Author Topic: Psalms and proverbs? (Read 1531 times)

Questor · « **on:** February 27, 2009, 07:53:32 AM »

I keep the bible at my bedside and have three bookmarks: psalms, proverbs, and whatever I happen to be reading.

I always find comfort in reading psalms or proverbs. I can open to any random page in those books and find something that touches me deeply about what I am currently experiencing.

Have you found the same to be true?

Dee · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2009, 08:32:31 AM »

Yes I have Questor, and another favorite is Ecclesiastes. I try to read from Proverbs EVERYDAY, but miss some days. 30 Chapters for the 30 days of the month. Wouldn't it be something if the Bible Study forum on this website used the Bible for the discussions of the Christian life on their forum? Oh well, we have the Round the ole Pot bellied Stove, and it covers everything.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2009, 08:50:55 AM »

That rings true, Dee. I've heard it said that the bible is the most widely owned and least widely read book. There's some truth to that.

I tell my kids that it's worthwhile to read the bible from beginning to end without any religious conviction. The bible is the story of the civilization of man, where people began as primitives, and did all the bad things that the leftist secularists always quote as hateful things in the bible, onto the development of kingdoms of war, kingdoms of law and order, and finally charity, tolerance and self sacrifice. Just about any lesson in living that's important can be found in the bible. I also tell the kids not to be in any hurry to read it, give it time and let it sink in slowly.

I never go to church, but the bible and God are central to my existence.

Dee · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2009, 10:03:45 AM »

Many churches have become like many so called Bible studies. A mile wide, and an inch deep, teaching and praciticing PHYLOSOPHY.
I started out my life with my mother taking me to a one room church not 30' from a creek bank in rural Texas in 1950. No quarterly's to study from, no Southern Baptist Convention, or Methodist or any other propaganda. No P.A. or other sound system, no man written books telling anyone THEIR OPINION of what the Bible says. No Power Point presentations, no out of church home study groups, and no off the wall self-proclaimed prophets contradicting the Bible.
Just a good ole fashioned preacher, with a King James Bible, a SPIRIT LED UNDERSTANDING, and a full time job on the side. He preached straight from the Bible, he taught straight from the Bible, Sunday School was taught straight from the Bible, and folks got saved. They acted like they were saved, they dressed like they were saved, they lived like they were saved, and treated others like they were saved. They made NO EXCUSES for bad behavior on others bahalf,or for themselves.
Our church was way out in the country, and didn't have but three or four light bulbs, and a wood burning stove. But Lordy, they (we) were happy and HONEST.
Most from that ole church that doesn't even exist anymore are dead now. But I betcha I see'em again, whadaya think?

Questor · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2009, 11:06:59 AM »

Dee:

That second paragraph summarizes why I don't go to church. There's nothing there for me. My wife is very religious and thankfully she has been very serious about raising the kids to go to church.

As to reincarnation, I prefer to assume that I've got my hands full just living one life the right way. If there's more to come, and there's a hereafter of some kind, then hot-dang whoopie! But I'll worry about conducting myself there when the time comes and just accept it as a gift. The promise of a hereafter as we understand it is a religious fabrication from hard times, not anything I recall seeing in the bible.

A lot of people find inner peace contemplating heaven. I think that's great. My 91 year old mother-in-law certainly does.

Dee · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2009, 12:45:35 PM »

Reincarnation and the Bible. Hmmmmmm. An interesting concept. I think not.

bilmac · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2009, 07:03:35 PM »

Psalms has made me feel like living again when I just wanted to lay down and die. I was lower than a snakes belly. And when I look back, I got that way for no good reason just some loss of professional pride, and as it turned out, that didn't really transpire either. But when I thought I was as low as I could get, I picked up the Bible and started reading Psalms. When I finished (maybe an hour) it was like the weight of the world was gone, and everything was OK. I'll always love the Psalms.

Lately, since I've joined the ranks of old men, Ecclesiastes is starting to speak to me too.

Questor Are you just looking for an excuse so you don't have to do this "religion thing" I think that most people who say This is the reason, or that is the reason I don't go are just making excuses. Since I left home the wife and I have lived in 8 different places and have found good Bible believing Churches in every one of them. If you want to find one you can. I would stay away from big Churches, it's too easy to be anonomyous in them. The Bible is still taught and preached in America, you may just have to look a little bit to find it.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2009, 08:11:46 PM »

How can you guys read the Bible and make any sense of it? I have tried and can't get past a couple pages. I would really like to read it and understand it. Is there a Bible in regular English that makes sense. Dale

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2009, 10:12:38 PM »

bilmac:
Nope, I've made up my mind and I like my life as it is. After the kids are gone and we're retired and I've got more time on my hands I might go to church with my wife if she can find a preacher that is worth listening to. I did take the catholic lessons and get baptized as a catholic so I could better understand my wife's religion. Most of the people in the classes were looking for something. I just wanted to have the education of it in my back pocket, so to speak.

DalesCarpentry:
I fully appreciate what you are saying and for the longest time I felt exactly the same way. The key is to read it just a little at a time starting with page 1 of the old testament and think about what you're reading. Also, there are books within the bible that are "historical" in nature, like the books of kings, and just rattle off a lot of names and places. Those are better to skim over. However, if you take the time, and I mean years just a page or two at a time, to read it from cover to cover, you will definitely find deep appreciation for it. If you knew me well, you'd think that an interest in the bible was a bit out of character. Another key is to get a good bible. I can't help you there. The one I read is a catholic bible, because we had a copy in the house. It's one of those bibles with the thin paper and tiny letters that appears calculated to turn people away from it. There are so many bibles around, you probably have one in the house already or can get one for the asking.

If nothing else, read proverbs, psalms, and I agree, ecclesiastes. I guarantee it will do you some good. I've read those books of the bible so often it's a wonder the book hasn't fallen apart yet, but every time I do, I get something good out of it.

My life has lots of problems, just like anybody else with a family to support, and there are times, like tonight, when I get up and read it for a while and it calms me and really helps me deal with my problems constructively. I think it's because it holds a mirror up to my humanity for inspection.

williamlayton · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2009, 12:37:09 AM »

Pray for understanding before you read.
I suggest the book of John and a Chapter a day then pray at the end of the reading.
Blessings

ironglow · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2009, 12:46:09 AM »

Dale;
As Wm said, pray for understanding before you read. For myself (others may disagree) the Bible was the same way for me until the day I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. That very day the Scriptures opened up to me with clarity. I believe that many of the disputations here arise from such limited understanding. IMO..one needs the indwelling Holy Spirit in order to fruitfully read the Bible.

" But the natural man receiveth not the things of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." < 1 Cor 2:14>

Dee;
That little country church;..What? ..no Starbucks or video games in the rec room..like the "mega-churches" have ? .

Dee · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2009, 12:53:44 AM »

Dale as we were previously discussing READ THE "BOOK OF PROVERBS", and put yourself in each verse. It is in reality, the BOOK OF UNDERSTANDING and "SELF-EXAMINATION".

If EVERYONE would on a daily basis take a few minutes of "HONEST SELF-EXAMINATION" on everything they had done that day, or were going to do, it would be a better world.
God gives SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT to us a little at a time. If He gave it all at once, we could not handle it.

Questor, bilmac is right. I go to a Southern Baptist Church but, have much against the Southern Baptist Convention, as does much of the Congregation. God tells us to "forsake not the gathering", and there are many earthly excuses that the Devil provides us with, for not going. The catholic church is but, one of them.

bilmac · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2009, 02:43:16 AM »

Dale People are the same now as when the Bible was written. In the days of Acts an Ethiopian was reading scripture as he was traveling in a chariot. The Holy Spirit caused Philip to go talk to the man. When he heard him reading the scriptures he asked the Ethiopian if he understood what he was reading, and he replied, "How can I unless someone explains it to me".

You can read this little excerpt from life 2000 years ago for yourself in Acts Ch 8 starting at verse 25. When it comes down to matters of the soul, people haven't changed. That is why even a lot older things written by King David and King Saul can still help me get through life today.

ironglow · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2009, 07:28:57 AM »

Before someone misunderstands, I do not claim that God gave me all spiritual discernment on that first day, but in my case it was the opening up of Scripture that I received. Other things came more gradually..and some are still to arrive, many years later..

S & W 642 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2009, 10:17:37 AM »

Dale,
Try the NIV or the Christian Holman Standard Edition. They are easier to understand. I read these but,I always keep the King James Version with me when reading just in case I have a question about either of these translations. Pray before you start and get active in a good Bible believing church and stay active. GOD is ready to use us we just have to let him.
Alan

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2009, 11:44:12 AM »

Quote from: S & W 642 on February 28, 2009, 10:17:37 AM

Dale,
Try the NIV or the Christian Holman Standard Edition. They are easier to understand. I read these but,I always keep the King James Version with me when reading just in case I have a question about either of these translations. Pray before you start and get active in a good Bible believing church and stay active. GOD is ready to use us we just have to let him.
Alan

Thanks. I will try that. Does NIV stand for something? Dale

ms · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2009, 12:00:28 PM »

Here Dale try this. http://www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2009, 12:02:24 PM »

Quote from: ms on February 28, 2009, 12:00:28 PM

Here Dale try this. http://www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html

Thanks MS. Now were talking.

Dale

ironglow · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2009, 12:47:46 PM »

Dale;
Although I do prefer the King James version, I also use the New King James Version which was produced in recent years just for easier reading purposes. Not saying it is the only easier to read version, but it does not contain what (IMO) are the misleading Wescott-Hort contributions.
Again...just my $.02..

powderman · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2009, 03:21:22 PM »

I read the Bible several times a week. I just open it up and read whatever it opens to. I always find something that gives me comfort. My church is very small, usually 15 - 20 a week. Last was 22 attending. Our pastor tells it like it is, straight from the Bible. He doesn't always tell us what we want to hear, but he tells us the truth and what God wants us to hear. He preaches in the spirit, if you asked him just before church the subject of the sermon, most times he wouldn't be able to tell you. He just opens his mouth, and God speaks. We should all pray for our preachers, they are our shepherds. Satan knows if he can get the shepherd, the flock will follow. Can there be salvation without going to church?

Of course there can. For me I need church, not just to hear the word but also to be around like minded people who are real believers and sharing testimonies. Going to church kinda charges up my battery, by weeks end I really need that. There will always be excuses for not going, I've not only heard em all, I've used them.
Sometimes our retired pastor preaches. Last summer he was in bad health, in the hospitol a week or so. He got up on the pulpit that Sunday morning, his hospitol band still on his wrist. He always shakes, old war wounds from Nam, but he shook even worse that morning, he was pale as a ghost and really feeble. He got to the pulpit and said, don't know why I'm up here, but God told me to get up, when he tells me, I'll tell you. He talked maybe 2 minutes. I've never seen such a transformation in my life when he quit talking, and God took over. The shaking quit, his feeble voice was loud and strong, and we could see renewed strength in his walk. That sermon touched us all. If you've never heard a spirit filled sermon, you are in the wrong church. POWDERMAN.

bilmac · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2009, 04:08:11 PM »

There are three things that are considered essential for living the good Christian life, Bible reading, prayer, and communion with fellow Christians.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #21 on:** February 28, 2009, 04:22:29 PM »

I very seldom talk about religion to other people because most just can't seem to understand the concept of the BIBLE.
Like many of you my mother took me when I was young.
I no longer attend for a few reasons.

1- when I was young it was the fire and brimstone type of preaching and as a little boy this scared the heck out of me, as I am sure it was suppose to.
I made my mind up then, that should not be the way to GOD, by scareing people.

2- most churches have gotten away from their roots, I don't feel that they should be into different types of business.
They are there to teach the word of GOD!

3- don't tell me how much I have to give.
I will give what I can.
Back when my GRANDFATHER taught sunday school if the church needed something everyone pitched in.
If you couldn't give any money you could help out with the work.

The best church I ever saw was a small one room southeren NORTH CAROLINA one with mostly all black congration and they were having a good time.
You didn't have to be quite as a mouse.

Most of us know what is wrong and what is right.
I may be wrong on this part but it is my conviction that if you try and live your life correctly and treat others fairly and trully beleave in GOD and that salvation through JESUS CHRIST is the path to all glory then you will be saved just the same weather you sit in the middle of the parking lot and pray or you do it in a church, for the spirit of GOD is in your heart and soul.

LONGTOM

LONGTOM · « **Reply #22 on:** February 28, 2009, 04:34:40 PM »

bilmac:

While I agree with that thought I don't feel that all is a necessity for living the good Christian life.
The prayer is the exception.
With out prayer you have no comunation with GOD!
There have been many a good Christian who in the old days that could not read and lived in near total isolation yet I am sure they were good GOD fearing christians.

LONGTOM

FourBee · « **Reply #23 on:** February 28, 2009, 06:38:36 PM »

Quote

DEE: Just a good ole fashioned preacher, with a King James Bible, a SPIRIT LED UNDERSTANDING, and a full time job on the side. He preached straight from the Bible, he taught straight from the Bible, Sunday School was taught straight from the Bible

Found a small church like this about 5 years ago. An old WWII vet, got saved in the 50's, now 84 yrs young, was called to preach a few years back. He's not certified, nor well educated, doesn't own a TV, and walks the life of a good ole fashioned preacher, with a King James Bible, a SPIRIT LED UNDERSTANDING, preaching it straight from the Bible......... Most of the congregation are older folks and their grandchildren. This ole world has delivered some hard blows to all of our families, and we're saddened by the huge gaps in our generations. But what a blessing these last few years have been in this little country church.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #24 on:** February 28, 2009, 07:03:06 PM »

I think I better go to bed now. I think I am going to go to church tomorrow. I had not been to church for many years until a few weeks ago. My neighbor has been trying to get me to come to his church for years. I decided to take him up on his offer a few weeks ago. There were many nice people there. I am off to bed now so I can get up early and go. I think he may be surprised to see me there again. He will be happy though. Dale

mirage1988 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 28, 2009, 08:33:40 PM »

Dale-
I hope you are happy that you went- you should go if you want to go, not because your neighbor wants you to. I was raised in a strict religious family (my father was an apostolic minister, as was his father) and I was expected to be also as I was the firstborn son.

Like Longtom, the fire and brimstone God of the Old Testament scared the heck out of me, I believed more in the God in the New Testament, and strayed away from the church because I thought that all I had to do was believe that I was saved and I would be.

I finally found (at 37) the woman that I wanted to be the mother of my kids, and married her. Since we began dating, I have been diagnosed with MS, lost my job, and am on the verge of losing my house.

In the last year and a half, as trial after trial occurs, the same bible passage goes thru my head "Except the Lord will build this house-he toils in vain that builds it." I'm not sure where it is in the Bible, maybe someone here can help.

-Marcus

Is it in Psalms?

bilmac · « **Reply #26 on:** March 01, 2009, 02:31:26 AM »

Maybe it is time that we get some professional guidence guys. As I said I have moved many times and found good Churches to attend each time, but three stand out where I really grew. One of the three is the Church I am attending now, and I daresay that my current pastor may be the best I have seen in my lifetime. While not a lifetime hunter and shooter like us he does some and he does live a man's man type of lifestyle. He was a Chaplin in the National Guard long enough to retire, and that along with the fact that he is passionate about adhearing to the scripture ought to be credentials enough for most of us here.

Longtom As long as I've been here Dale has never preached a sermon on giving, or even toughed on passages about giving, but our Church is very knowlegable about the Book and so we never have issues about too little money.

I'm going to try to get Dale to join the thread when I am in Church today. Don't be put off or scared away because he is a professional, he is exactly the kind of Preacher several of you have described as ideal. He is passionate about the Bible.

powderman · « **Reply #27 on:** March 01, 2009, 03:21:18 AM »

A pastor is responsible for telling us the truth. Too many only preach about the touchy feely things that his flock wants to hear. He should speak the truth, straight from the Bible, not just preach about salvation and Heaven, he also has to preach about hell, cause it's real. Too many preachers are all about money, what comes out of their mouths is milk toast, things to make folks comfortable and continue with their tithes and donations. Our pastor won't accept a dime, we've tried to pay him, he refuses to be paid for doing Gods work. Theres a box on a shelf for tithes and offerings, no collections taken up, except for a special need for an individual or family. I do strongly believe in tithing, 10% is all God asks for all of the wonders he performs. I don't make much, but 10% goes to the church before any bills are paid, you can't out give God. The Bible tells us to tithe, either you do, or you don't. The first step is to realize that NOTHING you have is really yours, it belongs to God, for without his blessings we would have nothing. A lot of folks say they are Christians and believe in Gods word, til it comes to their pocket book, then they just can't seem to believe in that. Headed for church in a bit. Later. POWDERMAN.

ironglow · « **Reply #28 on:** March 01, 2009, 03:25:50 AM »

  Fourbee,
   your little country church sounds just fine to me. That is my favorite kind; would be nice to somehow attract more young people in since you need someone to pass this local church on to.
   Certified ? just what does "certified" mean ? Man has put certain hurdles for a person led to preach. Ostensibly, these are put there to "weed out" the fakes and unqualifieds. Well, we know how well that does, what with the exposure of predators, funds forgers and pedophiles that have been uncovered. Surely as many of those have an advanced education as not. We need more preachers who have a "calling" rather than a "career".
  Peter didn't attend Gallilee U. and John didn't matriculate at Jerusalem seminary and I doubt Matthew (the tax collector) would have been allowed in the Mount of Olives finishing school.

  Yes, our Pastor has a Dr's degree but I would listen just as intently, had he been "raised from the sticks" and showed a natural intelligence and a heart for the things of God.

  Mirage;
   your passage; < Psalm 127:1> a very potent verse. I will offer my opinion even thought it is ONLY that. You can either listen or tell me I am full of sauerkraut !

   It is just possible that you are being personally contacted by a "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:12,13). You had a tough start as a youngster and had your britches scared off but the "law" side of God, without being sufficently nourished with the "love' side of God.
  It does appear though that the Lord may well be drawing you to turn back to your Chrtistian roots. This is exactly what He ius talking about in that passage...read the whole 127th Psalm. He goes on to tell about how children are "an inheritance" from the Lord. In OT days, the term "house" also meant family or family name. You are starting a new "house"...He wants you to let Him have his way in helping you "build" it !
   You may even laugh (as Sarah did) but this could well be God speaking to you as he did to young Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1-8). He may just have great things in mind for you or perhaps a child of yours. Your wife showed very positive traits, staying with you and marrying you despite your physical challenge.
  Find a nearby church (denomination is not important) that preaches the Bible and the love of God as well as the justice of God..He may be ready to do great things..

   Just my $.02..take it or junk it..
   Mirage,; He just may have great things in store for you

mirage1988 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 01, 2009, 02:36:12 PM »

Ironglow-
Have a good Kraut recipe?

PM sent.