About This Blog

My blog shares my recovery journey from childhood abuse to living with mental illness. I've been involved in twelve step groups and therapy since 1982. I accepted Jesus as my Savior in 1988. To the best of my ability, I have followed where He wants me to go and what He wants me to do. Maybe you'll find the hope and strength you need through what I write. Maybe you want to stop hurting yourself. Maybe you have a friend who needs help and can benefit from my story. I was newly disabled when I asked God this question: "What do you want me to do with my life?" I closed my eyes and paused for a few moments to still my mind. This is what I sensed from Him: "Amy, I want you to write your story to bring hope and healing to those who are still suffering." And that's exactly what I am doing!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Reading the Bible

As a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ, reading the Bible is just as important as eating food.  I need to be reminded of who I am in Christ, under the authority of a loving Father, who gave me a private counselor all to myself in the Holy Spirit.  Spiritual food for my soul.

I've read through the Bible I think once in it's entirety.  I've read the first five books of the Old Testament hundreds of times.  Can you relate to this?  I'd get fired up, ready to read and forgot where I'd left off because it could be months before I cracked the Bible open for personal Bible study.  So, I'd always start in Genesis.

I've read the New Testament at lease a few times all the way through.  As above, I've read the gospels (the first four books) hundreds of times and probably the friendly books of Ephesians, Phillipians, 1 Peter and both Corinthians.  I'm selective and choose what's most familiar.

I posted this on Twitter yesterday:  "Leaves go through changes as they mature.  What changes do you make to ensure you're maturing?"  Good question, right?  Since my Twitter is linked to my Facebook page, I shared my answer to that question.  One of the ways I ensure I'm maturing is I found a user friendly website that has a variety of Bible reading plans.  It can be found at:  CLICK TO GO TO WWW.BIBLE.COM

This website has all different kinds of translations.  What I like is some of the translations will read the chapters to you.  This is especially helpful to those of us with mental illness or any other reading challenge.  It's soothing, not pressurized and you pick any plan and set your own pace.

Reading the Bible.  I don't have a better weapon against the arrows of the devil and his schemes.  God's word penetrates the heart, binds up all wounds, protects me from things I know nothing about but most of all, it's God's love letter to me.

But hey, don't take my word for it!  Experience it yourself.

You may recall the date May 21, 2008 when Steven Curtis Chapman and his family suffered the tragic loss of their five year old adopted daughter.  One of his sons was backing out of the driveway when Maria ran behind the vehicle and was struck.  See if you can pick up another reason why reading the Bible is so important.