As we wind up 2015, I want to pause a moment, reflect on the year and say thank-you to all of you who joined me on pastorjeffgunn.com for the very first year of my blog’s existence. So many of you commented favorably on the posts, and told me you found them to be engaging, helpful and relevant to your life. Just so you know — you were all a great encouragement to me to keep on keepin’ on!
Second, if you look in the column on the left side of my blog, you’ll see that countdown number to “The Big Day” has been replaced today with “The big day is here.” So, for those of you who read through your Bible with the CrossWalk staff for an entire year, I want to say, “Congratulations! Well done! You made it.” And thank you for doing this with us. I hope you found the journey to be enlightening, encouraging and faith-strengthening.
I can’t go without mentioning my brother-in-Christ and my friend, Paul Montenieri for joining me on this blog, offering up his thoughts and comments every single day. Thanks, Paul! I loved your daily comments and your prayers. They built me up (by the way, so did the ticket to watch the Cardinals whip up on the Vikings, and the great tailgate party beforehand — now that’s how to have a great time!).
For those of you who joined us mid-year, or who would simply like to go back and read through the Bible again, I’ve added a new feature that will allow you to go back and keep on using the blog. You’ll discover that you now have the ability to search posts via a monthly archive.
For example, tomorrow is January 1, so you would go to the archive drop down menu in the left column, click on the arrows and select January. The most recent January post (January 31) will be at the top, so simply scroll back until you reach January 1, and read that post along with the corresponding Bible verse. Boom! You’re all set to continue reading through the Bible in a year.
If you’re looking for a new plan to read through your Bible in a year, the CrossWalk staff will be following the “ownit365” whole Bible plan, which you can locate on Bible.com, or on your youversion app. It’s also available at ownit365.com, which has an accompanying app, too.
For exciting developments at pastorjeffgunn.com, check back in the next few days. I'll be sharing my 2016 vision for this blog.
Have a fun (and safe) New Year’s Eve celebration tonight! Julie and I will be catching dinner and the new Star Wars movie. A friend told me it made him feel like an 11 year old again. I think that might actually be a step upward in my development as a person.
I’m ready!
Header image based on "Sunrise" by Francisco Antunes, CC By 2.0
pastorjeffgunn 
Thank you for your year of meditation and reading through the bible! I started mid year so I’ll keep going.
Thanks again!
Carol
LikeLike
Our Bible reading for Thursday, December 31, is Nehemiah 13:1-31, Revelation 22:1-21 and Psalm 150:1-6.
Today I’m thankful for… Another year of grace coming to an end, the new beginning that awaits me today and forever, spending 365 days in prayer and Gods word.
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”
Revelation 22:1-5 NIV
Heavenly Father, no one but you could inspire such a beautiful end to the book that has your word. In my mind I can see a river, I can hear it trickle through the city. I can imagine the tree of life in all its wonder. And there through faith Jesus stand He and the Father in a new world for eternity. Lord thank you for another year on this earth. Thank you for reassuring me and those I love everyday for this hope you have promised. My the light bless all who you know you. May the light guide me to help others to stay strong in and faith. For those who don’t know what it is to be a dearly loved child of God, help me to show them the way to find their identity, to find their purpose, to find You. Lord I ask that you bless my church and who do you works here on the earth. Be with us Father, as the world grows old another age we await you and all your glory.
~Paul Montenieri
LikeLike
Thanks Jeff,
Spending a moment in God’s word everyday has been a wonderful experience for me. I appreciate the insight that your blog has brought me. Reading the bible is good, better understating the Word is a blessing. I look forward to “own it 365” and your continued teaching.
Go Crosswalk, Go Cardinals!
LikeLike