In his classic, Around the World in 80 Days, Jules Verne tells the story of stuffy, Phileas Fogg, who on a bet decides to go around the world in 80 days. On the way there is much suspense, adventure, and discovery. There are also surprises, change of plans, and new relationships.
In the late summer and early fall of 2009 I joined a group of men who committed to read the bible in 90 days, pray for each other daily, and be accountable to each other through a Facebook group. The experience was transformative and as it turns out the hardest part was not the reading (although reading 16 or so chapters a day is a lot of reading) but the daily accountability.
I decided a month ago that I would begin 2011 by reading the entire bible in 90 days. I will be reading 16 chapters a day beginning with Genesis and moving through the entire bible in order. The last time I read through it I used the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). This time I will be reading the Old Testament from the TANAKH by the Jewish Publication Society, and the New Testament from the Common English Bible.
I am excited about this way of beginning the new year and I hope to blog about what I am reading along the way. Here is the passage that caught my attention as I read this morning, a response from God to Noah’s burnt offering after coming out of the ark:
So long as the earth endures, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Summer and winter, Day and night Shall not cease.Genesis 8:22
Like Phileas Fogg I am taking the challenge . . . I wonder what kind of surprises, change of plans, and new relationships will be forged along the way?
Happy New Year!