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23: Why the Psalm for Dying is a Guide for Living.
John looked directly into my eyes and in broken English said something I will never forget. "Eran, no more walk the back of the line! You stay behind me. And no more look the top of the mountain, you watch my feet. I step, you step. I go, you go. I rest, you rest. We make it to top together!" Those words, said to me while attempting to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, kept me from quitting that day. More profoundly, the truth of Jesus as my shepherd has guided me through every difficult season of life. Allow me the privilege of reintroducing you to an old friend called Psalm 23. You’ve seen it framed and hung in a hospital waiting room and funeral homes. It has been quoted by children and pronounced over those taking their final breaths. It has been cherished by millions and set to music hundreds of times. It would be hard to find a person who hasn’t heard it, but do they fully comprehend it's message for life? Let's take a fresh look at the six verses of Psalm 23. - See your shepherd as more than a guide, but the source of your joy and contentment in life. - Understand His presence as your promise of peace. - Find your identity in belonging before being. - Learn how to stand tall when you're faced with a giant in the valley. - Bow in gratitude when you arrive on the mountaintop. - Slow down to allow His blessing to overwhelm you. In my peaks and valleys and my highs and God is WITH ME. When I'm fired, tired and God is WITH ME. In dark caves and painful God is WITH ME. Though friends betray God is WITH ME. When our journey through these six verses has concluded, may you see these words as a prayer for living instead of a poem for dying, and may you be overwhelmingly reminded and convinced that whatever you're facing now or in the Psalm 23 says, "God is WITH ME."
190 pages, Paperback
Published April 5, 2018
61 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 29, 2018
Fresh perspectives on Psalm 23
The author gives fresh insight into this beloved psalm, and I found myself highlighting multiple passages. His exploration of the psalm grew out of a difficult time in his life which is not fully disclosed until the end of the book. In my opinion, though I enjoyed the book, I would have appreciated it even more if I had had a better grasp of what the author had been through from the beginning of the book.
I have the book only four stars because of three reasons. One, it seems that at times the author is trying to be a little too cute. He was a youth minister for 15 years, and still works with youth ministers, so this style of writing may be appealing to some. It just wasn't for me, so I learned to overlook those areas to get to the meat.
Second, the book needs a little more careful editing. Sometimes the wrong word is used ( for example, "than" instead of "then"), and sometimes the errors are merely typos. An editor should have caught those mistakes.
And third, the author needs to learn the difference between a sling and a slingshot. David used one, but in no way was it even possible for him to use the other.
Now back to something positive. There were so many wonderful insights that I intend to go back through and pull them out for further study. It was no coincidence that God put this book right in front of me at this time in my life. This book is well worth the time to read, so grab a cup of coffee and get started!
The author gives fresh insight into this beloved psalm, and I found myself highlighting multiple passages. His exploration of the psalm grew out of a difficult time in his life which is not fully disclosed until the end of the book. In my opinion, though I enjoyed the book, I would have appreciated it even more if I had had a better grasp of what the author had been through from the beginning of the book.
I have the book only four stars because of three reasons. One, it seems that at times the author is trying to be a little too cute. He was a youth minister for 15 years, and still works with youth ministers, so this style of writing may be appealing to some. It just wasn't for me, so I learned to overlook those areas to get to the meat.
Second, the book needs a little more careful editing. Sometimes the wrong word is used ( for example, "than" instead of "then"), and sometimes the errors are merely typos. An editor should have caught those mistakes.
And third, the author needs to learn the difference between a sling and a slingshot. David used one, but in no way was it even possible for him to use the other.
Now back to something positive. There were so many wonderful insights that I intend to go back through and pull them out for further study. It was no coincidence that God put this book right in front of me at this time in my life. This book is well worth the time to read, so grab a cup of coffee and get started!
May 8, 2018
Looking for a fresh new view on one of the most widely known Psalms? Pick up this book! With engaging personal stories and humor, Eran convinces us that the Psalm read at funerals is really a recipe for living!
July 13, 2018
Loved this book! It was great to see Psalm 23 through Pastor Eran’s eyes. I really enjoyed reading it, and it made me see these beautiful verses in a different light. A must read!!!
December 22, 2018
Refreshed
I’ve always only seen Psalm 23 as something to be recited at funerals... this fresh perspective perfectly fits the season of life we’re in... Psalm 23, a prayer for life
I’ve always only seen Psalm 23 as something to be recited at funerals... this fresh perspective perfectly fits the season of life we’re in... Psalm 23, a prayer for life
September 29, 2020
This is a great book! Every christian should read this book, over and over again. It is so full of insights you can't get it into the heart with just one read. Very uplifting!
July 16, 2024
3.5 Stars
Overall this was an informative book. I have never personally associated 23 with , but it was an interesting idea. However, I feel this book didn't relate it to death at all. I did struggle with wanting to take a red pen to this book due to the amount of grammar and spelling errors. I almost could not finish due to those. I also the amount of pop culture references to be too much and that the author was trying too to relate to a younger generation or be "hip".
Pre-Reading
Psalm 23 is one that my mom constantly tried to get me to memorize when I was a child. In a year where I am trying to get closer to Christ, a book on one of the most popular Psalms may be a good route to take.
Overall this was an informative book. I have never personally associated 23 with , but it was an interesting idea. However, I feel this book didn't relate it to death at all. I did struggle with wanting to take a red pen to this book due to the amount of grammar and spelling errors. I almost could not finish due to those. I also the amount of pop culture references to be too much and that the author was trying too to relate to a younger generation or be "hip".
Pre-Reading
Psalm 23 is one that my mom constantly tried to get me to memorize when I was a child. In a year where I am trying to get closer to Christ, a book on one of the most popular Psalms may be a good route to take.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews