One of the things I want to get better at is knowing the Bible and having it more memorized of sorts because many people will make many arguments without using the Bible and using logic. Some of it is good but some of it is faulty logic. So I want to learn the Bible better and be able to quote it better. To do so, one of the things I used to do and want to start again is rewriting the Bible. (Wait, not a heretic.) I'm digesting it. I'll take a passage, I'll read it, study it, then rewrite it in my own words so that it's transforming my thinking and I have to process through it. So today I did Psalms 84 and I thought I'd pass it on in case you want to read it. (Really, the reason I'm posting this is 1) so I do it more often and 2) so you can try it and learn this way too if you'd like.)
Psalms 84:
Oh how beautiful is Your home, Your house, where Your presence rests, O Ruler of Angel armies. M y soul longs and burns and yearns to be in Your presence. It even faints/collapses in peace and rest in Your presence. My heart and everything inside of me the burning passions and desires sing for joy. My outsides and my body and everything natural and tangible sings for joy to You, the living and active God.
Even the flighty birds of the air who move around find a home with You. The swallow and the sparrow - the cheapest most common insignificant bird - has a place with You where she can set up her home and have her babies at Your altar, O Ruler of the Angel Armies, King, and Supreme God. How happy and set-up for success covered in blessings are those who live in Your house, in Your presence continually singing Your praise in celebration.
How happy and set up for success covered in blessings are those who find their strength in You. Those who's hearts are like highways, set on a pilgrimage to Zion, Your city, Your home, Your ways, Your commandments, Your coming Kingdom. As they go through hard times, situations or circumstances of bitterness and morning - they instead make it a spring of hope and joy. They open up the heavens and bring showers of blessings and resources to satisfy what they've been missing so much that they have abundance. They don't ride the physical roller-coaster of energy but go from strength to strength to strength to strength. Each one gets to appear before the Living and Active Ruler God in His Kingdom.
O Ruler God, God of the Angel Armies, hear my prayer and my request. Turn and pay attention to me, God of my fathers and God of the faithful you've made promises to. Stop for a second, think about what I just said. Stop. Think. Sit on it.
God, you've given us a shield, a king to protect us. Look him now in the face and pour out your ability and rulership on Him.
A day with you God, a single day hanging out in your presence is better than 1,000 days anywhere else. I'd rather be a servant at the edge of your presence, just opening and shutting the door - letting people come and go but allowing me to just be there serving you. I'd rather be there doing that than living in the houses of evil, messed up, wicked people. Cause God, you are a like the sun (full of life, energy, and warmth) and you are like the shield (strong, protective, and stable). You pour out favor/connections/permission/grace with honor/respect/value. You don't hold back anything from those who walk with you, those who walk in righteousness, those who walk lives of integrity. O Ruler of Angel Armies, how happy, set-up for success with blessings overflowing on the guy or girl who trusts in you? How set-up are they for success and happiness are the ones who trust in you?
(From Psalms 84 ESV)
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