“We will open the book. Its pages are blank.

We are going to put words on them ourselves.

The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”

–Edith Lovejoy Pierce

The brand new year is upon us and like almost everyone, I’m full of good ideas and intentions. In talking with others, it seems a whole lot of us are hoping to regularly read God’s Word in 2012 but aren’t always sure where to begin.

One of the best sources is a selection of daily readings that will take you through the entire Bible in one year. Such selections are easily accessed online, in Bibles and through the use of free phone apps. A quick Google or App Store search will take you directly to numerous resources that will fit your style and schedule.

I own both a Bible and a journal with daily readings that are easy to follow, but I find handwriting my thoughts to be terribly frustrating as I can’t write quickly or neatly enough. My go-to source for inspiration in 2012 is a daily Bible selection on my phone. I can then journal into a word processing program on my computer if I’m inspired. I’m also OK with printing my responses and placing them in a binder so I can look back on them or share my thoughts with someone.

The format for this kind of journaling is straightforward and workable. It has four steps captured in the acronym SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer.

If you’re reading through the Bible in a year, begin each day by reading the daily selection. Don’t focus on every detail but prayerfully ask God to make a verse or two stand out to you. Sound odd? Give it a try and be amazed. Asking God to reveal hope, challenge, information and insight in a direct and personal way will present itself in scripture every day in surprising ways. If you don’t understand what you’re reading, grab a commentary, head once again to the Internet for additional information, or phone a friend. Then write out the scripture that stands out.

Next, stand back for a moment and observe. What do you think God is saying in that scripture? Why was it included in the Bible? What do you have to say about it?

Third, apply this particular scripture to your life. What is God saying to you? Is this a new idea or an old one you might want to consider again? What are you going to do about this idea? Might you rethink a dream? Rise to a challenge? Sink deeply in His love? Rejoice when it becomes apparent this is an answer to a prayer or a longing you have?

Finish by writing a simple prayer. Sketch. Write a poem. Strum your guitar. Take a walk. Knit and pray. Send a loving email. Design a card. Message someone. Cook a healthy meal. Hug your child.

This is a life journal, after all. It’s about thinking and writing and living.