I have had a couple of life-changing experiences lately that I wanted to share with you. I have been reading a book series by Lynn Austin called Chronicles of the Kings. It is five books based on the lives of King Ahaz, King Hezekiah and his successor, Manasseh, his son. I don't know about you, but whenever I spend any time in Chronicles or Kings, I am clueless. One king is bad, the next one is good, the next one is evil, the next one follows God and so on. Austin follows the scripture carefully as she weaves the fictional part of the story. She quotes pages and pages of scripture and all of the action happens chronologically. Isaiah and Micah share their prophecies with the Kings throughout the story. I have always loved the book of Isaiah but never really knew where it fit in. Now, it all makes sense and the Bible is more alive to me than ever before! The stories in the Bible are way more captivating than anything we could ever see on TV or at the movies. If you love stories with romance, war, violence, and dysfunctional relationships, then the Bible is for you!!
I was talking with my dear friend, Doris, last week. She is my new best friend at Sav-A-Life. She suggested that I get a Chronological Bible so that I could read the Bible in historical order. All the details, all the discussion, all the Scripture, all the events in order as it happened! So, I went to Amazon immediately and ordered a New Kings James Version Chronological Study Bible and a New Living Translation One Year Chronological Bible. It is like reading the Bible with fresh eyes and it has been amazing! God is so good to us to reveal Himself to us in new ways.
My daughter-in-law, Ashley and my husband, Rusty are on book one of the series and they love it. My daughter, Mary Margaret, has finished the series and we were talking about it the other day. These books have had a dramatic impact on her walk with Lord. I am so thankful for good Christian authors. If you liked the Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers, you will love Austin's books. It is very similar. Really, you will love Chronicles of the Kings, no matter what! A life lived for the Lord is just so sweet and such a joyful adventure. To God be all the Glory!
"But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Psalm 86:15
I pray that God will reveal Himself to you in new and exciting ways this week!
