MUSINGS May 2008

We are asking everyone at Faith Community to read the New Testament and pray each day. Beginning on Pentecost Sunday, May 11, we are asking everyone to read one chapter a day of the New Testament and to pray. Included with this newsletter you will find a schedule of readings so that we can all read through the entire New Testament. You will notice that we begin with the Gospel According to Mark. That's because Mark was the first gospel to be written and gives us the oldest gospel recording of the events of Jesus (the letters of Paul are older than any of the gospels, but they don't tell the story of Jesus and his ministry).

So plan now for how you will create the time to be able to read one chapter of the New Testament every day. For some the best time will be first thing in the morning. For others it will be in the evening or last thing at night. Think about what time will fit best into your schedule.

Often people decide to read the Bible all the way through. They start off in Genesis where the story is exciting and easily holds their attention. Then they read Exodus which is pretty interesting with the escape from slavery and the journey to the Promised Land. By the time they reach Leviticus and Numbers they find the reading pretty difficult. That's where most people lose interest, I think. In general the Old Testament is much more difficult to read than the New Testament. So we are starting with the New Testament and the gospels and reading about what God has done in the life and ministry of Jesus, the Christ.

Please post the scripture reading schedule on the refrigerator door and make your plans to read with us all the way through the New Testament.

RJH