One was a young widow supporting herself by the generosity of others. The other was a pageant beauty living in a house of royalty.

One became the great-grandmother to King David and is listed in the genealogy of Jesus. The other will forever be remembered as a woman who acted bravely and saved her people.

Ruth, the widow, was willing to leave her homeland and her gods to follow her destitute mother-in-law’s one true God. Ruth’s famous words took her to unimaginable places. “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God,” (Ruth 1:16).

Esther, a young Jewish girl, used her beauty to convince a king to save her people. Her battle cry still holds weight even today reminding women that God will use them no matter their circumstances. “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish,” (Esther 4:16b).

In the sixty-six books of the Bible, only two books are named after women; yet they couldn’t be more different. One has little means. The other is a future queen. They become two of God’s most famous sheroes of faith. I think these contrasting pictures show us how God works in our world. Simply, he uses anybody who is willing. No matter where you are on your journey, what your circumstances are, or what your socioeconomic status, God WILL use you if only you say “yes.”

As you read this, perhaps you are sensing God is leading you to go somewhere (and I don’t mean across the world, maybe he just wants you to go across the street). Or is it possible he is asking you to use your circumstances to take a first step? To you; it may not seem like a big step at all, but in God’s kingdom plans; your one small step might just change the world.

• What story is God writing with you which just might make you a shero of faith?

Ruth. Esther. So different yet both sheroes.

• Who is your present day shero of faith and why?

 

If you are reading the Bible along with me this year, we are about to read the books of Ruth and Esther. I’m so excited! Even if you have not been reading along with me thus far, jump into the books of Ruth and Esther. You’ll love these gals.

Here is the link to the Bible Reading Plan I am using for 2023. You can join me anytime. 2023 Reading Plan

Eighteen months ago, my husband and I moved into a wonderful new home on some acreage. I’ve never lived in the country and honestly didn’t think too much about the need to make any adjustments. And that is exactly where my demise began. I have always lived in neighborhoods with sidewalks and have always been a walker. I love walking. But when we moved, I lost my sidewalks so I quit walking. In my mind, I was just taking a break. But eighteen months later, a less than satisfactory medical report jolted me.

So, I’m back to walking.

I had lost the habit. It was so easy to do. Now I am back into the rhythm of walking and it is actually refreshing. I’m catching up on so many things: a audible book I’ve been meaning to listen to, a few podcasts people have recommended, a longer prayer and praise time, enjoyment of the outside and nature. It’s been pretty great.

Good habits are a funny thing because they are so easy to abandon and amazingly difficult to pick back up. Why is that? Regardless of what the habit is — reading your Bible, attending church after COVID, praying daily for a certain friend who needs it — starting again is often challenging.

Therefore, this blog is to encourage you. If you have lost a habit you wish to regain, just start again. It’s no big deal. Truly. If you said “yes” to reading the Bible with me this year but the habit has fallen away, just start again. If you said you were going to call a friend but it’s been weeks, call anyway. There is no deadline for starting again.

I’ll never know what I missed for eighteen months by not walking as my exercise. Worrying about it won’t change anything. By moving forward, my goal is to receive a more positive health report. But even more than that, I want to enjoy all the benefits the habit of walking has always given me.

I’m grateful that stopping didn’t mean I couldn’t start again.

Let’s raise a water bottle and celebrate all the future walks out in the country. Join me anytime you like.

 

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100

My husband and I live on a ranch we fondly call CBell. Our place is a far cry from a ranch but we have two horses, a dog, a barn, and a lake, so it feels like we can loosely call it a ranch.

Before we built our house, the builder, architect, my husband and I walked the land with house plans in hand. My husband and I dreamed of overlooking a beautiful pasture, a picturesque barn and a calming lake. I envisioned myself standing at the kitchen sink surveying the views and enjoying the horses. So as we walked around the undeveloped property that day, I asked where the kitchen sink might sit. The builder used a string to plot out the entire footprint of the house. Then, he drove a stake in the ground where the kitchen sink would be. That stake remained in the ground for many months even after the foundation was poured. As the project progressed, I would often stand at that stake knowing one day I would be washing and drying dishes at that very spot.

The house has been complete for a while now. And just as I dreamt, I am able to stand at my actual kitchen sink and look out the window to see the beauty that surrounds. Ever grateful, I smile when I watch Barnaby and Minnie Faye stroll to the trough for a drink. Sometimes I witness an eagle soaring to see if he might scoop a fish from the lake for breakfast. Some days, the fog is so dense, the views have an eerie appearance. The other day, I watched a storm move in and not long after, clouds were replaced by a rainbow.

I love looking at the views from my window that all began with a dream.

God created us to be dreamers…  He wants us to imagine a future so He can do the immeasurable. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20

What are you dreaming about? What kinds of things has God placed in your mind and heart that you might see lived out in the not so distance future?

Might I suggest you take a stake (whatever that looks like to you) and claim a future for it? Your stake may be asking God to put a new friend in your life. It could be seeking the Holy Spirit to assist you in reading your Bible regularly for the next 30 days. Dreams come in all sizes —big and little. So, I challenge you to go a little crazy.

Your window view will most likely not involve a kitchen sink. But it sure is fun when God gives you a dream and then lets you see it clearly.

We claimed this Bible verse for the window view at our kitchen sink:

(God speaking) “Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple (house) so that my Name may be there forever.  My eyes and my heart will always be there.” 

2 Chronicles 7:15-16

The best-seller of all time was written about the most famous person who ever lived. 

WordsRated, a non-commercial, international research data and analytics group, found that on average 100 million Bibles are printed each year. They projected that there are more than 6 billion Bibles currently in print. 

Writer James Chapman estimates that 3.9 billion copies of The Bible have been sold in the past 50 years. In second and third place are the Works of Mao Tse-tung with 820 million copies sold and Harry Potter with 400 million copies sold respectively although some may argue third place belongs to A Tale of Two Cities. In any case, The Bible is never disputed as the most published, most purchased, and most read book of all time.   

The Bible consists of sixty-six individual books. According to BibleGateway.com, the most read book of The Bible is Psalms, a collection of songs, poems and prayers. 

The most famous person who ever lived is written about in The Bible. 

According to Time Magazine, Jesus Christ tops the list of the 100 most significant figures in history. Research it yourself – almost any list will have Jesus as the most famous, significant and top person who ever lived.  

Now, imagine yourself — sitting under an umbrella at the beach, or breathing in the great Colorado mountain air, or relaxing on your porch with lemonade in hand — reading the all-time bestseller.  

Begin in Matthew, the most-read biography about Jesus. Then jump into the energetic book of Mark who uses action words and vivid accounts to walk (or run) you through the life of Jesus. Next, discover the personal side of Jesus from Luke the doctor who uses the most descriptive language through eyewitness accounts. Finally, learn more about Jesus from His beloved disciple, John, who desperately wants you to know and believe Jesus is not only the Messiah but your Savior. 

Should you choose to read the biographies of Jesus this summer, you can expect to find mystery, intrigue, romance, and betrayal!

Reading the Psalms alongside the biographies of Jesus adds richness to your summer read. Through the songs, poems and prayers, your senses will come alive as you more fully see, hear, and feel the character of God that was so lived-out in Jesus.  

I’m sure there are variety of choices on your summer book list. However, this reviewer recommends the all-time bestseller written by the Author of life, who simply wants to get to know you better. 

Beginning June 5, you can read along with me each day through my 2023 Reading Plan.  As you read, please share your discoveries, aha’s, and gratitude in the comments section of this blog post.  

 

“For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” Psalm 108:4 

Why should anyone read the book of Ecclesiastes? 

Because the word Ecclesiastes means “one to convene an assembly.” Apparently, King Solomon, the author, had something to say so he convened an assembly. What was his message?

Here’s a clue:

• The word “meaning” is used 36 times.  
• The word “time” is used 22 times.  
• The word “wisdom” is used 25 times.  

Ecclesiastes feels like a bad news/good news story. More often than not, Solomon’s words sound like a lot of bad news.

Everything is meaningless.

There is nothing new under the sun. 

When I looked, I saw all the oppression that was taking place.

However, if you are willing to dig,  you will actually discover good news too.

God has made everything beautiful in its time.

Everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing

taken from it. 

The word meaningless in Hebrew is hebel. It is defined as “a vapor or breath; something that does not last.” By using this word, Solomon is reminding us the things we spend our time doing — work, health, pleasures, worldly treasures — do not last on this earth.

If you try to make a list of the things on this earth that are forever, it will be difficult to find much of anything that truly lasts. This sounds like bad news.

Thankfully, Solomon’s message tells us that God has set eternity in our hearts reminding us our relationship with God lasts forever! And this is good news!

It is true, life will have obstacles and challenges which sometimes make it a struggle to find meaning and purpose. The wisdom found in the book of Ecclesiastes encourages us with this truth:

We find true meaning when we put our faith in God.

As you read Ecclesiastes, ask God what He wants you to know about Him by reading this book. Jot down what you discover about true purpose and time well-spent while on this earth. I think you’ll be surprised by the gems you find in this ancient book of wisdom.

 

“I know that everything God does will endure forever, nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will revere Him,” (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

 

If you are reading the Bible with me, here is the link to the 2023 Reading Plan. It’s not too late to join me.

Some things are good, but honestly, some things are better. For example, vanilla ice cream is good. But frozen Snickers bars are better.

When someone asks me what I think is the best book of the Bible, my response is, “They are all good!” However, I do enjoy reading the book of Exodus alongside Hebrews because they speak of good and better. Together, they give such a rich picture of God’s redemption story.

Exodus is the visual backdrop of God’s big, beautiful, love story. It takes you on a physical journey though God’s redemptive plan and points always to Jesus. As you observe the physical people, places, and things in Exodus, watch how it points to the better things Jesus fulfilled through his life, death and resurrection described in the New Testament and specifically in Hebrews.

Hebrews shows us no man, action or law described in Exodus could completely redeem us. It reminds us we would need something better – a Savior. Hebrews clearly states Jesus is better.

For example:

Exodus introduces Moses — a servant in God’s house. Hebrews describes Jesus as a faithful Son over God’s house.

Exodus introduces Passover — a perfect lamb sacrificed; whose blood on the doorpost would save the firstborn. Hebrews reveals Jesus; a perfect sacrifice for sin, saving us once for all.

Exodus introduces the Law (Covenant) — a set of standards, written on stone tablets, for daily living and worship. Hebrews points to Jesus; the guarantee of a better covenant because the law would now be written on our hearts.  

Exodus introduces the Tabernacle  — where God would dwell with man. Hebrews claims Jesus is the tabernacle and dwells with us eternally. 

Exodus introduces the priesthood — priests appointed by men who mediated between man and God. Hebrews names Jesus as our great high priest; appointed by God as the eternal mediator between us and God.  

Even the furnishings of the tabernacle described in Exodus point to Jesus (here are a few):

The golden lamp stand: Jesus is our eternal light in a world of darkness

The altar of incense: Jesus is our intercessor who prays for us always

The table of shewbread: Jesus is our daily bread who gives us provision in every circumstance.

When I read Exodus and Hebrews together, I find it both reassuring and comforting to see God has had a plan for us since before the creation of the world. That plan is and will always be Jesus.

Easter is a wonderful time to read Exodus and Hebrews because we see both the promise and fulfillment of Jesus steeped in the stories and pages. It becomes abundantly clear that Jesus is better because He is the ultimate revelation of God’s mercy and love.

As you read these two powerful books, here are a few tips to help you see the richness of God’s plan told through the story of Jesus. He was foretold in Exodus though buildings/furnishings, laws, and people and fully revealed in Hebrews:

• When you read about the passover lamb, think about how Jesus is your Passover Lamb. (Hebrews 10) 
• Ponder the tabernacle building process and imagine all the ways Jesus fulfills it in you. (Hebrews 8-9) 
• The priesthood was established in Exodus. List how Jesus is your great High Priest. (Hebrews 4-8)
• Keep a log where you see Jesus in the book of Exodus and praise Him each time you see His fulfillment in Hebrews.  
• As you discover the sacrifices necessary for the atonement of sin in Exodus, thank Jesus for providing a better way for saving you from your sins, once for all. (Hebrews 7:25-28) 

Are you reading along with me this year?

1. How is it going?  
2. What are some things that have been especially meaningful to you in your readings?  
3. Please share your thoughts and observations in the comments section.  
4. Are you behind but want to begin again? Then start where you left off or re-join us where we are. No biggie.  
5. Finally, if you have shared that you are reading along with me, I’m praying for you by name. (If you haven’t told me, reach out and I’ll happily add you to my prayer list!) 

2023 Reading Plan