(For a full overview of Soul30, go to Soul30 Challenge.)

Soul30 Challenge-Day 30

Aug.19, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 19
• Proverbs 19
• John 19
• 1 Peter 1

Friends, here we are, official last day of our challenge.

How did you do?

For me, it’s been bumpy. Especially as traveling entered the scene towards the end, as well as preparing for another school year. So, although I’ve been reading this Book of goodness, I haven’t had the time to sit and share on this blog every day as I had hoped.

BUT. My heart is full, even as I’ve found my Bible off to the side more often than I would have liked. This is what I know: I read God’s precious Word more often in the last 30 days than I had in the previous 6 months combined. And here is what I love; God’s Truth resonates in my heart more clearly throughout each day, it more quickly comes to mind in a conversation, it more profoundly affects my choices. This Holy Word is a light to my path. I find myself ANNOYED when I don’t read it throughout the day, which is a far cry from not even realizing that I hadn’t read it.

I had a whole 10 minutes yesterday where I sat and pondered the fact the James, Jesus’ brother, wrote such words of wisdom after Jesus resurrection. (I don’t typically sit and ponder anything… who has time to ponder with 3 kids??) Yet before His resurrection, Jesus’ family thought He was out of his mind (Mark 3:21). Crowds were following Him, He was healing so many people that He sometimes didn’t have time to eat. But His family did not believe in Him. I suppose if I had a family member claiming to be God, my response would have been much the same.

Then they watch Him be innocently accused. He was killed in public. He was sealed in a tomb which was armed with guards. His disciples were in hiding, scared for their lives.

Then we find a book written by Jesus’ brother. He no longer sees Jesus as crazy. He sees Jesus as his “glorious Lord and Savior…” (James 2:1) How can we account for this change of heart?

The resurrection.

I suppose if I saw my brother murdered, then saw him alive, walking, talking, teaching, loving, I’d have a similar reaction.

This book that James writes is so rich, so wise, so concise, filled with conviction, truth and love. He believes with his whole being that his brother is his Redeemer, his righteousness, his Lord. He believes that He is coming back. He believes that He is the One that we should pray to, the One that we should worship, the Lawgiver, the Judge.

One of the hardest types of relationships are the ones with family. Family relationships are so loaded with emotion, history, sensitivity, and expectations. Show me a human and I will show you someone who struggles with relationships in their family. And here we have one of Jesus’ family members, claiming that Jesus is God. It is one of the biggest evidences that I can find for Christ’s resurrection. James puts his hope in Jesus, puts these beliefs down on paper for all to read, and desires to lead others to this hope that he has found in the Messiah.

I hope that you find yourself walking on a path with Jesus. I hope that you have found Him as your personal Savior. I hope that you continue on this path of seeking wisdom for your soul in God’s Holy Word.

James 1:25 “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does.”

Soul30 Challenge-Day 29

Aug.18, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 18
• Proverbs 18
• John 18
• James 5

Soul30 Challenge-Day 28

Aug.17, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 17
• Proverbs 17
• John 17
• James 4

Soul30 Challenge-Day 27

Aug.16, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 16
• Proverbs 16
• John 16
• James 3

Soul30 Challenge-Day 26

Aug.15, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 15
• Proverbs 15
• John 15
• James 2

Soul30 Challenge-Day 25

Aug.14, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 14
• Proverbs 14
• John 14
• James 1

Soul30 Challenge-Day 24

Aug.13, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 13
• Proverbs 13
• John 13
• Hebrews 13

As I’m making my way through Hebrews, I am sad that it is coming to an end! Only a few more chapters. Have you ever read Hebrews 12? It is so rich in its picture of who Christ is, who God is, and how we fit into the story of salvation. Just from chapter 12 alone, we find these descriptions:

Jesus:

• Author of our faith
• Perfecter of our faith
• Endured the cross for the joy set before him
• Sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
• Endured opposition from sinful men
• Mediator of the new covenant
• Shed His blood

God the Father:

• Disciplines for our good
• Rebukes
• Punishes those He accepts as sons
• Father of our spirit
• Disciplines that we may share in His holiness
• Shows grace
• Speaks to us
• Warns us from heaven
• Has promised to shake the heavens and the earth
• Gives us a kingdom that cannot be shaken
• Consuming fire
• He is living
• The judge of all men

Soul30 Challenge-Day 23

Aug.12, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 12
• Proverbs 12
• John 12
• Hebrews 12

Soul30 Challenge-Day 22

Aug.11, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 11
• Proverbs 11
• John 11
• Hebrews 11

Soul30 Challenge-Day 21

Aug.10, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 10
• Proverbs 10
• John 10
• Hebrews 10

Our family reunion over the past four days included everything necessary for a successful time together: aunts, uncles, cousins, games, laughing, eating, talking, etc. It also included no internet access, which was a little odd for the first day, and then it became one of my favorite things. I do apologize for the non-updated blog, but it was wonderful to read through some chapters in Hebrews, soak it in, and just drift off to sleep with my thoughts on scripture. There were very few times that I even had my phone charged. Knowing what time it was, or even what day it was, was rare. The wonderfulness of no schedule. Loved it.

I will be back tomorrow, Lord willing, to share with you some thoughts from another day in God’s sweet Word.

Soul30 Challenge-Day 20

Aug.9, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 9
• Proverbs 9
• John 9
• Hebrews 9

Soul30 Challenge-Day 19

Aug.8, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 8
• Proverbs 8
• John 8
• Hebrews 8

Soul30 Challenge-Day 18

Aug.7, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 7
• Proverbs 7
• John 7
• Hebrews 7

Soul30 Challenge-Day 17

Aug.6, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Psalms 6
• Proverbs 6
• John 6
• Hebrews 6

Verse 9 ends by telling us who receives this glorious gift of eternal salvation; it is those who obey him. Not to imply that if you disobey, you are not offered salvation anymore. But to say that the posture of a Christian is obedience, someone who pursues God’s path. In other verses in scripture, we see that those who believe will receive salvation (John 3:16). This seems to teach us that to believe and to obey are not two separate things, but one thing. Obedience is Belief’s reflection. You will not find one without the other.

Soul30 Challenge-Day 16

Aug.5, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Genesis 5
• Psalms 5
• Proverbs 5
• John 5
• Hebrews 5

I remember learning this verse as a child, and it is such a meaningful verse for every believer. What a timely verse, in light of me not having time to read my bible, to remember that it is not my efforts that redeem me, but Christ’s sacrifice. It’s a free gift to every believer. Faith alone, by his grace alone. AMEN!!!

Soul30 Challenge-Day 15

Aug.4, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Genesis 4
• Psalms 4
• Proverbs 4
• John 4
• Ephesians 4
• Hebrews 4

As we are praying this week, let’s follow David’s example. How good it is for the heart to remember who God is. As we ask for deliverance, as we ask for God to RISE UP in our current situations, for God to strike down our enemies, may we also remember who God is and exalt Him. May we not forget who He is and praise Him for it, even as we wait for Him to answer.

• He is Lord
• He is a shield
• He bestows glory on us
• He lifts up our heads
• He answers
• He sustains us
• He delivers us

What if you remembered these things about God today? What would your day be like? Today, may you exalt this God who loves you.

Soul30 Challenge Day 14

Aug. 3, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Genesis 3
• Psalms 3
• Proverbs 3
• John 3
• Ephesians 3
• Hebrews 3

If you had kids, and they were concerned, even terrified, about what would happen when they die, and you knew the answers, would you tell them? Would you comfort them with the truth about what would happen? Of course you would. Of COURSE.

Soul30 Challenge-Day 13

Aug. 2, 12015

Today’s suggested readings:

• Genesis 2
• Psalms 2
• Proverbs 2
• John 2
• Ephesians 2
• Hebrews 2

Here are some verses that highlight what we are doing here, friends. We are attempting to meditate day and night on this honeycomb of goodness that is God’s Word. And notice this passage does not say “the man who does these things will be blessed.” It starts by saying that he is blessed. He IS like a tree planted firmly, not “he will be.” The man who delights in the law of the Lord is blessed by that act. That IS the blessing. The result is being rooted, established in the truth, like a tree that has access to an abundance of water to satisfy and strengthen. If you are meditating and delighting in God’s Word, this is a promised blessing to come from that choice. Do you desire to feel grounded? Satisfied? Blessed? This is your ticket: delight in God’s Word.

Soul30 Challenge-Day 12

Aug. 1, 12015

Great selections for today:

• Genesis 1
• Psalms 1
• Proverbs 1
• John 1
• Ephesians 1
• Hebrews 1

The interesting thing about America is that WE are the government. “We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” –Preamble, Constitution of America

Soul30 Challenge-Day 11

July 31, 12015

What to read today if you need some suggestions:

• Psalms 31
• Psalms 131
• Proverbs 31
• Philippians 3

One of the best atricles I’ve seen in recent weeks is one by Rosaria Butterfield. (Get your hands on anything she has written.) She articulates her journey from one side of the issue to the other. The verse that made a profound difference for her was Ps. 102:18. “And peoples yet uncreated shall praise and magnify the LORD.”

“Abortion is not a right or an entitlement. Abortion steals praise from God by denying image-bearers the opportunity to live through and for him. Abortion despises and attacks and destroys the image of God.”

See the full atricle here. It is amazing. She is gifted with wisdom and articulation.

May your will be done, Lord, and may we all seek to be used as You would see fit. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear as You guide us through these deep waters.

Soul30 Challenge-Day 10

July 30, 2015

God bless you, dear friends, as you read from His life-changing Word today. Choose some of these passages, or do your own thing! I’m adding Philippians today.

• Psalms 30
• Psalms 130
• Proverbs 30
• Philippians 1 & 2

“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” Proverbs 29:11

Parents, how hard is this one?

Self control??!

One of the things that took me most off-guard about parenting was how much harder it is to keep control of myself when I’m dealing with my kids than when I’m dealing with anyone else.

I was an elementary music teacher for almost 10 years before having kids, I directed musicals with more than 100 kids at a time, I had been around many, many children for lots and lots of years. Then my own kids enter the picture and my self-control with anger became one of my biggest weaknesses. Very humbling.

But then you start talking to other parents, and you find out….this is all of us! We all have to keep a check on this!

Oh, here’s something hilarious. When people find out that I home school, they tell me how patient I must be. Hahahahahaaa. Um, no.

Then they tell me they aren’t patient and that’s why they need to send their kids to school. Numero uno, I was not, N.O.T. born with more patience than you. Number two, sending your kids off to school is not contributing your ability to be patient.

You may send your kids to school for wonderfully valid reasons, but helping you be more patient is not a real strong one. I mean, they say that you need over 10,000 hours to master something, so wouldn’t it make sense that patience only grows when we exercise it more often? It’s like a muscle. We would never say, oh I have weak muscles so therefore I will not exercise my muscles very much, and then they will get stronger. We have to flex our muscles, flex our patience, fail over and over, and learn from the failure. The MORE we do it, the stronger we get.

After 9 years of motherhood, I can tell you that I am WAY more patient than I was at the start. My breaking point is much further down the line than it used to be. My ability to keep myself under control has grown. And it’s a strength that grows because I have to exercise it all day, every day. I have put my time into developing this discipline. It’s a rough one. Minute-by-minute I am depending on the Holy Spirit to guide me and strengthen me and give me wisdom with these small humans. And I STILL might not have as much patience as you! But I have a stronger patience than I used to have, and that is a testament to God’s grace in my life.

May God encourage you in whatever you are struggling with today. Lean into those weaknesses and don’t be afraid to fail and get back up again and fail and get back up again. We have a Savior who was tempted as well and can empathize with how hard it is in this broken world. Work those muscles of disciplining yourself to seek after God today.

Soul30 Challenge Day 9

July 29, 2015

I am a little sad there are no more gospel chapters (Matt., Mark, Luke, John) that match the dates for a few days, but I may do my own thing for a few days and read some New Testament passages here and there. But here are some good passages to match today’s date:

• Psalms 29
• Psalms 129
• Proverbs 29
• Genesis 29
• Deuteronomy 29

Have you ever found yourself doubting God? Doubting Jesus? Have you ever struggled with your faith? Even if you’ve seen the almighty hand of God working in your life in undeniable ways, it seems that humans seem to doubt pretty easily.

Jesus’ disciples saw His ministry, felt called to follow Him as their Rabbi, saw the miracles, the gentleness, the holy anger, the astounding teaching and authority in leading the masses. Then they saw Him murdered in public. In the aftermath of His death, most of the disciples were nowhere to be found; they were hiding, confused, terrified, broken.

Then, they SEE Him. He’s alive. He appeared to them. And unlike a narrative that is being falsely told, the gospel of Matthew chapter 28 teaches us that some of the disciples DOUBTED, even when they saw Him. They had doubts about the risen Lord even as He was standing WITH them. Right in front of them. Who would make up a story of resurrection, and then throw some doubting disciples into the mix? Like, “He rose from the dead, just as He predicted! And the disciples saw Him! But, some doubted……”

So anti-climactic. But it’s very consistent from what we read earlier in the gospel story. Some of these disciples struggled with faith. Even SEEING HIM ALIVE didn’t cast aside all of their doubts. To see an innocent friend killed, a friend that you believed was God’s Son, and then a few days later, He is right in front of you, alive!!! Doubt doesn’t seem like it would be the normal reaction. But some of them did.

“When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.” Matthew 28:17

This struggle with doubt seems to point to the fact that doubt does not mean unbelief. These same men, after all, changed the world by the power of the Holy Spirit as they testified of Christ’s death and resurrection. They shared the gospel story passionately, and each and every one of them (except John) died a martyr’s death. Some were crucified. They considered their lives less important than the gospel. These same men who doubted were then used as God’s instruments to a broken, lost, sinful world in need of a Savior.

The next time you find yourself doubting this God who loves you so fiercely, remember these heroes of the faith, these men who were not counted out of God’s plan simply because of their doubt. They would eventually surrender their lives to His purpose. Their doubts would pale in comparison to their passion of sharing what they knew to be true.

Soul30 Challenge Day 8

July 28, 2015

Read any chapters that match today’s date, such as:

• Psalms 28
• Psalms 128
• Proverbs 28
• Matthew 28

I found myself over in Acts 27 to start my soul-loving wisdom search yesterday, and I’ve decided that Spielberg needs to make a movie out of that one chapter alone. Have you ever read that one? Paul, a prisoner, is on a boat ride of terror that happens over months and months as the seas toss him and the crew around like a rag doll. My goodness, it would make an amazing film, not only in its intensity, but in its glorifying of God’s faithfulness. Read that one.

I also read Matthew 27, Christ’s betrayal and crucifixion.

Have you ever been betrayed? Is there a more painful experience? Someone you love, you trust, you dine with, you walk with, you are in ministry with, you open your home to, you share your family with, you travel with, you would do anything for…..they turn their back, they break your heart. A friend, they leave you. Nothing can quite prepare you for it, and nothing can knock the wind out of you in quite the same way.

Christ experiences this. The agonizing road to His death began with a friend betraying Him. It was the start of many painful things to come that night.

After experiencing betrayal in my own life, all of the verses in scripture that talk about God as a friend have a whole new meaning to me.

Luke 5:20 “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

James 2:23 “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.”

In Job 29:4, he talks about how God’s intimate friendship has blessed his house.

Earlier in my life, I had not really understood the importance of this aspect of God. But to have a Friend who is always faithful, always loving, always selfless, always dependable; it’s quite an amazing promise and fills such a deep need in my human heart. Even the people in our lives who have not betrayed us will fail us sometimes, and we will fail them. But Almighty God is not only our Redeemer, but our Faithful Friend.

May the intimate friendship of Almighty God bless you as you journey through this day.

Soul30 Challenge-Day 7

July 27, 2015

Great chapters that match today’s date:

• Psalms 27
• Psalms 127
• Proverbs 27
• Matthew 27

It was another hugely busy day yesterday for us with church in the morning and then a trip to Chicago for the day.

I didn’t bring my Bible downtown, but I should have! There was so much time traveling on the trains and buses. Ugh. That would have been a lot of time to read.

But church was great. I read my Bible in church (obvious.) Although, reading Bibles in churches is surprisingly rare these days, it seems. I digress.

We read from Philippians where Paul talks about how salvation comes from Jesus alone. Not Jesus+good works, or Jesus+going to church, or Jesus+anything. Faith in Christ is what brings salvation, which brings a hearty AMEN from this soul because I am prone to wander like a small toddler from this Lord that I love. If even just 1% of salvation was up to me, I would be eternally lost. My heart is grateful for a salvation plan that rests alone on the fact that Christ declares me holy as He is holy simply because of my faith and not my “goodness.”

I have been His forever child since the day I decided to believe that He is who He says He is, from the day that I accepted this free gift that cost Him His life.

Heavenly Father, give me the wisdom and courage to live my life for you today. In light of the immeasurable sacrifice made for me by Jesus on the cross, extinguish any of my fleshly desires, attitudes and motives. Not so that I can earn my salvation, but as an outpouring of gratitude in receiving it. Amen.

Soul30 Challenge-Day 6

July 26, 2014

What should we read today?:

• Psalms 26
• Psalms 126
• Proverbs 26
• Isaiah 26
• Matthew 26

How was your Saturday? I hope it was great!

Mine? So glad you asked. Saturdays are my one full work day. So while the rest of Chicagoland seems to mow the lawn and run to the grocery store, I am teaching ALL DAY. But. That’s okay. It just lends itself to a light-Bible-reading day.

I did have a chance to read some passages before bed, but I was more confused than inspired by Proverbs 26. I understood some of the verses; other ones, I definitely didn’t understand or didn’t relate to.

Psalms 26 is lovely enough, but still nothing screaming out at me. Maybe I’m tired. I mean, this is God’s Word! My heart did grab onto the last verse of that chapter though. It says, “My feet stand on level ground. In the great assembly, I will praise the Lord.” I wonder what it was like to worship God in the temple, the place where God actually dwelled amongst the great assembly of His chosen people. It’s something I find hard to fully imagine.

I am grateful to be able to wake up today and go to a Bible-preaching church. I literally get excited to wake up on Sunday mornings. This feeling of excitement is a gift after searching for the right church for years. God finally led us to a church that is such a great fit or our family, hugely because God’s Word is the CENTER of all that happens. There are Bibles on the end of each row, like, THIS IS IMPORTANT! URGENT! READ THIS BOOK!

I am grateful to be able to meet with the Lord in the “great assembly” of His children, as well as those who may still be on the journey of seeking truth. His Word will be clearly preached and we will lift up our voices in praise to our King this morning.

I hope you find yourself worshiping in the great assembly of believers on this day. May God richly bless you as you seek after Him.

Soul30 Challenge-Day 5

July 25, 2014

Some great chapters to choose from today:

• Psalms 25
• Psalms 125
• Proverbs 25
• Exodus 25
• Isaiah 25

Yesterday was a sweet Summer day. We went to a nearby water park and swam until we could swim no more. After that we had late hotdogs, ice cream and bedtime. Not a lot of reading of the holy book for me today. But my moments when I did have time, I decided to read Esther. I’ve been missing my Jane Austen, and I felt like reading a narrative. It doesn’t get much better than Esther. She’s a real-life hero.

Have you ever read it from beginning to end? It rivals any other story out there with its drama, scandal, intrigue, hope, fear, love, hate, dispair, joy, arrogance, humbleness, plot twists, villains, heroes, life, death, a surprise ending, etc. I mean, there is a guy who gets hung from gallows that HE BUILT. This book is not only riveting to read, but it actually happened. So good.

Some verses from Esther to intrigue you:

Esther 4:3 “….there was great mourning amongst the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing.”

Esther 9:18 “…The Jews in Susa…..rested and made it a day of joy and feasting.”

The events that unfold in between those two verses to take an entire group of people from great sorrow to great joy are fascinating. Read it.

Read it on one of these days in this Soul30 challenge. Read it when you have an hour. It’s just so good. God is glorified even though His name is never mentioned. One of my favorite Bible stories, hands down.

Whatever you choose to read today, dive into that Bible and let the Truth pour over your soul.

#HoneyCombOfGoodness

Soul30 Challenge-Day 4

July 24, 2015

You know the drill. Let’s look at some chapters that match today’s date:

• Psalms 24
• Psalms 124
• Proverbs 24
• Exodus 24
• Matthew 24
• Luke 24

Joseph of Arimathea, who was also a prominent member of the Sanhedrin, is the one who asked Pilot for Jesus’ body, took Him off of the cross, laid Him in the tomb intended for himself, and in so doing, provided the location of Jesus’ triumphant resurrection.

July 23, 2015

What should we read today, my fellow soul-loving companions?

Here are some good ones:

• Psalms 23
• Psalms 123
• Proverbs 23
• Luke 23
• 2 Samuel 23 (v.s 1-7 especially)

Yesterday as I sat in the library with my Bible, I was reminded that at one point in history, there weren’t libraries full of books to choose from in the towns across this country.  This Book that was opened on my library table used to be one of the only books in print, one of the only books to choose from to teach children to read. Abraham Lincoln’s knowledge of the Bible was second nature because it was one of the primary books that taught him to read, along with Aesop’s Fables and Shakespeare. I sat in the vastness of books and knowledge and felt the weight of this Good News that has been lost in the shuffle of the millions of books available to us now. We are blessed to have information and knowledge at our fingertips, even at the click of a button. But as a culture we have walked away from the wisdom of these pages, these jewels of Truth, this revelation of where we came from and price that was paid on the cross to save us from the sin that ensnares us.

I was particularly struck by reading 1 Samuel 22 and then 2 Samuel 22 back-to-back. In 1 Samuel we see David being hunted by Saul who wanted to kill him, on the run, fleeing his enemy. Fast-forward to 2 Samuel  and we see David’s song of praise to God for delivering Him from Saul.

“David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.” 2 Samuel 22:1

The song that David sings has beautiful words exalting this God who sees him and delivers.

Sometimes I wish I had a fast forward to see the end of my trails. I mean, let’s flip forward a few chapters and see what happens. Will God come through for me? Will He deliver me from the hardships that I am facing today?

The beauty is that we know God keeps His promises. So it IS as if we have a fast-forward. We CAN know how the story ends. We know He will always do what’s right. We know He will keep His promises. Our enemies may press in from every side, but we know He works things together for our good.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.” 2 Samuel 1:2

SOUL30 CHALLENGE-DAY 2

July 22, 2015

Good morning! How was day 1? What is God teaching you? Leave a comment and let us know!

If you need some suggestions for reading today, here are some chapters to choose from:

• Psalms 22
• Psalms 122
• Proverbs 22
• Genesis 22 (Abraham willing to sacrifice Isaac! A favorite)
• Matthew 22
• Luke  22
• Revelation 22 (last book in the bible!)

For me, yesterday was a glorious, bible-reading affair. I put my smart phone down and sought wisdom. I read on the couch, at the pool, in the car (husband driving!), and during a break at a meeting. I found myself thinking over and over about the things I had just read.

I loved Matthew 21 where we see Christ entering Jersusalem on Palm Sunday.  I am fascinated with the authority of Jesus as He was questioned by those who were trying to trap Him. The chief priests and elders approached Him with contempt, trying to find fault in Him and back Him into a corner. Yet He sees through their schemes and has so much discernment. He eventually will be trapped by these same men, but it will be on His terms. Which is of course a direct reflection of His position as God’s Son, being so in tune with His Father’s will.

Another favorite moment of mine today was the last verse of John 21, one of my all time favorites. “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” John 21:25

What were these other things that Christ did?? What other things did He do that we don’t know about??? Please, Lord, someday can you tell me these stories? Tell me how You loved and served and led and healed and instructed and taught and laughed and cried and prayed and struggled and lived and died and rose and appreared and taught. And through it all, You followed Your Father’s will and saved a fallen world. You loved us well. Tell us more about how you paved this path to redemption.

This verse in John reminds me of my grandma. This woman, I mean, there was no one like her. She is irreplaceable. I miss you Grandma Jo. She loved the thought that if all of Jesus’ works, being so numerous, were written down, they would have filled the whole earth. At her request, one of the songs sung at her funeral was The Love of God by Fredrick Lehman. In that hymn, it says this:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

I long to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear Him talk about His time on earth, to sit next to my dear grandma in that heavenly place and get the whole scoop, to laugh with her, to hear the voice of our divine Savior.

What I would give to wake up and be one of the people in Jerusalem rushing to the temple in the morning to hear Jesus teach.

The sweet, sweet truth is that I can rush to meet with Him tomorrow morning. In the stillness of the early hours, or in the busi-ness of my mid-July day, I will meet with Him, many times, just as I did today.

I invite you to join me in this sweet endevour of meeting with our Savior.

SOUL30 CHALLENGE-DAY 1

July 21, 2015

Hello! Let’s show some love to our souls! Let’s begin this journey of seeking to pour wisdom into ourselves like a fire hose to the soul.

Needing ideas about what to read each day?

Pick chapters in any book that coincide with whatever the date is. Today is the 21st. Read any chapter 21 that you desire. Psalms and Proverbs (smack in the middle of your Bible) will always provide a chapter for each day of the month. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs (perfect), and 150 chapters in the Psalms. So you could even do two Psalms, 21 and 121 for example.

Or pick from the chapter 21 selections that I have recommended below. You can pick one and read it over and over again all day, or read various ones throughout the day. Since I am replacing my phone-checking habit with reading scripture, I have found that this leads to A LOT of reading. So I tend to read certain chapters more than once each day, as well as read multiple chapters a day.

Here are my chapter 21 recommendations:

• Psalms 21
• Psalms 121
• Proverbs 21
• Matthew 21
• John 21
• Revelation 21

God’s Word is living! Choose anywhere! You will be reading true things, valuable history at the very least. But always a feast for the soul. If you come to a passage that is hard to understand, comment about it! At the very least, ask God your questions and ask Him to help you understand.

God bless you as you pour His wisdom into your soul today!