I bought a new Bible!

Wow…it’s been way too long since I last posted on this blog. Life has been moving at a rapid pace, which makes “Walking With God” even more challenging! I must admit that over the last months I have spent more time focused on LINDY than on Jesus. I make no excuses or defenses, but share (confess) a recognition of my all too selfish interests and activities.

One of the wonderful blessings of spending the summer in the woods of Maine so far this summer, has been the absence of phone, TV and internet! Never thought I’d say that, but oh the bliss of READING! I am really appreciating the local library and every time I visit, I am inspired to find a new book and READ, READ, READ! (I WILL admit that the purpose of my visits to the library are usually to use the free wireless internet, but that doesn’t diminish my growing interest in reading!) I can hardly wait to bring the children that I care for to the library to enjoy the children’s activities that have been scheduled for the summer!

Along with reading books from the library, I am experiencing a renewed appreciation for the scriptures. Just before my short-term move to Maine, I purchased a new Bible, then received it within days of my arrival in Maine! Previous to this purchase, I had been using, for about the last year, a “parallel Bible”. If you have never experienced Bible reading in this format, I highly suggest you try it! The premise of a ‘parallel’ Bible is to show BOTH translations (or even more than two) on the same page, in a parallel (side-by-side) format. It has helped me quite a bit to comparatively study God’s Word in this manner . In my case, and per my own preference, I have always chosen a parallel Bible that displayed both the New International Version and the King James Version.

Over time, I have tried to encourage others by giving away this type of Bible when I saw a need. As people see the advantage to this type of study, I am more than happy to purchase a (used) parallel Bible for them or even offer my own copy to them, which I have done quite a few times. After giving my most recent parallel Bible away, I searched online for some time for a GOOD price on a used parallel Bible but to no avail. Thus, the need for my recent purchase of a NEW Bible. The Bible I recently purchased, however, is NOT a parallel Bible, but a New King James Version Bible. And…..get this benefit….it’s LARGE print! As I searched online and at bookstores for a new Bible, I soon realized that the publisher’s idea of LARGE print is NOT what my eyes would call LARGE PRINT! My 53 year-old eyes actually need what the publisher’s call JUMBO or ULTRA large print! Either way, I’m sure not too vain when it comes to being able to see and better understand the Word of God…so I am now using JUMBO print!

I am thoroughly enjoying this new Bible since I’ve been in Maine. I went to great lengths to “price” and compare Bibles before I made this purchase and I have not been disappointed! Whether or not it is the new (NKJ) version, the larger print, or the move of the Holy Spirit, I don’t know yet, but I CAN testify to a renewed appreciation and understanding of the Word. I will admit that too often I read God’s Word simply to “read the Word” and to move on in my daily reading. Don’t get me wrong, I always WANTED a deeper understanding and PRAYED for that, but recently…I am experiencing it in a deeper way. I sort of think that it has to do with God honoring my sincerity and obedience to diligently seek Him…..even if it required spending more money on a NEW Bible!

As I “Walk God’s Way”, I recognize when my heart gets cold or when my spirit seems ‘dry’. It’s at times like this that we need to ‘press in to Christ’ harder, be more diligent in our spiritual disciplines and to persevere. God faithfully will reward our obedience and will shower us with His power and blessing!