Psalm 23

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." (New International Version)

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul." (New King James)

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength." (New Living Translation)

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. " (Good News Bible)

"The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me; you restore my strength."(New American Bible)

"The Lord ruleth me and I shall want nothing. He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment: He hath converted my soul." (Douay-Rheims)

"Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing. In grassy meadows he lets me lie. By tranquil streams he leads me to restore my spirit."(New Jerusalem Bible)

"The Lord takes care of me as his sheep; I will not be without any good thing. He makes a resting-place for me in the green fields: he is my guide by the quiet waters. He gives new life to my soul." (Bible in Basic English)

"You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life."(Contemporary English Version)

Advertisements

Have you noticed how many advertisements there are for more noise?

• Cheaper mobile phone subscriptions so that you can be contacted more often
• Faster internet for downloading music and videos
• Ringtones to make your life more 'musical'
• Digital television for more channels and radio stations
• Breakfast cereal that will 'snap, crackle and pop' as you eat it
• Beer that brings life to the party
• Icecream that makes you burst into song
• Multivitamins that give you the energy to vaccuum and dance at the same time
• Mineral water that makes lobsters in a restaurant serenade you

When did you last see an advertisement offering you 15 minutes silence?

Drained energy

There are some people that drain my energy. It does not seem to matter whether they are happy or sad, at work or on holiday, at home or away - being with them saps the life out of me.

In my life, where my job already drains my energy, I cannot afford to spend free time with people who drain me further. It has become important to surround myself with people who refill my energy banks.

Spending time alone, in silence, also helps refresh me. Which is where this search for rest, balance and rejuvenation began....

Beloved

Not our actions - what we do

Not our reputation - what others say about us

Not our possessions - what we have

But who we are - you are My beloved child, on whom My favour rests.

After Henri Nouwen