Re-examining Psalm 23's "green pastures" and "still waters"

I've been listening to and learning some amazing things from Ray Vander Laan and his Follow the Rabbi lectures (though Focus on the Family).

I remembered learning about the actual meaning of "green pastures" from the famous Psalm 23, and since that's the psalm we're memorizing now at my scripture memory blog, His Word in My Heart, I was reminded of it again and needed to share it with you.  In fact, I googled it and found this great video that explains it - and the video imagery makes the point even more than words ever could.

The green meadows were actually rocky hills, and with the very small amount of moisture available in the area, small tufts of grass grow by these small rocks, and the Shepherd leads His sheep to those tufts of grass, and every day the sheep eat them, and there is just enough for what they need for that day.

In other words - God gives us what we need for the day, or even for the moment, when we need it.  This verse is not promising us a happy-go-lucky life with no problems along the way.  No, it's promising us that God will provide what we need when we need it, and not before - if we follow Him!  The grass is sparse and we can't find it on our own.   But we can trust Him, because He was faithful yesterday and the day before that and He will continue to be faithful today and every day.

Anyway, here's the video.....



And the still waters?

In the deserts, wadis can quickly kill. In fact, in that part of the world, more people die in the desert from floods than from starvation or dehydration. When it rains in the hills, water rushes through the wadis, creating flash floods that can’t be seen or heard until it’s too late to escape.

Sheep without a shepherd go to the wadis to find fresh water and have no hope of escaping the floods. It’s the shepherd’s job to find “still water,” that is, water that doesn’t risk death.

Again, it's not referring to a beautiful placid river running through lush meadows that you lounge beside.  It's about God leading you to water that refreshes and does not lead to death.

For more about the Shepherd - click here.

 

Book Review: By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer

About the Book: Amelia Gladstone's hopes are tied up in the Titanic--hopes for a reunion with her sister and an introduction to an admirer. But when she offers a spare ticket to a down-and-out young man, her fate is about to change.

Quentin Walpole is stunned when a sweet lady secures his passage to America--and even more surprised to find his wealthy father and older brother on board the ship. Suddenly Amelia finds herself caught between the attentions of two men, but who should she entrust her heart to? As the fateful night arrives, will Amelia lose everything to the icy waters?

My Thoughts: I've always been fascinated by the Titanic, I loved the blockbuster movie (and am going to see it again now that's out for the 100 yr anniversary), and we love cruising - so when I  heard that Tricia Goyer was writing a work of fiction that takes place on the Titanic - I jumped on board immediately! :)

I was not disappointed.

Goyer does an excellent job describing the ship and what it was like, without it feeling like boring commentary, but being detailed enough that you can almost see yourself on board this ill-fated vessel. And yet, despite the opulence and wonder of the ship, it was simply the background to a fantastic story.  I found myself reading faster and faster, knowing (obviously) about the ships impending demise, and anxiously wanting to find out what happens to the characters in the book.

A variation of the prodigal son parable, the storyline deals with family estrangements, misplaced guilt, loyalty, discernment and wise life choices, forgiveness and second chances, and, of course, love.

Two thumbs up from me!


Thank you to Stephanie and Amy from Litfuse Publicity for organizing this tour and providing me with my complimentary review copy.

Scripture Memory - easier than you think

Memorizing the Bible just might be the most "misunderstood" way of growing closer to God through His Word.

I always thought memorizing took too much time and was too difficult.  Until I read some articles by Janet Hope on Revive our Hearts, and then her book, "His Word in my Heart".  I highly encourage you to read the articles, you will be inspired!

Anyway, what I loved most was the fact that she acknowledged that we simply just don't have any more time in our days.  (That could actually be an arguable point - we have time for the things we want to make time for - the amount of time we spend online or watching TV are great examples of the fact that we DO have time.  But I digress).  In depth Bible study, and even short devotions, do take time, and sometimes it seems too overwhelming and so we don't even bother doing anything.

Janet's point is that we spend a lot of time during our day on mindless tasks.  Tasks that keep our hands busy but our minds otherwise unoccupied.  Perfect opportunities to redeem the time!

What better way to do so than by memorizing scripture?

while in the shower
while blow drying our hair
while brushing our teeth
while making breakfast or school lunches
while doing dishes
while waiting at the dr office
while driving or running errands
while cleaning or folding laundry
the options are almost endless!

It doesn't take more time, it redeems the time otherwise spent on mindless tasks.  What a fabulous idea!  And totally practical, feasible, realistic and doable.

Anyone can do it.  You don't have to have a good memory (I don't!).  Do you know the words to your national anthem?  Why?  Because you repeated it over and over and over again until it was in your long term memory.  After learning a passage of scripture, you will review once a week, so it becomes ingrained in your long term memory - and you will never lose it.

And the benefits of scripture memory are incredible!


Charles Swindoll: I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. That's right. No other single discipline is more useful and rewarding than this. No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your counseling will be in demand. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified.

LeRoy Eims on the importance of Scripture memory: "I think two of the master strokes of the devil have been to convince people he doesn't exist, and that Scripture memory is only for children. He remembers the humility of defeat when Jesus Christ, who was tempted in all points like as we are, met him with the Word of God." (What Every Christian Should Know About Growing; p. 26-27)

Still need more motivation?  See what John Piper and Tim Challies have to say about the benefits of scripture memory.

I was convinced.

I definitely wanted to do this but wanted some accountability, so I created a facebook group and a blog dedicated to scripture memory.  I started this journey in the middle of January and so far, using Janet's "method", I've memorized Psalm 1 and the entire book of Titus. (That sounds a bit more impressive than it actually is - it's only 3 chapters, or 46 verses).  Now we're going to start memorizing a few psalms - smaller projects that are a great starting point for anyone wanting to try it out.

Today we start with (the first verse of) Psalm 121, a very familiar and beautiful psalm.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

If you want to join me, check out my blog, His Word in My Heart (especially this post that explains the "method"), and type your email address in to receive all the blog posts with the day's verse.

Here are the links to the articles I read (you can listen to them or read them, whichever you prefer)
How Busy People can Memorize Scripture
You can Memorize More than You Think
You Need Hunger

Some quotes from Janet's book.....

No, the Bible does not command us to memorize Scripture. But here are some of the commands and exhortations we do find:
Know God’s Word.
Remember His Word.
Do not forget His commandment.
Have His Word ready on our lips.
Meditate on His law day and night.
Dwell on Christ’s words.
Store up His words.
Keep God’s Word within our hearts.

For me, memorizing Scripture is just a vehicle for accomplishing those objectives.

Janet encourages memorizing passages, chapters or even entire books of the Bible, instead of just "random" verses.  One benefit is less references to remember!!  Another is how important it is to memorize verses in the context in which they were written.  Here's another point Janet had about this....

The focus was definitely on me. I’m not saying we shouldn’t memorize these verses, but if we will memorize them in their context, we will keep the focus on God and greatly enhance our learning in the process. God put His thoughts and His words in a particular order within each book, and this is how God intended for us to learn them.


One last encouragement from the book.....

When we get into God’s Word, it becomes our pipeline to God’s way of thinking and doing things. As I stay in God’s Word, abiding in God’s Word, drinking in God’s Word, letting it go deep, it will do its work in me, the work it was sent to do. It will accomplish God’s desire and achieve His purpose, which is to cause growth in me by bringing my thoughts and my ways into alignment with His. Memorizing Scripture is never unproductive time.

God bless you as you take this journey with me!

Book Review: Song of my Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

About the Book:  Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can't work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent--though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job.

McKane comes to Goldtree at the request of the town council. The town has been plagued by bootlegging operations, and Thad believes he can find the culprit. 

After he earns enough money doing sheriff work, he wants to use it to pay for his training to become a minister.

Thad is immediately attracted to the beautiful singer who performs in Asa Baxter's unusual opera house, but when he hears her practicing bawdy tunes, he begins to wonder if she's far less innocent than she seems. And when Sadie appears to be part of the very crimes he's come to investigate, is there any hope the love blossoming between them will survive?

My Thoughts: I'd say the biggest strength of this novel was the colourful and engaging characters.  The Baxter twins were likely my favourite and were a great source of humour.  Asa was great as a villain.  Sadie was the perfect heroine - likable and wholesome, yet multi-dimensional. Thad was interesting both as a love interest for Sadie but also as he struggled to determine if his calling to be a minister was truly of God or simply induced by guilt.

I also appreciated the morals or lessons that the story taught.  Some themes explored include how right motives do not necessarily equate right decisions, how seemingly small concessions can quickly spiral out of control, and that telling the truth is better late than never.

Thank you to Stephanie and Amy from Litfuse Publicity for organizing this tour and providing me with my complimentary review copy.

Book Review: Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

About the Book:  She's Finally Found a Place to Call Home... How Far Will She Go to Save It?

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to their Texas family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have just three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa falls in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. They welcome her vivacious spirit and try to help her navigate puzzling American customs. She can't help but stand out, though, and her beauty captures attention. 

Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, Rosa must decide to what lengths she will go to save her future. Read an excerpt here.

My thoughts: This is a Christian/western/historical/romance work of fiction that is very loosely based on the book of Ruth.  In her debut novel, Jennings does a great job on each of those genre descriptions.

Set in the west, after the Restoration, Rosa deals with the culture shock of being a lone Mexican woman transplanted into an all-white environment.  The way she learns and adapts to the new culture and customs while still cherishing and celebrating her own is compelling to watch (or read!) and often refreshingly humourous as well.

Jennings does an excellent job of bring the setting to life - you can just picture it in your mind's eye.  I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you to Stephanie and Amy from Litfuse Publicity for organizing this tour and providing me with my complimentary review copy. 

My Little Comedian

During supper tonight....
Emma: MYOB
Sophia: What does that mean?
Emma: Mind your own business.
Jacob:  MYIK - I don't care!

Maybe you had to be there, but our whole table roared!

Bible Blog Button

I finally created the new button for my Bible in a Year and Beyond blog.

Here it is.

Grab the button!  

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Sophia's 9th Birthday Interview

Birthday twins!

Sophia and her best friend share the exact same birth date .  Here they are with their cupcakes that I brought to school.

Sophia`s 9th Birthday Interview
How old are you now Sophia? 9
What grade are you in? 3
Who's your teacher? Mrs. Lapkin
Do you like school? eh
What's your favourite thing about school? being with my friends
What's your favourite subject? art
What's your favourite colour? green
What’s your favourite drink? pop
What's your favourite food? perogies
What’s your favourite game? Clue
What’s your favourite treat? candy
What's your favourite snack? nachos
What's your favourite dessert? ice cream sundaes
What's your favourite restaurant? Famous Dave's
What's your favourite place? Disney World
What's your favourite thing to do at Disney World? going on the rides
What's your favourite ride at Disney World? Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
What's your favourite toy? Wii
What's your favourite book? The Giggler Treatment
What's your favourite sport? hockey
What's your favourite movie? Puss N Boots
What's your favourite TV show? Wizards of Waverley Place
Who's your favourite celebrity? Selena Gomez
What's your favourite thing to do? do art
What's your favourite thing to wear? a shirt with sweat pants
Who are some of your best friends? Emily, Dilyn, Hayley L, Emma, Hannah, Clara
Who's your favourite person? me
What is your favourite song? Summer's Not Hot by Selena Gomez
What's one of the best things you've done with your family? Gone to Disney World
What's your favourite store? Claire's
What do you want to be when you grow up? fashion designer
Anything else you think we should know about you? no

Happy birthday Sophia!!

My Little Gentleman

Today, as we approached the entrance to the girls' school, Jacob ran ahead of me to push the handicapped button to open the door for me.  And then he said, "Ladies first, mom, ladies first".

Enough to melt a mother's heart, I tell ya.

Celebrity Eclipse Cruise - Part 2

Click here for Part 1.
On Tuesday we stopped at St. Maarten.  Two years ago we had gone on a zipline adventure tour and we loved it so much that was one of the reasons we chose this cruise - so we could do it again. After about a 30 min drive with a tour bus into the French side of the island we arrived at the Loterie Tree Farm  It was just as much fun the second time!  We're hoping to be able to do the extreme version next time :)






Tuesday was also Valentine's Day.  We enjoyed dinner at the Moonlight Sonata and each woman received a rose.  After walking the ship and the shops, we went to the theatre for a Cirque de Soleil style theatrical circus - it was quite impressive!





Wednesday was our final port of call day and was our first ever visit to St. Kitts.  We took the "Essential St. Kitts Tour" and enjoyed a stop at Romney Manor (home of Caribelle Batik) which had amazing gardens and this huge tree.





Our next stop was the Brimstone Hill Fortress.  As we were driving up to it, Nathan recognized it from a documentary he had seen - it's one of the top 10 most impenetrable fortresses of the world!  He's into history so he definitely appreciated being able to see this fort in person.

We got back to the ship for a late lunch and lay by the pool for the rest of the afternoon (with an ice cream break in between of course!).  Nathan actually ran on the treadmill 5 of the days we were onboard.  Running on the ship makes me nauseous, so I happily declined and simply vegged by the pool reading.

For dinner we had reservations at the Tuscan Grille - the Italian steakhouse onboard.  This was likely the best meal of the whole cruise for me!  I had a mushroom ravioli appetizer, chop chop salad and an incredible filet mignon (also with mushroom sauce) for the main entree.  Dessert was an incredible chocolate fondue with berries, bananas. melons, marshmallows and a brownie.

That night's show was an incredible performance by Antonio Salci.  I have my ARCT (performer's degree in piano) and I was impressed.  He's definitely one very talented performer/composer/arranger.  I found this on YouTube .....




Thursday was an at sea day and we spent the entire day by the main outdoor pool.  We got up around 8:30 which was just early enough to snag some decent poolside loungers before heading in for a quick breakfast buffet and back to enjoy the sun.  We ate a quick lunch inside at the lunch buffet as well (I ordered a turkey burger from the Mast Grille poolside and brought it indoors for a little break from the heat), and then went back outside for the rest of the afternoon.



That night was the second formal night on the cruise and we ate at the Moonlight Sonata.





Friday was our final at sea day.  Thursday we managed to both burn ourselves, so we spent the day lounging poolside - but in the glass enclosed Solarium this time.  All the benefits of the sun with none of the cons. :)  Once again we ate breakfast and lunch at the buffet (turkey burger for me again!).  We had one final dinner at the Moonlight Sonata and thoroughly enjoyed the evening show which was encore acts from the best performer's of the week (and a performance by the Karoeke X Idol winner).

Saturday we got up for our final breakfast at the Oceanview Cafe, then read for a bit in the dining room while waiting for our turn to disembark the ship.  This is one of the few times our flights have left late enough in the day that we're not in a rush to get off the vessel.  Because of that, the crowds were definitely higher and we waited longer than ever before to get a taxi to the airport.  We had lots of time to eat (Chili's!) before boarding our flight back to Winnipeg (with a connecting flight in Chicago).

Sunday Nathan took Jacob to Sophia's hockey game while I took Emma & Olivia to church (not Sunday School though, we slept in!) - and it almost felt like we were never gone.  Was it all just a dream?!

The good thing is though, that because we've been on so many cruises by now, we had a similar feeling when we first got onboard - it immediately felt like we had been there for a few days already.

Can't wait till next year - already got my eye on 1 or 2 options! :)