I like real books. I like holding them in my hand and turning pages. I like hauling them around in a canvas bag (A-B-A-B).So, I also like using several books as part of my daily devotional routine. My routine changes from time to time, and a conversation with a dear friend inspired the following choices (links to book versions are provided first). I’ve returned to an old friend: My Utmost for His Highest.And the One Year Bible (mine’s an older edition).I’ve also used The Divine Hours.While I’m not fond of reading long texts online, sometimes the convenience of having several different devotional “tools” while I’m working at my computer is a handy alternative.Also, while traveling, it’s nice, simpler, and lighter to leave at least one of the books behind and instead access the same text via the Internet. In fact, The Belgian Wonder enjoys reading a daily devotional via his BlackBerry while riding the bus to work.And tapping into these online options allows me to explore a new resource before investing in the book version. If I find that it fits where I’m at, I can use it online until I secure a hard copy.So here are those same three online, along with some other online devotional resources you might like to check out:
- One Year Bible online. You can choose the One Year Bible or the One Year Chronological Bible (left column). There’s a spot to select your preferred translation. Also on the left column, you can scroll down and click on the month. Then pick the date. It pulls up the readings for the day.
- Divine Hours online. At the link provided, you’re asked to select your time zone. Once you click on yours, the reading of that day and hour pops up. By the way, I can’t vouch for anything else on this site, and every once in a while there will be a poem or reading that makes me scratch my head. But the passages are powerful, simple words from Scripture. Those, along with hymns and biblically based prayers serve as “checkpoints” throughout the day–morning, noon, evening, and night.
- My Utmost for His Highest online. Each day’s reading pops up automatically, and archives are available on the left by clicking on whatever day you wish.
- Many more devotionals are available at One Place.com.
- Elisabeth Elliot’s are here.
- Other classics available at that same site include selections from Warren Wiersbe, Streams in the Desert, and Charles Spurgeon.
- UPDATED (from suggestions in comments): A.W. Tozer 1 and A.W. Tozer 2, and Daily Light on the Daily Path (providing a brief selection for both morning and evening)
I’m enjoying the practicality and convenience of both online and book versions of devotionals. Would that work for you? Are you an online devotional reader, or are you strictly a printed page person?For more WFMW ideas, hop over to Rocks In My Dryer.
I didn’t realize…you have opened up a whole new world for me….love both!!!!
~Sarah
Awesome! Thanks so much. I’m a book-a-holic too. In fact, I have no place to put them all.
I have books stacked everywhere in my house and garage.
We’re such nerds! 🙂
I too enjoy the online stuff once in a while. I subscribe to a Tozer feed as well as Utmost. I get Spurgeon through email. Sometimes I read them, sometimes I don’t. But I like having them there. Oh, I also love Daily Light for the Daily Path. They have a feed as well and I find that I read that one frequently.
We use A-B-A-B all the time at my house, btw! Thanks for the great acronym. 😉
Great idea! I’ll have to check those out. Hope to see you at the Jill Savage event in January!
Sarah: Yay! I’m glad this was helpful to you! Enjoy perusing the possibilities….
Wanda: Who’s the nerdiest? This could prompt an interesting blog-contest or carnival!
Joni: Oh, good! Thanks for those tips. I should add those as an update…in fact, I think I will as soon as I post this comment.
Wani: Thanks for the reminder!
My Utmost was introduced to me by protestant nuns in sweden. They use the devotional every day – in Swedish. They bought me an english copy so I could follow along when I lived with them.