Welcome 2023!

Podcast: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/0EFzQx4gvwb

Hey guys! It’s been a while since you heard from me directly. I both apologize for that and am happy that this blog has continued to flourish on its own. I scheduled the rest of the 2022 blogs in July, so this is the first time I have touched this website in a super long time. I’m here now and want to reflect on what 2022 was like for me, what I hope 2023 will bring, and what you guys can expect for 2023.   

For me, it was a quiet year. I threw myself at my work most of the time. I got fully vaccinated as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on. I looked at some of my different hobbies in a new light. I decided what direction I wanted to take on this website and my podcast, which you will read in the next paragraph. I became more invested in story-based video games. It allowed me not to distract my mind like I usually do with video games but instead be enraptured in the environments, the story-telling, the music, and more. It felt super nice because I could play video games again with a purpose instead of as a distraction. I also grow my library by investing in the entire “Fazbear Frights” series. Yes, I am THAT kind of nerd. I spent a lot of the year trying to reframe and restructure the parts of me that I didn’t like. At the same time, I’m aware that it’s not a goal that I’d finished by the end year. It has been eye-opening to reflect on how much I’ve been able to sit with emotions and process them rather than repressing them. It was and is refreshing to see the growth that took place. It has allowed me to continue pushing in a positive direction. The end of the year was rough for a reason I’m going to get into, but it has moved me to look at a severe part of my life and allow my brain to correct how I’ve looked at certain things for a long time.  

My word for 2023 is GROWTH. I want to continue growing this year. I don’t mean physically because my 6-foot-2 self has enough to deal with at this height. I’m talking mentally and spiritually. To grow in how I process, look at, and handle my anxiety and depression. To grow in understanding how these disorders have affected my life and how I can adapt my life to have them work with me and not against me. I want to grow in my Christian walk. To grow my prayer practice in a way that feels comfortable to me. To grow my time in study and reflection. To grow in my role as a Christian to those in my community. I’ve still got some growing to do, I’ve realized as I reflect on this year. Stuff I need to learn and stuff I need to unlearn and relearn. Will it be easy? No. Growing has its pains, but it’s a process that will require time, patience, and compassion.

What’s the year going to look like for Bible Study Vibes? I’m going to move to one blog per week again. I want to provide you with quality studies, meaning I need more time to research, write, edit, format, etc. I have two series already planned out for you guys, and it’s a little different than how I’ve done things in the past, but it’s something that I’m excited to share with you all. Another thing is that the “Let’s Listen To” series is continuing. These will be series-breakers that will come between series to break things up and add variety. Get ready for these again. Also…the podcast is returning. I spent a lot of time reflecting on how I wanted the podcast to be and realized I needed to keep it simple. They will be audio versions of these blogs. They will come out the day after the blogs to allow this site to get its traffic. Plus, I will ensure everything is linked, so everything works out. I’m excited to jump on this more seriously and can’t wait to see how God will use this site.

So here’s the official schedule:

• Bible Study / Let’s Listen To… – Tuesdays at Midnight 
• Bible Study Vibes Podcast – Wednesdays at Midnight

I pray you’ve had a wonderful holiday and a great start to 2023. I will see you next Tuesday for the beginning of “Learning the Lord’s Prayer.” Until then, stay blessed!