365 Days, around 280 Sunsets give or take: Reflections on the Bible in a Year

 

365 Days, 280 Sunsets: Reflections on the Bible in a Year

They call it a "Bible in a Year" journey, but as I’ve learned over the last several months, faith doesn't always follow a standard calendar. I recently hit play on the final session of the podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins. Looking back at my progress, I realized I finished all 365 sessions in about 280 days.

The Math of Faith

I did a lot of my reading at night, and on weekends I often found the space to complete more than one day's worth at a time. It made me think of something Fr. Mike says often: It might take you 365 days, it might take you less, or it might take you much more. The timeframe isn't the point. The point is that every single time you hit that "play" button, you are adding another number towards the goal of completing the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Whether you do one session or four, you are moving forward.

The Lesson of Perseverance

This journey taught me that perseverance isn't always a steady, identical crawl every day. Sometimes it’s a burst of energy on a rainy Saturday; other times, it’s a tired late-night session when you just want to go to sleep but decide to give ten minutes to God instead.

By immersing myself so deeply—often doubling up—the "Big Picture" of salvation history became so much clearer. You start to see the threads of faith connecting the ancient stories to our lives today. It taught me that when you are hungry for something meaningful, you find the time.

Keep Hitting Play

If you’ve felt a nudge to start a big project or deepen your faith, don’t get hung up on the "Year" part of the title. Just focus on hitting play. Each time you do, you’re one step closer to the finish line.

If you want to start your own journey (at your own pace!), You can find the podcast here:

The Bible in a Year on Apple Podcasts

The Road to the Orpheum: Music, Miles, and Meaning

Is it just me, or do we sometimes spend so much time in the "December Dash" that we forget to just be with the people who matter most? I was thinking about this recently while reflecting on a trip my wife and I took to Wichita, Kansas. We weren't just heading there for a quick getaway; we were on a mission to see Amy Grant at the historic Wichita Orpheum.

The Journey: More Than Just Miles

While the destination was a legendary theater, the real magic started long before we hit the Kansas state line. There is something about the open road that invites the kind of conversations you just don't have between errands or during a quick dinner.

On that long drive, we had the rarest of gifts: uninterrupted time. We talked about our kids—where they are now and where they're heading and spent hours reminiscing about our own past experiences. It was a "mumble" session that lasted hundreds of miles, reminding me that the journey itself is often where the real connection happens.

The Destination: An Electric Connection

When we finally arrived at the Orpheum, the experience only got better. While we were not in the front row, we were able to feel the energy and feeling of Amy on stage. The destination was only have of the fun. Just like when we sat in the front row for Kathy Mattea at the Gichi-Ziibi Center or felt the raw emotion of Keri Noble at the Pioneer Place, seeing Amy Grant in such an intimate, historic setting was powerful.

There’s an energy in a small theater that you just can't replicate. I remember sitting front and center for Kathy Mattea when she played "455 Rocket." The energy of that song a "frisky" closer about a muscle car that was "made to burn" always gets the crowd moving. Sitting that close, you don’t just hear the music; you feel the "electric" warmth of the crowd and the shared joy in the room. Whether it’s a stadium in Wichita or a cozy theater in Brainerd, those moments make the world feel smaller and more connected.

The Life Lesson: The Price of Admission

This trip reminded me of a simple truth: the "price of admission" isn't just about the ticket in your pocket. It’s about the time you carve out to be fully present. As Kathy humorously noted when she played "Ready for the Storm," or Keri bringing tears to the eyes with “Your Home”, some of the best moments are the ones that feel like a "free" bonus to the experience.

Whether it’s a 600-mile drive to see a legend like Amy Grant or a local show by Keri Noble, these experiences are a reminder to put down the phone and just enjoy the view even if it's just the road unfolding slowly in front of you.

Keep mumbling, keep learning, and don't forget to enjoy the ride.