Version's of the Bible

I thought that I'd tell a little bit about a few different versions of the Bible.

The King James Version:

John 3:16 (King James Version)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The KJV Bible was first published in 1611. It has been revised several time and the 1762 revision is what we now know as the King James Version. It has been the bestselling book for four centuries and is the most used Bible. It is probably the most accurate modern version available. I love it because of it's beautiful, poetic wording. It is also my favorite version. But, many people don't like it because it can be harder to understand that newer versions and uses out-of-date words like thou and hast.


The New King James Version:

John 3:16 (New King James Version)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Also very used The New King James Version was written in 1982. It is very much like the King James Version, but it doesn't have words like thou and hast. I would say it us the most accurate yet understandable version available.

The New International Version: (This is the version I use)

John 3:16 (New International Version)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Yet another very used version, the New International Version was written in 1973. It is very understandable, but still flows nicely. Most study Bible are the NIV version and many churches use it during service and in the pews.

International Children's Bible:

John 3:16 ICB
"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. "

The International Children's Bible was written in 1986. It uses small words and simple language that is easy for children to understand.

The New Century Version:

John 3:16 (New Century Version)
16 "God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. "

The New Century Version was written in 1987. It is very easy to understand, yet somehow, it retains the beautiful wording like the older versions. I find it to be the most enjoyable version to read and a the best version since the King James.

The Message:

John 3:16-18 (The Message)
This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

The Message was published in segments from 1993 to 2002. It's wording is almost like a Bible study, it speaks directly to the reader. It is by far, the easiest version to understand, but the poetic beauty is lost. Despite that, I think it is a remarkable version.

What is your favorite version, which one do you use and why?

Concerning the outcome of the election

I think that everyone should read this post Natalie wrote concerning the outcome of the 2008 election.

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Is Halloween Evil?

Attention everyone! Though this is posted by me (Jessica) it was actually Savannah who wrote it. Because she doesn't have enough computer time to post, she writes the articles, and I simply put them on the site for her. So here's what Savannah has to say.
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In a few days most people will be carving pumpkins and Trick-or-Treating. But for some people, it will be just an average night.
All my friends are Christians, and 60% to 70% celebrate Halloween. The other 40% to 50% don't have anything to do with it. Recently a friend of mine told me that Halloween was Satan's holiday and celebrating it was worshiping Satan. She asked my sister if we celebrate Halloween and she (my sister) said yes.

My answer to the question: 'Is Halloween evil?' In one sentence my answer is... It can be, but it doesn't have to be.

The same friend that said Halloween is Satan's holiday also said that she thinks her neighbors burn cats as an offering to the Devil on Halloween. Now that would be sick, twisted, cruel and evil. Playing pranks on people is as well. Dressing up in over the top costumes such as the Devil, or scary things I find to be evil as well. But, if you avoid Pagan, cruel, and twisted things that are associated with Halloween, I believe you can celebrate Halloween as a Christian.
In my family we carve pumpkins and Trick-or-Treat for Halloween. We dress up in costumes such as princesses, coal miners, cats, surgeons, old men, or scarecrows. For us, Halloween is about having fun and enjoying Fall, not worshiping Satan.

If you are wondering, 'Why celebrate it if it is even associated with being evil?' Here is my answer: Do you celebrate Christmas? I assume you said yes. Christmas can be evil when the focus is taken off Jesus and onto money and presents, but we celebrate it anyway with the focus on Jesus.

Do you celebrate Halloween? Why or why not?

Churches: A need, a pleasure, or a nuisance?

Lately, I've been thinking about going back to church. And that got me started thinking about this; Is church something needed? I mean, do you absolutely have to go to church? Some people think so. I don't think it is, but that's just my opinion. If you want, you can convince yourself that it's mandatory, but truly, it isn't. Otherwise you would have to go when you were sick, out of town, etc. Just as long as you praise God, it doesn't really matter where. Below are some reasons why you absolutely have to go to church every (or nearly every) week.

1. Growing. It is very important to grow spiritually, and church is a great place to do it.
2. God's command. God has told you to go to church, and you're following it.
   

If someone said that it says in the Bible, ask them for proof. I've searched, and can't seem to find anywhere in the Bible that says we have to go to church. There are times it says talks about having fellowship, but that is different. Now here are some reasons why I think it is good to go to church.

1. Fellowship. It's good to know other people who believe the same (or nearly the same) thing as you do. It's both spiritually good and simply nice to talk to others about your beliefs. A bonus: You may become friends with these people.
   
2. Learning. From listening to you pastor/preacher/priest and others talk, you learn more about God and his workings and miracles, how to become a better Christian, and other spiritual things.
3. Encouragement. I think everybody needs some encouragement at times, because everyone has times when their relationship with God is not very good. It helps to hear the words of others encouraging you to go to Him, to rebuild what has crumbled.
4. Fun. Church can be fun, despite what some of you may think. It's fun to learn about Jesus and God, and others who are in the Bible. It's fun to hang out with other people who believe nearly the same things as you. And sometimes a church will put on things that are meant to be fun yet still teach about Him, things like camp; barbecues; even Trick-or-Treating!
   

These are only a few. Perhaps you can think up a few more reasons. Now here are reasons why church is a complete nuisance.

1. Time. Going to church takes time. Time you could be spending doing other things.
   
2. ...............

I truly can't think of any other reasons why it's a nuisance to go to church. And that one reason I have is pretty lame. Can you think up any others? If you can, please tell me in the comments.

So no, I think that no one has to go to church, yet most people should. Church may not be right for some. Others, it may be perfect for. It depends on who you are, but it is important that you have fellowship with others, and most people choose church.

Well, I think that is all for today. I hope I made enough sense that you could at least understand what I mean. Please freely express your thoughts, no matter what they are, in the comments. Thank you!
Jessica

Does God have a plan for me?

Almost everyone says 'I want to do such-and-such when I grow up.' Or 'I'm going to be a so-and-so when I grow up.' But how many people say, 'I'm going to be/do what God wants me to be/do when I grow up.'?

What is your answer when people ask what you want to be when you grow up? Mine is usually 'A writer.' I realize now that this is the wrong answer. The answer to what I truly want to be when I grow up is, 'I want to be like God.' Another correct answer: 'I want to be whatever God wants me to be.'

But how do we know what He has planned for us? Does he have a special plan for us? But we have the choice of what we want to do, don't we? You may be thinking right now. Well, yes, you do have the choice. Of course you can choose what you want to do with your life. You can always ignore God, and do what you want, because you want to, or you can listen to Him, and take the path He planned for you.

But sometimes we take God's path without knowing it. Maybe your parents didn't hear God telling them to marry each other, but it still happened right? It was still the Lord's plan. Maybe you're thinking, 'But wait, that doesn't make sense. Didn't you just say that I don't have to follow the course He planned for me?' Yes, I did. I also just said that they didn't do it on purpose. Do you read a lot of fiction? Some stories will have prophesies, or things like them.

'What?!? You're crazy, prophesies are just made up. They're not real.' Is probably what you're thinking now.

And my answer is; No, of course they're not real. But my point is that their future is all planned out for them. It's like that in real life, too, only God is the one doing the planning. Do you get my point now?
But how we know that God has a plan for us? We don't. It's just a feeling, just something some of us seem to know. I don't know how, and I don't think I ever will, but that is what faith is.

As for me, I plan on following the path He made for me, wherever it may lead. I have a feeling it is going to have something to do with writing, which is one of my strong points. And as for you, you have a choice on what to do. It's not my job to tell you what to do, and I can't really influence your choice. All I can do is hope and pray you will chose to follow the path He made, too.

Now, if you want to follow the path He laid out for you, here is what I have to say.

Sometimes the Lord shows you the path in very obvious ways. Other times it may just be a feeling that drives you. I felt He wanted me to share His love with the world, but at first I was not sure how. When I had this idea, I got a very strong feeling that it was something I should do. Sometimes God will call people into ministry, (preachers, missionaries, etc.) and other times he doesn't. Maybe he wants you to just live a 'regular' life, to raise a good family, have a job, and be a good Christian. Maybe he doesn't. You are the one who has to find out.

Believing vs. Living For God (Believing #2)

Please note: As you read this post, please remember that these are my thoughts and opinions on this topic. Yours may be very different then mine, and that's okay. Please don't get angry if you think something I am saying is blasphemy or just plain wrong. Instead, please express these thoughts/opinions in the comments; I would love to hear someone (and anyone!) else's opinion on this topic. Thank you!

This is a continuation of last week's post, Believing in God. In this post, we will discuss the differences between believing in the Father, and serving the Father. And there is a difference. So here it is.

Do you remember how Jesus died on the cross to save the world? Well, he died to save you. Yes he was saving the whole world, but you are part of the world, aren't you? And even so, I feel sure that he would have died for only you, too. Because He loves you, and always will love you. He'll always be there for you, and he always has, whether you realized it or not. He has blessed you so much, with so many things. How can you ever say enough thank-you's? You can't. But instead, you can serve Him.

Just because you believe in our Heavenly Father, does not mean that you love Him. The Devil also believes in the Lord. But believing is the first step. Because you can't serve God without believing in Him! (That would be really hard. LOL) Serving is the second step. If you love the Father, and feel like you aren't doing enough to thank Him, then you should do this.

Serving Him means that you love Him, and worship Him. It means that when He tells you to do something, you do it, no matter how impossible or unlikely it seems. It means that you pray to Him everyday, and that you read your Bible, to find out how you should act. It means trying to do what's right. Serving Him means that you tell others about His love. Pastors or priests serve him, as you know. But there are so many other ways. God has graced some people with the talent of singing or playing an instrument. Some people are blessed with writing talents, non-fiction and fiction alike. Some people aren't afraid to get up in front of people and give speeches about God's love. Others have sewing or designing talents that they use for good. Everyone serves Him differently, and His plans for everyone are different.

Believe it or not, only a few months ago I was doubting God too. I was beginning to think He wasn't real, even. Before that, I hadn't been much of a Christian, even though I had been raised as one from birth. I had never prayed,or read my Bible, and I wasn't really following God's word. A few simple events changed that. When I realized that God was real, and that he loved me, and forgave me, I also realized that I wanted to serve Him, and let Him lead me. I prayed to Him, and told Him so. I invited him into my heart and life. If something like this happens to you, and you decide you want to be a Christian, tell me. I would be overjoyed to hear it.

Thank you for reading this, and I hope you liked it. Please express your thoughts of it in the comments.

Jessica

Clothes #1

Please note:
As you read this, please remember that these are my thoughts and opinions on this topic. Yours may be very different then mine, and that's okay. Please don't get angry if you think something I am saying is blasphemy or just plain wrong. Instead, please express these thoughts/opinions in the comments; I would love to hear someone (and anyone!) else's opinion on this topic. Thank you!


Back in the times the Bible was written, what people expected of women was very different. Women wore dresses, headcloths, and such. In the bible, it even tells women to do this. But since today's times are so different, should we still obey these, or should we keep up with the times? I have been debating this against myself, and think that it truly does not matter whether we dress like we did then, or now. Because in the beginning, Adam and Eve wore no clothes. This is from the Bible.

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
-Genisis 3:6-7

It (the Bible) also says,

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. -Genisis 3:21

So does that mean we should wear the same type of clothes Adam and Eve did? How do we even know if Eve wore dresses? Maybe the clothes God made her were the same as Adam's. We can't know.
I believe that it is okay to wear jeans and t-shirts, shorts, tank tops; normal clothes of the day. God would want us to be ourselves, and loves us for ourselves. So it doesn't matter whether we wear what they did when the Bible was written, or what most people (in the US; I don't know much about what people wear in other countries) wear now. As for headcloths, they way I understand it is that the hair is the covering. Some people may and do interpret it differently, though, and that is fine, these are just my opinions.

I'll be posting a second article on clothes next week sometime. Well, I think that's all for now.

Jessica