ll Samuel 1:3:39; Psalms 51-55;Proverbs 11

I love the way things seem to flow together in the Bible. Today we continue to read about David and his adventures before he is crowned the King of the entire Israel nation, and in Psalms we read some of the psalms he wrote during the time we are reading about in the books of Samuel! It is insight into how he was really feeling about what was going on. Real people, real feelings, I love it!

1 Samuel 29:1-31:13, Psalms 46-50, Proverbs 10

Sometimes in Samuel I feel like I am reading a sort of Raiders of the lost Ark type story. I can't see why I Samuel wouldn't appeal to every male type person around. There is intrigue, betrayal, battles galore, chases, treachery, and today is no exception. The things that David and his band of men, 400 or so of the most seasoned fighters around, go through are amazing. Take a look.

The first few verses of chapter 46 in the psalms is also one of my favorites. "God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in sea storm and earthquake. Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains, Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God of angel armies protects us." It doesn't get any better than that!

1 Samuel 25:1-28:25, Psalms. 41-45,Proverbs 9

Today David has a run in with Nabal (his name means fool) and Nabals wife Abigail (who is described as intelligent and good looking!) It is so impressive to see how Abigail jumped into gear when she hears what a foolish thing her husband has done. I am always amazed that she had so much fortitude to do what she did, save her household from destruction. A woman of character and leadership. Read more, the story is gripping.

1 Samuel 23:7-24:22, Psalms 36-40,Proverbs 8

I love the book of 1 Samuel. I find myself reading ahead just to find out what happens next in the story! I am so impressed with David's character that he shows in this passage. He could have easily killed Saul in the cave, but he didn't . He couldn't kill God's anointed even though Saul had been ruthlessly pursuing him to end his life! Oh that we would all show such character in everything we do. To do the right thing no matter what the cost.

Our gift to our Family

Every morning for the past 26 years Dad and I have gotten up at 5am to read our Bibles. Not that we didn't read our Bibles before this time, but this is when we started being really systematic about making an effort to read through our Bibles together once a year. Now we don't read out loud together,(although we have done that when we were traveling in a car sometimes) but we read the same thing separately, but together every day. It has become a very precious time for us. We read, drink coffee, talk about what we are reading, just spend time quietly together before the Lord.

We use a bible reading chart that Mark made, that covers a part of the bible every day, and then 5 chapters in Psalms, and one in Proverbs. We have wanted to make a chart and give it to all of our kids, with the hope of them using it daily too. This morning I was awakened by the thought that I could start putting the schedule on a blog, along with a short devotional. It sounded like a great idea, then as I went on through my day, I started to have second thougthts... I can't write, how can I do this, lots of excuses. Then while I was listening to the radio at work, one of the only things I heard today was someone talking about writing things down to share with your family for future generations, and it just clicked, I felt like the Lord was affirming my ideas. So here it is, I am starting this now, lets just see how I do. I will be adding the daily reading the day after I read it.