Happy New Year from The Planting Place!

Wow! A year of daily digging through His Word has certainly brought challenges, but they pale in comparison with the tremendous rewards of seeing Him Who is abundantly faithful!

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, ²¹ to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. [Ephesians 3:20-21]

I have been humbled by the gifts He has imparted each and every day, definitely beyond anything I could have possibly imagined; but I can’t say it has been easy. Many days I have questioned if I can keep the pace. And I have prayed many times asking Him if I needed to adjust the schedule.

Let me backtrack a bit…

At the time I laid out a three-year reading plan, it was to be that… a personal, daily “reading” plan. But when I felt the nudge to create a blog in hopes others would be encouraged to date our Savior, somehow the writing began; and it turned out to be much more than I ever expected.

In my reading plan I left no room for catch-up days from the unexpected, such as visits from family and friends, the holidays, illness (and yes I am four days behind in the writing), and now…the soon and coming arrival of our grandchildren…

Twins!

Yes, the Lord has double-blessed our family as my daughter is expecting twins next month! I covet your prayers for our daughter, Sara, and the babies; Eleanora Anne and Asher Benjamin… yes, one girl and one boy!

My daughter is a high school drama teacher. And as I was her high school drama teacher, I have had the joy and privilege of coming along side her to assist in past productions. But now, I will have to do more than assist, as I will be her substitute in getting the spring musical production ready to open in late April.

And because of all this, there must be a change in plans…

My plan is to personally continue the three-year reading schedule (and I pray you will as well), but the writing will be on a different timetable. After completing the “Considers” of 2 Samuel (sometime around January 15), I will take about a six-month break from regular postings in each chapter. I will try to post a reminder of the daily scheduled reading, and every now and then, as the Lord leads, perhaps a verse and some insight.

In the second half of 2017, Lord willing, the “Consider Him” postings will resume, however…

I will be taking weekends and holidays off, as well as any other unexpected needed times. I will do my best to post the new schedule before the postings begin again.

I look forward to digging together with you all. Please keep digging and reading. Only two more years and you will have read every word of every page through the most amazing love story ever written, His Holy Bible!

And please, let’s pray for one another… that as we read through His Word, our Heavenly Father will grow and strengthen us as He plants His truth and love deep within in our hearts.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. [Ephesians 3:14-19]

Let’s continue through the New Year and…

Let’s Grow Together!