It looks as if it’s taking us all week to really get going into the New Year, so before launching into observations from Genesis and other life lessons, let’s have one more challenge: this one from Heather Holleman, December 31:

If I could pick two:

Since most everyone considers New Year’s resolutions today—as they prepare for 2023—I thought about the two essential practices that I would start if I were telling a younger me what to do: I’d commit to daily reading the Bible (and journaling what I learned, prayer requests, and gratitude), and I’d take a daily walk. That’s it. Bible and walking.

I couldn’t live my life without Jesus and growing in my faith through reading the Bible. And the daily walk keeps a body healthy to live a life of service and love to others.

That’s a good word. Daily walking and daily Bible reading. Again, I’ll be using the 5 chapters per week plan in the Pentateuch that June and I designed. Join me!

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 9.25, NIV, emphasis mine)

Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4.7, 8, NIV)