Why

There is a much bigger purpose to life in the spiritual dimension than our personal comfort or the longed for answers to our prayers. There are many questions to our heart's cry that we will not see the answers this side of heaven. It is a spiritual reality that must simply be walked through by faith because this fallen world cannot hold the mystery held in the answer. When that happens in your circumstances, follow the words of our loving heavenly Father given to us by the Psalmist, "Be still and know that I am God!."

Little Things

Steve left me this little greeting this morning with the puppy toys. Sweet! It is the little things that make a happy home.

Blackjack, our cancer survivor!

It was a rough Fall and early Winter after our little buddy, Blackjack was diagnosed with doggie cancer. It was a Type T Lymphoma and sounded pretty scary at the outset. We took it a day at a time, and literally it was a daily thing because for awhile it meant my traveling to Campbell, CA every day for about six weeks for his treatments. I would drive about an hour, drop him off with the nurses at the little doggie cancer clinic, wait about 4 or 5 hours, then pick him up and make the trek home.

Little BJ and I grew very close in that time - he is such a sweet little guy! So trusting and what a trooper through it all. So many friends told us they were praying for him and for us which was really sweet. Even little four year old Austyn from church was praying every day for Blackjack - from a child's mouth to God's ears!

I am so glad to report that Blackjack is in remission - our little cancer survivor! Now he is my little shadow - some days just follows me everywhere and is always good for a few sweet kisses and cuddles.

Bible Translation Review

I like Rick Mansfield's blog, This Lamp. He has a pretty good review of the different English Bible Translations that I appreciate. He is a refreshing voice in the more and more frequently popularized and stylized voice of Evangelical Christianity in North America.

Here is the blog:  This Lamp

Note: the NIV is not in Rick Mansfield's list. He does mention the ESV but with some criticism. Most interesting!

I personally have felt, the ESV was simply a reworking of the RSV, sometimes without much imagination, so that it would be acceptable to Evangelical thought, such as changing "young woman" to say "virgin" in Isaiah 7:14. Don't get me wrong - I've always liked the RSV and the ESV has modernized the language for this classic translation.

Agree with Rick's assessment on the NASB - this was the Bible that I used in Bible College as a textbook and the translation from which I did most of my Scripture memorization.

Personally, I have grown more fond of the New Revised Standard Version recently. Here again, it was largely written off as a liberal translation by many independent Evangelical churches. Maybe it is for that very same reason (not because of it), that I find it to be a more objective translation of the Scriptures. There was a Presbyterian church in our neighborhood in Seattle that we used to attend now and then because I loved the old pipe organ and the stained glass windows. The preacher there preached out of the NRSV and I really liked how it read oratorically from the pulpit.

I just haven't taken to the HCSB, though I've tried - read it through completely even, but I do respect Rick's review and it opens my mind to want to look at this version again.

Oh, another translation that I have re-discovered with great appreciation lately is J.B. Phillips translation of the New Testament. Sometimes it is just good to get a fresh perspective on the ageless Words of God!

I also wonder that Rick doesn't mention the NKJV, although he lists the KJV. Anyone have thoughts about this version? I'm not talking about the arguments of which original text to use - I've read all the for and against arguments on that issue - I'm curious more about the accuracy of the translation as well as its ability to speak into people's lives in a devotional way.

Thank you Mom and Dad

My parents were so MEAN to me! They made me do chores, go to school. They gave me a curfew, told to me to get a job to work for the things I wanted. They asked me if I was doing my best at school and my job and taught me to take pride in my work. I grew up with morals, a good work ethic, a strong faith in God, and respect for the law. I thank God everyday for my MEAN parents! LOVE YOU MOM & DAD! THANK YOU!

(This was posted by another friend on facebook and I copied and pasted it.  It is not original with me, but whoever came up with it - I love it! )

Golden Gate Bridge

Had a great hike on Labor Day with a group of friends. First of all, I'm so blessed to have such a great group of gals in my life. We share, laugh and take care of each other! Secondly, if you would have asked me a couple of years ago, the last place in the world I would have dreamed that I would be living is San Francisco. Isn't life's journey amazing? Nice day, nice reflection!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONSFfvVXZVA

Cast all your cares on Him!

I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

I just did a word study on "Cast." It is only used one other place in the NT when the disciples "cast" their garments on the donkey for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem. We know from secular literature of the time that the word that Peter chose to use in this instance was the word you would use to shift or heave or throw a heavy burden onto a mule or donkey to carry for you! 

Amazing that the Lord of the Universe loves us so much and humbles himself that he would offer to be our "beast of burden." Yes, indeed! Toss that heavy burden onto the One who can bear it for you!