Thursday September 1 2016  OOPS!  RETRACTIONS NEEDED

Dear blog readers:

I misinterpreted some of the facts I wrote in my family biographies due to misunderstanding some of the information I received from others.  In the next few days I will be making some changes to a couple of the blogs.  When I have corrected the mistakes I will post who, when, and where you may find the corrections.  I apologize for any information that is not accurate.  I appreciate any and all comments from those who may question anything I have written and I will definitely follow up to correct any errors.

I still do not have some of the facts I would like to receive in order to finish the last two biographies.  Believe me I will be tuned in to making certain I have the correct facts!

I’m writing a short blog tonight due to my schedule.  I was listening to a sermon earlier today at the website: www.southlandchristian.org  which used the 23^rd Psalm as the text.  It is found in the series titled “PSALMS” and was recorded on July 17, 2016.  Well worth the time it takes to listen.  I wish I could just quote the sermon verbatim on this site but I must settle with just sharing the scripture instead. 

Another good source to go to for a more in-depth study is http://www.ccmodesto.com   Click on “Media”, then “Teaching”, and then click on, “Thru the Bible”.  Scroll down through the dates until you get to Psalms 23-25.  Click on it and it will open.  This study is more in-depth and very interesting.  I listen to different studies daily when I am at the gym working out.  I told Dave that I think that is why I like to work out so much; the speakers make the time fly by.

The 23^rd Psalm has always been a favorite passage of mine.  I memorized it as a child and it still lives in my memory.  When each verse is studied in depth, and when one knows what some of the words mean in relationship to the time in which the scripture was written, it gives an even deeper understanding as to what David was writing about.  The passage then becomes alive with new meaning.  I have had the opportunity to listen to this chapter being taught by many great Biblical scholars and it seems I always learn something new each time I hear it.

Perchance you are not familiar with the Bible or the Bible translations I have included.  I do hope you read both translations through to the end.  Listen to each word, each sentence, and perhaps even check out the above websites to learn about what the text means.  Some of the words used in the text take on an entirely different contextual meaning when you understand the nuances of sheep and the importance of a shepherd in their lives.  Words like “righteousness” may be a foreign word to you, as well as is perhaps the phrase, “the shadow of death”.  How do a rod and staff “comfort you”?  What is the significance of a rod and staff in relationship to sheep?

And where, and who, prepares “a table before you” and “who are your enemies”?  Why would you want oil poured all over your head, especially if you were a sheep?  And where is “the house of the Lord”?  And how long is “forever”? 

David wrote this Psalm during a dark, dreadful, and sorrowful time of his life.  When you understand the depth of what these few scriptures mean it may whet your appetite to delve deeper into the amazing truth, knowledge, and wisdom of this amazing book known as The Holy Bible.  I cannot, nor should I go into depth to explain these 6 verses because I am so not prepared to extract all the truths that are written in this short chapter.  I do recommend that you search this passage out for yourselves.  Before you read Psalm 23 ask God to open your eyes to the truths He desires you to know and understand.

Following are two translations of Psalm 23:

 

Psalm 23 New King James Version  (NKJV)

A Psalm of David:

23 The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

 

Psalm 23 The Message Translation (MSG)

23 ^1-3 God, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows;
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.

⁴ Even when the way goes through
    Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
    when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
    makes me feel secure.

⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
    right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
    my cup brims with blessing.

⁶ Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life.

 

 INSPIRED BY PSALM 23

By Kathleen Martens

September 1, 2016         

 

I know the God

Who is my King

And He supplies

My everything.

 

He insists

I have need of rest

And His provision

Is the best.

 

He gives me water

From the purest hole

That I am refreshed

And restores my soul.

 

I am His

And He leads me right

For His namesake

Both day and night.

 

When I’m in the valley

Close to death

I need fear not

For He is my life and breath.

 

He has all I need

To come to my aid

And His strength

Never fades.

 

He prepares for me

A bountiful table

And my enemies

See that I’m able.

 

He pours his protection

Over my head

And gives me abundance

With nothing to dread.

 

His mercy and goodness

Are mine to own

And when my days are over

I’ll dwell by His throne.

 

And He has promised

That it will be forever, 

I will be with Him

Eternally together!

 

Thank You God for Your promise of eternal life in Your presence.

Thank You for Your scriptures.

Thank You for wonderful teachers.

Thank You God for knowledge and understanding.

Thank You Father for all the promises You have spoken in Your Word.

 

GOODNIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!