Is this impending doom?

If you haven't been able to tell from previous posts. I can be dramatic. I'm more dramatic in speech/writing than in person I like to believe.
I like to say 50 people were in line when in actuality it was probably 8 or I like to say impending doom when really I mean dread regarding a topic.

Here's my dread...
I'm reading in my Archaeological Bible tonight about my upcoming book...Judges. As you know I'm reading Chronologically so some of my readings have come from other books such as Psalm or Chronicles so far but the majority is by book. Anyway, I was reading the little summary about Judges and here's a few little sentences from the Introduction that has me worried.

1. "Repeatedly the Isrealites broke their covenant with God, lost sight of their identity as his people and experienced punishment.

Ugh...really Isrealites??? Why do you do this? What is wrong with you people???? I don't get it. God was there with them...how much more divine intervention can you get than being brought out of slavery, provided with land and your success in war being guaranteed and aided by God. You still can't figure out that this is probably the one to follow and to listen to his rules?? Ugh

2. "It was common practice in the ancient Near East to pphysically mutiliate prisoners of war, thereby rendering them unfit for future military service."
- I'm hoping this is just a fun fact to share and not something that will be referenced in Judges...you can probably tell from previous posts that I don't like reading about war, killing or mutiliation. I don't watch it on tv and I don't like to read about it. It is because my imagination is really good. I end up having dreams involving these creepy punishments or wars so I like to avoid these types of things all together.


We will see what Judges has to say.
Happy reading to anyone that is reading along.

You can always find the reading plan and get e-mails sent to your inbox for each of the readings either daily or weekly at www.oneyearbibleonline.com

Completed Genesis

Today I have completed Genesis. A small accomplishment but it is important especially when taking on a large commitment to celebrate the small achievements! I have really enjoyed Genesis for the most part. It was at times confusing but also at times rewarding and it taught me lots of the stories that I had never heard. It has allowed me to reflect and understand the bible. I strongly believe my path of reading chronologically is the right path for me. This has allowed me to connect to both my parents, my co-workers and my husbands family in a way never before. It is interesting to me to share time and conversation with those that have a stronger faith, better understanding and different view of the bible than I do. I just hope they continue to understand along with my readers here that this is my first time reading the bible and while my interpretations and feelings about it may be different than yours we all have one thing in common....the reading of the book.
In the closing of Genesis Joseph reveals himself to his brothers after they come to Egypt to get food during the famine. He relocates his father and brothers to Egypt where he holds high authority. His father dies and is embalmed, in Egyptian custom, and then buried in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. This is the same burial location as Abraham, Sarah Isaac and Rebekah and Leah. Rachel as we recall was buried along the way to Ephrath.
Joseph then dies at the age of 110 years. I was a bit surprised because I thought this was the joseph...like Mary and Joseph....Well I guess that would be really pre-mature especially since the birth of Jesus will not come along for several more months. I hope those that are reading along are enjoying it. Again, I use www.oneyearbibleonline.com to send me my daily reading assignments and I can read them online and use whatever version I would like. I am also enjoying referencing the Chronological Study Bible.

The beginning of resolutions

Well it's January 1st! Happy New Year. I have started already on my resolution. It helps that I signed up for an online assistant. www.oneyearbibleonline.com I'm reading the bible in Chronological order this year. I have never read the bible. I also am not the religious type. I went to a Catholic school through the 4th grade but after that not much happened in my life by way of religion. My mom has been a catholic her entire life and my dad had a period of strong faith for about 5 years in my early 20's until they moved away from their church. Neither my husband nor I go to church. His parents are Christian and attend church regularly.
Why this year it struck me to read the bible I'll never know but sometimes it’s good to just go with the flow. I'm not sure how this year will change me as a person but I'm sure every year has. I might not recognize it but each year I change. I am accustomed to change and it really doesn't bother me. In fact at times I thrive on change, I look forward to it and I anticipate my reactions to it.
I am a pessimist at heart. I also am a skeptic. I am not sure how I feel about the bible and I must admit I haven't had the strongest faith in God. I actually am not sure what exactly faith is. My husband has faith in God. I realized this after a discussion with him about death. He said of course there is an afterlife and people are in heaven. I was surprise at this "of course" and acceptance of that. Where this year will take me I have no idea. I'm sure I will look back on my blog and be a changed person but isn't that what we are supposed to be? Almost every book I have read has changed me in some way so why wouldn't this one?

Well the first assigned reading for Jan. 1st was Genesis 1:1-3:24
It's basically the creation of the world and of man. Interesting I guess. It is actually interesting the part 16 to the woman he said,

“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
With painful labor you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
And he will rule over you.”

I guess it is because I am a fairly independent chick and this part is questionable for me. I guess because I didn't think of God as a punisher. I understand that there is supposed to be a heaven and hell and according to Catholics and Dante a purgatory but I guess I am not really comfortable with this I will punish you or I will punish all women for this behavior. Maybe eventually I will see this part in a different light but thus far....I don't like that part. I am reading different versions of the bible online because I realized there is quite a difference in wording and I just need to find the wording I like. So this quote is from a New International Version. Not all quotes that I use in here will be. I will try to note what version I am quoting from.
Until tomorrow or until I think of something else to post.
Happy New Year.