Category: Pam Farrel

Paraphrase: A Restatement of a Text


All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for re-setting the direction of a man’s life and training him in good living. The scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God 
and fit him fully for all branches of his work.
(2 Timothy 3:16,17 J.B. Phillips translation)


Monotony gives birth to boredom. This is my paraphrase of the familiar quote: “Familiarity breeds contempt.” To have contempt towards someone is to say that someone is not worthy or to lack respect towards him. God is totally worthy of my respect and adoration, but I must admit that sometimes I gloss over a familiar Scripture. I repeat it with little heart and not much mental engagement. 

One of the most comforting prayers for me is the Lord’s Prayer. Yet at times, I just recite it without much thought. Several years ago, I translated the words based on a study of the prayer in the original Aramaic. And today, I decided to paraphrase the prayer into a colorful collage! (See above.)

Here’s my translation:

Our Father of heaven–
Only so very holy is your name.
Come your kingdom, Your will to be (accomplished) in what manner, means and process of our heaven; also (likewise, in the like manner) on our earth.
Give us the bread of our need (relief or supply, necessity) today, this very day, on this present day of the week, twenty four hours, from daybreak to sunset.
Leave (take away, without interference) our sins in the same manner, that we likewise leave (let go) these sins done to us.
Protect us by not letting us enter, pass into or cause temptation (the act of tempting, or enticing to evil, seduction; that which tempts nor an inducement or allurement to evil.)
But cut through, cleave us from, separate and deliver us from evil (Satan, as well as wickedness, worthlessness and unfortunate and sinful tendencies.)


Try your own paraphrase of a familiar passage of Scripture to see how it changes your perspective.


In 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time, Pam Farrel relates a time when she was struggling with depression after a major move and life transition. She called a friend, who listened to her, then asked her this question: “Pam, what character trait, what attribute of God are you forgetting?” Pam said, “Well, pretty much all of them!” This conversation led Pam to go to her Bible to paraphrase favorite Scriptures into affirmations of God’s character.

Here is her strategy for personalizing Scripture during your quiet time:

Simply brainstorm key words that might lead you to verses that would help [you or a friend]. You might need to take the key words and find biblical words that are similar. For example, stress is a very common feeling, but the word stress is not in the Bible. The words perseverance, endure, endurance, long-suffering are. Sometimes it is helpful to look for opposites. For example, if you are struggling with worry, look up peace.

What struggles are hitting your life or the lives of the ones you love? Brainstorm a list of words you can look up to find verses of comfort and hope.

©Pam Farrel from 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time (IVP). For more devotional books by Pam http://www.Love-wise.com


To find Scriptures by topic, check out the topical index tab at www.biblegateway.com.


If you are just joining us for 31 Days of Quiet, click here to see the whole list of ideas to spice up your quiet times with God.
To check out all nine categories of 31 Days Of…click over to the nesting place to see the multitude of topics! Surely one will pique your interest.


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Sing: To Relate or Celebrate in Verse

He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be astounded.
They will put their trust in the LORD. 
(Psalm 40:3 NLT)
I can hear some of you groaning, but Kel, “I don’t have a good singing voice.” Neither do I, but that doesn’t keep me from relating to God through music or singing in order to celebrate His goodness. And besides, I am not encouraging you to join the choir or compare yourself to someone else. This is just another way to add some pizzazz and emotional depth to your personal time with God.

I won’t go on and on about the benefits of music and singing, instead I will give you the list of ideas from 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time. Consider them to be springboards for your next musically inspired quiet-time!

Here are some ideas that Pam suggests to enhance your musical quiet-time :

  • Pull out the lyric jacket out of a CD or cassette that you don’t normally listen to. [Or find your favorite worship lyric online.] See if you can figure out what might have been going through the lyricist’s mind or what was going on in his or her life when it was written.
  • Find a hymnal. Try to sing as many hymns as you know. List your favorites. Choose ones you’d like sung at your wedding, your baptism, your funeral or other significant events in your life. Place the list in your Bible.
  • Many hymns are based on a Scripture text. [Do a Scripture search based on words from the hymn and see how the Word might have inspired the song.]
  • Sing a praise song until you have it memorized–especially one that is straight from Scripture.
  • Try to put your favorite [Scripture] verse to a familiar tune.
  • Put on a purely instrumental recording. Have a cup of coffee or tea …while you meditate on God’s goodness in your life.
  • Read a book, such as A Hymn is Born by Clint Bonner…

    ©Pam Farrel from 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time (IVP). For more devotional books by Pam http://www.Love-wise.com
    Share a time when God used music 
    in your life to draw you closer to Him.
    Posted on by kelrohlf 5

    Quiet: Enjoyed in Peace and Relaxation



    I’ve kept my feet on the ground,
        I’ve cultivated a quiet heart.
    Like a baby content in its mother’s arms,
    my soul is a baby content.
    (Psalm 131:2 The Message)



    Over the past several days, we have been exploring ways to quiet our souls. We’ve cataloged various techniques to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, who loves us and longs for us to linger in His presence. 

    You may feel overwhelmed with all these ideas. Or some of them may not appeal to your personality or fit in with your current schedule. Please do not feel obligated to try all of these suggestions. Think of this place as a pantry to return to when you want to add some spice to your devotions. Pick and choose which technique fits you. 

    And most of all, get to know God better. Know that He cares more about being with you, than how you spend the time together. Rest in His presence. Enjoy your times together. Enter the quiet and contentedness, He alone provides.

    That said, today’s idea is one of my favorites. I love baskets and containers, as does Pam Farrel. We are kindred spirits on this topic. As a matter of fact of all the ideas in her book, this is the one I return to over and over again.

    I have my everyday basket with my Bible, a journal, pens and a favorite devotional, like My Utmost for His Highest. 



    And I also like to have themed baskets such as a prayer, writing or worship basket. One time my friend Kelly and I spent a day putting together baskets accessorized with bookmarks, note cards  and other goodies that complimented the themes. I occasionally loaned them out to friends to encourage them in their walk with God. I regret to say that last year, I disassembled the baskets to inventory my books and organize them on shelves. That goal is still in progress, and I want to put the baskets back together with new, fresh themes.

    Pam shares her motivation for keeping these baskets placed in and around our homes:

    When I started putting together quiet-time baskets, I found myself spending more time with God. Having a quiet-time basket in nearly every room…helps me to take time to connect to God no matter where my responsibilities take me.

    I find that by having devotional material in user-friendly places I can stop and grab a minute with God while putting away laundry or straightening up the the living room.

    ©Pam Farrel from 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time (IVP). For more devotional books by Pam http://www.Love-wise.com

    These baskets become visual reminders of God’s desire for us to linger with Him for awhile. The other great thing about quiet-time baskets is that they are portable. You can easily carry your items to a quiet place outdoors. 

    What are some creative ways you
     visually remind yourself of God’s love?


    Posted on by kelrohlf 6

    Pause: To Linger For a Time


    The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life . . . 
    (Psalm 23:1-3a Amplified)


    Spending time with the Shepherd of our souls in a familiar place each day can be comforting, but some occasions call for a pause from the ordinary. It may be as simple as getting up and going for a walk with God in your neighborhood or as elaborate as visiting a place far away from home.

    Either way, taking a break from the routine can enhance your relationship with God. Not everyone has the luxury of going to distant lands, but if you love being outdoors with the Creator take your Bible outside to sit on the patio. Or take a blanket to your local park and just lie in the grass soaking up God’s presence.

    Often changing up our location can be a way to commemorate significant seasons of life. Maybe you need to set aside a day to make a decision or take an afternoon to grieve a loss. 

    I will let Pam Farrel speak to us today about a way she navigated a time of grief:

    When my father died, traditional quiet times were not easing the pain. My friend . . . brought over a gift from my women’s ministry team. It was a small rose bush. Planting, pruning and caring for that plant gave me time to talk to God about my feelings and a positive result– a living, growing, blooming beautiful result. It felt like my dad’s death wasn’t insignificant but rather significant because one small corner of the world became a more beautiful place, a reminder of a life lived.

    She also shares how choosing a special place or activity can enhance our relationship with God:

    Some days just demand that we stop, step out of the normal pace of life and look full face into the creation so we can connect with the Creator. Of course, you can pray in your dining room at home, but somehow when pivotal prayers are uttered in poignant settings they become etched in your mind and heart.

    Won’t you consider this challenge from Pam today:
    Look at the calendar for the coming year, is there an event you can make special by stepping into nature and feeding your relationship with God?

    ©Pam Farrel from 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time (IVP). For more devotional books by Pam http://www.Love-wise.com


    Posted on by kelrohlf 4

    List: To Listen To; to Hear


    Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
    (Philippians 4:8)




    This is our lovely cat, Maria. We call her “Kitten” most of the time. I think cats are experts at enjoying quiet. Today, she climbed on this box, which I wanted to photograph to go with today’s post. Oh well . . .

    Let’s get back to quiet times. Why do I care about seeking quiet moments? Because it is in the quiet that I can listen. When I listen, I am tuning myself to God’s thoughts through His Holy Spirit. He may bring to mind a Scripture. Or if I’m reading a book or listening to a song, I am drawn to a phrase of comfort. Another way I listen occurs while I write. I may not consciously know that God is speaking in that moment, but when I reread what I wrote, which is a form of prayer for me, I can see where God is working in my heart.

    A quick way to listen, it to write down a list. Writing a list can turn a gray, dreary day into a sunny remembrance of many praiseworthy things. Scriptures like Philippians 4:8, Psalm 19 and Psalm 103:1-5 use the list as a vehicle to emphasize a truth about the spiritual bounty our loving Father bestows upon us.

    Have fun in your quiet times. Today, as I thought about lists and thinking on excellent themes, I thought of the song, “My Favorite Things.” I used some lyrics from the song as a springboard for my list. You could have a more serious list, but I had fun playing with the word: list.





    In 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time, Pam asks a question. Her answer inspired my quiet time today.

    What can break the downward spiral to negativity? 

    Her answer is based on Philippians 4:8. 

    When you are down, spend your quiet time thinking of things that are lovely, like a rose…[or a sweet kitten, who likes to sleep on your favorite chair]

    Think of excellent things . . . creating your own list of things to remember when you are tempted to complain or think impure, unkind or just plain ugly thoughts. Post the list in a place where you are often grumpy …

    If you’re a visual person, you might like this idea from Pam:

    . . .create a Philippians 4:8 photo album. Put personal photos of the people, places and things you love most in a scrapbook. [This is where I would use magazines and a glue stick to make a Philippians 4:8 collage!]

    Whether it’s written words, pictures or just a favorite place, God wants to lift our spirits. Be silly. Be serious. Be with God. He will show you ways to improve your atmosphere on those low, gray days. (And sometimes, we just have low days, where we need to take a nap, cry or rant at God.) He knows what we need in each circumstance. Trust Him and be open to His encouragement.

    ©Pam Farrel from 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time (IVP). For more devotional books by Pam http://www.Love-wise.com


    Posted on by kelrohlf 6