Daily Archives: January 4, 2010

Read with Me Challenge: Some Ground Rules

Jan 4

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I am SO EXCITED about our Read with Me challenge! If I’ve added correctly, our “handful of friends” includes 20 gorgeous ladies. How cool is that? I get giddy just thinking of the possibilities for this year. God promises that He will be found when people seek Him. He promises that where two or three are gathered together, there He is in the midst of them. Imagine what we’ll witness in the next 360 days by seeking Him together. Not two or three, but twenty. Not one or two random passages, but the whole Bible. Are you with me? Are you excited?

Before I go any further, let me answer some questions.

Q: Is it too late to join?

A: Absolutely not! The “program” we’re using (click here for the schedule) only includes 25 readings per month. That means we have plenty of grace built in. For the month of January, we have 6 extra days (31 days – 25 readings = 6 days of grace). Since today is January 4th, you could wait two more days to start and still not be behind!

Q: I’m not on twitter. Is that okay?

A: Yes. So far our group includes tweeps, facebookers, bloggers and … well, I’m sure there are others who aren’t socially networked. Everyone is welcome!

Q: Do I have to do the same program as you? What if I’ve already started a different read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year schedule?

A: No, you don’t have to do the same one. The purpose of our group is simply to provide accountability toward the same goal. The means toward that end can vary, as long as we stay focused on the same goal: to read both Old and New Testaments in 2010.

Q: Is everyone reading the same version? Which one should I use?

A: Not everyone is reading the same version. Use whichever one you want. You don’t even have to restrict yourself to one. I love comparing different versions of Scripture and will likely use several throughout this year. Remember some versions are translations (like the NET and the NASB) while others are paraphrases (like ESV, NIrV and The Message). So far I’ve used The Message for this challenge. I never use The Message for in depth studies (I use NASB or NET for those), but I don’t want to glaze over the more familiar text. You know you better than we do. Choose the version you prefer. If it isn’t working, find one that does.

Q: Can I really do this? I’ve tried before and I always fail. I don’t want to sign up again, just to drop-out … again.

A: YOU CAN DO THIS! I promise. How many novels do we read a year? How many blog pages and newspapers and magazines do we read each year? The whole Bible is about 1200 pages. That’s only three or four novels worth. Still sound like too much? With this schedule, it only takes about 20 minutes a day. You. Can. Do. It.

Q: Are we really going to keep each other accountable? How?

A: Well, let’s talk about it …

I’m not a huge fan of rules, especially when it comes to spiritual endeavors, but I can be a bit OCD when it comes to organization. We have other causes for rules, too. This group is primarily online. We won’t see each other face-to-face. We won’t run into one another at church or while dropping our kids off at school. So how do we actually stay on top of one another? How do we get and stay connected?

I need accountability as much as each of you, so we’re all going to have to do our part. I’ll try to encourage and spur you when the going gets tough, and I’ll need you to do the same to me.

Here’s how it’s going to work:

You can use any schedule, any version and any pace you choose, but you must check in with the group one way or another at least once a month. This site (www.TanyaDennisBooks.com — a.k.a. “In the Dailies”) will be our hub.

We’ll have a “weigh-in” here every Friday. Stop by, leave a comment about your progress and/or which passages said something to you that week. (If you have a better way to say this, please let me know. I understand “weigh-in” doesn’t sit well with most of us!)

BLOGGERS: Feel free to post thoughts on your site then link up here. I’ll include a Mr. Linky (or something similar) in my Friday posts. That way we can easily blog-hop to see how everyone is and what we’ve discovered. Feel free to grab our button and add it to your sidebar. (Please note: I am NOT a graphic designer, so if the image doesn’t fit properly, I probably can’t help. :) I had to jimmy it a bit to get it to fit in my own sidebar. If any of you are graphically gifted, please feel free to share your talents!!)

TWITTER: If you’re on twitter, follow our group. Click here for the direct link. Then, from now on, when you tweet, be sure to check in on the group, see how everyone is doing. If someone is having a rough day, share some encouragement.

FACEBOOK: I’m still researching the logistics of a group there. If and when I start one, I’ll let you know.

I think that’s it. If I’ve missed anything or if you have any ideas, please share! (My husband thinks we should have badges and awards. You know, like the Girl Scouts or something. We could post special ribbons or buttons when we reach certain milestones.)

Just so you know, here is a list of people who have signed-on. I’m not quite sure what to call you all since I only know some of your real names. Also, I’ve not included any last names for facebook people. You know who you are. :) Please let me know if the list is incorrect or incomplete. Also, if you have a website and I’ve not given you a link, leave us a url in the comments so we know where to find you.

Last word … WOO-HOO!!

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