We are one week into Bible 180 and I am thrilled for each of you reading with me… yes, even those of you still stuck on Day One as much as those who are absolutely on track. (I belive in you!! Double up and catch up this week!)

Each of you made a commitment to yourself to read and now, at our first check point, is the time to check in with you before you check in with me and think about how you feel about all of this.

How is the reading going schedule-wise? Are you making time in the right spots in your schedule to make this happen? Do you need to make a few adjustment so that you can sustain this for the rest of the year? Are you right on track?

How is the reading going content-wise? Is the content along the lines of what you expected? Has it been easy to absorb? Hard to absorb? How are you doing with the mission to read not study? Are you journaling? Underlining? Just reading or listening?

And for my big question:

Why are you reading the entire Bible in 180 days with us?

Think about that last question, please.

What is your why?

For this week’s check-in, please leave a comment below letting us know WHY you are reading the entire Bible in 180 days with us. This helps me to understand, but it also helps you to internalize your purpose and journey more… and the more you can do that, the better you will be at succeeding.

Once you know and have left a comment, please take it one step further and write it down on a piece of paper you can set in your desk, your bathroom mirror, or on your TV so that you see it and are reminded of your goal and your reason. I want you to complete this goal and I know you can… but it will get challenging. This is one step you can take to drive your success.

So… what’s your why? Let us know.

Ready for Week 2?

Here’s the schedule:

There’s copy of it in this week’s Bible 180 Resource Doc. In addition to the reading schedule, there is an overview of the Old Testament timeline for easy reference and a few reflection questions in there, too. Download it, print it, and READ READ READ!

Big hugs and bigger prayers,

Amy

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I’m Amy, and I’ve guided thousands of people in reading the Bible cover to cover through the years, mostly in just 90 days. This time, I’m offering a 6-month plan that I crafted to make it easier to fit into everyday life and to give the content time to settle in a bit more.

A key to success is a touch of accountability. I offer that in two ways:

1. A free daily email from me, where I send you the day’s reading assignment, encouragement, tips for reading, and sometimes ask for a quick response from you via email so I know you are with us. (Once you sign up, be sure to search for the confirmation email and click the link in it to confirm your subscription.)
2. These weekly check-in posts, where I ask you to leave a simple comment to let fellow readers know you are a part of the group and how you are doing.

Each week, I will post resources here on MomsToolbox to help you as you read. I will share

• the weekly reading schedule
• a printable PDF with extra resources (and the reading schedule so you can check it off as you read). Go ahead, check out this week’s resource here: Bible 180 Week 1 Resource PDF

All you have to do is read… and let me know you are here. (I’m creating all of these resources for you for free. All I ask is that you commit to doing the reading and then let me know you are, in fact, reading. Seems like a pretty good trade-off!)

Reading the Bible is a massive task. You will be so amazed when you turn that last page and have read the WHOLE thing. You wil be amazed as you read and things start to click. You will also be amazed, angry, and frustrated at times. And it is worth it. I really was in tears of joy the first time I finished… and then shed tears of joy again with groups that I have guided over the finish.

Stay with me and you will have read every word by December 27. You can do this. I will be here every page of the way.

So…. who is in? Please drop a comment below and let us know you are here. Bonus points for telling us what part of the world you are from and why you decided to join us for this read-through. And if you really want to succeed, sign up for the daily emails, too. You’ll get them starting the day you sign up, from where we are in the reading, not day one, so don’t delay!

Big virtual hugs,

Amy

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Bible 180 kicks off Wednesday and, to get you ready here’s a pretty simple, but critical question:

What Bible will you read? And do you have it ready to go?

If you’ve signed up for the Bible 180 emails (it’s free, Yo) I will provide the reading schedule each day. You can choose any translation of the Bible you prefer to read. Or, yes, if you want to listen, you can do that, too.

To be successful at this, it’s important to be intentional and be prepared.

SO: Will you listen or read? Will you use a digital Bible or a physical one? And which Bible will it be?

If you haven’t made this decision yet, NOW IS THE TIME!

I’ve read the entire Bible cover to cover (several times!!), and I have found that the best one for me is an NIV Thinline. (I even bought a brand new one for myself for this reading. I’m pretty excited!!)

“Why NIV Thinline?” you may ask…

Well, it is compact, uses a readable font size, and has minimal footnotes and cross-references. 

We have a LOT of reading ahead of us. To get it all done, you really do need to focus on the reading part of what we are doing and let the studying part go. Footnotes and cross-references can get anyone caught up in lots of ideas competing for your time. Save the researching and cross-referencing for later. We are just READING for the next 6 months.

So, study Bibles and life application Bibles are great. But one with minimal footnotes really is better. This is one I bought:  NIV Thinline on Amazon. 

(That is NOT an affiliate link.) It’s $11, it’s compact. And it’s the perfect one for this task. A few years back, there was a similar Bible that Ted Cooper used for Bible in 90 Days. Eventually, Zondervan even published a 90 Day version at his urging. For this task, I’d go with this one.  But don’t let the decision to purchase a new Bible stop you. If you have one at home you’d rather use, go for it.

So… what Bible will you use? Will you listen or read? Will you use a digital Bible or physical book? And which Bible will it be?

Get ready for the read of your life!!!

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You are embarking on an exciting and challenging mission very soon! This is something that you should not take lightly.

To get every single word of the Bible read takes a lot of dedication and commitment. Yes, it will only take you 30 minutes a day, but on some days, that will be harder than it sounds right now.

I hope you have already signed up to get the daily reminder and reading assignment emails from me. That’s a FANTASTIC start. But wait, there’s more..

I’ve got a tip that has helped thousands to read the Bible successfully:

Use the buddy system. Think of your friends and ask one to be your accountability person. This person should be someone who will look you in the eye (or send you a pointed text) regularly and ask you how you’re doing. And you will feel compelled to answer honestly.

Just knowing that you’ve got that check-in will help you on days that you feel like putting it off. And, believe me, you do NOT want to be putting your reading off.

As you get ready to read with the group, think about this: Is there someone who could be your accountability buddy? 

This person does not have to be reading with you.  (Of course, you can invite them to read, but that’s not a requirement.) They just need to be somebody that you know will hold you accountable. 

Who can check in with you? Who can be your accountability buddy?

Get brave. Get bold. Ask a friend to help… and increase your chances of completing the Bible, cover to cover, in 180 days.

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Day 21: 2 Timothy 1:7

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

WRITE:

Take time to write the verse out on paper, either in your journal or even just a scrap of paper.

Go back and underline any words that may be key for you.

REFLECT: 

God equips each of us with a spirit of power and love and self-control. It is up to each of us to choose to engage those powers rather than let fear and chaos drive our actions and thoughts.

Looking back over the past 21 days, if you have been here with us for the full 21 Days to Calm, how has this program impacted you? How have you responded to circumstances around you? Were you calmer? Were you more chaotic? Were you the same as you have always been? Why do you think that is so?

I know I have handled the twists and turns thrown at me much better than I had in the past. Was I always perfectly calm in the face of every stressor? No. But I was absolutely markedly better. Seeing that in myself was pretty exciting. And makes me want to continue placing this as a priority.

PRACTICE: 

When anxious thoughts arise, pause and recite: “I am filled with God’s power, love, and self-control.” Then proceed.

Also, think about how you can carry this program forward. Can you go back and use these posts and the scripture again for another 21 days? 

I’m working on ways to make it easier for me to do just that. If you would be interested in strategies to do that, please let me know. (You can always access all of the posts on MomsToolbox.com)

Thank you for joining me in these 21 Days to Calm. I pray it has helped you see a power within you that comes from the Holy Spirit, that you can call on for power, love, and self-control daily.

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Day 20: Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

WRITE:

Take time to write the verse out on paper, either in your journal or even just a scrap of paper.

REFLECT: 

God’s presence brings strength and courage to face any situation. 

PRACTICE: 

Place your hand on your chest and say, “God upholds me today. I am not alone.”

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Day 19: Psalm 56:3

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

WRITE:

Take time to write the verse out on paper, either in your journal or even just a scrap of paper.

REFLECT: 

This verse gives you a simple pathway through fear: turn it into trust. God doesn’t ask you to pretend you’re not afraid — He asks you to bring your fear to Him. When you shift your focus from what worries you to the One who holds you, peace begins to rise.

PRACTICE: 

Each time anxiety surfaces today, pause and say, “Lord, I trust You with this.”

Let that short prayer become your steady rhythm, gently redirecting your heart back to Him.

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Day 18: Psalm 29:11

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

WRITE:

Take time to write the verse out on paper, either in your journal or even just a scrap of paper.

REFLECT: 

Looking back over the past 2 weeks, have you experienced more peace and calm in your life as a result of this daily practice? He has blessed me with peace as I have paused and asked for it. I pray this has been the same for you. 

PRACTICE:

Breathe slowly innnnnnnnnnnnn and outttttttt.

Ask for peace.

“Lord, bless me with your peace today. Strengthen me where I feel weak.”

Thank Him for the peace that is to come, or has arrived.

“Thank you so much for your peace that sometimes transcends understanding. Thank you that I know that, in you, I can find peace.”

SHARE:

Has this helped you? If so, please share with someone who could use some more peace in their life. :)

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Day 17: Colossians 3:15

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

WRITE:

Take time to write the verse out on paper, either in your journal or even just a scrap of paper.

REFLECT: 

We are called to peace. Peace doesn’t just happen; it takes intention and effort, a reframing of thoughts and energies. We can choose peace, and work towards it, or let chaos choose our course for us

PRACTICE & PRAYER:

Father God,

Thank you for this reminder that it is a choice as to what rules in my heart. I choose peace. Please guide me in that pursuit. Help me to pause and recall beauty you have shown me when I am feeling frazzled. Help me to slow my breathing when things become tense. Help me to remember that I can be in control of my mind and my responses to things around me, or I can give into the chaos. Thank you for that.

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Day 16: Psalm 52:8

“I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.”

WRITE:

Take time to write the verse out on paper, either in your journal or even just a scrap of paper.

REFLECT: 

This is one of my favorite, calming verses. When I read it, I think of wind blowing gently, leaves rustling, and gorgeous trees flourishing. I think of being firmly rooted and flowing gently. I think of peace and love and provision. 

What about you? What visions or feelings does it bring to you?

PRACTICE:

Visualize a beautiful row of olive trees. Think of their strength, their beauty, and the peace they provide in their shade. Picture yourself in that company of those trees, flourishing.

Then perhaps, think of God’s love surrounding you, too.

Write this verse on an index card to carry with you for when you need to pause and bring a peaceful image to mind.

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