Carla_Bryant, My dad used to say that the best translation is the one you read. I totally get that you read, use, and enjoy the KJV, but I don't understand how or why you would think that all other versions are sad. I'm reading the same Gospel over here in the ESV.
Hey, I just noticed that you have over a million points in the last 7 days and I wanted to congratulate you. I love how much effort and time you put into memorization. It's an inspiration for everyone! Keep up the good work! Godbless
Thanks, mrsmoo! I have not heard from onfire247 in a while and have no contact for him outside of this forum. I will certainly join you in prayer for him and his family, and I hope that he is doing ok. Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.
Hello friend, please join with me in prayer. Odd feeling about the silence from OnFire. Hope that he (and family) are off in a secluded (no wifi) resort. Have been praying for protection for him.... and his family. I know ya'll chat, so maybe you can put my troubled heart to ease.... or join with me in prayer. thanks
Thanks, mrsmoo! I have not heard from onfire247 in a while and have no contact for him outside of this forum. I will certainly join you in prayer for him and his family, and I hope that he is doing ok. Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for taking the time to clarify your issues. I have read your post and Jappel's and I appreciate Jappel's attention to doctrine and sound theology when it comes to school (and often work) considerations. Those things are important even when we find ourselves in places and positions of great compromise like Daniel. It sounds like you are at least comfortable with Cedarville U from that perspective, so that is really, really good.
First, I would not recommend getting a Master of Divinity unless you intend on serving in a pastoral position or plan further academic vocation. Unlike Jappel (who admittedly has a clearer sense of calling), you have many options before you... taking over a business for example. Don't get me wrong, taking the time and energy to pursue greater understanding of the Bible is noble, valuable, and good. Plus, considering all that we know, a greater understanding of the Bible will no doubt help you if you decide to take on the family business. But education, and college education in particular, has two real purposes in my mind (super limited). One, to provide deeper learning and Biblical understanding in all areas of God's creation (think Cultural Mandate and Liberal Arts). Two, it provides particular exposure to a particular calling or vocation (Divinity or Business). Many people reverse these two, but I never do. As someone who has attended college and spent many years in the professional world, I have experienced way too many instances where people have benefited greatly from areas of study in college that were not directly related to their work. In fact, their exposure to things outside of their wheelhouse has been more valuable. So, in summary, if you believe you will one day be your responsibility, and you decide to go to college, get an understand of business that will help you grow and excel in business. And if Cedarville, be sure and take classes in literature, art, sciences, because God doesn't ask us to limit our understanding of His creation to your daily work.
Second, college is neither required nor immediate. Except with regard to scholarships, you do not have to go to college right away. It seems to me, that if you don't know what you want to do in life, it might be worth it to wait. College can be a great way to discover interest and direction, but there is no harm in waiting. When you're young, it is easy to see these big decisions as immediate and final, but the world is filled with stories of people who start college, don't finish, come back, etc. Some go to college, get married, graduate with a degree they don't want just to finish and get on with life. At least some of the pressure you feel is based on the idea of a rigid schedule. Graduate high school, go to college for x number of years, graduate, start job, get married, then start a family. Yet, God has shown time and time again, that His plans are rarely that clear to us. Nor is He limited when our schedule doesn't go as we expect or want. Praise the Lord, I have three kids who have all been different. My oldest graduated from college, got married, worked a couple of years and then went to Grad school and now is becoming an architect. He and his wife had their first kid in the middle of grad school and as you can imagine... super challenging. But God is merciful and they are blessed. My daughter took a gap year after HS and went to Japan. She decided to go to school there. After graduating she married a Japanese fellow and they are about to have their first child just in time for them to come to America so she can attend law school (with a new born?!?!?!? Still very concerned), and my youngest son got married in the middle of college. He and his wife were in school when they got married. Now they are both out and working. Not one of my children followed the expected path, but they all know Jesus (along with their spouses) and that is what matters.
I don't want to minimize the stress you feel over the decisions you are making, treeswallow, but what I hope you take away is that you will make all of these decisions in faith. Not a saving faith, but rather faith that you are a child of the King. He has plans for you that cannot fail. One one level, it is true, you can make a bad decision. But on the other hand, in trusting Him, you will be brought through your decisions on a wild ride that will bring Him glory.
Hang in there, keep thinking through your options, but don't fret them. All decisions are opportunities to trust in your savior and His plans. You may falter, but He won't.
Hope this helps... though I have to say, please make sure you take my thoughts with a grain of salt. Your friends and family know you much better and have valuable advice... weigh all accordingly, and keep trusting in the Lord!
Thanks, JDJDJD and Jappel! It is beneficial, and it is a lot of zeros. Honestly, I am so grateful for this site. Prior to using it, I had not found a meaningful way to consistently work on memorization of scripture. But, add in the community of believers who are working right there alongside you, and the blessings and encouragement is so helpful.
Thanks, Symota! It is a lot of points, but it is hard to correlate the point system with my knowledge and confidence in the memory work I have done so far. I just know that before using this site, I really had no capability or structure to help work on memorization. I at least feel like I have a routine that is working.
Thanks, Symota! It is a lot of points, but it is hard to correlate the point system with my knowledge and confidence in the memory work I have done so far. I just know that before using this site, I really had no capability or structure to help work on memorization. I at least feel like I have a routine that is working.
Thanks, JDJDJD and Jappel! It is beneficial, and it is a lot of zeros. Honestly, I am so grateful for this site. Prior to using it, I had not found a meaningful way to consistently work on memorization of scripture. But, add in the community of believers who are working right there alongside you, and the blessings and encouragement is so helpful.
I think I still qualify for this group. My dad was a pastor (he passed away in 2010). The last church he served before he retired in 2005 was Coventry Presbyterian Church in Yorktown, VA.
Treeswallow, what is your concern regarding attending Cedarville U (or a Christian college)? Is it simply wanting to do something else or college in general, etc.?
Jappel,
While Evangelist is a biblical term, it is not exclusive. The term comes from the greek and was originally a herald sent out by conquering generals to share the outcome of the war/batter, i.e., share the "good news" in that case. Which is beautifully appropriate when applied to the gospel message.
It sounds to me like you're sensing of God's calling to share the gospel probably is a gift. I am praying that you will continue to serve well as your work, ministry, calling, vocation, become more clear.
rvfc2, There is a certain humility that comes from this process. I have so many more verses memorized than I did a couple of years ago, and yet I still need God's grace and forgiveness as much as I ever have. I have long given up the notion that I will be this fountain of quotation that I envisioned when I started.
As usual, I am a day late and a dollar short. I missed this discussion entirely. And not wanting to rile any feathers further or rekindle a difficult debate that has quieted down, I would like to add one thought... kind of an external thought.
Everyone who signs up on this site to memorize scripture comes from a unique place before God. We are all at different places, have different struggles, and certainly have different views of our God, the Word, and how to live. From my vantage point, we look a lot like the people who hung out with Jesus. We all certainly need Jesus.
I have been the recipient of countless messages of encouragement. At different points, I have wrestled with whether or not I should/could/would continue. In the midst of these moments, many of you have reached out and encouraged me. It helped far more than you know.
One of the great things about memorizing the Word is that at the very least it keeps you in the Word. Being in the Word, being in prayer, leaning on the Holy Spirit are the tools which humble us and make us ready to listen, discern, and proclaim.
My prayer is that as we discuss our differences (they can be varied and sometimes concerning), may we recognize that we engage from a place of humility, recognizing that we all have learned more from a place of humility rather than from a place of righteousness.
Please don't leave the site. Pause, if you must. Reflect, always a good idea. Test with scripture, as unto the Lord. And please don't stop being encouragers. We all need it.
My dad loved the New American Standard, but he always said the best translation is the one you use. I always thought there was wisdom in that. Chapter 5 is just so crazy with the horrific man possessed by Legion and the resurrection of Jairus's daughter... and yet Mark is so strategic in his ordering and choices. Just amazing.
JDJDJD, that is awesome! Chapter 6 is quite a handful. When you finish, you have really accomplished something. What translation are you using? I am using the ESV.
Thanks, JDJDJD and PeterP! And PeterP, it is kind of daunting to think that in terms of completion percentage, I am still not quite at the "halfway mark in Mark!" But I love the little moments along the way when you suddenly realize that you have put in a ton of work and that there are people out that who know what you're going through. Again, thanks for the encouraging words! You both have certainly inspired me to persevere.