Day: 195 Verses Memorized: 442 Working On: John 10:1-21
The John
Squad
Please click here to chart your own progress - even
though I'm the only one still doing this
My Progress:
My review week did not go well. Sometimes I spend a week reviewing and I'm committed and diligent in spending serious time looking over previous chapters. Other times (like this time), review just means I don't have the pressure of moving forward so in my laziness, it translates to "taking a break". One day I spent almost 2 hours reciting all 9 chapters. Then I did nothing for 3 days. After that, I got disgusted with my lack of motivation and decided I had to move on to Chapter 10. So I just went ahead and memorized the first 5 verses. At least I can say I accomplished something this week. On a more positive note, I am enjoying Chapter 10 and look forward to learning more.
Some Thoughts:
I'm only five verses in, so I'm not totally blown away yet, but it doesn't take a genius to realize that this chapter is very rich indeed. I can see already the depth of Jesus' words and that one could probably spend years studying this chapter alone.
Addtional Thoughts:
I am no longer allowed to listen to the Bible CD while I am operating a motor vehicle.
Let's just leave it at that.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Week 27: HALF WAY!
Day: 188 Verses Memorized: 437 Working On: Review
The John
Squad
Please click here to chart your own progress - even though I'm the only one still doing this
Please click here to chart your own progress - even though I'm the only one still doing this
Halfway! Wahooo!
I am so beyond thrilled that I've made it halfway. I'm about 6 months ahead of schedule. I have to admit, when I started all this, I had some serious doubts. Looking back, last April I would've been so proud of myself if I had learned over 400 verses. But after going through this experience, I do not have an ounce of pride. I have 100% grattitude to God for enabling me to do this. I can't take a shred of credit for a single verse I've learned. It is by His grace that I was given the time required to spend in His Word. And it is by His love for me that my mind and heart were able to receive these verses. I am so grateful because not only do I remember them, but I have learned and grown from them and my life is vastly different as a result.
Chapter 9:
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Week 26: This is REALLY Hard
Day: 181 Verses Memorized: 430 Working On: John 9:35-41
The John Squad
Please click here to chart your own progress - even though I'm the only one still doing this
My Progress:
I am moving right along and almost finished with Chapter 9. Hopefully I will polish that up this week and be able to set aside another week for review. Unfortunately, the further into the book I go, the harder it is to remember previous chapters. I am getting all mixed up. I had the opportunity of being in the car by myself this week so I tried to listen to the CD and was disappointed with how many mistakes I was making. Chapter 6 is just treacherous. Chapters 1, 2, 3, and most of 4 are great. Then it's all downhill from there. I just wonder where all these verses will be in 10 years. But each day has enough trouble of its own, right? So I will continue to focus on spending time memorizing each day and celebrate my victories.
Some Thoughts:
I think that this chapter is right up there as one of my favorites (which is surprising because initially I was aggravated that it was 41 verses of a single healing story). I still love Chapter 2 because we see Jesus' power revealed. And I love this chapter because we see how life-changing that power can be. This is one of those chapters that is just so rich with truth and promises of God's love. I truly never would've even noticed if I hadn't take the time to memorize it line by line. Earlier, I would've read through this chapter and thought, "okay so Jesus healed a blind man." But now that I've memorized it, I am in awe at how many observations God has shown me.
The John Squad
Please click here to chart your own progress - even though I'm the only one still doing this
My Progress:
I am moving right along and almost finished with Chapter 9. Hopefully I will polish that up this week and be able to set aside another week for review. Unfortunately, the further into the book I go, the harder it is to remember previous chapters. I am getting all mixed up. I had the opportunity of being in the car by myself this week so I tried to listen to the CD and was disappointed with how many mistakes I was making. Chapter 6 is just treacherous. Chapters 1, 2, 3, and most of 4 are great. Then it's all downhill from there. I just wonder where all these verses will be in 10 years. But each day has enough trouble of its own, right? So I will continue to focus on spending time memorizing each day and celebrate my victories.
Some Thoughts:
I think that this chapter is right up there as one of my favorites (which is surprising because initially I was aggravated that it was 41 verses of a single healing story). I still love Chapter 2 because we see Jesus' power revealed. And I love this chapter because we see how life-changing that power can be. This is one of those chapters that is just so rich with truth and promises of God's love. I truly never would've even noticed if I hadn't take the time to memorize it line by line. Earlier, I would've read through this chapter and thought, "okay so Jesus healed a blind man." But now that I've memorized it, I am in awe at how many observations God has shown me.
- Jesus performs a miraculous healing of a man born blind.
- The healing requires initial faith and obedience (the man has to go and wash).
- Immediately people begin to doubt his testimony.
- My favorite verse: "whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
- The man doesn't provide any answers. He just tells his story.
- He suffers for his beliefs and is thrown out of the synogogue after they hurl insults at him.
- Jesus seeks him out a second time and reveals himself to the man.
- The man immediately replies, "Lord, I believe" and worships him. (I love that part.)
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Week 25: This is Hard
Day: 174 Verses Memorized: 408 Working On: John 9:13-34
The John Squad
Please click here to chart your own progress - even though I'm the only one still doing this
My Progress:
It feels very good to be past 400 verses. In another 35 verses or so, I'll be half way. However, I am finding myself with less and less time and it's getting frustrating. I get up at 4:30 so I can do my devotions, exercise, and shower before the children are up. I try not to use my devotional time to memorize. Then the day gets started and I run around like crazy. At the end of the day, I am completely wiped out. I am only spending between 15-30 minutes memorizing before I fall asleep with the book in my hand. While I am still making steady progress as I work through Chapter 9, there has been zero review-time of previous chapters and I know that is not good. But I'm doing the best I can. I will keep moving forward and pause after each new chapter to review the old ones. Hopefully that's enough. That stinking voice has been getting louder. The one that says, "why bother? You're just going to forget all this one day anyway. You think you're going to remember all these verses for the rest of your life? What's the point?" Oh how I hate that voice.
Some Thoughts:
I find this chapter very unusual. In all the rest, there was a short story and then discussion. In this one, the entire chapter is the ongoing story of the healing of a blind man. Unfortunately, it makes it a very annoying chapter to memorize because there is so much stinking dialogue. In the beginning, I was so aggravated and said, "this is ridiculous! All this talk is so unnecessary. Why is all this in here?" My husband helped to put things in perspective and reminded me that this is God's Word. Who the heck do I think I am?
My Pastor believes that extra time is spent on this story because it illustrates a change in the people's thinking. During this chapter, they go from believing/unbelieving to downright rejecting Jesus. All the dialogue and discussion shows the lengths that the people will go through to remain in their unbelief. Despite all the evidence, they insist on not believing. It's actually a little disturbing to memorize and it brings me back to my initial fears when I first started this project. I have been worried about memorizing the details of the crucifixion since I started and if this chapter bothers me, I'm really not looking forward to what is to come.
Sometimes when we read, we have a tendency to glaze over things. Especially when the text itself glosses over it. For example, there is a major miracle that has occurred here. This man was blind since birth. And the miracle that takes place is mentioned briefly in 1/2 of a verse: "so the man went and washed and came home seeing." I just can't imagine that! I mean, I've spoken to people who have had Lasik before and their testimonies are remarkable. They say there's a whole world that they hadn't been seeing. And those people were not even initially blind! Can you imagine being completely blind for your entire life and then having your eyes opened? Amazing!
At any rate, I can add another personality to my repertoire. I am definitely still the man at the pool, the adulterous woman, and a Pharisee. Now I get to be a blind man as well.
Indeed, I was spiritually blind. And praise God, my eyes have been opened!
The John Squad
Please click here to chart your own progress - even though I'm the only one still doing this
My Progress:
It feels very good to be past 400 verses. In another 35 verses or so, I'll be half way. However, I am finding myself with less and less time and it's getting frustrating. I get up at 4:30 so I can do my devotions, exercise, and shower before the children are up. I try not to use my devotional time to memorize. Then the day gets started and I run around like crazy. At the end of the day, I am completely wiped out. I am only spending between 15-30 minutes memorizing before I fall asleep with the book in my hand. While I am still making steady progress as I work through Chapter 9, there has been zero review-time of previous chapters and I know that is not good. But I'm doing the best I can. I will keep moving forward and pause after each new chapter to review the old ones. Hopefully that's enough. That stinking voice has been getting louder. The one that says, "why bother? You're just going to forget all this one day anyway. You think you're going to remember all these verses for the rest of your life? What's the point?" Oh how I hate that voice.
Some Thoughts:
I find this chapter very unusual. In all the rest, there was a short story and then discussion. In this one, the entire chapter is the ongoing story of the healing of a blind man. Unfortunately, it makes it a very annoying chapter to memorize because there is so much stinking dialogue. In the beginning, I was so aggravated and said, "this is ridiculous! All this talk is so unnecessary. Why is all this in here?" My husband helped to put things in perspective and reminded me that this is God's Word. Who the heck do I think I am?
My Pastor believes that extra time is spent on this story because it illustrates a change in the people's thinking. During this chapter, they go from believing/unbelieving to downright rejecting Jesus. All the dialogue and discussion shows the lengths that the people will go through to remain in their unbelief. Despite all the evidence, they insist on not believing. It's actually a little disturbing to memorize and it brings me back to my initial fears when I first started this project. I have been worried about memorizing the details of the crucifixion since I started and if this chapter bothers me, I'm really not looking forward to what is to come.
Sometimes when we read, we have a tendency to glaze over things. Especially when the text itself glosses over it. For example, there is a major miracle that has occurred here. This man was blind since birth. And the miracle that takes place is mentioned briefly in 1/2 of a verse: "so the man went and washed and came home seeing." I just can't imagine that! I mean, I've spoken to people who have had Lasik before and their testimonies are remarkable. They say there's a whole world that they hadn't been seeing. And those people were not even initially blind! Can you imagine being completely blind for your entire life and then having your eyes opened? Amazing!
At any rate, I can add another personality to my repertoire. I am definitely still the man at the pool, the adulterous woman, and a Pharisee. Now I get to be a blind man as well.
Indeed, I was spiritually blind. And praise God, my eyes have been opened!
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