What I'm studying...

During December of last year, I was thinking of studying the book of Psalms in the new year. I had originally thought I would just read a psalm or a portion of a psalm each day. Then I found a book on the shelf at my parents' home that I decided to borrow. The book is Praying with the Psalms by Eugene Peterson. You may know Eugene Peterson as the author of The Message paraphrase of the Bible.

This is not a new book, it was published in 1993. Each day includes a reading in the Psalms (from your own Bible), a verse from that passage on the page, a short meditation and a prayer. The book is just a mere 4 X 6 inches, but packs a punch for me each day! I enjoy reading the author's simple thoughts on the passage, I only wish the meditation was longer. 

Here is a description of the book:

"The Wisdom of David for a Year of Devotion Prayer is both our most human action and our most human language. But, as with any other language, we may find ourselves clumsy and undisciplined in our attempts at it. Praying With The Psalms can help Christians become fluent in the language of prayer, encouraging us to pray even when we don't feel like it, and to learn prayers that are both honest and right. Based on the life and words of David, the Psalms provide insightful reflections on depression, anger, frustration, fear, and insecurity, as well as joy, exhilaration, triumph, and gladness."

 from CBD

In addition to reading my devotional book and psalm portion each day, I have been enjoying the meditations in my NIV Women of Faith Study Bible. I received this Bible a few years ago on my birthday. A friend had a NIV Study Bible that was literally falling apart. I has seen others using the same Bible and had looked at it in the store and really liked it. My husband bought me the Women of Faith version and it has been very encouraging to me. I like the wider margins and meditations written especially for women.

Besides reading, I also spend time in prayer. One prayer guide that I like is a parents' prayer guide, with 31 Biblical virtues to pray for your kids, one each day of the month. I have posted about this before here. You can find a nice printable version here. They are written by Bob Hostetler, and I actually I have second one that I use (see picture below). It focuses on the character traits of God. I have gotten both copies of these lists in my church foyer, but have also found 31 Days to Praise online here. It is a wonderful way to focus my praise and prayer each day on one attribute of God. Each day contains an attribute and Bible verse to begin. God is worthy of our praise, and is a God of many facets. It is a neat way to worship and adore God each day.

That is what I am studying in my quiet times this year. What are you studying? I'd love to hear about it!

Faithful Blogging Prompt #50:

"How do you read the Bible?  Do you read straight through, follow a Bible reading program, etc?"

http://faithfulbloggers.com/

And last (but not least!) Bible verses that apply...

Psalm 119:108
"Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws."

Isaiah 26:8
"Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts."

Psalm 1:1-2

"Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night. "