What a feeling it was to have finished the book of Revelations knowing that a mere 3 months ago I had started the book of Genesis. Reading the bible, cover to cover, in such a short amount of time, was like taking a plane ride from California to New York. I got to see all the sights but without the depth of stopping at each one—giving me a chance to take note at what I may want to visit again later. What I love about studying the bible, is the study. The inspection of the details, learning about each verse, each word. But sometimes studying verse by verse I lose sight of the context. Reading each book as a whole helped me with seeing each book, each prophecy, each letter in context, as a whole—and seeing Jesus, as a woven thread throughout from Genesis to Isaiah through Revelations. I would highly recommend reading through the bible, maybe given 4 months rather than 3, it may have been easier to stop along the way and dig a little deeper, I just felt so rushed that there wasn't time to do that. In the summer of 2008, I started reading through the bible,

This last week of the Bible in 90 Days was really just a few days covering Hebrews through Revelations. While I may have said 1 John was my favorite previously, I really liked reading Peter's epistles. After an in depth study of the gospel of John with our bible study, I have looked at who Peter was in a different way. I never thought before about how much Peter is like me, like many of us. Fumbling through his walk, shining in one moment to be in total darkness in the next. Isn't that how life is? How life with Christ is? Struggling to be the best person you can be, the most like Christ you can, just to realize that you can never come close. But if you truly want to be like Christ, we have to suffer as He did. 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4) Then, earlier in his epistle, Peter wrote

Having never just sat and read through the whole book of Romans before in one sitting, I finally realized why it is so many people's favorite book of the Bible. I loved not only reading all these amazing verses in context, but I found myself again and again being cut straight to the heart by Paul's words. Right off in chapter 2 I felt convicted by Paul's description of those who pass judgement on others. Without meaning to, I do this all the time! I may think badly of someone's actions and am in fact doing the exact same thing! 1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. We all need saving by Jesus, no matter if we have realized it yet or not! 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. The best part

I really wanted to stick to an Old Testament topic last week, but this week I want to talk about Matthew's account of Jesus walking on water even though the week only covered the gospels of Mark, Luke and John. The reason I am using Matthew's version is because of these words by Jesus: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” In context, Jesus had just fed the 5,000 with only only five loaves and two fish. He sent the disciples out in their boat while he stayed on shore to prayer. A great storm came and the disciples became very afraid. During the night, Jesus walked out to them and Peter asked Him if he could walk out and join Him on the water. When Peter started walking he became scared and started to sink and called out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” Jesus of course stretched out his arm and said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” While reading this, I have always thought Peter was so silly for wanting first wanting to join Jesus on the sea during a storm but then to immediately lose confidence in this and start to drown himself. But really,

Reading Jonah, I felt I had a new pair of eyes. I hadn't noticed a lot of this story before. I recognized a lot of Jonah's characteristics in myself. I laughed yet identified with Jonah as he ran away from the Lord's calling to preach in chapter 1. And then I really identified with him when his world seemed to be falling apart around him, not only affecting him but the crew and those around him. When Jonah was brought to knees in prayer in the belly of the fish, he prayed such a heartfelt prayer full of repentance and promise: 7 As my life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. 8 Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. 9 But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone.” What I love the most about the book of Jonah though is that when he prophesied to the city of Ninevah, the people listened. They repented. They sought God and He relented and had compassion on the city. What if Jonah never prophesied to Ninevah? What if