My Best Friend
In 1981, I met my best friend. I almost had to give him up because of health issues. You see, my best friend is a Bible I received back in 1981. This Bible is in failing health because its back is broken with pages crumpled and torn. Pat says I should get a new friend. But this old friend has so many notes and markings gathered over the years. It's well worn pages are familiar and I can find a verse quickly. I plan on keeping my friend for at least another year.
How's your Bible? Some of you may remember the days when you participated in Bible quizzing or "Sword" Drills. I think those days are over. This brings up what I think is becoming an issue in youth ministry. It seems like younger people don't like to read as much as they used to. Plus, if we're honest, the Bible can be a difficult book to understand and is rather lengthy. Even churches seem to require no Bible in your hand. The verses are placed on a screen for you to read. No page turning required. I certainly don't think just because you have the Biblical information that you have a transformed life for Jesus. But the incubation process begins with His word. So may you fall in love with a book, but not just a book. It's the Book! It tells us of our need for Jesus and how to live His Kingdom on earth. It's not just words, but words spoken in relationship to His children. Let this friend bring God's best out of your life. How's your friendship with this book? Tell me how you get into turning the pages. These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train"
How's your Bible? Some of you may remember the days when you participated in Bible quizzing or "Sword" Drills. I think those days are over. This brings up what I think is becoming an issue in youth ministry. It seems like younger people don't like to read as much as they used to. Plus, if we're honest, the Bible can be a difficult book to understand and is rather lengthy. Even churches seem to require no Bible in your hand. The verses are placed on a screen for you to read. No page turning required. I certainly don't think just because you have the Biblical information that you have a transformed life for Jesus. But the incubation process begins with His word. So may you fall in love with a book, but not just a book. It's the Book! It tells us of our need for Jesus and how to live His Kingdom on earth. It's not just words, but words spoken in relationship to His children. Let this friend bring God's best out of your life. How's your friendship with this book? Tell me how you get into turning the pages. These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train"
posted by Jim "Train" King at 9:33 AM
1 Comments:
That is so true…
Today I think we have a society full of baby Christians. Babies need milk. In Corinthians, Hebrews, and Peter (can anyone find where?) the Bible talks about how babies start out with milk, and then as they mature they go on to solid food.
I’m going to take just a moment here to define some terms. Let’s start with milk. Milk could probably be defined as anything that you learn as a Christian with the assistance of someone else. Milk isn’t bad, but as we mature it should not be our entire sustenance. Milk includes things like books, sermons, even Youth for Christ, or Campus Crusade for Christ sessions are milk. Someone else is feeding you!
Solid food on the other hand is when you feed yourself. When you crack open you’re Bible and read what it says, and learn from it without assistance. Sometimes I will read over a passage that I have seen a bunch of times and see something new. When someone else is feeding the Word to me, I get their point; their lesson out of it, but when I’m feeding myself “solid food” (and I love my meat and potatoes) I can let the scripture speak for itself, no lessons, not necessarily anything I’m looking for, and I am able to learn more about God.
Where are you at? Are you still being fed, or are you finally feeding yourself?
Thanks for the post Train!
Peace when Possible
Steve
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