Instamonth Day 14

I’m not trying to get my way
    in the world’s way.
I’m trying to get your way,
    your Word’s way.
I’m staying on your trail;
    I’m putting one foot
In front of the other.
    I’m not giving up.

Psalm 17:4-5 (The Message)

A wholehearted year: studying

I've been talking about a wholehearted year. If you missed out, start here.

Another thing God has been changing in me is the way I study the Word of God. You see, every since I became a Christian I've been very good at reading the Bible. English NIV? Check. Portuguese NIV? Check. Portuguese Almeida? Check. Biblia Viva? Check. Another round or two in English? Check, check. I've probably read through the Bible about five times in these seven years as a Christian, but it's always been a very superficial. 

So this year, instead of vowing to read the Bible in one year, I am choosing to study it. Take my time. Savour it. Check references. Go back to texts that relate. All that good stuff. Here are some tools that will certainly help me, other than the Bible itself.

The Message Remix: Solo

I've become a Kindle kind of gal, so for me to pick up a book from Barnes and Nobles and actually haul it across the sea in my luggage, it means a lot. I went into the store looking for a new Bible, considering getting the Message. I know it's not the same, but most of the passages I've come across are just so...beautiful.  

I was excited about this version, with the method of lectio divine (divine reading). For every passage, it includes prompts on read, think, pray and live. It has truly transformed my relationship with the text, allowing to spend much more time and dig in without getting distracted or fed up.

Now, I must warn you, it's not the whole deal. It mentions extended passages which are suggested reading, but it does not have the Bible in its entirety. 

Trans World Radio resources

I began making my way through Route 66, a radio program from Radio Transmundial (Trans World Radio's Brazilian affiliate) in which a pastor reads, explains and applies the 66 books of the Old Testament to our lives. I love it. 

I started listening to it while doing other things, but have quickly learned that won't get me very far, so I take the time to stop, open my Bible and follow the passage being looked at. 

Furthermore, my 2013 diary is from them, and it has devotionals and suggested readings for every day. 

Bible Study

I love reading, I love learning, I love Christ. That means Bible Study is one of my all time favorite things. I love going through the text, listening to what is discussed, taking notes to go back to it during the week. We are blessed to have an amazing Bible Study Group in my church. Now it seems God is opening a door for another course on the Bible, which I just love. I'll tell you more about it when it comes through. 

You Version

I found out about You Version through a little blog I love. Not only does it have the Bible on electronic versions in all shapes of languages and styles, it also has reading plans. I'll probably keep to the shorter ones, to avoid having a bunch of long-term plans crashing into each other. You can even pick a short reading plan based on topics such as parenting, prayer, Ephesians, and much, much more!

What is your favorite way of studying the Bible?

Vay-cay books!

I mentioned I am taking one whole week off work next week, which I am very excited about!

To help me unwind and relax, I have programed all posts for the next week, and will be unplugged until Monday the 23rd. I find that crucial to make the most of my days off, and cruising through facebook and the blogging world will only make me glued to the computer. If I start with some withdrawl symptoms, I'll have to check my bloglovin' roll, but I am hopeful about making it an internet-free week!

Yesterday I shared the DVDs and TV I plan on watching, so today I'd like to share with you the books I plan on reading next week:

1. The Bible. I am currently reading 2 Samuel, and I really want to focus on getting the most of what I can. Because a lot of the Old Testament is history based, I tend to forget a lot of stuff! And although I've read the Bible a couple of times, I think I tend to rush through it, so I am making an extra effort to take my time on each paragraph, to make the most of it.

2. The Best of Me, by Nicholas Sparks. I am a sucker for Nicholas Sparks ever since I read The Notebook and Dear John. I'll make sure I have a box of kleenex by me!

3. Capture His Heart: Becoming the Godly Wife your Husband Desires, by Lysa TerKeurst. Lately I've noticed just how much pressure I put on my husband, and just how much nagging I tend to do. Time to fix that! 

4. Grace for the Good Girl, by Emily Freeman. Too many times I try to do too much because I can't possibly not measure up to people's expectations of me. This book should help me deal with that, so I can stop trying to please everyone all the time, which is plain exhausting!

5. The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. I think this book needs no introduction. I've actually not yet seen the movie as well, but I take books over movies any time.

6. Empty Promises, by Pete Wilson. I watched an interview with him and I felt I had to read what he had to say. This book is about the things in life we tend to want, and I have a big problem wanting them!

Do you have any book suggestions for me?