Scripture
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
~Romans 12:2, NIV
Quote
The Christian mind has succumbed to the secular drift with a degree of weakness unmatched in Christian history.
~Harry Blamires
Everyone loves a good story and I found one in Kent Hughes book of Christian Disciplines. Lieutenant General William K. Harrison was the most decorated soldier in the 30th Infantry Division. He was the first American to enter Belgium and the only general wounded in WWII. Dwight D. Eisenhower praised Harrison who was awarded every medal of valor except the Medal of Honor. He was awarded a Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart but the real story about Harrison was his daily bible reading habit. When Harrison was a twenty-year cadet at West Point, he made a commitment to the LORD that he would read the Old Testament once every year and the New Testament four times each year. No matter what the circumstance, he kept his bible handy, and he read even in combat. When he got behind, he would make up for it latter. Because of his great character, Eisenhower choose Harrison to negotiate the end of the Korean War. Harrison lived to be ninety plus years old and he read the Old Testament 70 times and the New Testament 280 times.
What a testimony! I think David’s words in Psalm 119 fit Harrison like a glove…Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. Have you ever read the Bible through? What about making that a goal in 2024? Remember speed is not important but it takes less than a hour a day to read three chapters. You can do it, but I advise you to begin with an easy to read translation. When you get to difficult passages, use your phone. Go to YouTube and type in the chapter. I think they have three translations available, but it doesn’t matter which translation you choose–listen to the audio reading and follow along with your bible. Keep a pen or pencil and make notes. Some books are easy, and some are difficult. Use audio apps to get through the difficult passages. If you are not in the habit of reading your bible daily, the first thing you have to do is form a habit. I advise you to make it a priority. By the time you are finished it will be a passion. I have read every English translation I can get my hand on, and I have a new one…THE PASSION BIBLE. It is like the amplified Bible. It has extra words, but I love it. It is like reading the bible and a commentary at the same time. Once Bible reading becomes a passion you will find it to be the most exciting part of your day and it will renew your mind. If you don’t stay in the word, the world will conform you to their ways.
Extra
I didn’t realize it until June pointed it out to me but yesterday was 12-31-23 or 123-123. I can’t believe it is 2024. I never dreamed of seeing today. It seemed like science fiction when I was young. Today is a travel day for our family. Our grands, greats are coming home from the mountains.
We got heartbreaking news on the way to the POINT yesterday, our good friend Dee Sessums Eddy was shot, raped, murdered and her body set on fire. When we pastored in Mississippi, we got really close to the Sessum {farmers outside of Forrest, Mississippi. Dee lived in Hillsboro, about 5 miles north of town. In just 18 months in Mississippi, we made life long friends. Dee’s Mother was one of the best friends I’ve ever had, and I was close to all four children. Only one has survived. I am relatively sure we will go down for the service, but I have no idea when that will be.
I had trouble understanding all that Josh said yesterday: not his fault. I thought he said, “You can commit every sin imaginable on mighty mice.” I thought he was talking about a social media platform, so I ask him after the service what it was. He said, “What, there is no such thing.” When I repeated what I thought I heard, he laughed. He said, “I was talking about a cell phone, and I said mighty device.”
June got a call at 12:01 from another Senior Adult, wishing her a happy New Year. She was elated. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!
Special note to Deidra and all Missionaries: Psalm 67:2 from the PASSION BIBLE, “Send us out all over the world so that everyone everywhere will discover Your ways and know who You are and see Your power to save.”