Each Day Already is a Challenge

Thursday Treasures

Somehow, even though larryp's blog is on my list of favorites, really got behind in reading. Back on May 1 (I really was behind) he shared this:

In Appendix 3 of The Purpose-Driven Life, Rick Warren states why he uses so many translations of the Bible in his book:

"We often miss the full impact of familiar Bible verses, not because of poor translating, but simply because they have become so familiar! We ‘think’ we know what a verse says because we have read it or heard it so many times. Then when we find it quoted in a book, we skim over it and miss the full meaning. Therefore, I have deliberately used paraphrases (of the Bible) to help you see God’s truth in new, fresh ways."
~ The Purpose-Driven Life, Rick Warren

Our pastor does the same thing - uses many Bible translations - for the same reasons. He and Rick Warren are friends. I know, I know, some folks don't like him. But he has a point. Even if you have a favorite translation, you see things just a bit differently when you read another translation. You're actually reading instead of just remembering. And that can be a good thing.

I remember a few years back (well, probably more than a few) I was in a study about the Lord's Prayer. (Or Our Father.) I looked (Googled) to see if I could find the book we used in our study, but I couldn't. The book had a chapter for each separate line or thought in the Lord's Prayer. An entire chapter! It really made me understand the depth of that prayer, something most of us don't think or feel if we're just reciting it instead of praying it . There is a difference.

A few years later, I helped out in a youth ministry where we did a shortened version of that Bible study with the kids. Afterwards, we asked each young person to write his/her own version of the prayer, using each element, but changing it to their own words and thoughts. Those kids wrote some amazing prayers. They were also thankful for the study because they had never really thought about the words, just memorized them.

How often is that true in our study or our faith walk? We just memorize. We see familiar words, but we don't dig into them. I keep different translations around so that if I'm just not getting something, I can search another version. Often times seeing the same words phrased a bit differently will bring about an "ah-ha!" moment. Of course, God also gives us those "ah-ha!" moments. But I am sure that he loves seeing us pour over His Word, trying to understand at a deeper level. I'm sure that just warms His heart.

I also participated in a study about the 23rd Psalm, which broke that down verse by verse. Afterwards, we memorized (or memorized again) those words.

That reminds me. An EMT once told me that people who are injured or think they are dying often pray the Lord's Prayer or recite the 23rd Psalm, even if they have not been in church or had a close relationship with God for years.

P R A I S E
R E P O R T ! ! !

We sold our dining room set to a cute young couple. We didn't get quite what we wanted, but I think this couple is going to enjoy the furniture. They actually acted interested when hubby told them about his player pianos and they wanted to know more about fibromyalgia. The young man's dad came along to help them decide if it was a good deal. The set was from the 40's and in good shape, but they are considering refinishing it with the dad's help. They left one happy couple, knowing that they can now have Thanksgiving dinner at their house. She was excited about filling the china closet. Like me, she was fascinated with the buffet and wondered at all of the "places." We were trying to decide why there was one really long drawed and decided that it was probably for tablel cloths, since the table had two leaves and could easily accommodate 12 people around it.

That's the good news. But...instead of the money going to help some past money problems, it will have to fix a few new ones. Sigh.

But we did hold out some money to replace what we sold. We still need a table in the kitchen, just not such a big one. And we will need a place for at least some of my china and knick-knacks.

I got my Women of Faith newsletter today. In it was something about how to grow your own salad, even if you don't have room for a garden. Even apartment dwellers can do this! Here's the link: http://www.womenoffaith.com/newsletter/may07/salad.html