Genesis 7 - 9

Observations from this reading:

1. The animals entered the ark in in pairs of seven if clean or pairs of two if unclean. (Gen 7:2)
2. Ark held beasts, creeping things, and birds. (Gen 7:14)
3. Noah was 600 years old at the time of the flood. (Gen 7:11)
4. After all were onboard the ark, God shut the door. (Gen 7:16)
5. God gives man permission to eat every living thing. (Gen 9:3)
6. God's covenant was with man and very living creature. (Gen 9:9-10)
7. The covenant is symbolized by a rainbow in the clouds. (Gen 9:13-14)

About the photograph:
This photograph was taken near the lake by my house. We have a huge buzzard population. I always think of buzzards when I think of the flood. Just think of all that was left when the waters receded. Not a pretty picture.

Genesis 4 - 6

Observations from this reading:

1. There appears to be more people on Earth than the family of Adam. (Gen 4:14)
2. Cain built a city called Enoch after his son. (Gen 4:17)
3. Indication that man moved away from God until the birth of Seth's son Enosh. (Gen 4:25)
4. Enoch, son of Jared, did not die. He was taken away by God. (Gen 5:24)
5. Noah's sons were triplets. (Gen 5:32)
6. Man's lifespan was greatly reduced to 120 years. (Gen 6:3)
7. Giants were the children of the sons of God and the daughters of man.

About the photograph:
For some reason I have a fascination with gorillas, donkeys, and now buffalo. Seeing a herd of buffalo can really make you appreciate the phrase "be fruitful and multiply."

Genesis 1 - 3

Observations from this reading:

1. Everything began as water. (Gen 1:2)
2. Earth was first watered from a mist that came up from the Earth, not rain. (Gen 2:6)
3. "God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image,...'" (Gen 1:26)
4. "He created him; male and female He created them." (Gen 1:27)
5. Dust used to create Adam was not from the Garden in Eden. (Gen 3:23)
6. Man was intended to be vegetarian. (Gen 1:29)
7. Animals were intended to be vegetarian. (Gen 1:30)
8. Eve was described as a comparable helper for Adam (Gen 2:20)
9. There is no indication that the serpent saw Eve as easier to tempt than Adam (Gen 3:1)
10. Adam was with Eve while she ate the fruit and ate freely of the fruit himself. (Gen 3:6)
11. All three participants were punished for their part in the transgression. (Gen 3:14:19)
12. Animals first killed for the benefit of man. (Gen 3:21)

About the photograph:
When I first saw the scratches in the dirt, it was a dry day. Of course, on the day it struck me to snap a photo after my reading, it was a rainy day. The effect still makes me ponder about the first people and their struggles with being human.

Ready...Set...Go!

In the beginning...

This is the start of my biblical year and my journal to keep me focused on living a more Christian life. My goals for the year are to:

1. Complete a Bible - in - a - year course with a conscious effort to apply the readings to my daily walk. My Bible is the New King James Version by Thomas Nelson Publishers and I will be following the daily readings outlined in A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year by Diane Stortz.

2. Be a more attentive listener and a more thoughtful responder.

3. Avoid the pitfalls of idleness.

4. Make a photographic journal that illustrates God's greatness and my journey.

About the photograph:
The photograph above was taken today. The weather is playing havoc with the plants. Plants that should be dormant are ready to bloom.  That's how I feel after reading and marveling about God's creation...ready to bloom.