Some FAQs

Beside Quiet Waters is where you will find resources and encouragement to learn how to slow down, be quiet and listen to nature and short passages from the Bible.

If you haven’t already done so, please start here to learn more about how you can use Beside Quiet Waters.

There is no right or wrong way to listen, so here are some suggestions:

• Set aside time each during the day to slow down, be quiet and listen.
• Listen to each recording for a few days in a row.
• Listen while you are doing chores around the house.
• Listen while you are taking a walk.
• Listen when you are feeling stressed or anxious.
• Listen on your lunch break.
• Listen before you go to bed.

I find listening through headphones is helpful. It helps eliminate some distractions and brings the sounds and words closer in.

Yes and no. (How’s that for an answer!) Yes, Beside Quiet Waters recordings feature readings from the Bible. But it is more than that.

What sets Beside Quiet Waters apart from audio Bibles is how the readings are presented. The goal is not to listen to the Bible sequentially or to get through the entire Bible in a certain period of time, but to focus on short passages in order to be refreshed and encouraged.

My goal is to publish one or two new recordings a week. There is a reason for this- I encourage you to listen to one recording many times- even every day for a week.

Let me first say that if you don’t consider yourself to be religious, I am doubly glad that you are here. This site is really not about religion.

The Bible has been a source of wisdom, teaching and encouragement for people of varied faiths and traditions for thousands of years. My hope is that the words found in this amazing book will refresh your soul as you listen.

And by the way, you won’t find any preachiness or judgmentalism here. I promise.

Perhaps one of the most well known passages in the Bible is Psalm 23. It says:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul.

(Taken from the New International Version translation, emphasis added.)

I believe that there is great benefit to using different translations of the Bible. Some approach the original texts translating word-for-word, others translate more thought-for-thought. The recordings at Beside Quiet Waters are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV), the New International Version (NIV) and/or the New Living Translation (NLT).

I am thankful for all the effort and scholarship that has gone into these translations:

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Every effort has been made to utilize these resources under these publisher’s copyright guidelines.

If your mind wanders while you are listening to the recordings- join the club! That is very common, especially since we are often addicted to so much stimulus.

My suggestion is to let thoughts pass when you become aware of them and refocus on the recording.

As you listen repeatedly, the words have opportunity to sink in, even when we are not fully focused on them. Taking the time to listen is the most important thing. Just listen.

I often fall asleep when listening, as a matter of fact I sometimes listen to a recording to help me take a nap!

I believe that the sounds and words still have great effect when we fall asleep, and sometimes we need to listen to our body – a nap is often the best way to be restored.