Mike caught wind of my "want" (okay, I'm sure I'm as subtle as a freight train) and when we were in Colorado he took me to a Family Christian Store. I began browsing the Bibles and fell in love with a pink leather bound parallel just like I wanted. Silly, huh? The internal message is the same no matter what the outside looks like but golly did I want that Bible. And so, my husband conceded, quickly realizing my want (and caring) and justifying that The Message version is good to have around to help explain scripture to others. And when I went to check out?...the original price of over $60 was on sale--a sign we didn't see--and the Bible was $15 off! God's blessing on my new purchase!
And I LOVE it! It's completely rejuvenated my scripture reading...not only do I love that it's leather bound (and pink) but I love the parallel. 
I understand so much more and am able to interpret meaning behind scripture. I began taking notes right in the Bible as soon as I got it (which was hard for me to do with my old one--that old "don't write in books mantra") and it already feels like I've had it forever.I have a feeling that this Bible and I will become good friends over the years. A friend who always tells me like it is, leads me in the right direction and picks me up when I've fallen. A friend who reminds me that I'm loved by the One and Only and belong to a Kingdom greater than I'll ever imagine here. Yup...we'll be the bestest of buds.
So now, I'm curious--do you have a Bible that you LOVE and if so what version is it? If not, might I recommend the NIV/Message Parallel? Or if you have one & you're not sure you love it, might I recommend that you make it "yours"? Write it in, love on it, take it with you, read it, highlight things that apply to you personally...own it! It's a guide to be used, not a shrine to be sat on a shelf. It should, of course, be treated with respect but it's not simply the bound pages that we should treat with such reverance...it's the Man who wrote them. He gave it to you to use as a guide and I believe he smiles when your Book is well worn with use and love.
So friends, here's praying you've found the Bible for you and that, if you haven't, you'll look for it, but more importantly you'll use it & be blessed because of it!
6 comments:
That's awesome! I don't "love" my Bible. It's a student Bible that I got when I was a senior, I think. I loved it then, but think I'm ready for a "Big Girl" one. Make sense?
I just started reading the New Testament Message we got at baccalaurette (sp?). I never new about that version before, but its great and so much easier to read. I can see myself needing the Old Testament too one day.
Lauren
I think it's gret that you found "Your" bible. we have three diferent Bibles at our house and I'm not really happy with any of them. They really aren't all the same. I got a One Year Bible which I was super excited about when I bought it. But I find it hard to follow along with it. It jumps around alot and kind of confusses me. Thank you so much for the recomindation. It's overwhelming when you go to the store and look at all the different versions to decided what would be a good choice. I've even asked the sales person for a recomindation and they told me everyone has different taste.
Anyway, comming around to my point here. I'm grateful for the honest review and will have to look into that version. I would really like to have a bible I could read on my own and get something out of.
jenn you wrote that just for me didn't you? :) i have two bibles at home and one i can kind of follow and the other, i can't follow at all! but it has been a long time since i got the one out that i like. so maybe i need to get it back out and read it and then once i get to be more familiar with everything, i will like the other one too. i think i just get so overwhelmed when i get the bible out b/c i don't even know where to start. but shonya gave me a great recommendation yesterday so i may have to try it. but thanks for the great post and the recommendation, i may have to look into it. or look at yours and see what i think.
I think this is so important! I, too, write in my Bible and it is a friend to me. I *finally* replaced a Bible a couple years ago, (pages were LITERALLY falling out) but it about killed me b/c I knew where all the scriptures were based on where they were on the page! :) (Don't ask me chapter/verse, just let me get my Bible where it's on the upper left corner! lol--visual learner!)
But my new Bible is also a parallel translation, KJV and NIV and it's finally familiar to me and I like it a lot. I'm personally not so crazy about the Message translation b/c it's not a *literal* translation, but has a lot of 'interpretation' in it and I don't agree with all their interpretation. I sometimes read it, but always read another translation along with it so I don't get confused. We recently bought an English Standard translation that has really good reviews for being sound in literal translation, but easier to understand than KJV. I haven't gotton to 'know' it yet! :) Have fun studying your new copy of the Word!
Shonya,
I agree that sometimes the interpretation is a little far-reaching...that's why when I bought it I made sure to get the parallel to read along together. I've not read the English Standard translation but may look into it.
Bree,
Funny how other people's posts can seem just for you...that's the Holy Spirit working in us all. I never got around to commenting to your post but I think we all have those doldrum moments when life seems dreary so don't feel alone.
Andrea,
It totally makes sense. I too was using a student study Bible and liked it but was ready for a "grown-up" version.
Lauren,
Glad you are enjoying the NT version of the Message...maybe you'll get the whole thing for Christmas! :)
Corin,
It's VERY overwhelming at the store...that's why I researched online. You are very welcome for the review and I hope you find "the one" for you!
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