Recently something came up with my wife regarding This Is The Day in Psalms. I think that people don’t know what they’re singing about but I think she has a valid point in that not everything in the Psalms has just one single meaning.

A lot of times among certain people (not my wife) just sort of shrug their shoulders at things I think are very important. Sacred even. Many times online too, but actually more in person. It gets lonely.

And I wonder, how much of a theological perfectionist am I? How many meanings can certain passages have? When do I just let it go? When do I fight for rightly dividing the word of truth? Am I even able to?

I’m so sick of everything.

001.__Gen 1-3 __Mark 1-2 __Prov 1 __Ps 1-2
002.__Gen 4-6 __Mark 3-4 __Prov 2 __Ps 3
003.__Gen 7-9 __Mark 5-6 __Prov 3 __Ps 4
004.__Gen 10-12 __Mark 7-8 __Prov 4 __Ps 5
005.__Gen 13-15 __Mark 9-10 __ Prov 5 __Ps 6
006.__Gen 16-18 __Mark 11-12 __ Prov 6 __Ps 7
007.__Gen 19-21 __Mark 13-16 __ Prov 7 __Ps 8
008.__Gen 22-24 __Mark 15-16 __ Prov 8 __Ps 9
009.__Gen 25-27 __James 1-2 __ Prov 9 __Ps 10
010.__Gen 28-30 __James 3-5 __ Prov 10 __Ps 11
011.__Gen 31-33 __Gal 1-2 __ Prov 11 __Ps 12
012.__Gen 34-36 __Gal 3-4 __ Prov 12 __Ps 13
013.__Gen 37-39 __Gal 5-6 __ Prov 13 __Ps 14
014.__Gen 40-42 __1 Thess 1-2 __ Prov 14 __Ps 15
015.__Gen 43-45 __1 Thess 3-5 __ Prov 15 __Ps 16
016.__Gen 46-48 __2 Thess 1-3 __ Prov 16 __Ps 17
017.__Gen 49-50 __1 Cor 1-2 __ Prov 17 __Ps 18
018.__Exo 1-3 __1 Cor 3-4 __ Prov 18 __Ps 19
019.__Exo 4-6 __1 Cor 5-6 __ Prov 19 __Ps 20
020.__Exo 7-9 __1 Cor 7-8 __ Prov 20 __Ps 21
021.__Exo 10-12 __1 Cor 9-10 __ Prov 21 __Ps 22
022.__Exo 13-15 __1 Cor 11-12 __ Prov 22 __Ps 23
023.__Exo 16-18 __1 Cor 13-14 __ Prov 23 __Ps 24
024.__Exo 19-21 __1 Cor 15-16 __ Prov 24 __Ps 25
025.__Exo 22-24 __2 Cor 1-2 __ Prov 25 __Ps 26
026.__Exo 25-27 __2 Cor 3-4 __ Prov 26 __Ps 27
027.__Exo 28-29 __2 Cor 5-6 __ Prov 27 __Ps 28
028.__Exo 30-34 __2 Cor 7-8 __ Prov 28 __Ps 29
029.__Exo 35-38 __2 Cor 9-10 __ Prov 29 __Ps 30
030.__Exo 39-40 __2 Cor 11-13 __ Prov 30 __Ps 31
031.__Lev 1-3 __Rom 1-2 __ Prov 31 __Ps 32
031.__Lev 4-6 __Rom 3-4 __ Acts 1 __Ps 33
032.__Lev 7-9 __Rom 5-6 __ __Ps
033.__Lev 10-12 __Rom 7-8 __ __Ps
034.__Lev 13-15 __Rom 9-10 __ __Ps
035.__Lev 16-18 __Rom 11-12 __ __Ps
036.__Lev 19-21 __Rom 13-14 __ __Ps
037.__Lev 22-24 __Rom 15-16 __ __Ps
038.__Lev 25-27 __Col 1-2 __ __Ps
039.__Num 1-3 __Col 4-4 __ __Ps
040.__Num 4-6 __Phlm __ __Ps
041.__Num 7-9 __Eph 1-2 __ __Ps
042.__Num 10-12 __Eph 3-4 __ __Ps
043.__Num 13-15 __Eph 5-6 __ __Ps
044.__Num 17-19 __Phil 1-2 __ __Ps
045.__Num 20-22 __Phil 3-4 __ __Ps
046.__Num 23-25 __ __ __Ps
047.__Num 27-29 __ __ __Ps
048.__Num 30-32 __ __ __Ps
049.__Num 33-35 __ __ __Ps
050.__Num 36 __ __ __Ps
051.__Deut 1-3 __ __ __Ps
052.__Deut 4-6 __ __ __Ps
053.__Deut 7-9 __ __ __Ps
054.__Deut 10-12 __ __ __Ps
055.__Deut 13-15 __ __ __Ps
056.__Deut 17-19 __ __ __Ps
057.__Deut 20-22 __ __ __Ps
058.__Deut 23-25 __ __ __Ps
059.__Deut 27-29 __ __ __Ps
060.__Deut 30-32 __ __ __Ps
061.__Deut 33-34 __ __ __Ps

I still have the problem with needing to sleep a ton. I suppose if chronic fatigue doesn’t get better that’s just how it is except for the short cycles where I don’t need to. I sure switched from insomnia to hypersomnia pretty quickly.

The last two weeks have been better regarding reading already even though I crashed after the holidays in multiple ways.

I’m still working on spending less time on the internet and that’s been improving except for when I’m stressed. Then I just want to mess with people on their blogs and on FB.

My second honeymoon with photography has calmed down which is good. I’m not spending too much time with it or obsessing on it. It’s just something I can enjoy do when I feel up to it which is good. I can leave something on the memory card without having to process and perfect iit right away.

I couldn’t roast coffee the last two weeks and my wife will be out so I’ll be buying coffee for the first time in over five years! But it’s from my good friend who also roasts coffee.

I’m looking forward to reading James a zillion times, finishing Proverbs commentary, reading commentaries on last 3 OT books, Genesis (possibly), Psalms with a companion book and about four other books on the OT. How great the whole Bible is!

God’s been helping me accept where He has me with all of these problems but I still have a long ways to go and still need to learn to suffer better. I thought I had it down pretty good until the hospital. I’ve got two books on suffering coming and want to get J.E. Tada’s latest. Broken Things is OK but the accusatory tone is annoying. How does the author know I’m not doing something? I’m suffering but I do have strengths. And don’t call me friend when you don’t know me.

My wife has been so great. When I was down I kept thinking of her dying. I get into a dark mood and can’t get those thoughts out. God has done so much and she’s been obedient to Him.

Thought I’d write here and come back later in the year.

My reading plans have changed a little so I should write about that. I had this year planned out at the beginning of the year but had no idea I’d be having surgery.

I was supposed to be done with the OT by now but that will be delayed by about six weeks. I will only finish about 2-3 weeks early.

In addition, I feel like right now I need to read more about suffering and related issues like worry which have gotten out of control.

I just got done reading Unburdened (with a review on the main site soon as of this writing). Out of that I made a commitment to worry less but I need God’s help of course but also direction and some sort of structure theologically and practically. I’ve been doing well so far but it’s only been two weeks at the most and it hasn’t been tested in trials yet.

Right now I’m going to move on and read How Long O Lord by Carson. This is instead of reading OT related material. During and after the hospital was so traumatic and my faith was tested so much that I really need to be better prepared. I thought I was doing so well with all the books I’ve read on suffering, all the Scripture I have memorized, all the suffering I’ve done etc. I was almost prideful about it and then it really got tested and I failed miserably. I prayed and asked others to pray for spiritual matters as much or more than physical before the surgery and what I got was unexpected but I certainly got answered prayer and it will make me more Christ-like which is good.

By the time I’m done with the OT though I plan on my extra reading to be related to the OT. So I need to get a better action plan going for when big trials come up before then.

The extra OT reading will go well into 2011 instead of being done by the end of this year. So that’s the way it goes. No need to hurry.

I’m still sleeping so much because of medication even though I’m tapering that I haven’t been spending time with Greek. I must get back to that or it will slip too far.

I plan on reading:

• Haggai Zechariah Malachi
• Handbook on the Pentateuch
• Creation and Blessing (Genesis)
• Finding Jesus in the Old Testament
• Old Testament Theology by von Rad (possibly)

Then I plan on finishing up the NT commentaries which is Luke and Acts. I would guess that will take me to almost the end of 2011. In 2012 I want to start reading Calvin’s Institutes and study Colossians as thoroughly as I can. And just read books and books. Whatever I feel like. I’ll have to see about Professor Horner’s reading plan of 10 chapters a day which I want to do.

I’ve been reading Ryken’s Bible Handbook every so slowly. I want to be reading about whatever I’m reading in the Bible at the same time but I need to catch up.

Bible reading has been really good. I’m still reading a little ahead on that.

I still want to spend less time on the internet but there is so much to learn there too. I’m still more into photography lately and I’ve been learning a ton about digital processing and digital stuff in general. But I’m spending a little too much time there.

Sometimes I want to just chuck all the internet stuff and just read books and use the computer without all the internet stuff. But I know I won’t be doing that.

I’d like to finish the OT by my surgery on the 30th but I don’t think that will happen. That wasn’t a part of the original plan anyway. The surgery will set me back and I’ll probably spend part of 2010 on the OT. We’ll see how it goes.

I’m in a big blogging slump. Some of it is I don’t want to spend the time and some is just not knowing what to write about. I shouldn’t worry about it.

I’ve still be reading Mounce and now I’m going through the companion workbook to the Black book. I want to learn this stuff well although I could study it even more. So it’s been a long time since I’ve moved on from Chapter 18 but going through the workbook has been good. Since I got it as a review copy I should use it. I’m still a bit behind in vocabulary but getting better with the flashcards.

My renewed interest in photography and interest in digital photography is taking some of my reading time. I’ve been reading about technical, creative and software stuff. At some point around the middle of the year that will need to simmer down. My reading about the Bible time has been cut in half but I think that’s OK for a season. Bible reading is ahead of schedule so that’s why I want to be ready to get back to reading as much as I can when I finish the OT in the middle of the summer. I plan on a commentary on the last three books of the Bible, commentary on Genesis, Handbook on the Pentateuch and whatever else.

Reading the OT has been great. God’s hatred of sin and his holiness are what stick out. How disparate that is from our society, including Christians. Even the less exciting stuff is great because I know it’s inspired by God and we have the privilege of reading it.

My back and fatigue have been really bad. I often sleep for 2 1/2 hours during the day and my back keeps me even from concentrating at its worst. It’s starting to scare me. I can’t read as much when I’m sleeping so much but sometimes I literally can’t stay awake.

Because of that I’m doing less reading about Bible stuff. Devotional type stuff is uncompromised but I’m not reading as much extra stuff and I don’t like that.

So I’m frustrated, somewhat excited, enjoying photography a lot more again but very impatient. It’s an uncomfortable mix right now. A prickly spot. I just have to do a little each day and not be in a hurry. I wish I didn’t need so much sleep and had more energy with a good back.

I’m doing the last two chapters of Ecclesiastes for our Bible study. I love that book. I want to be more content and more humble in acquiring knowledge and wisdom.

I’m going to read and review Why Is God Ignoring Me? I’m not sure if I’ll like it.

I’m reading Numbers now. The OT has been great. How much God hates sin is very obvious this time around. And he not always all nicey nice like most people seem to think. I need to blog about what I’m reading but I just haven’t been wanting to spend the time.

Still reviewing Greek vocab and rereading much of the book. I should be moving on in about a week.

I also have the workbook and would like to spend more time with that and reading Mounce’s book but I just don’t have time/energy to spend doing that much. Maybe after I get the vocab solid. I really need to utilize the workbook to get at it from different angles.

It’s been too long since I’ve written. I finished the commentary on John. I read The Prayer of the Lord and How To Enjoy Your Bible which I’ll be doing reviews on. Both were more introductory than I thought and have their problems but were very good. Sproul seemed to get providence and provision mixed up which was strange. And even worse, he used the old Greek dynamis being like dynamite analogy! I lost some respect for his scholarship.

Reading the OT has been great. I’m about 11 days ahead at this point. I should be done with it by mid-summer instead of the scheduled Sept. 24. I’m trying to decide if I should finish off my NT commentary reading of Luke and Acts now or wait until next year. If I do it now I really want to get them done by the time I’m done reading the OT. The rest of the year will be spent reading the Handbook on Pentateuch, some OT theology, Finding Jesus in the OT etc.

Right now I’ve been reading some free chapters from books on intros to the Pent. and reading intros in the ESV and NLT SB’s.

I requested a commentary on Ps and Prov from Tyndale after I saw Jim West review it. That would be great. I want a 3 volume set and 2 vol. set respectively but that would use up more than my book budget right now just for two books of the Bible. I really want something for Proverbs though.

I’ve been feeling a little better lately. The switch from the generic to name brand of the main med has been helping. I wish I knew that 6 months ago! It’s so expensive but almost anything is worth it. Back pain has been a little less. Still a miserable life but so much to be thankful for.

Debating with myself about my wife wanting me to get a good camera like when I was a pro. My last two photo ‘sessions’ with the cats were SO frustrating! And because of the camera and flash, not the cats for once.

Talk to myself later…

I really lagged in reading the commentary on John in December and am still reading it. I really wanted to be done with it by now.

I started reading the OT using NLT 24/7. Fascinating. I wanted to be open minded about others views and try to see what they see but things I hadn’t really noticed before stuck out and I only stengthened my own fairly literal view. I don’t know if I dare post on that or not. I may read two days worth every now and then, especially when I’m done with the commentary on John, although I still have Luke and Acts to read.

I’m reading Mounce’s Greek grammar in addition to studying Black’s and it has been helpful. It slows things down but I’ll learn more thoroughly.

I started reading The Prayer of the Lord by Sproul during our trip and will finish and review it when I’m done with John. Then Learn to Enjoy Your Bible. It was really nice to write to a publisher I hadn’t heard of and have them agree to send me a book for review.

I’m still recovering from Christmas travel and seeing people. It takes me so long to recover it really annoying. I can’t do too much reading/studying either because that takes energy which is something I’m learning about chronic fatigue. I’m learning to pace and realize how much is too much with exercise and mental stuff. Greek is good for the brain though and will help keep me young.

I forgot to review Greek verbs! I don’t know how, I just forgot. I’ve been reviewing words and my noun, definite article and adjective conjugations are fine but for some reason I neglected verbs. So I got myself in such a mess I had to spend three days just concentrating on verbs. Not just remembering them, but going back and reading how and why they’re formed the way they are so that they make sense to me. I think I’m OK now and am ready to move on to chapter 15. I’ve learned my lesson.

Polishing God’s Monuments was very good. Some of it was a bit cheesy and some was a little preachy with really basic advice but much of it was exposition of the OT related to suffering which I love and was very good. I don’t know if I’d want to read it again but there are some quotable quotes so don’t get rid of the book.

I’m reading through Matthew again in the HCSB and will read through John in the NLT and then read Carson’s commentary on John.

I think I’m going to read the NLT Mosaic devotional starting Nov. 29.

I’m halfway through Black’s Greek grammar and want to use the workbook more. I have to write a review of the book which will be difficult.

That was the longest commentary I plan on ever reading straight through.

I may do a post on the main blog.

Esteban encouraged me to read and study Greek for the Rest of Us because I like to read commentaries and it would help me learn some thing about Greek that might help me to better understand what they’re talking about in NT commentaries. I learned more about why translations are different and a bit about exegesis than about Greek partly because the book wasn’t organized in a way that was easy for me to learn from.

So I decided to actually learn some Greek and started with Croy’s grammar. After getting almost a third of the way through I got a review copy of Black’s grammar and decided to switch to that. I’m a third of the way through that now.

At this point now I can finally better understand what they’re talking about in commentaries when they comment on the Greek. I even know quite a bit of the vocabulary. Even though I only plan on going through beginning level I won’t stop here because I’d like to be able to read some Greek at a beginning level.

So, I’m encouraged that it has helped me a bit with my original intention. I hope to be able to use a Reader’s Greek NT by later next year. I don’t know if a beginning level will help with exegesis or not. What do you think?