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The Word!
By Kyle | March 5, 2007
For the first time in my life I have read through the Bible front to back. Actually I read if from back to front. In January of 2006 I decided like I had many times before that I wanted to make this the year that I read through the entire Bible. Never had I completed that goal. I would last until Leviticus in the middle of February fizzle out and go back to my “Psalm of the day with a Proverb”. Last year was different. The Lord was doing a special work in my heart. He was drawing me to Himself. My wife and I lived in a little home on Fruitport Rd. in West Michigan, our heart country. It was a warm place that will always be in our hearts, our first home. I would rise early and sit at our kitchen table with my bowl of oatmeal and fresh cup of coffee and my favorite copy of God’s Word and read large portions. I found myself excited about getting up in the morning to read. I remember cold mornings before I went to work and the heater kicking on. I would stand over the vent while reading to take the chill off.
As warmer weather came we moved from our “heart country” and spent the summer at Camp Barakel. I remember reading my Bible in a rowboat out in the middle of Shear Lake. I remember reading it in the recliner in our trailer that we called home for thirteen weeks. I read it while waiting for groups of campers in the Bike Shop, leaning against the unfinished wall.
I also remember the sick feeling as Elizabeth and I stepped off the ferry onto North Manitou Island realizing that we had left our Bibles in the car.
I think of the times sitting in the car on lunch break to catch up on my reading.
I also remember the many times I was privileged to bring a message from God’s Word this year. I have now preached more times this year than I have preached in my lifetime.
But, it was in our cozy apartment were we are living now that last Saturday March 3, 2007 I finished a wonderful journey for the first time. I have read; my eyes have fallen on every word in The Book. I am grateful for the love that God has given me for the Ultimate Trailguide, but I desire more. I want a deeper love for the Bible. I want to memorize it. I want to pray it. I want to sing it. I want to look at it. I want to feel it. I want to smell its pages. I want to preach it over and over, but most of all I want to live it with all my heart.
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11 ESV
Topics: thoughts... |
March 7th, 2007 at 12:07 am
I enjoyed listening to your message. This is a great post. You are “on-the-money” stay with it, son. Looking forward to April 11-15.
March 9th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
I had forgotten about your blog, but Michele asks me all the time if I have read it…so I did. This is awesome….I pray for the same desire, to have a love for Gods Word. I have been slack in my commitment with Bible Study Fellowship and instead of doing it daily, I pencil-whip it out in an hour. I have been convicted by that and so I made a commitment to start my day with the Lord and the Word. What a difference it has made. I will remember you in prayer as you strive to do what is right. Also, Mark told me about Sunday night and how good it was and that you didn’t pull any punches. I really appreciate you and Elizabeth and Bob and all the work and love you put into our kids. Thank you so much for your dedication.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
I love this! This is good writing and thoughtful. I have used your story of being on the island without the Word. I like to tell it on the Journey as I encourage girls to memorize and medidtate so that one day in America God forbid they would take away our Bible’s we could say “Take it I have it all memorized” You make me want to get off this computer right now and go get my Bible and read. I think I will….
See you tomorrow! I can’t wait! I love you all!
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Good writing Kyle you remind me of your dad.
Love you mom