The Unusual Post

(UPDATED)
Normally, my posts of a hodge-podge nature are printed at my family blog, All That Naz, but due to my recent absence from the world of blogging, I wanted to write out a few updates for those of you who have asked.

First of all, thanks to all of you who have been praying for me and sending me comments and e-mails filled with encouragement. What a blessing. We have moved safely and almost uneventfully this time. The area and people are lovely and we have already made a few friends. In fact, since our arrival on Aug. 1, we have attended two planned play dates.

While the kids and I were playing at a local McDonald's, I struck up a conversation with another mom who was having ice cream with her three children. Her kids and mine quickly bonded and I had a sense that the mom, Emma, was a Christian. I overcame what ever shyness I have hanging around my system (some of you would never believe me if I told you I was once painfully shy and those of you who have known me years ago would never believe me if I told you that I now start conversations just about anywhere...both statements are 100% true.) and told Emma that we just moved into town and asked her a few questions. What a blessing she's become.

The move has left me exhausted. We've also experienced myriad technical difficulties and I have not had access to the Internet for nearly a week. Even though I'm fatigued and frazzled, I am thankful. Had not the Lord healed me in so many areas last year, I do not think I would have been able to handle this move, but it has been good.

Recently, I've received several personal e-mails from Becoming Me readers asking me about how I choose the scripture that accompanies all of my "regular" posts. Some readers also were concerned about my use of The Message. Since I got more than one question from several individuals, I decided to answer them here. The below are paraphrases of the questions.

How do you choose which Scripture to use?

I often spend many days praying about a certain story/article before actually writing it. Sometimes, God will be working on my heart regarding a particular issue and a story will come from that process. Sometimes, God puts a story on my heart that I do not want to share and then that is a process that also needs to be worked through. For me, that process includes intense prayer and study of God's word. After I find some verses that apply to the subject matter/lesson, I use BibleGateway.com.

Bible Gateway allows me to easily peruse several translations. I love this type of tool because I find that I learn so much more when studying more than one translation. After reading at least 4-5 different translations of the same verse, I choose the translation that I feel reads best and conveys the meaning of the scripture.

Do you ever have concerns with using The Message, which is more of a paraphrase than a translation?

While I agree that Eugene Peterson's The Message is not technically a translation, I also think that it has it's place. Honestly, there have been verses in The Message that I found to be out of context and a rewriting of the original intent of Scripture. (My opinion---I do not claim to be a Biblical scholar or Theologian.) But, I have also found many verses of The Message that align with Scripture. So, if a verse is of sound doctrine and reads beautifully in The Message version, then I feel comfortable referencing it.

I hope the above helped explain my views without stepping on toes.

Moving on...during the past few weeks, several of you have spurred me on by bestowing Becoming Me with awards. A very special thank you to Peggy, Karen, Matt, Amy , and WIFEY (So so sorry I originally left you out...my brain is so muddy)for these precious honors (If by any chance you have given me an award and I missed thanking you, please let me know...it was not intentional). I will be updating my awards page as soon as Blogger decides to cooperate and allow me to once again include graphics in my posts.

Last but not least, I'd like to request prayer for both my mom and my PapPap. My mother had knee replacement surgery on Aug. 5th, and because of the time her disability has required her to take off from work, she lost her job. Today, she fell and badly re-injured that same knee and was taken by ambulance to the ER. Please keep her emotional and physical health in your prayers. She's had a rough few months. Also, PapPap was admitted to the hospital with another serious infection earlier this week.

Again, thank you all for your concern, encouragement and prayers. It still amazes me how many true friendships have blossomed in my life as a result of blogging.

In His palm,

Angela