What's your version?

-
I am attending a Bible study where we paraphrase scripture.  This doesn’t sound fun, does it?  Actually, I went into this with a little “kicking and screaming” but have ended up liking the whole idea.  Once the scripture is paraphrased, we dissect it – that part I happen to enjoy wholeheartedly!   (I know, I’m weird!)

This last week one of the assignments was Psalm 23.  This psalm is a favorite of many.  But favorites don’t make for easy paraphrasing – just sayin.  The more I read and re-read this psalm, the more it “said”.  Do you know what I mean?

Let’s look at it:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This of course is from the New King James Version.  The following is my version:

God watches over me and with Him, there is nothing I lack.

He is everything; His will be done.

I fear nothing, for God will keep me close.

He provides lavishly even when surrounded by adversaries.

He will remain with me, even in dying, for heaven is my home.

As I paraphrased away, this psalm taught me that God knows me, sees me and loves me.  He will provide all I need.  There is no reason to fear anything – yes, I said A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G.  God has my back.

Goodness and mercy are mine (I LOVE THAT) and they pursue me!  (I DOUBLE-LOVE THAT!)

Seriously, how can that be?  He is my shepherd, He knows my name.  I belong to Him.  So do you.

Seem too simplistic?   Try it yourself - what’s your version?

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Share My Heart, Show My God.

-
Image
 There have been so many changes in my life since I last wrote on this blog -  it's been almost 10 years now. The last two years have been horrendous for my family as my oldest son was diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma. I know that from the start of this diagnosis, God has been there, holding me, and speaking to my heart over and over. A lot of those times I didn't want to hear what He had to say because I was so angry and full of myself. But our God is so patient, and He is a peacegiver and through this whole thing, He is working mightily. I could not list all the ways God has blessed me and been with me through this journey with my son and his family. And my son, Dan? He finished so well. I am so proud of him and I miss him everyday. He was man of love and family and goofiness. And not in that order. 😉 (I think its  a hoot that this pic would not insert "correctly")  It took us a while to get pregnant with Dan afte...
Read more

May my heart see . . . a blog? What?

-
My sister suggested years ago for me to start a blog.   “A what?”, I said.   Well, thank you, Cindy, for your suggestion – I think I’m gonna love this !   And I hope you do too.   I want to share what my heart has “seen” and is learning through God’s Word and I want to hear from you too.   The first time I EVER went to Bible study was when my “baby” was in an infant seat.   I remember it vividly.   (He’s 25 now BTW)    My step-mom invited me; she was the leader.   I don’t know if I would have went to a study where I didn’t know A SOUL – maybe.   Anyway, I have been going to a weekly study since then regularly and LOVE IT, absolutely love it! When scripture says “ open the eyes of my heart, Lord” – what do you think that means?   Hearts don’t have eyes, I mean literally they don’t.   My step-mom used to say, “I know it in here (pointing to her brain) but I now know it in HERE (pointing to her heart).   There’s a differ...
Read more

REAL expectations?

-
Oh to be truly thankful for what I have and to have REAL expectations in life.   I mean, IF I am truly thankful for all that is given me (no matter what) – and to KNOW what is expected – doesn’t that sound peace-ful (full of peace) – wouldn’t that be a “slice of heaven” so to speak? I have a sweet granddaughter (Adalay) who is 10 months old, breast-fed and still not sleeping through the night.   She wakes up and needs comfort.   She’s hungry.   That’s reality.   To expect that she be comforted WITHOUT her mother – is that a REAL expectation?   Probably not.   I did have her for the night a couple weeks ago and we “made do” although we were up quite a bit (we took a delicious 4 hour nap later J ). Anyway, the REALity of it is that Adalay needs comforting in the middle of the night, albeit, with or without milk.   A lactation specialist has told my daughter-in-love that THAT is NORMAL – a REAL expectation for babies, even at 10 months old.   If...
Read more