Psalm 23

hi there, savypat.. it's a privilege to share His Word. happy myLotting!

hi there, BrianDaniel.. it's great to know people who have memorized Scripture as a child. and yes, sometimes we tend to take for granted what we think we already know too well so sometimes we'll just have to 'pretend' not to know it. actually, i personally believe we don't have to pretend not to know something, especially God's word. we really just have to 'empty' our minds and hearts so we can be 'filled' by God's wisdom. here's another verse which i hope you'd also be familiar with: "The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 happy myLotting and thank you for your response.

hi there, brian.. thank you for your humility in sharing your experience. it is really encouraging. i pray that many more people will encounter God personally in their lives through His Son and through His Word. see you more in myLot! :)

Yes, well, I've struggled with the wording of this for years. In hermeneutics I was taught to come to the text with an open mind, not influenced by what I have learned or considered in the past. That is extremely difficult, and not really reasonable. What I have considered effective is more of an attitude adjustment. If I come to the Lord through his Word with an attitude of learning and a desire to receive, then I will "get" something, rather than the attitude that I often exhibit of 'I know this text or I remember when..." Brian

hi there, wayz12.. i just wanted to share it.. and oh, the first line is "The LORD is my Shepherd," not "The Lord in my Shepherd.." The psalm was written by a shepherd named David. the point of Psalm 23, as John C. Maxwell in 'The Maxwell Leadership Bible' has put it, "is not only about God's nature but also about God's leadership." Maxwell's insight into the Psalm indicates that the word 'shepherd" is usually used to illustrate leadership because it "communicates the love, nurture, intimacy, and spiritual care a godly leader provides. It involves both the rod (correction) and the staff (direction). Psalm 23 desribes the Ultimate Shepherd performing several functions." On this day and age, most of our leaders are geared towards making corrections rather that giving directions. observe what's happening in the state of world affairs and you'll see. just how many nations have leaders who are 'straight' enough to have a clear, realizable, incorruptible vision for their constituents? i've been thinking.. if only leaders would view themselves as shepherds and their constituents as their sheep, perhaps the world would be much more harmonious. thanks for your "mind-provoking" response. happy myLotting!