A Note on Bible Translations

Just thought I would clarify briefly on my choice of Bible translations.

I personally prefer more modern translations of the Bible as opposed to more traditional translations such as the King James Version or even the NKJV.  Of course I don't hold it against anyone who has preference to these versions of the Bible, but allow me to explain what versions I like to use and why.

I will be primarily using the New Living Translation, The Passion Translation, and on occasion, the English Standard Version.  I will specify the version I use for each reference, and will identify if I use another version other then these three I have mentioned above.

Picture from Amazon 2016

You have probably heard of the ESV, and possibly and NLV, but The Passion Translation - translated by Dr. Brian Simmons - is one that many people have not heard of, and understandably so, as it is so new that not all of it has been translated yet!  But please do not allow this to scare you off!  One of the reasons I prefer new translations to traditional versions is because the English language is constantly changing.  There are phrases in the KLJ that scholars today are not even sure the meaning of today because the words are so very 1611.  If we are so busy trying to just work out the English words and their meaning, how can we concentrate on what God is trying to teach us through the meanings underneath the text?  The Passion Translation Website says this about the way they aimed to translate the Bible:

While we’ve worked hard to express the original biblical languages in modern English, we believe there really is no such thing as a consistent word-for-word translation. Yes literal meaning matters, but the full meaning of a passage doesn’t transfer from word-to-word. Our translation philosophy is that the meaning of God’s original message to the world has priority over its exact form, which is why our goal is to communicate the meaning of Scripture as clearly and naturally as possible in modern English.

Brian and other reviewers have sought to remain faithful to the original biblical languages by preserving their literal meaning, yet flexible enough to convey God’s original message in a way modern English speakers can understand. It is a balanced translation that tries to hold both the Word’s literal meaning and original message in proper tension, resulting in an entirely new, fresh, fiery translation of God’s Word.  (Broadstreet Publishing Group 2015)

I have found (in my own devotional time) The Passion Translation to be incredibly beautiful and eloquently written in modern English, throwing new light on verses and passages I had not previously understood.  It has blessed my spiritual walk immensely and I hope it blesses your life as well.

Love and blessings to you and yours in Christ,

Broadstreet Publishing Group (2015)  FAQs. The Passion Translation.  Retrieved from http://www.thepassiontranslation.com/faqs/  (September 18, 2016)

Amazon (2016).  Retrieved from http://www.amazon.in/Passion-Translation-Set-7/dp/1424549612 (September 19, 2016)

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About Me and my Blog

Hello my friends!

Welcome to my blog - my personal little corner of the internet.

A few words about myself, so you know who you are talking to... :)

To describe me briefly, I am a homeschool graduate; the eldest of eight kids; a Lover of Jesus; student of ministry through Harvest Bible College; kids and youth ministry leader; singer and amateur actress through our local theatrical society.

My testimony really begins right from when I was born in February 1995.  Within six weeks of being born, I was diagnosed with a heart condition that disallowed much oxygen to be pumped around my body and when I was three months old, I underwent the first of two open heart surgeries.  I am amazed at God's grace to me from even these earliest days of being alive, because, quite frankly, the severity of my condition (in the natural) should have killed me before doctors found anything to be worried about.

I first asked Jesus into my heart when I was three years old, but only really made a commitment when I was about thirteen.  For years I revelled in this stand off relationship with God, too afraid of what might happen if I dared to step out into the life God had for me.  Thankfully, He saved me from this stale Christian life and is teaching me to trust Him more and to really follow Him.  Over the last year and a bit (written Sep. 17, 2016) I have had several prophecies and words of knowledge spoken over my life which have excited me terribly.  Until about September, 2015, I had planned to become a nurse, but knew God was calling me to lay down my ambitions and go into ministry instead.  I am close to starting my final semester for the first year of my bachelor degree and will finish in December 2018.

More recently, God has opened up new dimensions in my relationship with Him emphasising sacrifice and discipline in order to seek His heart.  I will probably cover much of this throughout posts, so I won't go into heaps of detail here and now, but it is so exciting to me, and I hope it stirs in your spirit as well as I share my journey with you.

You may be wondering about Heart Beat.  You may have 'met' me before through my other blog Amity.  Amity has been running for about three years, but I recently I have really felt that Amity was reflective of the old me and wanted to bring out the new person God is creating in a whole new blog.  I do hope to add to Amity still every once in a while as Heart Beat is not for the recordings of everyday life, but more for the writings of what God is teaching me - journalling if you will.

If you hadn't picked it up from what I've said already, I attend a Pentecostal church, and God has been teaching a lot through church and through my own time with Him about operating in the Holy Spirit.  I will might say things on Heart Beat that you will not always feel comfortable with or agree with.  Please keep in mind that I am learning too.  Feel free to leave a comment on anything, and I will answer you as best I can - I am always willing to learn from those around me, so be constructive and critical in your comments so we can all learn together!  I am hoping to have a few beautiful friends of mine write guest posts every now and again which I am sure will be encouraging and inspiring.

I named this blog Heart Beat because that is my ultimate desire - to learn the heart beat of God and to live and talk and act within its rhythms.  I want His heart beat to become my own so that my heart will break when His does, and I will learn to see the people and the world the way He does.

So as we walk this path together and seek the heart of God, be encouraged!  No one is alone - we are hear to sharpen each other and build each other up.

Thanks so much for stopping by - I hope your day is beautiful and glorious in the love of our Jesus!

Much love in Him,

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