A Radical January

At the beginning of this year, I had posted about some "resolutions"/goals that I had for 2013; ways that I was planning on making 2013 radical. Well, I am not 1/12th through my year and what a month it has been! Chris and I have been crazy busy with work and enjoying our time together, but in addition to that, we have been focusing on God and aiming to grow in Him. So, with that said, how have I made January radical?

1. Praying for the World

I mentioned the website Operation World as a great resource for finding countries to pray for in my post at the beginning of this month. This website is still phenomenal  If you sign up to join their prayer challenge, they email a new country every day to pray for. While I have to admit, I am not the best at checking my email daily, I do find this such a blessing. As John Robb says in his article, "Strategic Prayer", "Because of the nature of evil in the world, prayer is essential." Praying for the world allows us to be on the front lines of fighting the evil powers in this world. Prayer allows us to have direct communication with the King of Kings and enables us to ask for His help at overcoming the satanic powers in force in all countries. Whether it's corrupt government, murder, rape, idolatry, the list goes on and on. One way we can continue to fight our battle against Satan, however, is through prayer; by calling on our God for help. We call on God because we know He hears and answers. Matthew 21:22 says "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive  if you have faith". Now, this verse does not say that God will answer always in the way or timing we ask Him to, but it does say to have faith. After all, God created us, this earth, destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, parted the Red Sea, the list goes on and on of all the miraculous things God has done, I know I can trust that He will handle my prayer request. God knows best, and He will answer it when and in a way that is right. He knows better than I on how to answer prayer, my job is to ask and He delivers.

2. Read Through the Entire Bible

This has been such an amazing experience! While I have only made it to Numbers, it is so amazing to be reading through what God did for the Israelites! Not only that, but the Old Testament is full of amazing things God did even back then for us! But I will get to that in the next few months...(keep you waiting in suspense so you HAVE to keep reading my blog...:) ) 

What I have found important in regards to reading through the Bible is to not set a goal...or put pressure on yourself. While I would love to read through the entire Bible in a year, I am more anxious to milk everything I can out of all the scriptures. Taking time to meditate on what I read as well as think about how I can apply it to my own life are more important than how fast you can read verses. The Bible is meant to be applied, not  to win a contest. I think this is a very important way to approach the Bible because I have gotten more out of my readings this way as well as I am not discouraged when I miss a few days. Plus, while everyone warned me that Leviticus could possibly be a little dry, Numbers has definitely been a test of perseverance. Those who think God is not a God of math has never read Numbers...It is a book that is rightfully named!

4. Spend Time in Another Context

For the next few months, I am going to be going about this in a sort of abstract way than I had thought 4 weeks ago. A couple of weeks ago, a wonderful woman in my Bible Study advised me of a class she was hosting called Perspectives. I had heard of this class before and how amazing it was so I decided I would attend since the first two classes were free. Well, let me tell you, within minutes of being in this class I was HOOKED! I was texting my husband immediately to get the OK to pay for the class! And those of you who know me, know my nerdiness and will be surprised to know that it was not the textbook/workbook nor the college level style class that hooked me, it was topics. The guest speakers. The articles. All of it is so informative, riveting, and enough to keep you going for months! First, however, let me explain a little about the class. Perspectives is a class about the Christian movement. A lot of it is spoken of in the format of missions. Let me tell you, you really will not be the same after taking this class. I am only on lesson 3 and the way I read the Bible, look at life, pray, worship...it is all so different! I could go on for paragraphs and paragraphs on this class and the topic and believe me, that is the plan, but that is for a post to come! As for now, I will just say that this class is definitely preparing the way for me to continue aiming to spend time in another context. My class goes through May, so until then, you get to follow me on this journey of learning about the Christian movement!

5. Commit Your Life to a Multiplying Community

You have heard me talk about our church, which we absolutely LOVE! What a great body of brothers and sisters to be surrounded, encouraged, lifted up, and loved by. This month, Chris and I have been blessed to be even more involved in our church body by helping with the teen youth group class! Due to work, we have only made it a few times, but due to a few blessings it seems that God is opening up more opportunities to spend with them!

January has been such an amazing month! We look forward to seeing what February has to provide! It is also my hope that February will present the opportunity for more blogging...but worst case scenario, that will happen in May after my class. In the works for February are potential blogs about the Church and prayer! Look forward to sharing February with you all!