Guest post by Kimberly of Raising Olives
If you are participating in the Bible in 90 Days challenge, today you are on Day 18 and should have read through the end of page 216 in the Bible in 90 Days Bible or through Judges 15:12.
At the end of this post, I’m going to ask you to report in either with a blog post or a comment and let us know where you are in the reading. Before then, Kimberly from Raising Olives is going to share with us how her entire family is participating in the Bible in 90 Days challenge:I enjoyed Toni’s post about her “how-to” plan to complete the challenge and thought that I would share our plan for reading through the Bible in 90 days. One of the beauties of being a Christian and a child of God is diversity. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, talents and gifts. What works for one person may or may not work for another, so here is our plan for the 90 Day Challenge.
The participants in our family are my husband Mark and our 4 oldest children, Amber (13), Kaitlin (12), Matthew (10) and Alyssa (9). Amy enabled us to get off to a solid start and to be more consistent with our reading by posting, “What’s your time trade-off?” She pointed out that if we are going to spend an hour each day reading the Bible that we would have to give up time on other things.
Thanks to that advice we began with a plan. We’ve always had a half hour of individual Bible reading and prayer time in the morning, but we needed another half hour. We now begin school a little later and the children give up some of their afternoon free time and I give up some blogging time.
We read our Bibles first thing each morning and it’s a family activity. I usually rise first, grab a blanket and a cup of tea and begin reading. I’m joined by the others within the first 30 minutes. All those who are able to read, read their Bible during this time (several of them are not doing the 90 Day Challenge). 
Our two youngest (1 and 3 years) usually snuggle with me under the blanket for a few minutes and then play quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) in the room with us.
Those who are unable to finish during the hour that we have scheduled take the first portion of quiet time (immediately after lunch) to finish up the day’s reading. (Mark finishes up at night.) I’ve found that, for myself I need to finish my reading in the morning, so I get up and begin before everyone else to make sure that I can finish before the day really gets going.
We read our Bibles with pens and paper and when we come to something that strikes us, that we have a question about or that we don’t understand we jot down the chapter and verse and a quick note and move on. Then during breakfast and our Bible time during school and sometimes during dinner, we discuss our questions, ideas and thoughts about the morning’s Bible reading. This has led to some wonderful (and interesting) discussions and has given us new insight into our children’s spiritual lives.
Here are a couple of the questions that our children asked this week.
“Why did God tell Balaam to go with the men if they asked him to go and then when he went with them why was God angry?” (Numbers 22:20-22)
“In Deuteronomy 24:16 God says that children shall not be put to death for their father’s sin, but then I thought about Achan. Achan was stoned with his wife and children for his sin. (Joshua 7) Why?”
It’s a precious blessing to see our children thinking about and pondering God’s Word. A special thanks to Amy for the time and effort that she has put into coordinating this, it has been a time of blessing and special fellowship for our family.
Thanks, Kimberly, for sharing that with us! I am super impressed and moved by your whole-family involvement!
So… what does everyone else think? And how is your reading coming along?
If you are getting a little too far behind, please check my latest post on catching up. If you are getting frustrated, give yourself a time-out to breath, pray and jump back in. You can do this. It isn’t easy… but it will be worth it.
Have you made the time to listen to Jack Modesett Jr.’s week 3 audio message? What did you think?
Please leave a comment or a link to your own post below to let us know where you are in the reading and any observations you would like to share. You must click on the words “Click here” to see the list of links.
Powered by MckLinky
Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…
After linking or commenting, please pick two or three other commenters and pray for them by name.
And, of course, don’t forget to join us for our Tweet-Up tonight from 8-9 CST. Just follow me and use the #B90Days hashtag.
PS: Yes, I’m up-to-date. You can see my Day 18 Bible in 90 Days post here.
Like what you've read? Subscribe and have it delivered to your inbox everyday!
Are you reading the Bible in 90 Days with us? Consider subscribing to the daily email newsletter from the Bible in 90 Days ministry, too!
Hi! I'm Amy, and it is my goal that MomsToolbox would offer you the tools you need to grow as a mom.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Bessers –
Here is very quickly how my husband and I answered our kids questions.
In regard to Balaam God had already told him ‘no’ once, so perhaps God’s anger afterwards is indicative that Balaam already knew that God did not want him to go. This seems to possibly be supported by the fact that when God rebuked him, Balaam does not say, “But you told me to go.” Rather he quickly repents.
Another thought we had is that God says, “If the men have come to call you,” but Balaam “arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey”. We wondered if perhaps he should have waited for them to ask him again. Just a thought that we had.
In regard to God’s law and Achan. It says that Achan had buried the forbidden treasure in the earth beneath his tent. It seems that his family may have known about his theft since he had to dig a large hole in the middle of the tent and bury everything in it.
Those were some of our thoughts. Hope they get you thinking. :)
I owe great apologies because I forgot to check in last week, and I’m a day late today. I’m so sorry!
Good news is that I’m still on track!
Sherry´s last blog ..Weekly prayer – Sleep
Sorry I missed the tweet-up! I forgot with the holiday. We had a 4-day weekend (teacher inservice on Friday), which really threw off my normal schedule for reading. Because of that, I’m 3 days behind. I’m hoping to get caught up fully by tomorrow evening.
kriswithmany´s last blog ..The bible in 90 days – #2
I apologize for the late check-in! With the holiday it didn’t seem like a Monday…
I am still on track.
Amy Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Glad you’re on track.. I think the holiday threw a few off on check-in. :)
I am really enjoying reading with everyone. I have fell behind in my reading. I usually read at night when my girls go to bed but that is proving to not be the best plan. I am going to switch up and read during their nap time and do my house work at night or in the morning. I am not letting myself get frustrated b/c this is really something I feel is important for me to do. I plan to get caught up today! Thanks Amy for everything you are doing to keep us motivated!
Christina S.´s last blog ..11 Day Check-In
Amy Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 11:23 am
It sounds like switching it up might be a good plan for you. So glad you are sticking with it! :)
I enjoyed the guest post. How wonderful to do this as a family. I am caught with my reading. I am also doing Kay Arthur’s Covenant study right now. So reading through the Bible in 90 days at the time it really amazing. God is really showing me so much about Himself.
I am up to date. We got sick this weekend and I had two days where I was a little behind. But I got caught up now.
I found that I have done better with all of the locations & places if I have my study Bible with me & look at the maps as I read it. Then I can really read attentively – otherwise, I just wanted to skim past all of the boundaries of the tribes. :)
Well, ok, I’m only on Day 16. I’ll admit it. I was on Day 14 yesterday though so I’m working on catching up. I read a lot Sat. night (thanks for Amy’s prayer), Sunday, and today.
I am so bummed! I forgot about the Twitter meet up. Having the day off really messed me up. Oh well, I am still up to date and still seriously surprised at some of the stuff I’ve forgotten.
stacy´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days~Day 18
I have just a little bit to finish for today’s reading. I got behind last week while out of town for a funeral. Now I’m just about caught up. I hope to get a little bit ahead in case I need a grace day later on.
I am all caught up now lil man went back to sleep and I got to finish my reading before time for a feeding :) Thanks again for leading us all on this incredible journey!
I love seeing all those kids reading their Bibles!
I am right on schedule. Enjoyed reading about Samson this morning.
Cassandra´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days – Day 18
I am right on track- day 18 today. My blog post that I linked was from yesterday, so it says day 17.:-)
I think the family reading is a great idea!
Leah´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days- Day 17 Check In
I was out of town for work last week and had to use one of my grace days. I was really upset about it at first, but quickly realized the pride in my heart that was being confronted. I was bragging to my husband when I started that I was actually going to do it in 88 days instead of 90. Using a grace day on day 14 was humbling.
I am really enjoying the reading and look forward to it! I have started breaking it into 3 reading sessions (upon waking, when the kids nap and just after they go to bed at night.) This works well for me and sometimes I finish early.
Tracey´s last blog ..Would You Knit A Scarf For A Teen?
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Sounds like you are doing well. Don’t beat yourself up… you can probably make it up in no time and give that grace day back, anyway. :) I’m glad you are sticking with it.
Wow – I am not up to date again – I thought I would be – but two days behind again. I didn’t catch up this week, but I didn’t fall farther behind, so that is good. I am further behind on the SOAP, but I am determined to keep doing that. I find by having to do that – I am paying attention to what sticks out to me. I could just read and not stop, but I am glad I am trying this way – even if it takes me a little longer.
Lyn @ BelleBearBerry´s last blog ..90 Days: God gets His point across
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Sounds like you are doing well.. if you keep to 2 days behind the whole time (no more) then you’ll finish right on time! (There are 2 grace days.) If you can, though, add a few pages here and there and you’ll be up to date.
I am up to date. I got in a good discussion with my hubby and missed the Twitter meeting tonight. I LOVE reading the Bible at this pace for a change. I am finding myself using every spare minute to read the Bible and wondering why I never placed this much priority on it before – and I’ve been a Christian nearly all my life. The best part is, my children, ages 4 & 2, are now following my example and picking up their Bibles more often and “reading” them and asking me to read more Bible to them. Thank you so much for hosting this! I am so glad I found out about it! I think in the future I may host this at my church. I also was very inspired by this post and the photos today. I would love to do this with my kids when they are older. Even now my 4yo will sometimes sit and listen to 4 or 5 chapters. Also since doing this and also making some other life changes, I feel like I am seeing so much more of the fruit of the spirit in my life. Praise God!
I would love for Kimberly to share how she answered her children’s questions. Those are some I’ve pondered as well!
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
I am so glad you are enjoying this as much as you are.. it is pretty incredible, isn’t it?!
I’m still up to date with my reading — It amazes me as I realize who the God of the OT really was, Someone who was feared and rightly so. And what really gets me is that He has not changed He is the same yesterday, today and forever! I am so thankful for the grace of a Most Holy God who allows me to have relationship with Him not because of me, but because He loves me!!
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Pretty incredible, don’t you think?! I’m so glad you are enjoying your reading with us. :)
Checking in from SoCal! Just finished reading Day 18! (I read during my toddler’s naptime!) and my husband, David will be finishing his reading in the evening. (He prefers to read after the children are in bed.) :)
Loved reading Kimberly’s post and was so encouraged to hear that even her 7 year old was able to read each day; I’m thinking that the next time I do this (and I definitely will as I’m enjoying it so much), I will include my three oldest children!
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Fantastic! Way to go!
And I found Kimberly’s story quite inspiring, as well!
Just got caught up NOW! Busy, busy weekend, but am ready for our twitter meeting tonight.
Nicole
Nicole Ross´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days Check in: Day 18
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Glad you are caught up! :)
I loved this guest post and the pictures of all the children reading together. Wonderful! It really helps to have my daugher reading with me. We are still on track.
I read through the end of Judges. I’m on vacation without the kids and used the extra time to get a little bit ahead.
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Sounds fantastic! :)
I still have to do today’s (day 18) reading. Morning reading does not work for me so well. I am not a morning person at all. So I have been doing my reading in the afternoon at night. I have had a few days that I didn’t get that days reading done but the next day I just did 2 days. I am enjoying this immensely!
~Amber
Amber´s last blog ..Free Anti-Bacterial Soap with any $10 Purchase at Bath and Body Works
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
awesome!
Twitter: Ruthinthedesert
January 18, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I’m keeping up, though I’m not blogging every single day. My usual routine is several devotional books every morning and a few Psalms, maybe a chapter from the gospels and Epistles, and the Divine Hours ecumenical prayer book. For this 90 Days I am just reading the Bible in 90 Days, the Divine Hours, and Catherine Martin’s Set My Hope in God–which is a study on Psalms. I don’t always get the Set My Hope In God read in the morning, sometimes it waits til afternoon.
RuthintheDesert´s last blog ..Praising through the Bible: Encouragement in Deuteronomy
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Wow! You are really rockin’ and rollin’!
I just read through Judges 17 (I wanted to finish the story!). It’s been great so far. I started the Week 3 lesson, but haven’t listened to all of it yet.
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Wooo-Hooo! Fantastic!
I plan to complete today’s reading this afternoon, but otherwise I am all caught up. It’s interesting reading the Bible in chunks of 12 pages versus just 2-3 pages. I have read the Bible using a one year plan once before, but I think I like doing the 90 day plan better. I feel like I am gaining a bigger perspective.
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Glad to hear it! I know reading it this way has definitely given me a different perspective. :)
I’m all caught up….with the exception of today. Alarm did NOT go off this morning, so I didn’t have time to read before getting ready for work. I WILL, however, read my Day 18 tonight before bed so that I’m all caught up for tomorrow.
Amy´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days updates and such
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Yikes! Hang in there!
Still working on today’s reading but that’s normal for me – some reading in the morning & then finishing up in the afternoon/evening as time allows. Thanks for the encouragement. I’m already seeing the fruits of this in church & small group discussions. I can’t imagine the impact it will have once I’ve finished the whole thing!
Kristin Solomon´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days
Amy Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Fantastic! It sound as though you are doing really well!
Glad you are seeing the fruits of your ‘labor.’
I’ve linked up twice in a row because the first link didn’t work, though I copied and pasted from my blog’s browser window :S I just checked the second link but it didn’t work either! When I copy and paste it somehow adds an extra ‘-’ in my URL and so it doesn’t work! I don’t know how to make it stop this, but the two links to my latest blog update are not working in the linky thing :(
Here’s my blog link:
http://arthursmummy.blogspot.com/2010/01/bible-in-90-days-monday-update-day-18.html
I’m on track!! :D
Alice´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days – Monday Update (Day 18)
Loved reading about how you’re doing things at your house, Kimberly. We do our reading at night as that’s what works for us. (We do devotions at night, so this is a natural extension of that habit.)
Thanks for the encouragement as we start to see things get a bit more difficult with the passing of days during this challenge.
Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads´s last blog ..Keyboarding for the Christian School Review