Bible App

Photo Credit:  Fountain Hills Christian Center, Arizona (website)

Last year I made a goal to read through the Bible chronologically. I got as far as the 2 Chronicles in the the Old Testament. I've probably read the Bible several times over since I was a child but I've never done it chronologically and I've always felt there was something missing as a result. I've renewed my commitment to reading through the Bible chronologically in 2014.

One thing I discovered is that I really like to "read" the Bible by listening to it and reading along silently or out LOUD,  rather than just reading the Bible like I would any other book.   I used the on-line resource Bible Gateway last year to hear someone read the Bible out loud.

The problem is that in order to listen to the day's readings it took me a good hour and more if I want to include time for praise, prayer and study.  What happened is after spending time doing Bible readings I would then sit at the computer to do other things.  This led me to sit at the computer for too long each day.  I was also a "captive" to my headset at the computer for listening to the Bible readings for the day. Ultimately the lack of flexibility about where I could do my readings (I prefer my desktop to my laptop for ease of use), led to my inability to sustain a reading schedule.

Recently, I wrote here, about how I picked two words to help guide me through the year and help to set the tone and direction for where I want to go with my goals for the year.

The words are "simplify" and "streamline".

In 2014,  I plan to resume my readings and "simplify" and "streamline" by using a "new to me" and free Bible app on my cell phone.  I've downloaded the app and I listened to 6 chapters of the Book of John.  I enjoyed it as much as listening on my desktop or laptop and I also love the freedom and flexibility that listening to the Bible on the cell phone brings. Listening on my portable cell phone is much easier than listening on my desktop computer. Also I can make notes about where I left off in my readings (literal notes rather than bookmarks) instead of keeping track on a separate paper or computer document.

It took me a short while to discover that I can read the Bible chronologically using the app, instead of using one of the Bible Study Plans or devotions.  I still have to navigate through the app and figure out if there is a way to mark where I've left off each day beyond making a note.

If you don't already use a Bible app, and want to, you can use one of the many Bible reading and study plans and different study helps. You can also choose from different versions of the Bible.  For now, I prefer the King James Version (KJV) though I know many people don't use this Bible any longer. {I always find it difficult when Churches I attend use different Bible versions to what I prefer reading when they are giving the Sunday Sermon because the language in the KJV is so different. Maybe when I get more proficient on the app, I can simply read from it at Church too.}

There are a number of free Bible apps for smart phones.  The one I'm using is called You Version.

 Have any of you tried it?
I'd love to know what you think of it.

Guiding Words for 2014

{For my Skywatch Post, see here}

Hi friends, I trust you are all settling in to a New Year.

I love the changing of years where we say "goodbye" to one year and "hello" to another.  In recent years I've used it as a opportunity for reflection and planning.  A time to reflect on the year gone by to see what things went well and what things didn't go so well. A time to discover whether there are things that I have the ability to change or whether I need to "let go and let God". It is also a time to think about the coming year and plan and look forward to limitless possibilities.

If you have followed me for a few years you might remember reading my review of goals set for the year.  At the same time I consider whether I had to change my goals in mid-year, accomplished them or had to carry them forward for one reason or another.  I usually also plan and post my goals for the coming year in late December/early January.  This year however I felt the need to do something a bit different.



Instead of posting my goals publically I will be keeping them private. It isn't because they are so secret.  Rather I've just not been as passionate about blogging this past few months.  I still want to blog and connect with my readers.  At the same time, I want my readers to connect with me.  However, I'm trying to find a balance between the two objectives.  So I've started to blog less and visit blogs less often as well. {For now I won't be giving up blogging.}


It is all part of my desire to "simplify" and "streamline".

These two words will be my mantras for 2014. They will guide the goals I set for myself also.

I am a bit behind schedule in terms of what I've usually accomplished in the early days of the year.

But in keeping with my two words, "simplify" and "streamline" I've already spent a bit of time over the past several days doing just that.

Some of the things I've managed to accomplish in the early days of January:

• simplify - made New Year's dinner with less variety of foods to enjoy and didn't invite anyone over for dinner. {While I did have guests over Christmas having a few days to myself to recover from sickness was less stressful because I didn't have to entertain}.
• streamline ~ took down the Christmas decorations several days early. {I usually keep them up until January 2 but this year they came down on December 27th. I think this will be my new norm so I can start the year clutter free.}
• streamline ~  Deleted duplicate and triplicate entries for individuals in my email address book.  {Some people accumulate excessive emails in a short space of time when they switch internet providers.   It's one good reason to simplify by using a free email account.}  
• streamline ~  Got rid of old files and photos from my desktop.  {I should have done this sooner in preparation for installing Windows 8.  I have more streamlining to do from my hardrive folders & photo files.}

I hope that through more simplifying and streamlining there will be progress on the continual process of decluttering which is so necessary to living in a smaller space.  I also hope there there will be much more "me" time.  This "me" time is for reflecting on the deeper things of life and spending time on the things that are most important to me.  There will also be "me" time to take better care of my health.

I look forward to the year ahead and to connecting with you all.  I pray you all have a bountiful and blessed 2014!

Soar

Though the skies may be gray, one can still soar.

Life is Beautiful

"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”

Ashley Smith

 Despite the thorns on this cactus, it's flowers are very beautiful and delicate.
Euphorbia milii var. splendens (Crown of Thorns)

Enjoy a beautiful week!

This is my first submission to PicStory hosted by Tina. Please join in by clicking on the flower widget!

My World Tuesday ~ Inspirations

I felt like some inspirational words today.These are a few of my favourite quotes and inspirational thoughts, as well as some new ones I've recently read. I've interspersed them with some beautiful scenes of my beloved Kenya which you can click on to enlarge.

The truth shall make you free. -- John 8:32

Success is never found. Failure is never fatal. Courage is the only thing. -- Sir Winston Churchill

Life isn't easy for any of us. It is up to us to be cheerful and strong, so others may draw strength from us. -- Rose Kennedy

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. -- Lamentations 3:22-23

[En route to Lake Naivasha, Kenya.]

It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart. -- Unknown

Be a blessing to someone today -- Proverbs 11:25

If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart. -- Arabian Proverb 

Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others? -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom. -- Thomas Jefferson

Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime. -- Ancient Proverb

He that waits upon fortune is never sure of a dinner. -- Benjamin Franklin

 [Overlooking Lake Naivasha, Kenya.]

A politician thinks of the next election - a statesman, of the next generation. -- James Freeman Clarke

No matter what you've done for yourself or for humanity, if you can't look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished? -- Lee Iacocca

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily. -- Zig Ziglar

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place. -- Nora Roberts

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. -- Mark Twain

I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.  -- Abert Schweitzer

Reflect upon your blessings, of which every man has plenty, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. -- Charles Dickens

[Naivasha Golf & Country Club grounds.]

When we hurt each other we should write it down in the sand, so the winds of forgiveness can make it go away for good. When we help each other we should chisel it in stone, lest we never forget the love of a friend. -- Christian H. Godefroy

Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. -- 1 John 3:18 NRSV

No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important. -- Mary Kay Ash

If you're sincere, praise is effective. If you're insincere, it's manipulative. -- Zig Ziglar

Many marriages would be better if the husband and wife clearly understood that they're on the same side. -- Zig Ziglar


Only when we give joyfully, without hesitation or thought of gain, can we truly know what love means.--  Leo Buscaglia

You were united to your wife by the Lord. In God's wise plan, when you married, the two of you became one person in his sight. -- Malachi 2:15

I have had dreams and I have had nightmares, but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams.-- Dr. Jonas Salk

If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come.  -- Chinese Proverb

[Birds singing on my patio "spring is here".]

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self. -- Aristotle

He who is filled with love is filled with God himself. -- Saint Augustine

 [Photo credit: Edit Free Zone]