I've mentioned that I have been doing my reading from The Message version of the Bible. Now, I'm kind of a literature traditionalist, so this is really stepping out of the box for me. My dad still reads to me and my kids from the King James. (I'm also one of those freaks that can read Shakespeare as easily as a grocery store circular... but I digress.)
We started attending our church about a year and a half ago, and they use the English Standard Version. I fell in love with it at once and have been using it exclusively. ESV is able to capture the simple meaning of the language - much like the NIV - but keep the formality I loved hearing from the KJV while growing up. Also, it is a more literal translation of the original texts.
So why did I choose to do some of my readings from The Message? A dear friend of mine, who knows me better than I'm really comfortable with, suggested it. She knows how hectic my schedule is, and she knew I needed a change.
I'm pretty sure I've covered this before, but just to be clear... Since my job has gone to 40+ hours per week, and I still have mountains of other things I have to accomplish in my life, my Bible reading was taking a HUGE hit. To be brutally honest, it had been limited to catching whatever verses popped up on Facebook or in emails. Yeah, I'm a loser ... I'm at one with that. I will say (with however little dignity I can scrape together here) that I have a lot of friends that post a lot of scripture and send out entire chapter studies in emails. I'm not a total heathen ... just a partial heathen. Yeah, whatever, I know.
We are also a one-car family right now and I take the bus to work. Two whole hours of study time? Absolutely! The Message is a much easier read amid the distractions of the bus ... and before my coffee has a chance to jumpstart my brain.
Now, starting to read Paul, some of those earlier doubts I had about his intentions are already starting to fade. I am able to understand him more clearly and I feel more confident in his feelings and passions. As if Paul needed MY acceptance. ;)
We started attending our church about a year and a half ago, and they use the English Standard Version. I fell in love with it at once and have been using it exclusively. ESV is able to capture the simple meaning of the language - much like the NIV - but keep the formality I loved hearing from the KJV while growing up. Also, it is a more literal translation of the original texts.
So why did I choose to do some of my readings from The Message? A dear friend of mine, who knows me better than I'm really comfortable with, suggested it. She knows how hectic my schedule is, and she knew I needed a change.
I'm pretty sure I've covered this before, but just to be clear... Since my job has gone to 40+ hours per week, and I still have mountains of other things I have to accomplish in my life, my Bible reading was taking a HUGE hit. To be brutally honest, it had been limited to catching whatever verses popped up on Facebook or in emails. Yeah, I'm a loser ... I'm at one with that. I will say (with however little dignity I can scrape together here) that I have a lot of friends that post a lot of scripture and send out entire chapter studies in emails. I'm not a total heathen ... just a partial heathen. Yeah, whatever, I know.
We are also a one-car family right now and I take the bus to work. Two whole hours of study time? Absolutely! The Message is a much easier read amid the distractions of the bus ... and before my coffee has a chance to jumpstart my brain.
Now, starting to read Paul, some of those earlier doubts I had about his intentions are already starting to fade. I am able to understand him more clearly and I feel more confident in his feelings and passions. As if Paul needed MY acceptance. ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment