This year our church has adopted the theme “Stay Strong,” and we are focusing on one chapter per week Bible reading plan. It’s a simple plan that focuses on more in-depth study and meditation as opposed to speed reading the whole Bible. I am going to attempt to create a Bible Journaling Template each week as we work through this study. As you all know, I’m not great at following through on big projects like this. I get bogged down in the “day to day” stuff far more often than I like to admit. So, we will see how this progresses.

However…weeks 1 & 2 are done! Happy Dance! So I will share the first one here today!

Our first chapter is Ephesians 4, which is often known for the ONEs…One Lord, One Faith, One baptism. But as I read through it, I was drawn to one thought – Unity. This chapter was about living as one with each other. How do we do that when we all are so different, with different backgrounds and lifestyles? “Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.” It seems so simple, right? I will be at the head of the line for “humble and gentle” training. Far too many times, I fall on the “blunt” side of things and am often guilty of using honesty as my justification. I’m adding this verse to my prayer journal to help remind me throughout the year, that blunt honesty is not the answer. Humble, gentle, patient words of love should be my goal.