Author Archives: chadzaucha

Good morning and Happy New Year!  We pulled into the driveway at 12:01 AM (3:01 EST)  after our flight from Atlanta.  I had every intention of sleeping-in this morning as Zac is preaching, but I am awake, so let’s get busy.

I listened to a John Piper talk recently about Jonathan Edwards.  He said that Edwards methodically tore every page out of a Bible so that he could insert blank pages between each Bible page for notes.  Edwards would be very jealous of our computers and the ability to cut and paste.  I am going to try to create my own Edwards Bible as a Word doc.

Just a note about our journey:  My plan is to share primarily what I am hearing from God in regard to application and not so much a discussion/debate about technical issues of interpretation (though I imagine these will come up from time to time).

The theme of today’s reading seems to be fruitfulness.  In Gen. 1:22 God told the animals he created to be fruitful.  In Gen. 1:28 He told Adam and Eve to be fruitful.  In Psalm 1:3 we read about the Godly person who yields his or her fruit in season.  God calls His children to be fruitful.  So, what does a fruitful life look like?  I believe the fruit is…

1. Internal – The Fruit of  the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). 

2. External – Saving lost souls

3. Eternal – John 15:16 (NIV)  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. 

I am definitely not content with my current fruitfulness.  This is a big prayer of mine for 2012.  How would you evaluate your level of fruitfulness?  Are you most lacking in internal or external fruit?

Fruitfulness comes by abiding in the vine Jesus Christ (John 15:5).  Saturating ourselves with His Word is an important part of abiding.  We are off to a good start.

How did God speak to you through today’s reading?

Here is the reading schedule for the first three days:

Sunday, January 1:  Genesis 1:1-2:25; Matthew 1:1-2:12; Psalm 1:1-1:6; Proverbs 1:1-1:6

Monday, January 2: Genesis 3:1-4:26; Matthew 2:13-3:6; Psalm 2:1-2:12; Proverbs 1:7-1:9

Tuesday, January 3: Genesis 5:1-7:24; Matthew 3:7-4:11; Psalm 3:1-8; Proverbs 1:10-19.

Rather than focus on just completing the task, take the time before you read to ask God to speak to you.  That is the goal.  I love the words of Samuel, “Speak, Lord for your servant is listening.”  I can’t wait to see how God is going to speak to each one of us.  Thanks for being a part of this journey.

The ship is about to sail!  The boat is filling nicely, but there is definitely room for more.  I am really excited by the number of people who have chosen to be a part of the through the Bible journey in 2012.  God promises to be found by those who seek Him with all their hearts.  I can’t wait to find Him with you day after day in His Word.

So, let’s get started.  To prime the comment pump a little bit and get you comfortable with responding, leave a comment on this blog entry with the Bible translation you will be primarily using for your reading.  There are so many good translations.  Simply choose the one you like the best.

Reading through the Bible in a year is a great thing.  Doing it with a bunch of friends is even better.  What if we embarked on a journey through God’s Word together in 2012 and shared regularly what we are learning and how we are growing?  If you would be interested in doing this, respond to me by comment, email, or Facebook personal message.  I will be following a plan that includes daily reading in the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.  You can follow this plan at the One Year Online Bible.  Another helpful site that follows the same schedule is The Daily Audio Bible.  I really believe there is a lot we can learn from each other.  Plus, we have the opportunity to encourage one another along the way.  I look forward to journeying with you.

Zac gave me this sweet T-Shirt this week.  Do you remember?

“Did you ask the Lord for victory,

Plead for it in prayer,

And life’s battle surged around you,

Hid His face so fair?

Ah, my child, He heard and answered,

Answered your own prayer;

For we learn to be victorious,

By the daily cross we bear.”

(This is stanza 4 of a poem by Josephine Hope Westervelt found in the book Streams in the Desert.  I will post addition stanzas in the days to come.)

There are so many things I appreciate about my daughter.  Recently, I have appreciated that as a 7th grader, she isn’t “too cool” to help the little kids with their Christmas program.  She was a good soldier and wore the star costume with a smile and grace.  In so many ways she shines.

I had visits to three separate doctors last week.  This is what I actually heard…

1. “It says here on Wikipedia…”

2. “So, does he have a uterus?”  (This one was overheard while the doctor was on the phone).

Ah, healthcare…

Seriously, though, I have been blessed to see some top-notch doctors the past few months.  I am grateful.

‘Twas unselfishness you wanted,

Asked for it in prayer,

And the sacrifice He asked for

Seemed too great for you to bear?

Ah, He cared, He heard and answered,

Answered full your prayer;

For we learn to be unselfish

By the sacrifice we bear.

(This is stanza 3 of a poem by Josephine Hope Westervelt found in the book Streams in the Desert.  I will post addition stanzas in the days to come.)

No turkey.  No stuffing.  Basketball!

Such is the way the Zauchas (at least the boys) have chosen to spend Thanksgiving the past few years.  Josh and I are big fans of the “76 Classic” college basketball tournament at the Anaheim Convention Center.  It is a good field  of teams (St. Louis, Villanova, Oklahoma, Washington St., New Mexico, Santa Clara, UC Riverside), cheap, general admission seating, and a very small crowd.

If you get there early you can sit right behind the bench.  You almost feel like you are in the huddle with the team.  It is really interesting to watch how different coaches coach. St. Louis is coached by one of my favorites, Rick Majerus.

There is a lot that is cheesy about this tournament, including its mascot Pumpy.  Josh and I love to make fun of Pumpy.

Of course the girls find their own fun.  This year it was some fancy curling iron to give Anna a new look.

Much to be thankful for.