Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Reading progress

I decided this year to follow a read-the-Bible-in-a-year plan. It's had its ups and downs. Or rather, I should say I've had my ups and downs. I've read a lot of the Bible, but not systematically and so I really want to do this. (I've never spent much time in the OT, especially.) But I'm not very consistent. I tried getting up about 30 minutes earlier than I used to -- that was not a successful idea. I'm not a morning person and I already have to get up about 5:30 a.m. But I like the concept, at least, of starting the day out with the Word. I could read in the evening, but my evenings tend to fill up, too -- but I know that shouldn't be an excuse.

So what to do? I think I've found a solution. As I've mentioned before, I ride a van with a bunch of other people to work, and I'm on the van for almost an hour every morning. I can't read while I ride, so I listen to music on my iPod. I usually listen to some kind of Christian music to help me start the day with a better spirit. So I decided I should find a Bible podcast. I didn't want one with a lot of extra commentary, just the Bible, and I think I've found one that I like. The Daily Audio Bible podcast is presented each day by a Nashville producer and artist named Brian Hardin. He has a pleasant reading voice and he's following a one-year-Bible plan. My only complaint is that he doesn't stick to one version. He uses a different version each week. Last week, when I started, he was using The Message, which I consider more for devotional purposes than serious study. But if I want to dig deeper in the day's passages, I can always look them up in something else later. The main thing is, this is good way to spend some time with God's Word. To help with the alternating versions issue, I've subscribed to the RSS feed for the ESV One-Year Bible. So we'll see how this goes. I'll post my progress from time to time.

2 comments:

Pilgrim said...

That is so cheating! :-) I'm 2/3 of the way through after 19 months on that Bible in a year plan. Maybe I need an ipod. :-)

~michelle pendergrass said...

I bought my husband the Bible on CD when he was getting frustrated last year with our Bible in a year reading plan.

I don't do well listening because I have to underline and write notes, etc...but he does VERY well with listening.

I hope you find a way to satisfy you! I've found that following a schedule of reading has opened up my "knowledge" and understanding of God to levels I cannot explain!