The other day I did something I’d never done before. I booked an Airbnb! In early 2022, Anita and I celebrate our 20^th wedding anniversary. I thought it might be nice to upgrade from tenting especially considering the winter temperatures.

New Year can often be a time to try new things. We reflect on our lives and make, or at least intend to make, changes. Maybe turning over a new leaf or using New Year to kick-start a new fitness regime.

In many ways, January 1^st is the same as any day. Yet, as it sits at the turn of the calendar, we so often use it to ask deeper questions and examine whether we are living the life we want to. It’s a time to consider change and think about doing something new.

How you ever thought about reading the Bible, or at least part of the Bible? I can think of lots of reasons why you may not have considered it before. It’s an ancient book – completed over 1900 years ago. Maybe, you’ve got an old translation in archaic English. I’ve got one of those too, and while there is a richness in the language, I don’t find it easy to understand. Or you might see the Bible as a religious book, and you don’t want anything to do with that.

Yet, I can also think of a whole load of reasons why you should. The Bible claims to be a message from God. That’s worth checking out, isn’t it? Countless people, including me, will say their lives have been transformed by reading it. It’s also the book that tells us about one of the most, if not the most, remarkable characters of history: Jesus.

As you make plans for the year to come, could I urge you to consider including a plan to read at least one book from the Bible? I’d recommend starting with the book of Mark which is in the New Testament – it’s a short account of the life and teachings of Jesus. Most Bibles will have a contents page at the beginning that you can use to find it.

If you don’t have your own Bible (or you have one in an older language version) and would like to begin reading, do let us know through the contact page. We will be very happy to send you a copy of the book of Mark in new and modern English.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year.