Choose Life, Give Life

This week’s blog is a duplicate of the featured article in my January newsletter. If you’d like to read the other portions of the newsletter, CLICK HERE to subscribe!

Be Alive in 2017

I have to say, I was looking forward to the 2016 holiday season more than perhaps any in my life before it. As many of you know, hubby Roy and I made a cross-country move in August to be closer to family, and we planned to celebrate Christmas with both our girls’ families and Roy’s dad for the first time in several years.

The celebration was all I’d hoped it would be. We had grandkids on beds, cots, and floors. No knock-down-drag-outs, and everyone ate favorite foods until we were bursting at the seams.

But on our way to a restaurant with the whole crew, I had an epiphany of sorts.

Green Tree or Dead Chaff

Psalm 1 describes a righteous person as one who values Scripture, God’s Word:

“Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

The psalmist gives us a vivid visual image to understand what happens to a person who values the Word of God—they become like a green tree planted by water. They are alive and life-giving to those around them.

On the other hand, those who don’t value God’s Word are compared to something dead, dry, and temporary.

“Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.” Psalm 1:4 NIV (emphasis added)

Refuse to be Chaff!

Chaff is the dry husk on a kernel of wheat that functions as protector in the early stages of the wheat’s growth but grows old and brittle and of no use as the wheat matures.

As I watched my sweet little family all around me this holiday season, I realized that my time of “protecting them” is over. In order to remain relevant and life-giving to my family, I must remain planted by the water and continually nourish myself—and others—with the Word of God!

So in 2017 I’m reading through the Bible—chronologically—on the YouVersion app on my phone. You’re welcome to join me! Download the app, and search for me in your friends settings. You’ll be able to see my plan and progress and share comments on favorite verses as we remain connected to the River of Life this year.

Don’t Have Time for a Full Bible Read?

My sweet sister has ten children, and I remember a very handy recommendation she made to me a few years ago:

“Read one chapter of Proverbs every day each month, and you’ll get through the book twelve times each year.”

Don’t worry about catching up if you miss a day. No need. You’ll catch it next month! If it’s February 26th, read Proverbs 26. If it’s March 31st, read Proverbs 31. Keep your Bible reading schedule simple and full of grace, but above all…keep it!

Tweet-A-Licious!

• A person who values God’s Word become alive and life-giving to those around them.
• Download @YouVersion and see my plan, progress, and share comments on favorite verses!
• Keep your Bible reading schedule simple and full of grace, but above all…keep it!

Today’s Question:

• Have you ever read through the Bible in a year? Share your experience—good, bad, pitfalls, blessings.