I just finished reading the Bible through in a year or less for the 17^th time.  I can’t wait for January 1 to begin again.  In the meantime, I’m following a reading plan to read the New Testament in 60 days.

             If I were reading this blog and I had never done that, I’d be thinking, “It’s easy for you.  You’re a preacher.  This seems kind of braggy to me.”  So let me help you understand it is not.  It is designed to be an encouragement, not just to read through the Bible in a year but to make reading the Bible in a regular way a habit for you that you miss when you don’t do it. 

The first three times I tried to read the Bible through in a year, I failed.  I laugh about my good intentions being shipwrecked on the rocks of Leviticus, but that’s pretty much what happened three years in a row.  Then I went to a conference led by Francis and Edith Schaeffer.  At that conference Mrs. Schaeffer talked about her struggle with reading the Bible through in a year and how she had gone about doing it by dividing it up beginning at Genesis 1, Psalm 1, and Matthew 1.  I did that and it worked for me.  I now have been using the method that we hand out in the church for the last five times I’ve read through it, and it is by far my favorite method.  It is not for everyone.  My wife does not like it.  She prefers a Bible that is set up to help you read it through in a year.  It doesn’t matter at all what plan you use. 

When I read it through the first time, I felt like I had finished a difficult job.  Now when I pick the Bible up in the morning and read my assignment, I feel like I’ve come back to a wonderful and dear old friend.  It took me a number of times through to get to the point where it was that way.  But we need to recognize everything in life that is worthwhile is cultivated. Nothing comes to us wonderful and new.  I think that’s why old shoes and old pants and an old hat are so good for us to put on.  The Bible needs to feel like that to you – something you miss when you don’t read it and something that you rejoice in being with when you do. 

Make the effort with me again this next year to read through the Bible.  We’ll be handing out the Bible reading plan, but the plan won’t do anything for you if you don’t sincerely desire to utilize it.

I was talking with a music minister candidate who came to look at our church.  He lives eight hours away, and he chose to drive up with his wife.  He said of the experience, “You know, there are some advantages to driving.”  I said, “Like what?”  He said, “Well, I get to spend uninterrupted time with my wife.  I can be called on my cell phone, but other than that we ride down the road together, we hold hands, we talk, and there isn’t anything to interrupt us and nothing to divert our attention.” 

             I’ve found the same thing to be true of driving places with Patty.  It speaks not only of the joy of driving but also of the joy of a marriage built, while not perfectly, by God’s grace built well.  I hope that in your marriage you are developing an appreciation and an affection for each other.  Passion is a good thing, commitment is a good thing, and just flat out enjoying each other’s company is also a really good thing. 

             I’ve always thought it was significant that before God created the first city, state, or school, He created the first home.  He did not let Adam be in the garden long before He created a woman and joined them together.  I love the home.  I love my home.  I love marriage.  I love my marriage.  I pray that you are doing what it takes to develop your own marriage.  God is good.  He knows what He’s doing.  As we trust Him in our marriages, it develops us and creates a wonderful place for us.

            This week it was my privilege to go to Astor, Florida, and give the eulogy for the recent passing away of my college roommate Bob.   It was a very satisfying visit to be able to spend valuable time with his wife Lani, and their son Robbie.   The experience of losing Bob has been one of sadness and grief, and yet, I have a profound sense of satisfaction and peace about it.  Let me tell you why.

             This was the second person in my life – my dad being the other – that I could tell I was going to lose before it happened. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, I asked myself, “What will you regret having not done or said if you lose him?”  With my dad, there were enough things I wanted to do that I needed to write them down, and then I made sure I did them.  With Bob, it was a list I didn’t need to write down. 

     While it is  sad to lose Bob, it is not crushing.  God has arranged life so we are not in control of all the things we’d like to be in control of.  Part of finding peace is trusting Him with that.  This may be something you can file away, and as you move through experiences like this in life, you’ll be able to ask yourself that question and then follow through and do it.  I don’t know when I’ll get that fateful call, but it probably won’t be long.  Be in prayer for his family.  He’s been a wonderful friend, and when I look at our church, I think his faithfulness in college is part of what made this possible.