Numbers 7:1-89
Saturday, June 3                 Numbers 8:1 - 10:36

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Happy Mother's Day 2017


     I have two daughters. The days that I gave birth were the two happiest days of my entire life. They are both blessings, and I thank God everyday for them. How they turned out so great is a mystery to me even now.
     When you have a baby, there’s no manual, no advanced training, no simulation exercise that can possibly prepare you for the day to day challenges that occur. Sure, you can look up “how to treat diaper rash,” you can ask around for recommendations for babysitters, nursery schools, etc., you can even look up baby names that mean some characteristic you hope will be prominent in your child. But the more subtle things, you have to learn on the fly, and let me tell you, it can get pretty scary. “What’s she crying for? Should I call the Doctor? Does she need fed, changed, attention, sleep? Should I call the Doctor? How much formula does she need? Should I call the Doctor? How will cereal affect her? Should I call the Doctor? What’s the latest thinking on sleep positions: laying her on her back, side, tummy? Should I call the Doctor? Stuff like that, you just have to figure out for your particular child and situation.  Sometimes, oftentimes, it’s trial and error, with an emphasis on error.
     I’m very thankful for my parents. They did an excellent job raising me, (IMO) and I learned a lot about being a parent from them. I feel blessed to have been born to them, especially because there are people in this world who should never have children, and several people in this world who miraculously survived despite their upbringing. However, I think, most of the time, there are parents like me, who tried to learn from their own upbringing, who did the best we could, prayed, and continue to pray, in the hopes of creating a generation better than our own, one that will make the world a better place.

Happy Mother's Day!

Read the Bible in a Year Week 19

Week 19
Sunday, May 14                 Leviticus 5:1 - 7:38
Monday, May 15                Leviticus 8:1 - 10:20
Tuesday, May 16                Leviticus 11:1 - 13:46
Wednesday, May 17           Leviticus 13:47 - 14:57
Thursday, May 18              Leviticus 15:1 - 17:16
Friday, May 19                   Leviticus 18:1 - 20:27
Saturday, May 20               Leviticus 21:1 - 23:25