I got a new Bible today that I’m very, very excited about . I had gotten one as a Christmas present, but I’m the kind of girl that needs/likes extra “stuff” within the pages to help me understand and reflect more about what I’m reading. So, I exchanged it for the TNIV version True Identity: The Bible for Women. It’s focused for woman in their 20′s and 30′s just beginning in the more adult world (instead of teen issues, like the Bibles I have now) and truly finding themselves in Christ and discovering who they are in Christ (and moving out of the bounds of I am so and so’s Mom or the president of x company). It has pages with some myths of the world (like: if I have children I will be happy, if I just loose 10 pounds I’ll be happy, I NEED these pair of shoes! And more spiritual/religious based ones like: it’s not important to go to church if my personal relationship with God is good, God doesn’t want me to have any fun, if I’m a Christian God won’t let anything bad happen to me, etc. ) and God’s view of them. Pages that help you get to know the woman of the Bible more, questions that get you thinking or talking with others, and parts that help summarize who God is. Of course, the most important part is God’s word it’s self, but these added areas just help me understand and connect with it more in a practical daily way.

Plus, it’s just pretty to look at. The cover (shown above) is one of my favorite colors of green with beautiful tulips, and all the text inside is blue and green!

It also has great tips on how to have a closer relationship with Christ, how to write your testimony, and how to be a mentor for others. I was skimming through and came across a tip to keep a journal just between you and God, writing down what you are learning through reading the Bible, your prayers, and how you’ve seen God working in your life. I’m glad I read that! Often it’s not enough for me to just read, it doesn’t sink in and go further reaching to the heart (even with school material, it’s the same way) and how neat it is to look back weeks, months or even years to see the changes.

During my pregnancy with Kaylee (especially after her adoption plan) and up until I went to college, I was the closest I have ever been in my relationship with God. It was a beautiful experience and I really want that back again. That was when journaling and writing began such a huge part of my life and I realized the gift that He’d given me with words. I used to keep a special journal, away from the internet and the eyes of other people just between me and God. I was single for over 2 years during that time, knowing, waiting and trusting that God would bring me my true love next (and He did!). But it was very lonely and I longed for a relationship, so I even have secret letters and written prayers to my future husband with in that journal. I had totally forgotten about all this until I read the tip tonight. If I can find it…that would be a great place to start some couple devotional and prayer time, wouldn’t it?

I’m excited. And that is the first step towards one of my resolutions: Get closer to God again. Excitement is motivation and motivation means I’ll actually DO it and get started. In fact, instead of wasting my night here on the computer like usual, I think I will go read!