Taking a precise Bible translation and paraphrasing it has proved a useful exercise. So often the glorious truths of Scripture become familiar and their impact lessens. The following Psalm may not provide you with an accurate or complete picture, but working through it certainly made the astounding deliverance of my God more vivid and real. So...
Say a massive thank you to Yahweh,
because He's so good,
and his song of love is everlaaaaaaaaaaasting...
...I was in a right fix, so I sent an SOS to Yahweh
Of course, He got my message and came to my rescue
I'm glad He's on my side ... so what's there to fear?
Other humans? No chance!
Yahweh is on my side like a bodyguard
So even those who hate me, are as good as dead
What's best? Hiding in Yahweh or running to tiny man for help ... no contest
What's best? Hiding in Yahweh or relying on self-important princes ... easy choice
I was boxed in by my enemies...
They hemmed me in behind and before me...
They buzzed like angry bees around my head
They burst in like flames through a thornbush
But I sent them packing in Yahweh's name.
I was shoved off a cliff...falling...falling
But Yahweh stood below to catch me
Yahweh made me fight boldly, sing triumphantly ... and...He's my Saviour
That's why I was singing with my mates all night long:
Yahweh is the ultimate warrior, Yahweh honours His own, Yahweh is the supreme warrior
Death - to hell with you! Life - bring it on! Yes!
and remember again and again Yahweh's awesome works
I've been put through my paces by Yahweh til I'm crawling, but not dead
(no, it's actually all for my good)
Somebody open the gates - "for the righteous only" it says
That means me! Thank you Yahweh!
It's your gate. Your rule of entry... and yes the righteous can come in
Thank you for answering when I knocked and saving me
The concrete the builders dumped as rubbish
Was used by the master builder - a foundation for His new family home
News is He's got a lot of children moving in
No one else but Yahweh could've done this
Any reaction? - "stunned!"
Yahweh made this day what it is, a happy reminder or rescue...party time!!
Everyone pray: "Yahweh rescue! Yahweh bless! We beg your favour!"
What a happy man who's arrived as Yahweh's king!
We bless you from the meeting place of Yahweh's people
I AM is God and His shining brightness has enveloped us
Let's go and make a sacrifice on the altar
Thank you with all my heart for being my God
I worship you - Creator, Sustainer, King
Say a massive thank you to Yahweh because He's so immeasurably good
for His song of love will not stop playing forever
and ever and ever and ever and ever
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Favourite Books - 2010
I read a stack of books - mostly worthwhile - last year. Here's the cream of the crop. Fiction first.
The Bronze Ladder
On my trip to Tunisia I came across a book called "The Bronze Ladder" based on the story of the Christian martyrs Perpetua and Blandina. Perpetua's prison diary was a fascinating discovery, unveiling previously unknown experiences of the Christian community in North Africa. Malcom Lyon's book is based on her story. He states that it is a work of fiction based on the available facts, but I found it all very plausible. A lot of this is down to the author's extensive research not to mention the years he has spent living in North Africa.
I read the book whilst travelling throughout Tunisia and visiting the ruins of Christian churches. The story came alive to me. Tears came to my eyes as I looked out upon the amphitheatre in Carthage where Perpetua and her friends met such a cruel death. The faith and courage of early Christians is vividly shown on every page of the book and is a story deserving a far wider audience.
Lords of the earth
Many have heard of the brilliant book "Peace Child", in which Don Richardson told how the love of God invaded the desperately dark cannabilistic tribes of Irian Jaya. But fewer have read his later book "The Lords of the Earth". This book is just as compelling as the first, though a little more dark and gruesome. But please don't let this put you off one of the best missionary tales ever told. First, the reader is plunged into the depth of the most pagan culture imaginable. Here is the hopeless existence of life without Christ Jesus. Suicides, revenge killings, subjugated women, ignorance, hatred and fear.
Then the unlikely 'hero' of the story is introduced: Stanley Dale. He had grown up to be a fighter in every sense in a bid to lose the 'weakling' label. But the Holy Spirit softened his heart, filled him and made him a soldier of Christ in the foothills of Irian Jaya. With a boldness rarely seen, Stan, along with his colleagues, did battle with the spiritual forces of darkness that bound so many thousands of Yali people. The pages of this book are full of great miracles, amazing deliverance, but also immense personal sacrifice. Prepare to be challenged and inspired!
The Bronze Ladder
On my trip to Tunisia I came across a book called "The Bronze Ladder" based on the story of the Christian martyrs Perpetua and Blandina. Perpetua's prison diary was a fascinating discovery, unveiling previously unknown experiences of the Christian community in North Africa. Malcom Lyon's book is based on her story. He states that it is a work of fiction based on the available facts, but I found it all very plausible. A lot of this is down to the author's extensive research not to mention the years he has spent living in North Africa.
I read the book whilst travelling throughout Tunisia and visiting the ruins of Christian churches. The story came alive to me. Tears came to my eyes as I looked out upon the amphitheatre in Carthage where Perpetua and her friends met such a cruel death. The faith and courage of early Christians is vividly shown on every page of the book and is a story deserving a far wider audience.
Lords of the earthMany have heard of the brilliant book "Peace Child", in which Don Richardson told how the love of God invaded the desperately dark cannabilistic tribes of Irian Jaya. But fewer have read his later book "The Lords of the Earth". This book is just as compelling as the first, though a little more dark and gruesome. But please don't let this put you off one of the best missionary tales ever told. First, the reader is plunged into the depth of the most pagan culture imaginable. Here is the hopeless existence of life without Christ Jesus. Suicides, revenge killings, subjugated women, ignorance, hatred and fear.
Then the unlikely 'hero' of the story is introduced: Stanley Dale. He had grown up to be a fighter in every sense in a bid to lose the 'weakling' label. But the Holy Spirit softened his heart, filled him and made him a soldier of Christ in the foothills of Irian Jaya. With a boldness rarely seen, Stan, along with his colleagues, did battle with the spiritual forces of darkness that bound so many thousands of Yali people. The pages of this book are full of great miracles, amazing deliverance, but also immense personal sacrifice. Prepare to be challenged and inspired!
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