Happy new year! It’s that time again. Looking back, I did a little better last year than the previous year with reading and Bible study, but I want to do even better in 2016. So, here are my plans:
- More Bible Study/Reading – there are a few ways I’ll be accomplishing this.
- Ligonier Connect – this is a service provided by Ligonier Ministries. $9 a month gives you access to classes/seminars given by R.C. Sproul, John Piper, and many others. It is an organized structure that lets you take notes, take quizzes, and give you access to study guides. I’ve taken a couple of courses and I love it. I’m currently doing a series of four Bible Survey courses. I plan to continue doing one a week, and the required reading for those courses will take me through the Bible in about a year. And I’ll take other courses alongside those throughout the year.
- The Forgotten Way – a specially released book written by Ted Dekker. With an explanation of what the “forgotten way” is, and a little insight into Dekker himself, the book then offers 21 meditations on the forgotten way of Yeshua (Jesus).During the month of January I will read through the introductions, then do one mediation per day.
- Holy Land Moments – This is a “The One Year” devotional, published by Tyndale. Written by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein and Dr. Tremper Longman III, this devotional gives “inspiring reflections on scripture from a Jewish Rabbi and a Christian theologian.”
- Read More Books
- Review Programs – I’ve gotten active in my review programs again, and I hope to keep it consistent through the year.
- Fill in the Gaps Challenge – I technically started this last year, and only read one book on the list, so I will be working to catch up.
- New Releases – There are actually a few new books I’m waiting for this year. That hasn’t happened in a while.
- Write More – I wrote not one new word in my novel last year. Not one.
- The Novel Planner – I’ll be organizing my planner this weekend. I’m really hoping this will help me keep on track.
- The Pre-Write Project – Before I dive back into writing, I’m going to build my world, characters, and plot more fully. I purchased the pre-write project to help me with that. I plan to do this through January.
- Word Count – Because I have a full-time job, I need to be realistic about my daily word count. I’m setting myself at 250 words per day. If I can get more written, great! But the goal is a minimum of 250.
- Read about Writing – I have several books about different aspects of writing. I plan to read (or re-read) a few of those this year as I write.
And that’s it. The goals are fewer, but the planning and steps to follow are more extensive. Here’s to a more organized and more productive 2016!
Jess Boudreaux 