The unchanging Word

Over the years I have gone through some Bibles. New devotional versions. Different translations. The Message, NIV, Amplified, good old King James. I like to switch around. God's word is still God's word. Sometimes just put into a different "slang". Most of it I have memorized from my childhood in the King James or NIV, and that is how it comes back to me when I try to recall it, but I don't have anything against reading "modern" language translations.

Last year I was reading a "women's devotional" version. It had a small portion every day written by a different leading Christian women, focused on women, often about women in the bible. I enjoyed it, but it was time for one of the other sister's to have a turn, so I passed it along.

For the New Year I decided to go digging through boxes in the attic for something "new". I knew there was an entire box of just Bibles and devotional books. I discovered several to start the year off with. I am sure I will comment more on them later - especially "Practicing His Presence".

My favorite find is the Bible I received as a high school graduation gift. I used it all through college and during the first few years of our marriage. It is full of bulletins, and sermon notes, and scraps of wisdom I felt the need to jot down and save.

After not seeing it for several years, those little pieces of wisdom seem so much more meaningful.

I remember "cleaning out" my bible every few months - not wanting to have too much clutter to carry around. Now I wish I hadn't done that. I wonder how much wisdom I carelessly threw away?

One of the things I found was an E-mail from my parents that I had printed out: Encouragement for me when I was leading a Bible study in our first house, at our first base. Some of the people who attended I still keep in touch with - 7 years later. Some of them still don't know Jesus, but they are curious enough about Him to talk to me, even now. I hope they can see Him in me.

Another interesting thing I found tucked in the back of the Bible was a reminder of my youth. Or perhaps my excess free time. My emotions?

I am not sure...

I use to write, all the time. Poetry, of sorts. ALL THE TIME. So, of course, there were several tucked into the Bible.

I am going to bare myself a little and give you a taste.

We, the people of the earth

Are the ground that was planted upon

And to us who are fertile and green

He has given an unstoppable song

He has also given us a Spirit

That waters us as we grow

Sometimes a shower, sometimes a flood

Giving us our own seed to sow

Sometimes it falls on hard ground

and the evil one steals it away

Sometimes it begins to grow

but is smothered, unable to stay

The cares of the earth overwhelm it

the baby plant shrivels up dry

So often the plant is unable to root

The sun, wind and storm make it die

The Spirit, Counselor, Protector

Gently prods us to reach

Our hearts up to the sun, the Son

Now is our turn to share, plant, preach

That was a nice trip down memory lane.

I think I will leave my writing skills in the blogosphere for now though, and leave poetry for someone else!