Genesis 1-3; Proverbs 1:1-7

New Year, New Blog. Please join me at the new Loving God Center blog.

Monday's Bible Reading: Genesis 1-3; Proverbs 1:1-7

A new year begins at the Western Wall . . .


A new year begins at Times Square . . .

Psalms 1-2

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 1-2

Revelation 11-22; Proverbs 31:10--31

Saturday's Bible Reading: Revelation 11-22; Proverbs 31:10-31

Today's reading is longer than usual because I forgot to post last Saturday's reading in Revelation. The Ackerman family celebrated Christmas here last Saturday, so I was somewhat distracted.

Thankfully, our family did not end up in fist fight over how to clean up after the celebration as did the priests at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Malachi 3-4; Proverbs 31:1-9

Friday's Bible Reading: Malachi 3-4; Proverbs 31:1-9

Malachi 1-2; Proverbs 30:21-33

Thursday's Bible Reading: Malachi 1-2; Proverbs 30:21-33

Zechariah 13-14; Proverbs 30:10-20

Wednesday's Bible Reading: Zechariah 13-14; Proverbs 30:10-20

Zechariah 10-12; Proverbs 30:1-9

Tuesday's Bible Reading: Zechariah 10-12; Proverbs 30:1-9

May the peace of Christ abide with you on this blessed day and throughout the coming new year.

Christmas Night in Jackson, Wyoming

Zechariah 7-9; Proverbs 29:21-27

Monday's Bible Reading: Zechariah 7-9; Proverbs 29:21-27

Psalms 149-150

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 149-150

Zechariah 4-6; Proverbs 29:1-7

Friday's Bible Reading: Zechariah 4-6; Proverbs 29:1-7

Zechariah 1-3; Proverbs 28:15-28

Thursday's Bible Reading: Zechariah 1-3; Proverbs 28:15-28

Haggai 1-2; Proverbs 28:1-14

Wednesday's Bible Reading: Haggai 1-2; Proverbs 28:1-14

Zephaniah 1-3; Proverbs 27:15-27

Tuesday's Bible Reading: Zephaniah 1-3; Proverbs 27:15-27

Today is the 300th birthday of hymn writer Charles Wesley (1707-1788).

Wesley wrote many hymns about the love of God, including one of my favorites: "And Can It Be that I Should Gain," which includes these words:

Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Wesley also wrote, "Jesus Lover of My Soul" and "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," which includes words that are fitting for the Christmas season:

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down;
fix in us thy humble dwelling;
all thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.

Today's Bible reading in Zephaniah touches on this theme:

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing. —Zephaniah 3:17

Habakkuk 1-3; Proverbs 27:1-14

Monday's Bible Reading: Habakkuk 1-3; Proverbs 27:1-14

Psalms 146-148

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 146-148

Revelation 6-10; Proverbs 26:17-28

Saturday's Bible Reading: Revelation 6-10; Proverbs 26:17-28

Micah 6-7; Proverbs 25:15-28

Thursday's Bible Reading: Micah 6-7; Proverbs 25:15-28

Micah 4-5; Proverbs 25:1-14

Wednesday's Bible Reading: Micah 4-5; Proverbs 25:1-14

Micah 1-3; Proverbs 24:23-34

Tuesday's Bible Reading: Micah 1-3; Proverbs 24:23-34

Jonah 3-4; Proverbs 24:13-22

Monday's Bible Reading: Jonah 3-4; Proverbs 24:13-22

Psalms 143-145

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 143-145


The Sinai Mountain Boys, a bluegrass band of Orthodox Jews, performed at Kennedy Center on 4 December to begin Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Click here to go to the Kennedy Center website and find a link to watch the full concert.

Here are some related verses from today's Bible reading . . .

I will sing a new song to you, O God;
on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you . . . —Psalm 144:9

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness. —Psalm 145:3-7

Another of my favorite verses from today's Bible reading is fitting for the Christmas season.

Part your heavens, O LORD, and come down;
touch the mountains, so that they smoke. —Psalm 144:5

Click here to read a Christmas devotional I wrote about a similar passage in the book of Isaiah. (Note the reference to Mount Sinai.)

Revelation 1-5; Proverbs 24:1-12

Saturday's Bible Reading: Revelation 1-5; Proverbs 24:1-12

A worship song inspired by the Scripture in today's Bible reading . . .
Click here to hear the tune.

To Him who sits on the throne
And unto the Lamb
To Him who sits on the throne
And unto the Lamb

Be blessing and glory
And honor and power
Forever
Be blessing and glory
And honor and power
Forever —Revelation 5:13

Jonah 1-2; Proverbs 23:29-35

Friday's Bible Reading: Jonah 1-2; Proverbs 23:29-35

Obadiah; Proverbs 23:12-28

Thursday's Bible Reading: Obadiah; Proverbs 23:12-28

Amos 7-9; Proverbs 23:1-11

Wednesday's Bible Reading: Amos 7-9; Proverbs 23:1-11

Today In Jewish History —from Aish.com
25 Kislev
In 165 BCE, the Maccabees defeated the Greek army and rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Finding only one jar of pure oil, they lit the Menorah, which miraculously burned for eight days. Also on this day -- 1,100 years earlier -- Moses and the Jewish people completed construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that accompanied them during 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Tabernacle was not dedicated, however, for another three months; tradition says that the day of Kislev 25 was then "compensated" centuries later -- when the miracle of Chanukah occurred and the Temple was rededicated. Today, Jews around the world light a Chanukah menorah, to commemorate the miracle of the oil, and its message that continues to illuminate our lives today.

Amos 4-6; Proverbs 22:17-29

Tuesday's Bible Reading: Amos 4-6; Proverbs 22:17-29

Happy Chanukah.
Click here to learn about the Jewish Festival of Lights.




Visit The Kotel and make a donation.

Amos 1-3; Proverbs 22:9-16

Monday's Bible Reading: Amos 1-3; Proverbs 22:9-16

Shopping that makes a difference . . .

Wintley Phipps, John Newton, and Amazing Grace!

Psalms 140-142

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 140-142

2 John; 3 John; Jude

Saturday's Bible Reading: 2 John; 3 John; Jude