Changes, Part 1

This week marks the beginning of the "new and improved" me.  I've realized recently that when it comes to my faith, I'm talking the talk, but I'm not always walking the walk.  I've been moved to start making some changes in my life and to work on changing some of my attitudes.

One of the things that I've realized I need to start doing is spending more time studying my Bible.  Whenver I've thought about trying to do this before I've always run up against the "wall of excuses": I don't know where to start, I don't know how to do it, etc.  Last night I got out my poor, neglected journal and wrote down all of my thoughts on this, and I realized that my excuses are exactly that: excuses.  I've bought a couple of study guides on The Fruit of the Spirit that I want to work through, and I have a book by Rick Warren on Bible Study methods that I can use to help me along.  Blessings sells all sorts of Bible Study guides (that's where I got the Fruit of the Spirit books from), but I've always thought that the selection was a little overwhelming.

Until today.  I went to Blessings to look for an anniversary gift for Mom, and I wandered over to the Bible Study section.  I went down to the first rack and pulled out the first one that caught my eye.  Imagine my delight when I saw it was by Max Lucado, one of my favourite authors! I looked at the information on the back of the book, and saw that it was part of a 12-guide series that covers the entire New Testament.  I just about did a little happy dance right there! I love his writing, and his words always make me stop and think.  I was a bit disappointed that they didn't have the Philippians study guide, since I have studied Philippians a little bit before.  But I'm going to keep watching for it, and I may be able to get the store to oder it for me.  I looked through the other guides that they did have and chose one on the book of James.  The back of this one specifically mentions that James had very strong views on people who talk the talk but don't walk the walk - exactly what I need! I can't wait to get started on it.

Now that I know what I'm going to study, the next step was to try and figure out some sort of schedule.  I know it's no use to say I'm going to study every day.  I know myself far too well, and I know that will never work.  So I've decided to do my studying on Sundays and Wednesdays, and on the days in between I'm going to just have some quiet time to read from my collection of devotionals and journal.  Now I just need to figure out a way to keep myself accountable and on track.

Until next time,
J.