is this for me?
"I've never really read the Bible before...."
Foundational's "look over my shoulder" videos respect your ablility to think, while I model how to be an "active reader." The Bible is for you, and we can start by reading together. I recommend you start with the Gospel of Mark, in the New Testament, and Genesis, in the Old Testament. Watch the first few "Look Over My Shoulder: videos for each of these.
"Is this only for beginners?"
Foundational will open your eyes to more, because with God, there is always more! No matter how many times I open the Bible (with colored pencils in hand!), I am amazed at how exciting it is to 'read it again, for the first time.' Grab your colored pencils and prepare to see more. Because with God there is always more. Come explore with me.
"Right now, I am not in a Church or connected with a Bible Study group, or anything like that..."
Welcome. I encourage anyone who has an interest in reading the Bible to explore Foundational and read the Bible, ask your questions, and discover what God has revealed, at your own pace, and in your own time. Feel free to send questions or comments to me.
"I have hearing loss, is this site for me?"
Hearing or deaf, makes no difference. All videos are closed captioned, and the Bible text is always displayed on the page. Since I am highlighting words with colored pencils, and making notes in the margins as we read, I purposely pace the videos so that people have time to think and work in their own Bibles.
"Will it help me study the Bible or 'just read' it?"
Foundational: User-Friendly Bible Reading is 'foundational' in that it focuses on the "words on the page," asking first of all, "what does it say?" So yes, it starts with 'active reading,' using your brain, your colored pencils, and depending on God to reveal Himself.
"What if I am just now learning English?"
If English is your second language, if you are an ESL student, I think you will like following along with Foundational videos. The printed text of the Bible is shown as I read it aloud, and the pace is reasonable. I hate to rush. You may enjoy listening and watching the closed captioning as well. We will read it together.
About me and my call to walk with Jesus
I have been walking awhile, but eternity is coming.
My faith? My call?
Maybe it is best to say this: I remember when I was young, lying in bed saying,
“God, if you are real, You need to show me that You are real. If You are not real, well, then I am praying to the wall... but if You are real then You will understand that I am not being disrespectful, but I cannot know unless You show me!”
God showed me.
In January 1974 when I was telling Tom (I don't even know his last name!) about my fear of death, Tom asked me what I thought would happen to me when I died. I told him that I suppose I would go to heaven, because I was basically a good person. Really, that is what I told him. That is what I thought. Tom looked at me and told me that I would go to heaven not because I was “basically a good person” but “because Jesus had died for my sins, and that when God the Father looks upon me, He sees me through Jesus' righteousness.” From that moment I believed. God’s hold on my life and His provision for my discipleship from that day on was extraordinary. He has been with me, and has welcomed me in Christ Jesus ever since that night. Through all life's ups and downs God has been my Heavely Father.
Over the 47 years since I first believed, God has provided me a wealth of training, discipleship, and great patience and mercy. Many other people have poured their lives into mine, showing me how to read and study the Bible and how to walk with Jesus. I am forever thankful.
God has given me a great thirst for His Word, and a burning desire to build-up others, people like you, especially through His written Word. Years of training, opportunities, joys and struggles (oh, yes, many hard times, of course!) have been woven together not just for my comfort, but so that I can bless you with the blessings with which God has blessed me. Now I am and eager and excited about spending this next season of my life serving and encourging others for the sake of His Body, the Church.
