Taking a Leap of Faith - Reading the Bible in 90 Days - Day 1

This is the first step in my 2011 resolution/commitment to discover my faith.

I've joined nearly 700 other online enthusiasts to read the entire Bible in 90 days. Today is day 1. Here is 
the bio I shared with others in my accountability group this morning.

To learn more about this awesome (read: free!) program, follow this link.

A year ago I accepted a part-time position as Director of Christian Education at my church where I’ve grown up (Fremont United Methodist Church). Over the last year I’ve come to realize I’ve simply followed in the footsteps of my parents and need to find the relevance of my own faith.

Even though I attend church regularly and volunteer where my gifts and talents are needed, I consider myself an infant in my Bible knowledge and Christian understanding. I’ve spent much of my time determining important adult studies for our church members but have discovered I’ve neglected my own needs. So here I am. Starting with the basics. Allowing myself to be vulnerable in my knowledge and understanding of faith, yet a leader of our church.

I made an attempt to read through the Bible throughout high school but mostly I skimmed the passages in an effort to cross this task off my list each night. Now that I’m a few years older (a-hem) I’m making a commitment to myself to dive in, learn and eventually share what I’ve learned with my family and others.

Oh yeah, I’m in my mid-30’s, live in beautiful western Michigan with my handsome husband, Ben, of 15 years and our two awesome boys – Corbin (9) and Owen (5).

I’m also passionate about leading a healthy lifestyle and am a certified Weight Watchers instructor. (80 pounds gone forever in 2006).

I’m looking forward to creating a spiritual network and anxious to discover God’s plans for me on this important faith adventure!

Healthy Blessings,
Sara Beth

Resolution or Commitment?

For me, January means considering my resolutions for the year ahead. While resolutions are often made with good intention (to lose weight, exercise more, spend less) I feel I should back up my resolutions with something stronger - a commitment. After all, resolutions are meant to be broken, right? They are little more than a wish with wings.

This year I find faith discovery at the top of my Resolution-Commitment list. 

I consider my understanding of faith to be very limited and am resolving and committing to spend the next year adding depth and understanding to my faith. I don't fully know what that means yet but I have come to understand that only God knows my full potential and he is leading me toward the best version of myself. 

So I'm committing to be more intentional about prayer, Bible study, conversations with others, reflection and worship through reading, listening, studying, serving, giving, sharing, building and leading. 

I intend to be a version 2.0 of myself at this time next year.

Does your list of resolutions include faith discovery in 2011? It's not too late to add to your list. Let's worship, study, stretch and grow together. Share your story with me!

Blessings,

Sara Beth

God-Spotter

One of my responsibilities on family road trips is to keep watch for big machines - tractors, construction equipment and other monstrous motorized oddities. I love to hear the delight from my two young boys and often my husband as we marvel at these machines - the bigger, the better.

Recently I was riding along with a new friend and she was passionately describing something to me when I glimpsed a mega-machine ahead. Immediately I interrupted her and pointed out the monstrous vehicle as I wondered what its purpose was. Suddenly I realized I had morphed into another role for another time and apologized for the interruption. By then we were both gazing at it and tried to guess its purpose. 

I found myself wishing my family were there to witness my "find" and wondered about its job. Its tires were huge!  It was painted construction yellow, had a cab on top, a cavernous bucket on the front and easily stood over four stories tall.

I couldn't help wonder how neat it would be if I had a look-out guide with me to point out acts of faith as they occur - regardless of their size. From a thumbs up for a job well done, to carrying groceries to the car or bringing someone flowers and other random acts of kindness, wouldn't it be neat to have our own God-Spotter?

Perhaps today you will become extra aware of faith in action - and maybe point it out to others. Perhaps you will even be the blessing someone has been praying for.