I just discovered a plan for reading the Bible in a year that comes via daily EMAIL with a link to your chapters for the day.  You choose your favorite version and choose from several different plans.  I like the ASV, 3 chapters a day through the week and 5 chapters on Sunday.

Click here to check it out:  www.bibleplan.org

Now, don't get me wrong.  Nothing takes the place of the written Word in hand.  That is always my preference.  But when the days are crazy as they often are, if this helps me read the Bible then it is a good thing!

It's new to me so not sure how it's going to work out but it might be GREAT as:

1.  A daily reminder in my Inbox to read the Bible!  Imagine the guilt from hitting delete without opening that email each day or from watching them pile up in your inbox.    :o)  (see below for more on this)

2.  I can eat or hold a baby as I read without trying to also handle a book and worry about it getting ripped, spit or spilled on. 

3.  The words are BIG on the screen for these old thirtysomething bi-focaled eyes to not have to strain!

4.  If I get interrupted the chapter can stay on my screen all day long for me to read (and remind me to read) as I am able.

Making This Work and The Guilt Factor: 

My husband reads through the Bible in a year every year.  I aim to, but rarely meet that goal.  The most encouraging advice I've heard about this was from our former pastor.  He said "DO NOT always try to catch up with every chapter you miss but just pick up with that day's reading."   You will cover it again the next year and the next and the next, etc.  The guilt and stress of getting too far behind  to reasonably catch up can ruin the point of it all if you get too overwhelmed and give up.  So, I guess it's okay to hit delete on those emails sometimes.  But a little nudging bit of guilt can be good motivation, too.

Hope this helps! 

Andree Seu just wrote a very brief article in "World" magazine sharing that she now wears a headcovering in worship. http://www.worldmag.com/articles/13011

The number of hat and scarf-wearers in my church has recently doubled (there are now 10 of us).  I know there are denominations in Scotland where all of the women cover their heads in worship.  Occasionally we meet women in other Presbyterian churches who wear head coverings.  I wonder if this practice is growing in other denominations as well.

"For man is not from woman, but woman from man.  Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.  For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels."  1 Corinthians 11:8-10

Paul's reasoning for the command is based on the order of creation.  This is the same reason Paul uses to argue that women are not to teach men in the church.  Many modern commentators do not believe that an argument from creation has a universal application but at least they are consistent in both doing away with headcoverings and allowing women to teach.   To hold to one and not the other is terribly inconsistent.

Can you imagine worshipping as the Puritans did?  

I love the idea of worship that is simple, focused on God, and free from distraction.  *Picture a service filled only with psalm singing, prayer, reading of the Word, and preaching.  Imagine if there were no choir performance, no "special music", and no offering plate passed around. 

The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) is a denomination that has been around since the time of the Reformation.  They are now planting congregations in North America.   They have an order of worship that is unlike any other I have experienced.  If *this sort of worship service interests you, (or if distinctives such as exclusive psalmody, Sabbath observance, and head coverings for women during public worship make your ears perk up) go to their home page:  http://www.freechurchcontinuing.co.uk/index.htm

For more of the history of the Free Church click:  ABOUT US for history and click CHURCH LOCATOR to find a congregation near you (more are being planted so keep checking back).

Yesterday my husband went to morning worship and I went to evening worship as one of us needed to stay home with all five sick kids (just a cold but we don't want to spread it around).

So we sat in the living room with the kids and participated as much as possible in a worship service several hundred miles away . . . and no, not by watching television!  We really enjoy the LIVE worship service provided via telephone from Redeemer Presbyterian Church (OPC).  Goto www.redeemerbham.org for information about calling in from your cell phone or home telephone.  The only cost is your long distance per minute (course it's free if you have free long distance on your cell phone).  The times are 10:00am and 5:00pm Central Standard Time on Sundays.  You will want to use a phone that has a speaker option so everyone can hear, and if you press mute it won't cut out when your kids make noise. 

You can also access past sermons by clicking "ENTER" on their website home page.  They are currently searching for a pastor and there is a variety of excellent sermons and preachers listed there.

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BTW:  The cheapest long distance we've found is through the web at www.bigredwire.com  We pay less than 3 cents per minute with no other fees.  You just pay via credit card and all contact with them is online.