It’s hard to believe that 2009 is almost over. And depending on when you believe the decade ends, this could be the last day of the first decade of the new millenium.
Tough act to follow, eh?
In 2008, I made a resolution to read the Bible from cover to cover in one year. I got a daily devotional Bible and I did it. It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure. I spent the first few months just trying to get myself into the habit of reading daily, and the rest of the year trying to make sense of the words I’d read before, but never in such close context.
in 2010, I’m back for the task again – to read the entire Bible in a year. And I’d love for you to join me!
What I’ll do is keep a running journal on my own personal blog – www.joannebrokaw.blogspot.com - and also give updates here. My hope is that we can have some Christian music artists and others involved in the industry to share their thoughts on various reading over the next 365 days.
Here’s what you’ll need to join me:

- a Bible. I’m using the Charles Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible, because the version I used in 2008 isn’t available any more. But you don’t need to buy any special Bible. I’ll post the readings on my blog so you know what we’re reading. Each day includes a reading from the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament; if you read them all every day at the end of 2010 you will have read the entire Bible! Quite a lofty goal and accomplishment. But you can also just read just the Old Testament, just the New Testament, just the Proverbs or Psalms. You can use your own Bible or log onto BibleGateway.com and read online. Do whatever works for you – set an attainable goal that you’ll be more likely to work towards, and if you read more than that, bonus for you!
- a journal or notebook. I strongly believe that if you want God to speak to you, you’d better be ready to take notes when he does. In 2008, my daily reading journal was filled mostly with questions, ranging from “What does THAT mean?” to “What the heck is God thinking?” along with comments like “Whoa, that finally makes sense!” But truthfully, there were more questions than answers. At the same time, I felt like for the first time in a long time I was making the effort to hear God. So if you’re going to join me, please do yourself a favor and take notes. Even if all you write is “I have no idea what any of this means.” God will respond!
- a copy of Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest, which you can read online. This past year, I’ve going through this devotional for maybe the 7th time, and every time it makes more and more sense to me. So in my blogging, I may reference good old Oswald. But if you want to really enhance your study, try checking out the devotional on a daily basis. It’s challenging and inspiring. You can read online at the My Utmost website.
And here’s the rule: do what you can. Read what you can, when you can. if you have to skip a day or two, don’t beat yourself up. Just pick up where you left off and move forward. This isn’t a test; it’s a desire to build a relationship with God. If something doesn’t make sense, just admit it. Hopefully, we’ll have a community on the blog that can help explain or explore ideas.
And try to keep an open mind. You may find yourself reading stories that you think you know backwards and forwards. But reading in context may shed new light on something, or perhaps God wants to tell you something through a story you already know well. Bring your patience to the task, but leave your pride at home!
And that’s it! Everything you need is already right here online.
So if you’re ready, the first reading is …
January 1, 2010
Genesis 1:1-2:25
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 1:1-7
Matthew 1:1-25
January 2
Gen. 3:1-4:26
Psalm 2:1-6
Proverbs 18,9
Matthew 2:1-23
January 3
Gen 5:1-6:22
Psalm 2:7-12
Prov 1:10-19
Matthew 3:1-17
January 4
Gen 7:1-8:22
Psalm 3:1-4
Prov 1:20-22
Matthew 4:1-25
January 5
Gen 9:1-10:32
Psalm 3:5-8
Prov 1:23-27
Matthew 5:1-26
January 6
Gen 11:1-12:20
Psalm 4:1-3
Prov 1:28-33
Matthew 5:27-48
January 7
Gen 13:1-14:24
Psalm 4:4-8
Prov 2:1-5
Matthew 6:1-18
You can keep up with readings on my personal blog, www.joannebrokaw.blogspot.com.
Happy New Year!!!
Click here to subscribe to Gospel Soundcheck by email and have the Gospel Soundcheck headlines delivered daily to your email inbox. And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter!