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2024 90-Day Challenge

Here we go again... As a quick follow up to my last post, I did finish the 2023 90-Day read-through-the-Bible challenge, but it was sometime in August, not quite 90 days from January. Well, I decided to take on the challenge again for 2024. I started early, in December, to get a head start. I also decided to NOT use the Amplified version this year and instead decided to use ESV (English Standard Version). One other thing: I decided to read it using a chronological order. This means I’m reading how things would have happened chronologically in history. For example, books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles run simultaneously with Psalms, Proverbs, and prophets like Isaiah. At the time of writing this entry, I’m in Jeremiah 51. I think I’ve been in Jeremiah for a couple weeks. That’s my 2024 read-through-the-Bible challenge update.

2023: 90-Day Challenge - Day 45 - Halfway there!

It has been very difficult, but I’m halfway there!

FAITH

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. -Hebrews 11:1 KJV Two names:  Michael Butterfield and Greg Koukl. Mike and I became best friends during our first week of orientation at BIOLA. Throughout college, Mike daily went on and on about someone named "Koukl" (pronounced like “coke” + “ull”). What's a Koukl?? Well, it wasn't until a couple years after graduating -- during my year-long stay in Australia, where I listened almost daily to Stand to Reason lessons Mike shared with me -- that I truly appreciated the knowledge and wisdom of this Mr. Koukl. Throughout the lessons, one of the things Koukl pointed out to his audience was to have a correct understanding of the word "faith." I present how I would define it (using a bit of his words and a little bit of my own): FAITH is reasonably believing and trusting in something; it is NOT hopeful wishing; it is NOT a blind running to something; it is a solid belief and trust.

2023: 90-Day Challenge - Day 8

 Leviticus 7-14. Laws and regulations. How-to guide for sacrifices and health standards. Food and safety. Skin ailments. Atonement. Handling uncleanness.

2023: 90-Day Challenge - Day 7 1/2 - Leviticus

 Exodus 35-Leviticus 6. Yep. Read Day 7 and some of Day 8.

Cinematography: “Poison” Alfred Hitchcock Presents

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Late the other night, I caught a glimpse of an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode called “Poison.” I didn’t watch the whole episode, but I was amazed at the photography. There was one particular scene where two characters were discussing something important, and I was mesmerized by the composition and lighting, not to mention the performance of the two actors. I found  another blog   that delved into the details on that episode. Interesting. I didn’t realize it was a Roald Dahl story.

2023: 90-Day Challenge - Day 6 1/2

I read the required plan reading for today and halfway through tomorrow’s (Day 7). Thus, why this entry is titled with 6 1/2. Exodus 16-34. “4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. “15 When the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. “31 The house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16‬:‭4‬, ‭15‬, ‭& 31‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi: for he said, Because