2023 Bible in a Year Plan

2023 Bible in a Year–Complete

Great news!  Yes, I completed my 2023 Bible in a Year reading plan on New Year’s Eve, 31 December 2023 right on schedule.  As I mentioned in my update on 7 September, 2023 was a most hectic year for me with some unexpected travel, sickness and of course the double hernia surgery in early August.  But I’m very happy to say that I didn’t miss a single day of my reading, devotion and prayer time.

I can’t say enough good things about the Father Mike Schmitz, Bible in a Year reading plan.  As I had mentioned in one of the first blog postings about wanting to try to read the Bible cover to cover during 2023, I had tried reading the Bible many times before.  But never had been successful until I heard about Father Mike’s reading plan.  For me, his reading plan provides the necessary structure in bite sized portions where I felt each and every day, just one step closer to achieving my goal and I did it!  As a matter of fact, it felt so good to accomplish this goal that on New Year’s Day, I started it all over again.  So yes, my goal for 2024 is to once again use the Father Mike Schmitz, Bible in a Year reading plan and do it all over again.

Just like rewatching a favorite movie a second time where you pickup things you didn’t see the first time, already in my 12th day I’m discovering tidbits of information which I didn’t understand the first time.  This time around I’m also dedicating additional time during the day to listen to his podcast episode of the day where Father Mike reads the scripture and provides additional context.  I’m finding this to be most beneficial to my overall Bible study.  I really wish I had done that last year.

I encourage everyone to check out the Father Mike Schmitz, Bible in a Year reading plan which you can register for here.  I would also encourage you to download the Ascension app where you’ll also find his daily podcast episodes.  For me, it works better to first read the daily plan and then listen to the podcast.  Give it a try!  I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Until next time…

Fratus tuus in Christo,

Jerry

January 12, 2024 by General 0

2023 Bible in a Year Progress

Despite having some unscheduled travel, sickness and surgery the past few months, today marks the 250th day of 2023 and the 250th consecutive day in which I’ve set down to read the daily readings in the Father Mike Schmitz, the Bible in a Year reading plan. 

There have been a few challenges thrown at me that could have derailed my efforts, but I’ve found a way to keep up with my daily readings. 

Back in early May both my wife and I came down with Covid.  While our symptoms were similar to the flu, I developed a deep chest cough and infection which eventually led to a bi-lateral inguinal hernia. 

Then before I could actually have the surgery, I had to fly to Texas unexpectedly to visit with my Dad who was hospitalized after a heart attack.  Needless to say, I found plenty of time at the hospital to read and pray and my dad was blessed with a speedy recovery and back home after about  a week in the hospital. 

Three weeks ago I had my surgery to repair the hernia and was back home resting later that evening.  Once again I found the daily readings and prayer to be most helpful in my recovery time. 

I look forward to the next 115 daily readings and the completion of reading the entire Bible in the year 2023. 

Until next time…

Fratus tuus in Christo,

Jerry

September 7, 2023 by General 1

Developing a Habit

A few days ago I mentioned my goal to read the Bible daily throughout 2023 and complete it all by the end of the year.  I also discussed where I had attempted reading the Bible many times throughout my life, even sometimes before I became a Catholic.  Each of these previous attempts simply failed because I didn’t have a plan and I didn’t allow enough time to develop it into a habit and a routine in my daily life.  Of course we can certainly spend a lot of time talking about bad habits, but for this writing I want to talk about developing good habits.

Experts who have devoted their life to studying human behavior refer to the 21/90 rule regarding habits.  Basically, it is understood that it takes 21 days to create a habit and 90 days to make it part of your daily life.  So as I apply the 21/90 rule to my 2023 Bible in a Year Plan I’ve certainly met the 21 day mark of creating the habit and I’m over half way to making it a part of my daily life.

Of course, being retired has its advantages.  Specifically to my daily Bible reading, I’ve blocked an hour in my morning to devote to reading the Bible and reciting my daily Rosary.  I find reciting the Holy Rosary immediately after my Bible reading to be the perfect time.  As a point of reference, I began reciting my daily Holy Rosary in the fall of 2019 and haven’t missed a single day since and based on the above mentioned 21/90 rule, I actually look forward to and even crave this very important part of my daily routine.

Finally, I believe the best advice I could offer to anyone who wants to develop habits for prayer and devotionals is to start off small.  What I mean by that is pick something such as reading the Bible, praying the Holy Rosary or even praying the Liturgy of the Hours and slowly work towards the time it takes to make it a daily habit. You’ll find that once it becomes a formed habit, it is much easier to introduce something else to your daily prayer life.

Until next time…

Fratus tuus in Christo,

Jerry

February 20, 2023 by General 0

2023 Bible in a Year Plan

In all my 56 years, while I’ve tried several times, I’ve never actually read the Bible cover to cover.  Of course, I’ve read particular chapters/verses, but never with any success have I been able to complete the entire Bible.  As 2022 was coming to a close, I began thinking about some goals that I wanted to accomplish for 2023 and reading the Bible was at the top of my spiritual list.  I researched a few different options which I found online and decided that the Fr. Mike Schmitz: The Bible in a Year plan was the one that appealed to me the most.  I signed up via the Ascension website and within a few minutes had received the reading plan via email.

Today is the 48th day in the plan and I’m happy to report that I’ve been successful at finding 20-30 minutes each day to sit down and carefully read each of the daily readings.  The really wonderful thing about Fr. Mike’s plan is he also provides his Youtube video podcast series which follows the reading plan with a daily video.  While his series is designed to start on 1 January, you can begin your own journey to reading the entire Bible in a year at any time.  The Fr. Mike Schmitz: The Bible in a Year reading plan is absolutely free and may be obtained by registering here.  If you’re like me and have struggled to read the entire Bible, I believe this plan will help you and I highly encourage you to begin today.

Until next time…

Fratus tuus in Christo,

Jerry

February 17, 2023 by General 0