In the beginning...Part 1

Well.
It has clearly been some time since I have taken the energy and time to write a blog post.
I haven't blogged since the completion of my undergrad, as the monstrous beast that was my master's degree seemed to swallow much of my time, energy, personality, social life, and figure.

Now I find myself 3 weeks in to my third degree (oh Kelsey, you over-achiever you!), a Bachelor of Education degree, and with the occasional time on my hands. I thought to myself, Kelsey, what would be the most productive use of this time? Learn Spanish? OK. Try and continue writing that 'novel' I began last summer? Maybe. Then I came across a program on CBC Radio, one about a guy at odds with his Jewish background who decided he would read the Torah (the old testament) and write about his perspective on it as he proceeded. Listening to his excerpts, I found it clever and moving, an honest analysis of what Judaism and the Torah stood for in his life.

Now, I've had a rough academic year. I've also had a crazy spiritual one. I've dealt with some serious family issues, and had my faith rocked hard by people I admire very much, intelligent and caring people who strongly challenged my faith and God's word. It's hard to hear from people you admire in many ways that they think you are lost and clinging to ideas that imprison you.
God has been doing great works in my life; My niece Lily's birth and full recovery from a scary birth defect being one of a great many miracles I have been a witness to in the past few months. No matter how many times I turned my face from God, the truth of His greatness roared in my ears. I have been humbled and redirected. Blessed and uplifted.

But now what?

I read. A lot. I often just buy whole series of books, because I find after a year or two, I can revisit my favourite series and find new and amazing imagery or story lines I had missed the first time around. So, why can't I do this with God's word? I've certainly been reading my Bible, jumping from book to book, looking for a little direction in my morning fellowship with God, but it hasn't quite been meaningful enough to feed me.
However, thinking on that CBC Radio program, I realized I could do the same...explore God's word a few chapters at a time, from beginning to end, in a way that would allow me to discover new and amazing imagery or story lines, allow me to grow closer to my Father, and keep me accountable to delving into God's word. Then I got to thinking....why not blog about it? Posting a link to my blog on facebook allows my many friends to see this journey and reflective experience, and may speak to a few of you who really do see the world so differently than I do.

And so, I dedicate this exploration of God's word to my beautiful and wonderful non-Christian friends, who have kept me honest and loved me through good and bad times. I cherish you for the people you are, for the people you may some day come to be, and pray that you find answers of your own in my words.