A few years ago, I attempted reading through the Bible out loud with my children. It was an epic fail. First of all, I had decided to read the Bible straight through rather than going with one of the plans using Old and New Testament. This was fine at first, but when we got to the Books of the Law, it was dare I say dull? Especially to grade school and junior high children. I'll never forget telling one of my friends how annoyed I was because it was taking so long in the mornings. In addition to the readings seeming to take forever, my children started asking questions! I had a schedule to keep, I didn't have time for my children to actually take interest in what I was reading. Believe it or not, I had to be reminded that asking questions was a good thing. So, we abandoned the idea of reading the Bible in a year, and went at a slower pace. Eventually we began a family devotional which did not include reading the Bible through in a year or any other amount of time. Therefore, I am sorry to say that we still have not read the entire Bible as a family.

Seeing that I have one child away at college, and two in high school, I decided to make this a priority before all of my children were out of the house. I have had the privilege of home educating my children for the past 10 years, therefore I have the advantage of really being able to take time in the mornings to accomplish this goal. I am so thankful for a country that not only allows me the freedom to teach my children about God, but also to teach my children academically at home in a godly atmosphere!

My purpose in creating a blog is two-fold. First of all, I wanted accountability. I knew that if there was a possibility that even one person was watching, I would stay the course and finish the race. Secondly, I thought that maybe other parents might have the same desire and could benefit from our successes and probably even more from our failures. :)

Each post will include the scriptures we read, any revelations we received, breakthroughs and humorous stories. It really annoys the organizer in me that I am starting this 4 days late. The part of me that got annoyed at the questions my children were asking because I had a schedule wants to wait until next year when I can start on January 1st, or even sillier still, I am tempted to cram four days into one. In the end, I don't think my Father cares whether our family finishes on December 31, 2010 or January 4, 2011.

January 5th, 2010

Genesis Chapters 1 & 2; Psalm 1; Proverbs 1:1-17; Matthew 1

Genesis Chapter 1 is one of my favorite portions of scripture. After all there is so much scope for the imagination. It is very easy to engage your children in a discussion when it comes to creation. Many statements start with ... I wonder if...or...maybe...

The infiniteness of God and all of His glory. He takes something formless and shapeless and empty and begins a new work. Isn't that what He's done with each of us who have received his grace through faith? He begins a new work in us. We are called a new creation. What did God do with his new creation of earth first? He separated light and darkness. The Word of God separates light and darkness in our world. "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." He. 4:12. In Genesis, God says, "Let there be light." And there is the light of His Word in our hearts. His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Ps. 119:105.

So here we are - new creatures with the revelation of God's light, His Word in our life. Let's allow our lights to shine before men...

From the kids...

Joy was surprised that Rehab was in the genealogy of Christ.

Alex quoted Psalm 1 from memory.

We all had fun thinking about the different relationship man may have had with animals before the fall.

We realized that according to Genesis chapter 1:10 animals were vegetarians as well. This made us realize how there was no violence whatsoever on the earth, not even in the animal kingdom. What a beautiful place it must have been!