It’s the second half, my friends! Please check in and let me know how you’re doing. :)

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by

Amy
in ,

Yes, we made it! We are into the second half of the New Testament in 40 Days. How does it feel???

Today our reading is Acts 19-24.

And today is check in day!

Please leave a comment below to let all of us know how the reading is coming along for you. Are you on track? Are you enjoying it? Do you need encouragement? Let us know, sweet friend! We are here for you!!

In our reading today we see, yet again, how much Paul stands on his faith. That guy, the one who previously persecuted people for following Jesus, will just NOT back down on his teaching of him in these chapters. He most definitely stands firm.

Paul’s way of standing firm is with elegance, not with brashness. I admire that. He doesn’t shout. He doesn’t demand attention, but he gains it. He certainly makes people think and changes minds and hearts, no doubt.

He stays calm amidst all the riots, the shouting, the threats on his life, the imprisonment, the seeming uncertainty.

He listens to the Holy Spirit.

I’d like to be as unshakeable as that… without having to endure as much, though, of course! I pray that taking time to read, to pray, to listen, to journal is getting me closer. And I pray that for you, too.

I’m grateful that you are with me in this. I love hearing your stories as each of us grows stronger in our own journey. So share away! Leave that check in comment below so I know you’re with me… your notes are like sunshine in my email box…. and sunshine for others reading, too. So bring on the joy (we could all use some, I’m sure)!!!

In love,

Comments

10 responses to “It’s the second half, my friends! Please check in and let me know how you’re doing. :)”

  1. Andrea Avatar
    Andrea

    Checking in late….but I’m still with you guys! Still a tad behind, but I’m enjoying all this reading – it’s been so good for my spirit!!! We are traveling on Sunday so I’ll have hours to read and get caught up. 😄

    Reply
    1. Amy Avatar
      Amy

      So wonderful, Andrea! I hope the travel has been good for your soul, as well. :)

      Reply
    2. Amy Avatar
      Amy

      So what did you decide… bundle or spread it out for you own escape on the journey? Either way, I hope it is soaking into your soul beautifully. :)

      Reply
  2. Labgirl Avatar
    Labgirl

    Life is happening for me!!! ARRRGGGG!! Good grief!
    This is happening at about the same speed that it is happening for the disciples in ACTS. I am behind but I am pressing on. I am determined to finish!! I want to end the comment by saying -this is truly enjoyable!!

    Reply
    1. Amy Avatar
      Amy

      I am so glad you are pressing on with us!

      Reply
  3. Sherry Avatar
    Sherry

    I struggled a bit with my focus, but I am back on track.

    Reply
  4. Jeremy Avatar
    Jeremy

    I like Paul. He gives me hope. Hope that I have done a lot of things that I’m not proud of but that I can still achieve things that might make God proud. And hope that despite any long Christian journey, lifelong devotion to the cause or deep theological knowledge – I can still make a difference.

    A lot of the friends I’ve chatted to since starting this reading plan, have made me feel (accidentally and unintentionally I’m sure) that I had a long way to go, much to learn and some stripes to earn before I would do anything significant as a Christian.

    Maybe Paul had those worries? Maybe he had imposter syndrome? Maybe he didn’t. But he didn’t sit around waiting for things to happen or years of experience to accumilate. And he just got going. And made it up as he went along.

    Jesus often seemed to speak in the gospels to people directly and simply. “Just get up. Stop doing that. And follow me”.

    I like that.

    I get the impression that “church” complicates a lot of things for a lot of people. But maybe we just need to stop worrying about that “imposter syndrome”?

    (Most of us probably haven’t killed or persecuted lots of Christians. So there’s that).

    And maybe we just need to get going.

    Having faith that the next step will be there when we step out?

    Random thoughts.

    Thanks Amy!

    Reply
    1. Heidi Thomas Avatar
      Heidi Thomas

      I’m afraid to say that the book of Acts is one book I was looking forward to reading all the way through as I’ve never read it before. I knew it was about how the church grew. I didn’t realize that many of the disciples could also perform miracles. It was crazy how they traveled place to place and I know they didn’t have public transportation or cars! It must have taken so long although as I read, it seems like it happened so fast, going place to place, spreading the Gospel.

      Reply
      1. Amy Avatar
        Amy

        Right! All of this is pretty incredible! Their faith was absolutely amazing! The travel, the miracles and the messages they shared.. all so amazing… and without modern transportation OR social media.

        Reply
    2. Amy Avatar
      Amy

      I am so so glad you are reading and exploring with us, Jeremy!

      Reply

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