Although we are already journaling our way through the New Testament, I wanted to include a Lenten journal plan too.  For anyone looking for a way to engage with the word during this special time of year, the following plan is intended to be a journey of repentance that leads us to the cross of Holy Week and the new life of Easter morning. I truly love this practice and look forward to it every year. I hope you do too.   The following is the introduction to past Lenten journa

I have a confession to make, part of the reason I chose to journal the New Testament over the next year is because I am enrolled in an 8 month class for Bible teachers and I knew it was going to be a lot of work in addition to creating monthly journal plans. I was doing what self help gurus suggest, thinking of my future self, and I’m glad I did because this class is a lot so far! However, we also serve a gracious and benevolent Heavenly Father, I say that because already thi

Did you see it? Did you behold the message that followed this word? Or did you glance over it, like I did? Depending on the version of the Bible you are reading, behold appears around 40 times in the book of Matthew.   The Oxford English dictionary defines “behold” as a verb meaning to see or observe (a thing, or person, especially a remarkable or impressive one). Biblical use serves as a powerful imperative meaning look or see here. A command urging readers to pay close atte

A good friend and I decided on New Year’s Eve that we would do a 40 day fast together starting on January first. We’re reading a 40 day devotional together and checking in on each other daily. As I have stated here before, just last year in fact, I am not one for resolutions. But I do like to take stock of what’s working and what isn’t, especially at the beginning of a new year. Our decision was prompted by her admitting that she eats way too much sugar and feels like she rea