different perspectives struck me as contradictory tears eyes

Reading this line brought tears to my eyes. My mentor used to say that Gods word, delivered through the power of the Holy Spirit, moves you so profoundly that it shifts the gears of your heart and soul.

Why the Bible?

It reminds me of the story of the six blind men touching an elephant. Each man, feeling a different part of the animal, described it differently: one said it was like a wall, another like a rope, a third like a spear. They argued, each convinced of their truth, unable to see the whole picture.

In my early encounters with the Bible, I was like those blind men. The four Gospels, recounting the life of Jesus from different perspectives, struck me as contradictory. How could Gods book be inconsistent? I hastily judged it flawed and dismissed it outright, failing to see how these varied angles enriched the story rather than diminished it.

Ironically, I already understood the value of multi-perspective storytelling. It creates depth and completeness, revealing layers that a single viewpoint cannot. But when it came to the Bible, I forgot this principle entirely. I saw what I wanted to see, not what was truly there.

Life, with its twists and trials, humbled me. In my struggles, I found my way back to the Bible and encountered Jesus. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Ive been reading the Scriptures for over 30 years. What once seemed like contradictions now feels like the harmony of different voices, each adding depth and authenticity to the divine story.

The six blind men could only grasp fragments of the elephant until they listened to one another. Similarly, the Bibles diverse perspectives invite us to see the bigger pictureGods truth from all angles. It isnt just a book of answers; its a journey of discovery, where each perspective reveals more of Gods grace, wisdom, and love.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.Psalm 121: 8

**

Psalm 121 is a beautiful and comforting passage from the Bible, often referred to as the Travelers Psalm or a Psalm of Assurance. It expresses trust in Gods providence and protection. Here is the full text from the King James Version (KJV):

Psalm 121

1. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

This psalm is often used for reassurance during times of uncertainty, travel, or difficulty. It reminds us of Gods constant vigilance, protection, and care, affirming that He watches over us without rest and preserves us in all circumstances. Its a timeless expression of faith and hope.

**

H/t:

枫叶糖浆0072024-12-09 16:21:13回复悄悄话回复 Mary888 的评论 :

小学读武侠，初中就读不下去了；高中读琼瑶，被吸引了3天，没好好备战高考，觉得是毒药停了。到了更高的学府，已经读曹雪芹了，觉得琼瑶一嘴寡味，庆幸高三自己的明智；不爽的时候就读《好兵帅克》哈哈大笑。那时有《圣经》，四福音书讲同一件事，有不同立马被我枪毙：神的书怎能自相矛盾？

其时我早已明白多角度叙事的好处，这种不同角度的叙事使被描述的事件更加完整，当然角度之间的描述不会雷同，这不是自相矛盾，而是更加真实完整。但是一到了《圣经》上，我就全然忘记这种叙事，机械地判《圣经》为自相矛盾的死刑。

人生艰困了，重拾《圣经》，信了耶稣，圣灵带领下读了20多年，一直读得有滋有味，硕果累累。《红楼梦》在我眼中成了毒草，《好兵帅克》该扔了。但它们的作者倒是可怜可叹，有的良善，有的幼稚还没成熟就挂了。
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这个评论好深刻。看样子圣经是必读list 上的下一本。谢谢来访！

Mary888 2024-12-09 16:18:47回复悄悄话罪人之间有真爱吗？存疑！有什么呢？貌似好的婚姻，基督徒的家庭有忍耐，非基督徒的有凑乎。神给爱的定义中，忍耐被提及两次，是重点。真爱是十字架的爱含忍耐，肉体情欲的甜蜜不是真爱！

Mary888 2024-12-09 16:09:24回复悄悄话小学读武侠，初中就读不下去了；高中读琼瑶，被吸引了3天，没好好备战高考，觉得是毒药停了。到了更高的学府，已经读曹雪芹了，觉得琼瑶一嘴寡味，庆幸高三自己的明智；不爽的时候就读《好兵帅克》哈哈大笑。那时有《圣经》，四福音书讲同一件事，有不同立马被我枪毙：神的书怎能自相矛盾？

其时我早已明白多角度叙事的好处，这种不同角度的叙事使被描述的事件更加完整，当然角度之间的描述不会雷同，这不是自相矛盾，而是更加真实完整。但是一到了《圣经》上，我就全然忘记这种叙事，机械地判《圣经》为自相矛盾的死刑。

人生艰困了，重拾《圣经》，信了耶稣，圣灵带领下读了20多年，一直读得有滋有味，硕果累累。《红楼梦》在我眼中成了毒草，《好兵帅克》该扔了。但它们的作者倒是可怜可叹，有的良善，有的幼稚还没成熟就挂了。

枫叶糖浆0072024-12-09 10:38:27回复悄悄话回复 flyingdust11 的评论 : 作为一个女人，琼瑶有才有貌有后代，凭一己之力大半生荣华富贵，按照自己的意愿过世，过世后还有素未平生的人发多遍文章各种吃瓜津津乐道。怎么看都是人生赢家，后辈女人仰望，同辈女人妒忌，正常.

平、林、琼三个人没有赢家！ 出来混，迟早是要还的

留下69本书的，但是琼瑶的悲剧是不能面对自己，她没有赢得自己。
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此话差矣，每个人有每个人的人生，琼瑶的一切造作就是给你这样的看的，看了后羡慕并信以为真。我们只是透过现象看本质，感叹一下人生。她有貌的话，就会亲自出境演一个什么角色了吧，有才是真的，嫉妒也学不来。为什么有后代也成了一个歧视链的一环了？许多文章已经告诉你了，她的荣华富贵开始在 60岁，当然也比没有好。至于按照自己的意愿死什么时候变成一个个人生赢家的因素了？平安自然死应该才是人生至高境界吧？ 您再想想吧。