Interview with Author G.e. Johnson and a Review

Okay, so this isn't my usual inspirational post, but I recently read a book by author G.e. Johnson.  It's called Volume One of Discovery of The Shepherd, A Study of Psalm 23.  I was so impressed by the study itself that I invited Gerria over to my author blog to discuss it.  Well, as it turns out, I want to share it with you as well.  I feel like you'll understand the Psalm so much better if you read this study, and trust me, you'll definitely want to check it out.  I have a new respect for the Psalm now. So, here's my interview in full for you guys on this page.


Guys, I’m thrilled to introduce to you author, G.e. Johnson.  She’s a dear friend, extraordinary author, and wonderful Christian woman. 

Welcome to my blog, Gerria!  I’m so thrilled that you’ve decided to join us.  Let’s start with you telling us a little about yourself.

Thank you so much for having me! I started writing as a teenager, mostly dabbling in poetry and free verse. Then, two years ago I published my first fiction work and I’ve been immersed in the literary world ever since. Recently, I made the switch to writing non-fiction Christian books and I love it. When I’m not writing, I spend my literary time helping other authors with marketing & promotion.

I’ve recently read your new novel, Volume One of Discovery of The Shepherd, A Study of Psalm 23,

and I have to say, I’m deeply impressed with the revelation that this first part of this study reveals.  How long did you spend in just a study of Psalm 23, each verse of it?  I’m betting it took a while.

For volume one, it took me about 2 months to put everything together. I’m actually studying as I go along because I want the revelation that I share to be fresh. For upcoming volumes, I’m giving myself a few weeks each because I would like to release a fresh volume each month until I have covered the entire Psalm.

You also studied the original meanings of the words in the Psalm itself.  How long did you spend searching original meanings and definitions?  Were you surprised at what you learned there?  

I am constantly reading and re-reading the original words and their meanings as I write. I also listen to audio recordings of the words and speak them out loud. I feel that this helps me to connect with the text and gain a better understanding of the literary voice of the writer, in this case King David. He was a very passionate, emotional man and the imagery that he uses in his writing is an awesome reflection of that. I have learned many things from the Hebrew text, but my first big discovery was that the “green” in “green pastures” is not an adjective at all in the original language. It is a noun – a living thing! This blew my mind and opened up an entirely new dimension to that verse. I write all about it in the book.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again.  I was so impressed with this study.  I’ve heard the Psalm hundreds of times before, but this study brought out so much about the Psalm I wouldn’t have seen on my own.  Were you surprised by what God revealed to you?  How did you feel while writing it?

I was a little surprised, but I must say that I went into this project with very high expectations. My desire to write bible study material came from God so I knew that there were some things that He wanted to say specifically and I was anticipating something mind blowing. My only prayer was that I would be able to capture what was being shown to me and put it into words. The revelation of God is a spiritual experience, but I have been charged with packing that revelation into the cerebral experience of reading. I feel challenged every time I sit down to work on this study, but when God gave me the assignment, He also gave me the ability to complete it and I have His help.

Okay, what can we expect from future studies of this Psalm?  Will there be more of different Psalms?  Different passages of the Bible?

 The upcoming volumes of the Psalm 23 study will look just like the first volume. I am continuing to explore the original text and revealing the things that have become hidden through translation. There will also be more revelation of the ties between this scripture and the New Testament scriptures that fulfill what King David wrote. At this time, I have not been assigned another Psalm, but I do have a desire to “discover” some of the Proverbs of King Solomon as well as to write about some of the more general principals from the bible.

Where can we keep up with you and your work? 

The “Discovering The Shepherd” Psalm 23 study is being hosted by my wonderful friend and spiritual sister author Zari Banks who also writes revelatory works and teaches the word through multiple outlets. You can order an electronic copy (pdf, Kindle, or Nook versions) of volume 1 for $5 from Zari’s website at http://www.zwriteswords.org. For a limited time, those who order volume 1 will receive all upcoming volumes of the study for FREE and will have access to my closed study & discussion group! Readers may also e-mail me directly at gejohnsonmedia@gmail.com or join me on my author page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/gejohnsonfans.

Review:
5 stars
Discovering the Shepherd is literally what we do in this study.  G.e. breaks the Psalm down into individual passages (verses), gives us complete meanings of each verse, including original text and definitions.  What we see in the definitions will completely astound you, and you’ll see God, our Shepard in a new light, a bright light that will help you focus on letting God fully become your Guide, Shepard, Savior in life. 
The revelations we see in this novel astounded me, and honestly, left me speechless.  I felt God in these pages, and I could see that they were divinely inspired.  I honestly think we all need to read this study to focus on the meaning of Psalm 23.  Most of us know it by heart, but do you know it?  Do you know exactly what it means?  The answer is, yes, after you read this book, but until then, I don’t think we fully understand the importance of this Psalm.

"Wait on the Lord" A Lesson from David

I'm not a patient person.  I've never really been willing to wait on the things I've wanted most in my life, but life isn't always about immediate gratification.  That usually never makes us "happy" for long.

A few months ago, probably closer to half a year by now, God gave me a Word - Shalom, in this instance, meaning "order."  He told me that He was going to put my life in order.

It was a lovely Word.  A Word I needed to hear.  Things started looking up for me then.  Great things began to happen for me, and I couldn't have been happier.  But, about a month ago, things started falling apart in my eyes.  I know God has a plan, but I couldn't see it amidst the turmoil and sadness in my heart. 

God hasn't taken back His Word.  This I know.  But it doesn't mean I'm good at waiting on my Shalom. 

Whenever, I feel down, I turn to Psalms.  The authors always make me feel better with their words.  One verse in particular in the whole of Psalms has stuck with me. 

This particular Psalm is from David - a man after God's own heart.  According to the MacArthur Study Bible I own, it says in Psalm 27, David "engages in 3 conversations which help him balance the ups and downs of real life."

The truth is no matter the promises of God we will still have ups and downs in life.  And we have to learn how to persevere in this life.  It isn't easy - by no means.  But that doesn't mean God has forsaken us.  Quite the contrary actually.  God is more present than ever.  He hasn't moved.  We have.

In Psalm 31:1 David said, "In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness."  And then in verse 24 he says, "Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who Hope in the Lord."

Over in Psalm 37:4 David says, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And he shall give you the desires of your heart."

It doesn't say may it says shall! God will give us what our heart desires!  We just have to "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7)

In Psalm 40: 1 David says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry."

Wait patiently for the Lord.  It's tough to though.  I know from experience.  But NEVER give up on what it is you're waiting for.  God promises us that HE will give us the desires of our heart.  And He will!

Patience may not be one of our virtues, but it's something that will help us in the long run.  He will "hear our cry" no matter what it is, but God WILL comfort us and help us.  He will "strengthen our hearts."  Wait for the Lord!  All good things come in HIS TIME.  NOT OURS!