Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Verse Mapping Joy!

by 12 Comments

Last month I shared with you the 13 verses on joy that I am attempting to memorize/focus on this year.  (Joy is my word for 2023.)  I am also verse mapping all 13 verses to help me continue to engage my word, and to bring deeper understanding or new insight into the scriptures.

 

I wrote about verse mapping a couple of years ago when I reviewed Kristy Cambron’s NIV Verse Mapping Bible and Verse Mapping Bible Study Journal.  The journal, in particular, is an extremely helpful tool for me to dig deeper into verses or passages of scripture.  So I decided to share my map for one of my “joy” scriptures and explain the processes so that you can verse map too, whether you buy the journal or not.

 

First of all, I’m going to share pictures of my journal pages so you can see what it looks like.  But because I don’t expect you to read my messy, yet colorful scribble, I’ll break it down for you as well.

verse mapping page1ge 2" width="768" height="1024" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/laurensparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7913-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/laurensparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7913-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/laurensparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7913-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/laurensparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7913-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/laurensparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7913-scaled.jpg?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />

 

Step One

 

Look up and record the verse or passage in multiple translations.  I usually aim for four different ones, and not necessarily the same ones every time.  Biblegateway.org is a quick and easy way to pick out some different versions.  Then note (underline, circle, box, whatever) the key phrases or words that are consistent across translations.  I chose to mark these in different colors.  And I have actually combined step one and step two for my purposes.  No one says I have to follow the instructions exactly!

 

On this day I analyzed Psalm 5:11 “But rejoice, all who take refuge in You, sing for joy forever!  And may You shelter them, that those who love your name may rejoice in You.”  

 

Step Two

 

Look up the Hebrew (for Old Testament) or Greek (for New Testament) meaning for the underlined words or phrases.  My favorite tool for this is Blue Letter Bible.  You can access it via the link I shared on desk top or by the app.  I don’t write down every single possible definition.  I would quickly run out of paper.  Instead, I look for the most appropriate or sometimes the most surprising meanings for the verse.  Then I go through and underline the possible meanings that are interesting (read different) to me.

 

For “rejoice/ be glad” I underlined the phrase “to brighten up”.  For “who take refuge”, the idea of putting trust in God or “to confide in” stood out to me.  And one of the meanings of “sing for joy” was “to creak”!  Now that I can relate to.  “May you shelter” took on new meaning with “defendest” and “shut up”.  “Your name” can be translated “renown, fame, or reputation”.  And finally, I love the picture of triumph and jumping for joy when we “rejoice/exult”.  

 

Step Three

 

Look at the verse or passage in context.  What is happening in the story?  I sometimes use a commentary in addition to reading the passage.  Straight from my page I wrote:  A flute accompanied Psalm of David and prayer for protection from the wicked.  An imprecatory Psalm (a spoken curse).  David was in the wilderness when Absalom’s forces sought to destroy him.  

 

Step 4

 

Applying what I’ve learned.  For this I have chosen to rewrite the passage using some of the alternate words or phrases found in the original language definitions.  I feel this gives me a fresh perspective and, at times, deeper insight into the verses.

 

We can be glad glad (I almost forgot to mention that the “But” and “rejoice” at the beginning of the verse come from the same Hebrew word.  That’s double emphasis!) when we put our trust and confidence in You.  You brighten up our lives.  I am overcome by You and sing for joy, which sounds like creaks in my case.  You defend us and shut up our enemies.  We jump for joy at your renown and glory.  

 

There are many, many ways to study the bible.  Verse mapping is a method I’m enjoying right now.  I hope you found this helpful or at least interesting!  If you decide to give it a try, I would love to hear how it went for you.  And if you have a study method that is giving you life right now, share it in the comments with us.

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

I couldn’t choose just one post this week, so I’m breaking the rules.  I love poetry and was so charmed by Lory’s Advent/Lent:  A Poem.  And I loved Grace and Truth’s own Maree Dee’s The Best Thing to Do When Life is Difficult.  She gave us a strategy that you won’t want to miss.  I’m adopting it immediately.

The Link Up

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

 

The Name of Jesus

by 14 Comments

 

“Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.
There is something about that name.
Master. Savior. Jesus.
Like the Fragrance after the rain.
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Let all heaven and earth proclaim.
That kings and kingdoms will pass away.
But there is something about that name.”
Songwriters: Bill Gaither, Gloria L Gaither. 
When my daughter Shelby attended school, her bus picked her up and dropped her off right in our driveway every day.  So convenient.  But now we drive 40 minutes round trip to her dayhab.
Generally, I listen to podcasts non-stop.  While doing chores, showering and getting dressed, doing yard work and in the car.  Moreover, I listen to podcasts of varying styles and topics, however all that talk doesn’t interest my Shelby.  For that reason, most days after getting buckled in I will hear her sweet voice say “Dance.”  And if I don’t respond, she will repeat many times, as she is apt to do.  “Dance.”  So I have learned to ask, “Shelby, are you telling me you would like to listen to music?”  Emphatically, she replies, “Yes”.

The Dance

Shelby’s special needs allow her mostly single word utterances to get her point across, but she usually does.  After her request, I dutifully ask Siri to play an artist of my choosing and wait to hear what the most streamed song by that artist is.  I had just about forgotten how enjoyable singing in the car can be!  As a result of her promptings, we have taken deep dives with many different styles and decades of music.
Most recently, I have been taking a stroll down musical memory lane with the contemporary Christian artists of my youth.  Such as Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, DC Talk, Wayne Watson.  Sorry if CCM was not your jam.  If you will indulge me for a moment, I do have a point.
Shelby enjoys music, but doesn’t really have the ability to sing.  And yet surprisingly, when she hears one particular word in a song (or in a sermon for that matter) she repeats it over and over again.  “Jesus.  Jesus. Jesus.”  It puts me in mind of the Gaither song I started this post with today.  Even though my daughter only understands the world as a two-year-old does, she knows that the name Jesus is special.  As previously noted, “There’s just something about that name.”

What is It?

That name is important because of who He is (God’s Son) and what He’s done (died in our place to pardon our sins and save us forever).

Click To Tweet
Certainly He is “Master.  Savior.  Jesus.”  And in her innocence, in a way only she and our gracious Heavenly Father know, she understands His significance.  And I can’t think of a better time of year to let my daughter lead me into worshipping Him.
“5 Have this attitude [e]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be [f]grasped, 7 but [g]emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death [h]on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 5:1-11 NASB
Finally, here is this week’s featured post from the link up!
Linda Stoll introduced me to a practice I had never thought of in Who’s Your Advent Buddy?  Advent is not solemn and not meant to be solitary.  So I can’t think of a better way to extend its meaning than engaging a friend in meaningful conversations about our Lord.

The Link Up

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

 

If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. Also if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. Basically, if you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

To conclude, you may find some great places where I might be sharing this post by clicking here.

Categories

Archives