Why King James Version?

Prov. 30:5-6  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Since first grade and my entry into a Catholic elementary school, I was introduced to the Word via the King James Bible. For countless years the King James Bible was my guide. I read it like it was the only book on my shelf from front to back and over and over again through the years.

In ninth grade I went to a Christian school and again, the use of the KJV bible was the one used for our bible studies. I hadn’t even heard of other translations of the bible but our Pastor at CLA (Christian Liberty Academy) told us of numerous ‘other’ translations that were out there and that we should steer clear lest we wanted to be led astray.

I remember one distinct day a conversation my sister and I were having as she was struggling in her faith. She asked me how I understood the bible so clearly when she herself found it so confusing. She knew of my love of poetry and I told her, “It is poetry to my eyes and ears.”

As you can imagine she looked even more confused by stating, “I just don’t get it.”

I personally don’t think the bible was written for us to ‘get’. I think it was written solely for us to feel! A new age guru did not write the words of the bible. He did not set out to explain every minute detail of every single word defining passages along the way. But in many of the NEW translations I feel that is what someone tried to do, write the bible more clearly so everyone could understand the Word it was speaking.

Even at our church, the KJV is frowned upon, seeking the word from the NIV because that was the most closely translated version of the KJV. Pastor Mike would often reference the KJV because the NIV didn’t have the clarity of the words. Many friends find the NIV an easier read, also. Can you all say, DIVIDED?

Does anyone realize that all these versions are simply dividing instead of what the Word intended on UNIFYING. When people hear that there are over 50 different versions of the Bible in the English language alone, they often think, "No wonder they are so divided.”

They might be wrong and they might be right. I’m not here to say who/what is wrong or right, I’m here to say what works for ME! And quite frankly, the King James version has worked for me for over 40 years now, so why would I want to conform to what other believers are believing and using? If the other translations work for you, that is fine, but my house, and me, we serve the Lord and I won’t let other translations cloud my enjoyment of the poetry it speaks to my heart and soul.

The one scripture that stands out to me that is too ‘changed’, and it’s not because of any Charlie Brown Christmas either, is the one from Luke.

KJV - Luke 2:8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

NIV – Luke 2:8-14  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The entire scripture was changed! Did you notice that the NIV omitted the words CHRIST OUR LORD? Yes, I know Messiah the Lord means the same thing but WHY omit CHRIST? How is changing those three words more clearly defining the Word? I find that entire scripture sacrilegious! But then again, that is just ME! And just on whom does His favor rest?

As hard as satan tries to tug and pull me away from what CHRIST has shown me, I will not be led to his lies, fear and doubts he tries throwing at ME! I am SPIRIT-FILLED, not just a liver and believer. I am a follower of Christ and not ashamed of it in anyway way. But satan will have you believe otherwise through guilt, shame and doubt. Be aware of his tactics.
So why do I choose the King James Version? Because it is a poetic imprint on my soul that I just can’t shake and don’t want to either.
 
Follow what is on your heart and may God be with you at all times.

Getting Organized

Job 33: 5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
***

To whom it may concern, Joni is in deep need of getting organized. Last week was an emotional roller coaster ride of a week and I think the fog has cleared this week allowing me to see what I must do.

First let me say, Adam aced his first History test! YES! Proud mom! I knew he could do it, he wasn’t so certain but he did it! YAY Adam!

So I decided to dig in and look for my stories I want revised, tweaked and submitted. Lo and behold I found a disorganized mess! I’m always saying, “Organize!” June is always piping in, “Get organized.” And sometimes I hear these voices but time and clouds in the brain just were not allowing me to get organized.

This week is much clearer with cooler temps too. I looked out the window and the first falling leaves have begun their descent to cluttering the lawn. The grass is growing still and may just get its last mow this week, and my files are in such disarray I’m having trouble finding those amazing stories I had for publication! Oh my!

My files look like my lawn actually; cluttered and disarray is an understatement. So what do I need to do this week? I promised June I would get writing after Adam started school. I didn’t know I was going to be such a mess last week. But before I can get writing, I need to get organized. Why?

Organizing will get me focused on what I need to do; what I will be able to write; and where I go from here. After I find all my work I’m placing it in a priority file, then I’ll find other work and put that in a WIP file (work in progress), then I will begin submitting so I’ll have a file titled submissions with the time, date and who I’ve submitted to. This should help my clutter immeasurably.

I’m ready to move forward in my writing and getting organized is what’s going to shape the next couple of months. In life and in work, organizing can only mean that you are growing in the fact that knowing you need this organization, your leap into the crazy world will be much easier.

My house is spic-n-span so why aren’t my files? Because I’ve been too busy to even notice that they were getting sloppy. “Okay Joni, brush off the moss under your butt and get moving. Times a wasting and all you can do is sit here and write?”  Joni replied, “But it’s my blog about writing!”

Ahh... I’m glad this place is organized. *deep sigh of relief*

Analog TV:To the dump,to the dump, to the dumpdumpdump

Good-bye analog...hello high tech!

Are we living in such a high-tech society that we need our government to take measures to change our lives? First they decided when the sun would rise and set, now they are telling us that in the high-tech world of faster is better, clear and concise is what we NEED, we’re no longer going to be able to use our ‘old’ television sets.

Is it fair to the consumer, to the elderly, to the poor, that the "all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves." Is taking over the airwaves leaving the above mentioned class of people ‘in the dark’ literally? In February 2009 your television will become an obsolete piece of junk lying in the dump, polluting our environment.

We’re expected to buy an HD TV set, a converter box, or be pressured into a monthly cable bill that an already over-taxed nation may not be able to afford at this time. Remember the mortgage crisis? The massive foreclosure dilemma? An impending recession?

Are we being asked to conform once again to what the government says and decides FOR US? I’m wondering when we’ll need to have the number six-hundred-and sixty-six stamped on our forehead or be told we’ll have to leave the country!

Dtv.gov has an interesting ‘theory’. The new air space that is opened will be used for police, emergency, etc. etc. Are we having a problem where this airspace needs to be opened? Or is this some form of money scheme that the government has signed on to, to con the poor?

DTV stands for digital tv. "It’s an advanced high tech broadcasting technology that will transform your low grade television viewing experience into high-tech clarity! DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality." What is wrong with my old picture?

Suppose I don’t WANT a transforming television viewing experience? Is it fair that I am being either FORCED into buying a new television or a set-top converter box? Who are the ones benefiting from this ‘project’?

Let me guess: The tv makers will boost their sales, converter manufacturers will gain money from their sales, cable sales will be boosted, the government will look piss-poor as always and who loses in all this? THE POVERTY STRICKEN, that’s who! Which will presumably be m(b)illions by the end of 2008 (if not already)!

Oh yeah, but we’ll have all that new and improved 911 service when we have a heart-attack and keel over from this ‘forced’ agenda. And I do believe, it IS just that, an agenda!

A quote from Harrison Ford: "Money is really only important if you don’t have any."

That’s easy for him to say.