Introducing...the Jonita & Jesus Project

This past weekend, I saw the movie Julie & Julia and it inspired me. Like one of the lead characters (Julie Powell played by Amy Adams), I am approaching a milestone birthday. And I find myself in a place where I’m definitely happy, but if I’m totally honest (with myself and anyone reading this), I don’t always feel fulfilled or passionate about work, life, or even the God I’ve known most of my life…so I’m shaking things up a bit!

Here’s what the Jonita & Jesus Project is all about:

The assignment: Read the entire Bible in one year and blog about the experience.

The deadline: August 14, 2010 (I’ll be almost 30 when I’m done—OH. MY. GOSH!)

* Note: I’m starting this assignment on August 15...which is after this initial post...mainly to work out a few logistics. Also, the reading plan I’ve chosen works best for those starting on the 15th or 30th of the month.

The details:

• I’ve chosen the Message version of the Bible for its simplicity—with the hope that other people will join me in this project.
  
  
• I’m intentionally NOT reading chronologically. I’ve chosen a 365-day reading plan that get s to the heart of the story first (mainly so that anyone else participating doesn’t get lost in Numbers or Leviticus off the bat…if you know what I mean). :)
  
  
• I’m not a Bible scholar. My reactions and thoughts on the text will be based on my interpretation and experience. (Though over the past 24 years or so, I have learned some things at church and school that may show up here, too.)
  
  
• I will try to respond to comments. But as I mentioned above, I’m not a scholar or able to answer all questions about the Bible. And I do have a day job.
  
  
• I will make it easy for you to join me. With each post, I’ll list the passages I’m reading. You can also create your own plan at BibleYear.Com. If you don’t have a Bible, check out Bible Gateway online.
  
  
• I’m not even going to try to be objective. I’m a person. And any time people are involved in reading, writing or interpreting anything (the news, weather, fashion, art…and definitely the Bible!), there’s an element of our personal perspectives that affect what we write and how we interpret. As I approach the Bible, I’ll view it from the standpoint of, “I believe this is truth. It’s God’s Word—His message to me and you. I believe this book is relevant to my life and my faith today. And I believe there are some things here I won’t understand…and that’s okay.”
  
  
• I’m praying (a lot!) and thinking of you throughout this project. I’m hoping that through this process, I’ll be changed for the better. I’m hoping that I’ll be humble and transparent and “tell it like it is” honest. I’m praying that I’ll be focused and stick to this challenge. But more importantly, I’m praying that anyone who reads this blog gets to know God and His thoughts more than me and my thoughts—that this project will stir up our personal passions for actually knowing a personal God.
  
  
  This project is designed to share (at least) two life-changing stories—mine throughout this process and the greatest story ever told. But it’s my hope that more than two life-changing stories are shared throughout this journey. I’m praying that destinies are changed forever.
  
  Talk to you soon!