BJ enjoyed reading different versions of scripture. It was interesting how he would get a new translation, devour it, and then share the desire for another one. I suppose as I think back, that the times were not as close together as they seem in my mind. But for such a young man, he had several different Bibles, and they are all very different.

The last one was the one he picked up in Peru, which was Spanish and English. I know he treasured it, and I am certain he used it on the field. He came home so excited about it.

Prior to that one, my mother had given him one for his last Christmas with us, in 2004. This Bible was leather bound, and very nice. The amazing thing about it is how marked up it is. He only had it to use (he did not take it to Peru) for 6 or 7 months before he passed away. From the underlining, and notes in the margin, you would have thought he had it for much longer.

He was a student of God's Word. He had a voracious appetite, and scoured the Word for Truth, for encouragement, and for God's voice for today. He would get so enthusiastic when he read. He would encounter a new understanding, and brim with anticipation to be able to share with the first person who expressed interest in hearing. We grew to recognize the body language which accompanied the "ask me what I just read or learned, tremble."

I need to be that enthusiastic when I read His Word. I need to have the kind of desire that draws me back to it, every waking moment that I can, and even sometimes when I can't.
God's Word is relevant for my circumstances today. His truth transcends dates and times, and His Holy Spirit causes me to learn new things, if I will but spend the time.

I encounter way too many Christians who believe they do not need to read the Bible. This I do not understand. I really don't. There is no way they can know how to live, or what God wants them to know or do, if they don't get submerged in the passionate writings that are the Bible.

There is no way an individual would ignore love letters from their most significant other, when they arrived. Oh they may wait until they had a moment to really focus, but let them collect dust? Not a chance! How does one justify ignoring His Word? There is only one way, really.

They begin to believe the lies of Satan. He subtly tells them they don't have time, or it isn't written for today, or it's boring, or they can do it later.

God's Word is full of just what you need. It is overflowing with what I am desperate for.

Want to fall in love? Pick it up, blow off the dust, begin to read it anew, find your way in His!

dad