I enjoy studying the Sacred Scripture, and it comes "alive" for me when I view the various translations, paraphrases, and different thoughts people write on a section or a context of what the Scriptures are saying to them.
Personally, when the Scriptures were first written, I think there was an intense passion that came with each word that was jotted down. And although today we often look at the Scripture in regards to the accuracy of translating each word from its original test, and rightfully so, I think the accuracy of the Scripture is also determined by the what is being conveyed from the heart of the individual who wrote it.
In our society today, we often demand a "step by step" process in evaluating and examining what we read in the Scripture. We look at the prefix, the main part of the noun or verb, and look whether it is in a past tense, current tense, future tense, or an ongoing tense. We break down each letter and look at the context of the words chosen to express what is in the heart of the writer.
It's like when we buy something at a store and bring it home, and it has to be put together first before the particular item can be used. The instructions are written in a "step by step" format, and from this we are able to put together the item we have purchased.
Yet, what is the first thing we often look at before putting something together? I think it is the picture...we look at the picture and get this impression in our mind of what we are about to put together.
The Scriptures can be like that as well...painting a picture of what the author is wanting us to grasp or take hold of as the thoughts are transmitted to written form.
Otherwise, the Scriptures are liable to become just another set of rules for us to follow...and if we make a "high score"...perhaps God will like us.
And if we add body language, facial expressions, the tone of our voice, and the different volumes of our voices to convey the Sacred Scripture, it can be received in different ways...within the same group.
An example would be the word "love". When we use this word in our communication, "love" can mean alot of things to a number of people. "I love you"...can mean I love you as a friend, or I love you as my wife or husband, I love you as brothers and sisters, I love you romantically, or I love you because you were there to assist me. In 1 Corinthians 13, it reads "faith, hope, and love...and the greatest of these is...love." Some translations use the word charity, others refer to the original Greek saying it is "agape" love, and yet others interpret that as being nice and caring for another.
For myself, this is why it is important to study the different sides to the meanings of what we read in the Scripture. Scriptures do paint a picture, and Scriptures can hold a special meaning just by a particular word the author chooses to use, or even a letter by itself. The context of what has been written is important and its impact on any given situation, or any culture, in past or present.
The real essence of it all...to relate what the author is trying to convey, and "feed on" and keep the original text "alive" in our own hearts...today.
Here then is a more "country version"...a "downhome type" expression of Psalm 1. Does it relate to you today? Does it challenge you to live a more God-centered life?...these are the type questions I often ask myself when reading the Scripture...
" God must really like you! You really don't get all your "advice on life" from sitting on a barstool. And you're not hangin' around a bunch of "good for nothins", getting kicks verbally abusing others...saying the meanest and cruel to those who are trying their best "to make a go of it"...following the One they put all their hope in.
Instead, you can see the excitement in your eyes when you hear someone quote a verse from the Bible. In fact, you listen up close, and think about it all day long...and keep thinking about it on into the night.
And now look at ya'! You look refreshed, and at peace with everything...and all those around you. Have you seen one of those big oak trees that have buried its roots to a nearby creek or stream? The bark on those trees are rich and brown, and its leaves glisten a deep forest green.
That is the image you portray...and you are always looking for ways to help others. And the "stuff" you give them...its good stuff...namebrand and new...with no 2nd thoughts about doing so.
And what makes it so amazing...the more you give to others...the more you seem to have where that came from.
Now this is quite noticable...those ones that are in life just for themselves...and particularly those who take from others for their own gain. It seems people who act like that are "gittery" in everyday life, and are the first to jump and run if they notice someone around them is needing help...or in trouble. In fact, they will run right over you...to save their own hide.
But, the Scriptures do make it clear...their day is coming, you know, the ones who particpated in life for only their own interests, and only were out for themselves. The ones that didn't care if others hurt around them, or didn't care if they hurt someone...as long as they got to where they thought they needed to be...the day is coming when they might wish they would have thought twice about how they treated others.
In fact, these self-centered folk will even try to mix in with those who chose a different way of life...a life dedicated to helping others. The "Self-Centered Ones" will have their certificates and trophies showing how much they cared...but the heart of the matter is....they did these things to only benefit themselves.
But...it won't matter. They will stick out like a "sore thumb", and people will know...these kind are not real...they were fakes in life itself.
God is "kind of funny" like that...He has His own way of watching over us...especially if He takes a liking to you!
He has a way of making sure all those who went through life...simply ignoring the pain in others around them...He will address all those who embraced that way of life...and those folks who particpated in that type of behavior...will be sorry they didn't reach out to those "bent beneath their loads" in life and the struggles that life sometimes brings.
Personally, when the Scriptures were first written, I think there was an intense passion that came with each word that was jotted down. And although today we often look at the Scripture in regards to the accuracy of translating each word from its original test, and rightfully so, I think the accuracy of the Scripture is also determined by the what is being conveyed from the heart of the individual who wrote it.
In our society today, we often demand a "step by step" process in evaluating and examining what we read in the Scripture. We look at the prefix, the main part of the noun or verb, and look whether it is in a past tense, current tense, future tense, or an ongoing tense. We break down each letter and look at the context of the words chosen to express what is in the heart of the writer.
Yet, what is the first thing we often look at before putting something together? I think it is the picture...we look at the picture and get this impression in our mind of what we are about to put together.
The Scriptures can be like that as well...painting a picture of what the author is wanting us to grasp or take hold of as the thoughts are transmitted to written form.
Otherwise, the Scriptures are liable to become just another set of rules for us to follow...and if we make a "high score"...perhaps God will like us.
And if we add body language, facial expressions, the tone of our voice, and the different volumes of our voices to convey the Sacred Scripture, it can be received in different ways...within the same group.
An example would be the word "love". When we use this word in our communication, "love" can mean alot of things to a number of people. "I love you"...can mean I love you as a friend, or I love you as my wife or husband, I love you as brothers and sisters, I love you romantically, or I love you because you were there to assist me. In 1 Corinthians 13, it reads "faith, hope, and love...and the greatest of these is...love." Some translations use the word charity, others refer to the original Greek saying it is "agape" love, and yet others interpret that as being nice and caring for another.
For myself, this is why it is important to study the different sides to the meanings of what we read in the Scripture. Scriptures do paint a picture, and Scriptures can hold a special meaning just by a particular word the author chooses to use, or even a letter by itself. The context of what has been written is important and its impact on any given situation, or any culture, in past or present.
The real essence of it all...to relate what the author is trying to convey, and "feed on" and keep the original text "alive" in our own hearts...today.
Here then is a more "country version"...a "downhome type" expression of Psalm 1. Does it relate to you today? Does it challenge you to live a more God-centered life?...these are the type questions I often ask myself when reading the Scripture...
" God must really like you! You really don't get all your "advice on life" from sitting on a barstool. And you're not hangin' around a bunch of "good for nothins", getting kicks verbally abusing others...saying the meanest and cruel to those who are trying their best "to make a go of it"...following the One they put all their hope in.
Instead, you can see the excitement in your eyes when you hear someone quote a verse from the Bible. In fact, you listen up close, and think about it all day long...and keep thinking about it on into the night.
And now look at ya'! You look refreshed, and at peace with everything...and all those around you. Have you seen one of those big oak trees that have buried its roots to a nearby creek or stream? The bark on those trees are rich and brown, and its leaves glisten a deep forest green.
That is the image you portray...and you are always looking for ways to help others. And the "stuff" you give them...its good stuff...namebrand and new...with no 2nd thoughts about doing so.
And what makes it so amazing...the more you give to others...the more you seem to have where that came from.
Now this is quite noticable...those ones that are in life just for themselves...and particularly those who take from others for their own gain. It seems people who act like that are "gittery" in everyday life, and are the first to jump and run if they notice someone around them is needing help...or in trouble. In fact, they will run right over you...to save their own hide.
But, the Scriptures do make it clear...their day is coming, you know, the ones who particpated in life for only their own interests, and only were out for themselves. The ones that didn't care if others hurt around them, or didn't care if they hurt someone...as long as they got to where they thought they needed to be...the day is coming when they might wish they would have thought twice about how they treated others.
But...it won't matter. They will stick out like a "sore thumb", and people will know...these kind are not real...they were fakes in life itself.
God is "kind of funny" like that...He has His own way of watching over us...especially if He takes a liking to you!
He has a way of making sure all those who went through life...simply ignoring the pain in others around them...He will address all those who embraced that way of life...and those folks who particpated in that type of behavior...will be sorry they didn't reach out to those "bent beneath their loads" in life and the struggles that life sometimes brings.
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