Today, another section of the website makes its debut – Â a “Review” section. This section will consist of reviews on a variety of products: books, food, and many other things which make their way across my desk.
The review today is for a pamphlet from Rose Publishing on Psalm 23.
(Full disclosure: I received a free PDF copy of the brochure for providing a review. However, receiving a copy will not effect the review.)
Before reviewing this pamphlet, let me mention a few things about Rose Publishing. I first ran across this company while researching for an upcoming sermon years ago. While I cannot remember the first chart I received from Rose Publishing, I will say that over the years I have been privileged to enjoy many of their Bible echarts for free because I signed-up in their mailing list. You can do that as well by going here: http://www.rose-publishing.com/
Now, onto the review…
While Psalm 23 is the most beloved psalm, it is also one that many take for granted. There is a powerful story behind the psalm and it is only magnified when one becomes a greater student of the language and culture. The Psalm 23 pamphlet by Rose Publishing allows the reader to understand the language as well as the cultural context of the time of its writing. Admittedly, many of us are unfamiliar with the what a shepherd does except for watching sheep. This pamphlet provides tidbits of information relating to the responsibilities of a shepherd through out the text. Further, the pamphlet gives an overview of the nature of sheep. Since the shepherd-sheep relationship is a key component to Scripture (and to Christian Living) it is vital to understanding the cultural background of the Psalmist.
The format of the pamphlet is well put together for reading and study. The verses are broken down into three sections: Meaning, Application and Related Passages. The Meaning section gives a brief overview of the verse while the Application sections give a few more insights before providing questions. The questions are designed to challenge your thinking by reflecting on the passage as well as your current spiritual condition. The Related Passage section will give you verses for further study.
Visually, the pamphlet is eye catching. There are materials on the market that are very dull in color and you would walk by, but not with this one. The colors, along with the pictures and the color charts, provide a pleasant experience to the eyes. All of this makes for a great reading experience.
Throughout the pamphlet there are charts, lists and tidbits of information to assist you in understanding the various key points of the Psalm along with other related terms in scripture. A good example is Psalm 23.4 where the phrase “Your rod and staff, they comfort me” occurs. In this section, a chart is provided mentioning the various rods and staffs in the Bible. Charts like that one on “Rods and staffs” are helpful for further study and Bible knowledge.
Having read through the pamphlet several times, I feel this would be a great pamphlet for a variety of settings: small group study, a large group study and even a personal study. Due to the usefulness of the material, it would also be a great way to study with someone since most people are familiar with Psalm 23.
This episode is a little over 20 minutes, just barely, but the information can help you develop 20 minute daily habits to assist you in personal growth. Â 20 minutes can give you the edge you need. Just 1,200 seconds and provide you the edge you need to conquer a new area of life. 20 minutes one time may not change your future, but it can. In fact, 20 minutes every day can begin to plant a seed for further growth later in life.
Here are a few of my 20 minute tools:
New Language:
Duolingo – Duolingo is the app I use to study Spanish. It is a simple and rewarding way to spend about 20 minutes a day learning a new language.
Sign Language – Soon I am going to start learning sign language but I have not found the best training system yet. If you know of one, let me know.
Audio Podcasts:
Player FM Podcast Player – Player FM gives me the features I need in a simple way. Easily download podcasts, auto-delete feature to delete them after you listen to them and more.
****My Current podcast List – Here is a link to my current podcast list. You can download it and import it into your podcast player.
**** The site I use is down (figures). I will update this with a link as soon as I get it.
Meditation / Thought Reset
Headspace – This app is free for the first ten episodes of guided meditation. Each guided meditation takes about ten minutes.
Accupuncture Back Mat – When not using headspace and just laying on the floor, I use this acupuncture backmat and listen to a few classical songs or other calming songs on Amazon MP3
Fitness
Push up Bars – Simple push up bars can make a difference in your training.
Hand Therapy – I use these in the car, at the office, and wherever else.
Spiritual Life
Prayer – Prayer is my one way verbal discussion with my Creator.
Reading – To be a “man of the book” you have to read the book.
New Hobby
Back to Guitar – It has been a while, but I am starting to get back to playing. I discovered several four chord guitar programs that I am looking to try. Here is one – Musopia; FourChords.
As many of you know I am a quote hoarder. I have a collection of quotes scattered throughout my journal, planner, Evernote files and Onenote files. I am constantly looking and saving great quotes to stir my mind. A one line quote should be something that stirs our thinking. They are not to be a cure-all, but instead a few words to bring us out of our comfort zone and into a great sense of creativity.
If you have made it this far, you should get a prize. Thank you for taking a moment of your day to view the quotes. I hope they are able to benefit you as they have benefited me.
This week’s podcast features Dale Sadler. Dale is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider, speaker, minister, artist, author, fly-fisherman, and avid hiker. Dale has a passion for assisting families in growing stronger and healthier. Dale is also the author of three books, each available on Amazon: Generations to Come, No More Yelling and 28 Days to a Better Marriage.
You are listening to this podcast directly through the ChristopherMGallagher.com and the PreacherPen.org website. Soon it will be available on iTunes and other Podcast directories. Stay tuned. But for now, here is the podcast.
A few weeks ago, someone told me I looked tired. When they asked me why, I did not tell them anything, I just acted like everything was ok. It was not that I wanted to, it was I did not want them to think I was being a whining jerk.
The truth is, I am tired; very tired.
I go to the office in the mornings, sometimes early and sometimes later. I come home and work in the backyard trimming trees, clearing brush or working in the garden. Some days I find myself in the chicken house working to organize all the things there or to build something odd. The truth is those things are fun. I enjoy manual labor. I hated it growing up, but now I have found value working with my hands to get things done. I enjoy working with my hands and getting calluses, cuts and bruises. It’s just fun.
None of that makes me tired.
What makes me tired is people.
Seriously, people make me tired. My family, who I dearly love, does not make me tired. I get tired when I see people on social media.
I get tired hearing people talk about unity, then promoting disunity. I get tired of seeing people tell me there is only one race, the human race, then post things of the exact opposite. Instead of trying to bring people together, they add fuel to the violence of the current worldly chaos. I see people, friends, tell others one life is better than another. If you believe one life is better than another, you make me tired.
I get tired of people talk about religious unity, then practice isolationism. I get tired of seeing people tell us how great Christ is and we are all one, then they divide each other into congregation types. They talk about being one, but they actually, divide among the many. Christians are part of the same team; stop dividing people under the rug of manipulation.
I get tired of people talking about politics who only vote for people based on gender, race or who their friends vote for today. If you fall into that category, you are part of the problem and you make me tired. Why not find your values and then find your political party? Doing that usually leaves you as an independent. If you vote for a person because of race, gender or only their political party, you have lost the common sense that our founders wished future generations possessed.
I get tired of selfies. I am tired of a new generation, who will probably have to work harder than the previous because of our bad choices, finding themselves taking a new picture of themselves every five minutes. Stop it. Put your phone down and go do something for someone else. Stop worrying about you and go serve others. Service to others leads to greatness; selfies lead to selfishness.
I get tired of people wanting others to fix their problems instead of fixing it yourself. There is a whole generation of people who want everything then whine when they do not get it. There are those who have no work ethic, yet want people to give them everything. The generation before me worked and made something; people today need to do the same.
I get tired of people believing something just because someone said it. These days, everyone has an opinion and we need to be very cautious believing everything we hear. I have seen the quote from Abraham Lincoln that says, “Do not believe everything you read on the Internet.” (Think about it.) Just because someone says something you think is important does not make it right.
I get tired of people complaining and not doing anything. Personal drama and complaints are the black hole of social media. Anyone who gets to close and be pulled into the chaotic world of complaints. I know it might seem like I am complaining, but I am just verbalizing my long-held views on this topic. Stop complaining and do something good.
After a very few short years of this life, I have begun to figure out where I must be daily. I must be in the lives of my family. I will not change the world through the government, through a blog post or through an inspiring message. I will change the world through small things done consistently over time passed from one generation to the next.
OK, so here is what we are going to do.
By “We” I mean anyone who I tired too. By “We” I mean anyone who is willing to take a stand against the foolishness of the world and start creating a life for the future.
We are no longer going to stand by and watch the fading of opportunities, but we will hold ourselves accountable to each opportunity that comes before us.
We are no longer going to let the foolish demands of the world take the place of our divine purpose.
We will no longer be used as pawns by a worthless world, instead we will rise up and see our value not as a number, but as a living human being who has a successful legacy ahead.
We will no longer going to talk about doing something, but we are going to do something.
Beginning August 1st, I will issue you a 31 day challenge. 31 days to the beginning of a better you. The purpose is to get a group of individuals who want to begin living better but do not know where to start.
I am not perfect, but I would like to help you. For the month of August, I want to challenge you to begin creating habits leading to a great life and a greater legacy.
Each week there is a teleconference call to get everyone moving in the same direction.
Each week there are a series of articles to read and make a part of your daily routine.
Each week there are steps to take to begin creating a better you from Day 1 to Day 31.
What will you need to do?
I am looking for a select group of committed people. Each individual needs to commit a few minutes each day to begin developing habits to lay the foundation for a better life.
I am looking for a select group of people who will be dedicated to living better even when times get hard and people want to bring you down.
You will need to invest part of your time each day into becoming better.
You will need to follow a planner of items to schedule throughout the day to begin laying the foundation of better living.
It will take a small time investment each day to follow through with beginning to create new habits.
It will take a small time investment to call in to the Sunday night teleconference and get your encouragement for the week. It will take time to begin creating habits.
Do you want to be part of the 31 Day Challenge? It is simple, there is no cost and the benefits will be amazing if you are willing to take your life to the next level.
Simply go to 31daychallenge.christophermgallagher.com and sign-up. There is an application there to begin the process of being a part of the 31 Day Challenge. More information will be mailed to you shortly.
I hope you will think about taking on the challenge.
