You asked... bible reading (with a giveaway!)

My question is around reading the Bible - during the quiet times you spend in the Scriptures, can you share what your process is in choosing what to read for the day?...Do you just open your Bible randomly and start reading? Are you led by the Holy Spirit as to what to read? Do you follow a reading schedule (i.e. read the Bible in a year)? Do you use study guides? Posted by: Tammy 

I am no superhero in this department.  Probably just like many of you I go through seasons in my life where I am more structured in this department than others.  I prefer to use Bible study guides although I do not always have one that I am working on.

I am currently in a Bible study group with a few other women.  We try to do one study in the Spring and one in the Fall.  This past Spring we completed Beth Moore's study on Esther.  Being in a group study provides so much accountability for me to actually complete my work in a specific time frame.

Hey Holly I was wondering what are you reading during your quite time?  Posted by: Kalie

Currently as a church staff we are doing B90X, an extreme read through the Bible in 90 days.  It is serious.  I am really enjoying it.  Although I have read through the Bible before, I have never done it in such a short amount of time.  Reading through such large portions at a time has given me a fresh perspective on the Word as a whole.

I am taking it as serious as the Daniel Fast that we did last fall.  It takes at least 30 minutes a day (usually more, especially when reading about seemingly endless verses about blood and skin diseases:))  I personally am reading on my iPhone (using You Version) in the New Living Translation (I will probably switch to NIV when the content is not as narrative).  I believe God is going to do great things through our staff as we do this together.

Do you have any online or written daily devotional recommendations. I'm trying to find one that focuses on family/children/marriage. I get overwhelmed searching for them, so wanted to see if you had any suggestions to try. I've been active in church my whole life but really want to dive deeper and get into the scriptures on my own. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks so much! Posted by: Miranda

Here are some great studies/resources that I reccomend...
-Growing Kids God's Way (raising kids)
-5 Love Languages (marraige/family)
-Love and Respect (marraige)
-The Amazing Collection (walk through the Bible)
-Lord I want to know you (great individual study, anything by Kay Arthur is)
-Believing God (my all time favorite Beth Moore study and you can do the study online)

And now for the giveaway part... I will be giving away one copy of each of the following books.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  You cacn share a resource that you love or just leave you name.  Just be sure to include you email address so that we can contact you!  I will randomly announce the winners next Wednesday so the deadline is Tuesday, Aug 18 at noon.

Experienceing God Day by Day, online or the book.  Its a great study to get you started.

For a supplemental resource to your regular study, I love Beth Moore's book, Praying God's Word

Anne Graham Lotz devotional called Daily Light.  Its a short daily devotional that is 100% scripture written in a unique topical format (here is a sample).

I can't wait to hear from you!

Comments

[Amy]

Hi Holly -
I tried to figure out how to leave Pastor Furtick a comment on his blog, but couldn't. I want to say "thank you" to him for making such a positive impact on my 14 yr. old daughter. She has always been a jesus loving child, but your husband has made such an impact on her with the way he "speaks" to teens. She is so excited about Elevation and Jesus. She has just signed up to volunteer and I see great things coming in her future. I am very honored to have such a wonderful Pastor that is "real" and can deliver messages that make a true impact on our lives.

Thank You!

[Bruce]

We have our "The Essential 100" that has 100 readings of scripture 50 OT and 50 NT that help people begin to read the Bible and start a habit of regular Bible so they develop a lifestyle of reading teh Bible and listening to what the Lord says to them.

[lynn estill]

Proverb31ministries and Hearts at Home and anything Beth Moore. Thank you for sharing your life through your blog.
lynn

[Autumn Miller]

I enjoy reading your blog & if I ever make it to Charlotte, NC I'd love to come visit your church! It sounds like a terrific one!
I'm getting married in January and would like to read Love & Respect.
Books I've read and enjoyed have been Crazy Love by Francis Chan and anything by Andy Stanley although I usually just listen to his podcasts.
Thanks for the giveaway!

[Christina Anderson]

Believing God is also a "wow" book for me. It was in my line of study at "just the right time" directing my heart, mind, soul to follow in Faith with one of the toughest decisions we've ever faced as a family. We, and our 3 small children, have recently moved 11 hrs from everyone and everything we know for my husband to take a new job. Faith is greatly required in this step as I trust for the Lord to provide and guide! LOVE this study!

[Amy Rogers]

Thanks for the opportunity to win a great book.
amyr72900@aol.com

[Angie]

I love the devotions at Proverbs 31 Ministries. Check them out at http://www.proverbs31.org/dailydevotions/dailyDevotions.php

Angie
amonkus@aol.com

[Veronica Brown]

Veronica Brown
**praying for the Beth Moore book

:) HOPE I WIN!!

[Reida]

Love, love, love your blog! I started B90X today and I can't wait because I haven't read The Bible cover to cover in far too long. Thanks so much for doing such a wonderful giveaway!

uncgal02@gmail.com

[Bethany Saylor]

Hi Holly!
Right now I'm going through John with my small group. Normally I read a section each night and journal about what God is teaching me. I'm also going through an amazing book called Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. It's all about trusting in God and having faith in him even when it seems impossible(and much more). The copy I have has a devotion on every other page. It's a really amazing book and is a great way to spend my quiet time.

[Hilary Surratt]

Yay! I love book giveaways!

I am almost done with Believeing God like a few others who have posted, and like somone else said, who doesn't love Beth Moore?

My husband and I are going through Love and Respect with our married small group, and that is pretty good.

the B90X sounds good too... I might have to check into doing that next!
:)

[Tessa Roman]

Thanks Holly for the give away!!!! I love reading your blog, and absolutely love Elevation. I recently got married and had to move to the Raleigh area so I dont get to attend Elevation or volunteer anymore :( However My husband and I watch the sermons online and come back to visit as often as possible. Thank you sooooo much for all your family does!!!
Tessa Roman
tlmaxwel@gmail.com

[Katelyn Weidenhamer]

Utmost for His Highest is really good!

[Rhonda Stelow]

Thanks for sharing. Oh I am a wife of a worship pastor and mother of six and I am the children's pastor at our church right now but I toke a break to go see family with my kids in Indian Trail and was excited to know I was going to Elevation on Sunday. I have family that go there and I love how the one Sunday that I get to go is No Show Sunday. I wanted you to know that your volunteers that you had were wonderful and helpful. I went to Providence 1:00. Thanks for what you do and thanks for reminding me to go home and tell my volunteers how amazing they are.

[Teresa Bridwell]

Thanks for the give-away and the fun things you share.
email: t-bridwell@hotmail.com.

[Loren Webb]

My husband and I recently moved to Denver to start a church about 3 months ago. There are 6 of us that moved here and together we are going through Experiencing God. It is WONDERFUL !! I was wondering if you have ever gone through this study. I have also read The 5 Love Languages and it is an amazing book as well. It really taught my husband and myself a lot about how to show affection and love to one another. This was one of the books we read during our marriage counseling time leading up to our wedding day. I would love to receive a new book. Very fun !!

Don't know if the email needs to be in the post, but just in case here it is. Loren@lorenwebb.com

[Tiffany]

Tiffany Wagner
tiffanylamoureux@yahoo.com

[Tonya T.]

I am currently reading a book that I love! It's called Every Woman's Marriage by: Shannon & Greg Ethridge! It is really helping me with my marriage! :)

[Deborah]

I just finished reading "experiencing God" Awesome journey. I have read a chapter a day. Grab a notebook and highlighter you are going to want one. Have a blessed Sunday

[Nicole Blakely (Moncks Corner)]

I enjoy receiving an "Encouragement for Today" email from http://www.proverbs31.org/ everyday. I really enjoy reading the daily devotionals and prayers. Holly, you don't know me but I really enjoy your blog!

[Ashley Vogel]

My favorite book that I use as a devotional is called The Seeking Heart by Fenelon. It is letters written in the 1700's to a friend who was imprisoned for being an outspoken Christian. It was not written to be a devotional, but it touches the deepest part of my heart to give up everything for Jesus, even the secret things that I didn't know where there. I have never read anything by Beth Moore, but have heard great things and would love to check it out. Thanks for giving!!
allaboutash@hotmail.com

[Ember]

The companion books called "For Men Only" & "For Women Only" by Jeff & Shaunti Fieldhahn are incredible! Really great relationship insight. I highly recommend them.
I would love to win any of those books!
ember.l.wilson@gmail.com

[erin hesterly]

Hey Holly! I don't know you but read your blog a lot. Anyway I had this crazy dream last night about you and your husband. I dreamed you came to our house. And it was totally awesome and then I went into the kitchen to fix something or maybe just some coffee (i can't remember all the details of my dreams lol). So I'm in my kitchen and nothing is in the right place. I kindly call my husband in there and he tells me he reorganized everything for me. Well I was so mad that we got in this big fight in the kitchen...which you guys could totally hear. And I think it freaked you out a little and you left shortly after. And then I woke up. Crazy. But if you're ever in Chattanooga, TN and want to stop by we'll try not to freak you out! Lol.

With that said...I would also like to thank you for giving insight and refreshment to all of us who share in what could sometimes be called the chaos of life as wife/mother/pastor/etc. It's the chaos we love! :) Hope you have a great weekend!!

ehesterly@gmail.com

[Tabitha Lewis]

I LOVE Beth Moore too but I would love to do Kay Arthur's "Lord I Want To Know You!" I have heard wonderful things about her insight!

I enjoy reading your blog!

Tab : )

[Tara]

Would love to win one of those books!