Welcome, fellow readers!
With much joy we welcome you to the DWELLING in the Word blog, an outreach of Mount Carmel Ministries in Alexandria, Minnesota. Together, we are reading through the Bible in about three years. We do this because we believe that the Word of God has untold value in our lives, both for now and for eternity. As Christ said in Mark 13:31 (NIV) — “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
So we are treating the Word of God with a serious love — not that we are burdened or dutiful, but with joyful hearts, since the Word teaches us about the One who loves us best. We will not take the readings in big bites, but slowly, savoring the stories and the people and the events. We have no rules, no deadlines, no requirements; we offer this only as invitation to abide in the Lord, and to dwell in his Word.
Each week we will post five readings for that week, usually about one chapter each. The overall plan is to go book-by-book through the Bible, often alternating Old and New Testament books, and interspersing chapters of the Psalms throughout. (We begin with the book of Genesis, and then read the Gospel according to Matthew.) You can start at any time, in any chapter.
In addition to the readings, we list other resources for you which complement the text. They may be artwork, or music, or literature, or movies, or humor — meant only to offer you a deeper immersion in the ideas of the Word. We hope that the additional resources will lead you to consider more fully and more carefully the Truth that the Bible portrays. Frequently we will post reflection questions to help that process along.
This blog also has a place for your comments. We want to hear from you about your experience with reading the Scriptures together in an on-line community. What have you found useful and challenging as you have grown in faith? And please share additional resources with us! So don’t be bashful — send your ideas to all of us about what you are learning and about how we can make this blog more helpful.
Our residence in the Word of God is a kind of journey: we are, step by step and day by day, on our way to God. At the same time, God is with us each day! Our goal is nothing less than complete change. We want what the Lord promised to the prophet Ezekiel (36:26), “ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
Mark Nepo, in his book The Exquisite Risk, writes:
“To journey without being changed is to be a nomad.
To change without journeying is to be a chameleon.
To journey and be transformed by the journey is to be a pilgrim.”
Lord Jesus, thank you that you are the Word made flesh. Help us, as we read the Bible now, to open our eyes as you show us who you are, and who you want us to be. Transform us into your likeness, for the sake of your eternal kingdom. Amen.
Once again, welcome. Now — take your time. Enjoy the Scripture. Be more and more at home in God’s Word and his love.
DWELLING in the Word with you,
Rebecca Mitchell and your friends and fellow pilgrims at Mount Carmel Ministries
http://www.mountcarmelministries.com
Images courtesy of:
pink heart. http://www.mixedplateblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/Pink%20Heart%20Pin-Iglubu.gif
I am very impressed with the design and content of your blog. (Of course, how can you go wrong with God’s Word?) I forwarded your “Dwelling in the Word” invitation to the Gloria Dei E-Mail Prayer Team (100+ households) with the encouragement to check it out. I’m eager to hear what kind of response I get.
Thank you, Mount Carmel Ministries!
This is another awesome Gift of God from Mt. Carmel. I will make sure it is linked to our website and I will follow Heidi’s example and send it on to our prayer chain. Thanks for sharing this gift.
Wow! It’s reverent, thought provoking, and holy. And at the same time your presentation is funny, entertaining, and created extremely professionally. The communication of God’s word is so clear. A heartfelt thank you.
How do I keep track of where I have been and where I am going? I love everything I have seen and don’t want to miss out on anything.
Thank you.
Dwelling in the Word is very well done. Reflections, art and music are all supportive of the message. This
is a blessing to us.
Wow, this is great. I love the artistic additions to enhance understanding and appreciation of the scripture. It works for days I am interested in the words of the Word and other days when I need the input of other sources to help me “get the picture.”
And best of all I can access it anytime. This is important since I work 12 hour night shifts, and frequently cannot make daytime things at my home church. Thank you!
What a wonderful way to spend time in the Word everyday! I look forward to each reading and LOVE the additional content, which gives context and further reflection to the scripture. This is beautifully done! I will be sure to let others know about DWELLING in the Word.
I start my morning by reading and listening to DWELLING in the Word. I shared this with my daughter, who travels extensively in her work. She has found DWELLING in the Word to be a wonderful way to begin her day wherever she is. THANK YOU!
Hello,
I love your site. I wanted to start from the beginning, Genesis 1 and move forward. Can you help me navigate your site?
Thanks!
Adri Melander
Hi
The words of God’s love we pass on to others is a gift
and outreach to others. We may be that special touch
that changes theire day.For God so loved the world.
I just wanted to say thank you for letting me know about the link at the top of the page. Coming to your site is much better than the email, especially concerning the music. I am wondering how many other people would prefer just getting a link in their email as opposed to the whole blog. God bless you for everything you do !