Archive for November 19, 2009

My love for reading…..

I love to read…

If you don’t know me by now…I have a confession…I love books. I love to read.

 I adore books and not the Kindle type, but the books, you can still hold in your hands and stuff in a bag and write notes on the side and highlight and have hubby wonder why the luggage bag feels like it was packed with bricks, and you don’t have the heart to tell him, that half it’s weight is due to books to be read on the plane, at the hotel, on the way home…….

Yes…I love books that much.

Every so often (which is often), I check a book out of the library or maybe from a friend/or family referral, buy a book, or just come across a title somewhere that sounds good and take a chance and order the book to read, to love and to add on an already strained library.

It’s worth it.

A book doesn’t need to be recharged.

The power can go out; The candle can be lit and the book can be read.

If there are bugs, it can be use to whack the bug, clean the cover, and continue reading, but no matter what, it serves so many purposes.

There is something about holding a book in your hand and just opening the pages and feeling that instant connection or desire to just throw the book away.

It’s timeless…and it’s always been around.

I pray and hope I can encourage my kids to love books as much as I do and the excitement they get when we go to the library or a book arrives in the mail is worth it.

I told hubby, the hard part is that, as frugal as we try to be, books is something I can’t give up.

I seriously search and research and wait with baited breath to try and get the cheapest, most inexpensive books I possible can order, so I can still have them to read over and over and over and to keep treasuring.

There’s always a stack of books by my bed.

That’s my signature.

So…………….there you go….I love books…a lot.

Bible 101-Studying Your Bible

From the archives of Sunflower Faith-Originally posted on February 22, 2008

This was a 7 part series on “Bible 101″ that I had originally written when my blog was hosted on blogspot.com. In the process of moving it over here, with prayers that this could be a blessing and encouragement to those who feel daunted about reading their bible and in light of reading “Becoming More than a Bible Study Girl”, I wanted to re-introduce these posts to you, Gentle Readers.


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When you do a “google” search, it’s easy to come up with some really great, and useful tips on how to study the bible. For instance, at Biblestudy.org, there is a great tip here, on how to use different colors (always use either color pencils or DRY highlighters to mark your bible to prevent bleeding through) to mark and highlight passages in your bible.

We can go on and on, on what to use to study and read the bible, but I’m going to try to keep it short and simple.

First off.

  • The Bible- There is no way around it. If you are going to study the bible, what better source, than the direct source. No books about the bible is going to be just as effective as going to the bible itself. Keep in mind, the biggest reason is, books about the bible are written by men, who can be imperfect, so always consult the bible first and foremost and use anything and everything else as…well…a guide, not the absolute truth.
As to versions….Use what version is comfortable to you.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (KJV)

2 Timothy 3:16,1716. All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV)

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (KJV)

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

  • Pens and Markers -This is a interesting topic. Some people don’t like marking in the bible; Some do. This is really up to you with what YOU feel more comfortable doing.For those who do want to mark in your bible with a pen,Soulde Saenz has a great blog article called,”What to Use for Writing in Your Bible,“. I highly recommend you reading this article as he talks about pens that will be effective in writing in your bible, no matter how thick or thin the paper is and what pen won’t bleed through to the other side of your bible.As for markers…I always go with either dry highlighters that you can find with ease at your local Christian bookstore or even order online from the christian online bookstores.Even Amazon carries them! They are highly recommend for their ease, they don’t bleed through, they don’t smear and they are bible-friendly. Another great way to mark your bible are colored pencils….Make sure no matter what you use…You keep it in a place WITH your bible.

Need a guide to highlighting/marking your bible? There are several great resources that are a great help; Some which I recommend are the following:

To make it even easier, based on “How to Mark Your Bible” by Keeping the Home, what I did was create a printable “key” to paste (I use rubber cement since it comes off if needed) in my bible.

  • Prayer- Always always start with prayer! It does help because it gives you the opportunity to talk to God and to ask Him to help you understand what you are about to read and if there is anything, HE, feels, you need to glean from your studies.
  • Notebook- This can be anything…your computer, your blog, your dayplanner, a simple notebook…There is no end to how you keep your notes.

If you do use a ringed dayplanner, here’s one that can be used for either a 5.5 x 8.5 planner, either 3 ring, 6 ring or 7 ring.

Bible Study Note Template

Great Sources for Using the Bible: Tools must have

God Bless You, Gentle Reader as you read God’s word!

*Coming next week on Bible 101-”Books to Aid in Your Study”*

     

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