A Tourist in Babylon

[touristinbabylon]

Day 60 - Failure

Yeah. 

So I don’t feel so great about this. 

I have thoughts but I’m not sure how to write them up and I’m struggling with the whole transparency thing as I think through those thoughts. Perhaps we lie to ourselves to protect ourselves from the uncomfortable truth. 

I said at the start I’d be honest. And I will. I’m just a tourist here in Babylon. 

I’m certain that the mirror of God’s Word has actually shown a lot about where my heart is at and this is a good thing. If I had done nothing 60 days ago, I’d be 60 days older and no wiser. 

Day 60: I’m going to finish this. Goal revision to come. 

[touristinbabylon]

Day 59 - Procrastination

I don’t like failing very much. I found myself, at various times today, procastwashing, procrastinapping, procrasticleaning, and more...

I hate the idea that tomorrow, the challenge will time out and I won’t be ready. 

I hate the idea that I wasn’t able to do what I set out to do. 

I hate the idea that the only real reason I wasn’t able to do that was me. 

More on that tomorrow I think. 

Day 59: Sad face

[touristinbabylon]

Day 58 - Broken

Promise that is....

Today I slept, went to church, slept again and went to church again. 

I should have done more. 

I didn’t though. 

Two days left. 

Day 58: Zip

[touristinbabylon]

Day 57 - Thinking

That’s what I’ve been doing. Rush back to Brisbane, back to reality, back to the family and fun. 

But I’ve been thinking. A lot. 

I’ve also been thinking about the challenge, the planning, and mostly about the doing. More on that later. 

Day 57: Tomorrow.... I promise.

[touristinbabylon]

Day 56 - Shalom

You were made to bring peace and wholeness to a tumultuous and broken world. You do not need to wait for conditions to be perfect to start doing this. 4 days left. I need to double check my maths but I think Tuesday is D day. Oh dear ... Day 56: none

[touristinbabylon]

Day 55 - Praise

I'm so so tired. But my God is good. He is love. Day 55: zilch

[touristinbabylon]

Day 54 - Pain

The gap between awesome days in the Presence of God and knowing that it's killing this challenge. Planetshakers Awakening conference has been legendary. No reading done. Day 54: nothing.

[touristinbabylon]

Day 53 - Home

When you're away, home feels better. I love travelling and I hope to never lose the wonder of life and living. But I also like home. I love my people. No reading today. This is going to be a big week with many thoughts not related to my Bible challenge. Tonight's: the Bible says that God can do infinitely more than what we can ask or think. What are you asking for? How big are your thoughts? Day 53: zip

[touristinbabylon]

Day 52 - Travel

I’m off tomorrow to Planetshakers Conference 2016. 

It hit me today that with my schedule of the last two weeks, I’ve really killed my chances of finishing on time. Seriously, what was I thinking?

I’m still trying but I need to be reading at least an hour a day to keep up with the minimum.... and I’m almost two weeks behind. 

I’m so looking forward to a few days of uninterrupted time seeking God but it really is crunch time. Much to do. Very little time. 

Day 52 - Crunch time

[touristinbabylon]

Day 51 - Camping

I feel like I've been camping in Isaiah for days. It's been great to think about a piece of scripture more than a few minutes but it certainly is killing the chances of me finishing on time. Well, Isaiah isn't. My own schedule is. I haven't slept at home for three days... Day 51: nothing.

[touristinbabylon]

Day 50 - Back

Back into reading that is. Continuing through Isaiah, I sat on the back steps in the cool mid morning and loved it. Of course, I my concentration was oftentimes ripped from its delicate moorings and floated out into the sea of who knows what but I stuck at it. I love how much of Isaiah is dedicated to clear hope for the future. The message is that, despite coming consequences, God is not far off. In fact, he is right there, ever present and willing to save. It is those that wait upon the Lord that will rise up. It is a wonderful thought in the midst of a life that often feels like someone did actually slip the mooring lines some time in the mid twenties... Day 50: Isaiah 30 - 43

[touristinbabylon]

Day 49 - Good

That’s what we call this Friday. Good. Interesting.

I am a great dinner and he is a great saviour. That is good.

Day 50: oh no….

[touristinbabylon]

Day 48 - Run

I made it to the Easter long weekend. 

Time to remember and to rest. 

I might even get back on track with my challenge. It is no longer a jog to the finish. It’s a run. 

Good thing I like running. 

Day 48: Zippo. Well, nothing towards the challenge anyway. It’s hard to go a day without reading something from the Word. 

[touristinbabylon]

Day 47 - Idea

The idea of this challenge was cool. 

It is a challenge though. 

No reading today. 

11 hours at work. 2 hours at church. Doesn’t leave much left for life. 

Now for sleep. 

Interestingly, I had some cool ideas during worship. I should tell you about them sometime. 

Day 47: Some in Matthew, some in Luke.... nothing towards the challenge. 

[touristinbabylon]

Day 46 - Stacking

That’s what my reading is doing while I survive the piles of work I must do. If I can make it to Good Friday, I’ll be winning!

On another note, pretty sure I miscalculated when I would finish this challenge. I’m going away for a conference next week... That is going to throw a spanner in the works. 

Day 45: Tejeringo

[touristinbabylon]

Day 45 - Nothing

Today is the first day that I’ve read nothing and felt guilty about it. 

I’m not sure where the guilty feeling comes from. Perhaps it is because, despite having a hilariously busy day (parent teacher interviews etc) I could still have found some time. 

I don’t know. I do know that He is a a good, good Father and that He won’t ever reject me because I couldn’t ‘do’ enough. While it isn’t an excuse, it reminds me of my position as His child. 

Tonight, despite the nothing, I rest in that. 

Day 45: Noodle.  I am concerned at how far behind I am at this stage. I did say that it was more important to take it all in and all but I do like to complete challenges. I guess it is just going to be very challenging...

[touristinbabylon]

Day 44 - Peace

I always find Sundays refreshing. It is a chance to turn my heart once more, without distraction, to God. 

I am tired from the work of the term and not overly enthused by the idea of three days of parent teacher interviews. But today was refreshing. A return to peace. 

The chapters that I read today were a return to peace plea made by God. Interesting that God, so grieved and angered by His people’s behaviour, never gives up. Each horrible prophecy declares that there will be a return to the promised land, a return to His presence. A return to the peace He has promised. 

I pray for peace this week. 

I need it.  And I want it. 

Peace out. 

Day 44: Isaiah 23 - 29