BIBLE TRANSLATIONS CONFUSE ME

Galatians 4:4 [NASB 1995]

But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,...

The world was ripe for God’s miraculous intervention of the birth of Christ that became the dividing point between BC and AD.

The Roman Empire was maintaining a peace throughout much of Europe, Asia Minor, and northern Africa! Their system of roads and enforcement of safety sustained much safer trade routes and travel.

The Old Testament books had been officially recognized and accepted as the foundation for Jewish belief and the emerging new Christian movement. Koine Greek was thoroughly established as the common language of the empire! Essentially it was the right time religiously, culturally, commercially and politically!

Koine is simply the Greek word for “common.” Many people may recognize the word koine from the word koinonia, which means “fellowship.” Fellowship is having something in common.

Koine Greek was simply the common language of the Mediterranean world in the first century. As Alexander the Great conquered the “civilized world” of his time, he spread Greek language and culture. Much like English has become today, Greek became the most common and pervasive “international language” of the day. Since most people could understand Koine, it was uniquely suited to proclaim the gospel throughout the world.

Not only was Koine Greek common in the sense it enjoyed widespread usage throughout the Roman Empire, but it was also common in the sense that it was not the language of the intellectual and academic elites. Classical Greek was used by the educated class. Koine Greek was the language of the working man, the peasant, the vendor, and the housewife—there was nothing pretentious about it. It was the vernacular, or vulgar language, of the day. The great works of Greek literature were written in Classical Greek. No scholar today would care to study anything written in Koine Greek, except for the fact that it is the language of the New Testament. God wanted His Word to be accessible to everyone, and He chose the common language of the day, Koine.

[https://www.gotquestions.org/Koine-Greek.html]

If this use of the common language of the people was important in the beginning, then it is equally important today!

The period we know as the Reformation began a familiarizing with the Bible to the common people. John Wycliff translated the Bible into English in the late 14^th century [pre-printing press]. Martin Luther translated the Bible into the German Language between 1522-34. William Tyndale translated much of the Bible into the English language [and was executed in 1536 for doing so]. 

In 1611, the King James Version was produced under the direction of King James I. It became very popular and was the dominant English version into the twentieth century. The twentieth century produced many translations:

·         King James Version – 1611, 1769

·         American Standard Version – 1901

·         Revised Standard Version – NT 1946  OT 1952

·         New American Standard Bible – [ASV] 1971, [NASB] 1995, 2020

·         Amplified Bible - 1965

·         Good News Bible - 1976

·         New International Version – 1978, 1984, 2011

·         New King James Version  - 1982

·         New Revised Standard Version – 1989, 2021

·         New Century Version – 1991

·         Contemporary English Version – 1995

·         New Living Translation – 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015

·         English Standard Version – 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016

·         The Message – 2002

·         The Voice Bible – 2012  [This is a delightful version that included artists in its translation work. It is written in script form that is very conducive to use in worship!]

I personally became more focused on reading the Bible when I was a teenager and Ken Taylor’s LIVING BIBLE was being published - literally one book at a time - as he worked on it progressively!

It was later revised by large groups of scholars to add authenticity!

In the 21^st century – when THE MESSAGE came out – there was another explosion of reading the Bible! Many - in the church - struggled with Eugene Peterson’s use of the language of the 1990’s. I was in active ministry during those years and found people to be very receptive to this new version!

Taylor and Peterson represented the same spirit as the Koine Greek New Testament! They translated the Bible into the language of the people: Taylor – the language of the 1960’s; Peterson – the language of the 1990’s. And people’s attention was brought back to the Word of God!

Since this is an opinion piece on my personal blog, I can state unequivocally that I am in favor of things that convince people to read the Bible.

Bible translation is a complex subject that we can’t fully embrace here. Some aim for a literal translation from Hebrew/Greek/Aramaic to Word-for-word English. This is a nearly impossible task because of the massive differences in these languages!

Others aim for a thought-for-thought translation that is faithful to communicating the essence of the message without the stilted results often associated with literal versions.

Still others opt for a paraphrase approach that observes the original text and then produces something in the language of the day for readers to reflect on.

Most pastors will – like me – involve people in reading these modern translations to get them engaged with the Word. However, I have ALWAYS stressed that Bible study should be done with reliable texts like the New American Standard Version or the New International Version.

For instance, during my college and seminary years [1969-1980’s] I was usually required to use the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. It was noted for being painfully faithful to the original texts! However, it was not recognized as being a fluid, readable version!

Later the New International Version became the standard for study and public worship [1978]; followed by the New American Standard Bible in 1995.

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This article illustrates the complexities involved in Bible translation! There is room for disagreement. But hopefully, there is also room for agreement!

It seems to me that versions that increase Bible reading – such as The Living Bible and The Message – are a blessing that should be celebrated by people who love the Lord!

LET'S CREATE A DUST STORM!

It may surprise some to discover that we have no original copies of biblical books. However, we have many copies and fragments of copies that are carefully compared to produce the Bibles that we possess today. The Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed between 1947 and 1956 in eleven caves in and around the Wadi Qumran. These scrolls – when scrutinized over the next twenty years – would refine and corroborate the preceding scriptural examinations! Their value is inestimable!

We know that all of our New Testament was written before 100 A.D. The Old Testament scriptures had obviously been carefully maintained for well over a thousand years earlier. The original languages would have been Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek!

There was chaos in the first four hundred years A.D. trying to determine which books had authority. The process was not highly structured, but rested in the hands of the early church fathers who eventually confirmed – by the end of the fourth century – the sixty-six books that protestants consider the Holy Bible.

But the history of western Asia and Europe was then enveloped in a period that we know as the Dark Ages. It’s difficult for us to imagine this period of history. I’m reminded of a joke I enjoyed as a teenager.

Why was the period from 500 – 1500 A.D known as the ‘Dark Ages’?

Because there were so many knights!

It was during this period that monasteries were established throughout Europe and the feudal system came into being. Most of us know that this was an incubation period for this new Christianity! Monks busied themselves meticulously copying the early manuscripts of scripture by hand-writing copies of the Bible!

By the fourth century when books were copied by hand, there was a standard rate of pay for scribes. Books were divided into what were called stichoi. A stichos is not a line. It was originally the length of sixteen syllables [based on the average length of a line that Homer wrote].

There is a sixth-century New Testament manuscript called the “Codex Claromontanus” which gives the number of stichoi in each New Testament book.  It reported that in Matthew there are 2,600 stichoi, in Mark 1,600, in Luke 2,900 and in John 2,000. Consequently there were 9,100 stichoi in the four Gospels.

There is also an edict of Diocletian published early in the fourth century that fixes the prices for all sorts of things; and amongst them it fixes the rate for the pay of scribes; and the pay is 25 denarii per hundred stichoi. A denarius was a little over five cents, so the rate was approximately $1.25 per hundred stichoi.

This means that – at that time - one could purchase the four Gospels for about $124. All the letters of Paul would have cost about $68.

When Wycliffe published the Bible in English for the first time at the end of the fourteenth century, it was, of course, before printing was available. The Bible still had to be copied by hand. Later, George Foxe wrote: “Some gave five marks (equal to about $55), some more, some less for a book. Some gave a load of hay for a few chapters of St. James or St. Paul in English.”

“When the Great Bible was published in 1540, Bishop Bonner placed the six copies in convenient places in St. Paul’s Cathedral; and such was the eagerness to read them, and to hear them read aloud, that services were rendered impossible and the traffic disrupted and the crowds so great that Bonner had to threaten to take the Bibles away if the eager disorder did not cease.”

When George Foxe had spoken of the eagerness of the people to read the Wycliffe Bible and of their sacrifices to pay for one, he went on, “To see their travails, their earnest seekings, their burning zeal, their readings, their watchings, their sweet assemblies…may make us now in these days of free profession to blush for shame.” It was 1563 when Foxe wrote that.

There is a lesson in this review for all of us. Something that was originally hailed as life-transforming has become mundane! At various points of history, people craved to hear or read the word of God! They would expend inordinate amounts of money or invest hours of time in order to hear these precious, life-giving words!

Many over the years have prayed for a revival. Perhaps instead, we should pray for a rebible!

Gracious God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

You have clearly given us Your Word!

You initiated people through many ages to write these sacred words.

You protected manuscripts through centuries of chaos and rebellion.

You’ve guided the process through translators and translations.

And today, we hold in our hands THE WORD OF GOD!

There is no limit to its power especially when energized by Your Holy Spirit!

Grow in us a DESIRE FOR YOUR WORD!

Create hunger in us for it.

Speak to us through it!

Guide us and use us to incite passion in others for Your precious messages!

FOR YOUR KINGDOM’S SAKE.

AMEN!

Woodrow Kroll, the late president of Back to the Bible once said: "If Christians blew the dust off their Bibles at the same time, there would be a massive dust storm."  [adapted]

Maybe it's time for a dust storm!

PASSING THE TORCH

When I read through Genesis, I am always kind of shocked when I read Jacob's story.  

Do you remember him?  

First came Abraham - God's beginning of a new nation!

Abraham had a son named Isaac.

Isaac had two sons:  Esau and Jacob.  It was announced by God that the younger [of these twins] would be the heir of the family blessing.  It's a bitter story that unfolds in chapters 27-28.  

In chapter 28, Isaac sends Jacob on a long journey to the area he had left many years ago:  Haran [far to the northeast in Syria]. Isaac [and Rebekah] do not want Jacob to take a wife from among the Canaanite women - as Esau had.  

So, Jacob sets out on this long journey alone.  The first night out, he has a dream and sees a stairway to Heaven with angels ascending and descending on it!  God spoke to him directly in this dream and renewed the covenant that He had made first with Abraham and then with Isaac!  God renewed His promise of a great nation and the land of Canaan to this third generation: Jacob.

Jacob recognizes this place [Bethel - House of God] as a holy place and sets up a pillar to acknowledge God!  The chapter ends with him making this declaration:   [vs.20-22]

Jacob made a vow.

Jacob: If God is going to be with me, keeping me safe on this journey and giving me bread to eat and clothing to wear so that I return to my father’s house in peace, then the Eternal will be my God. And this stone I have made into a pillar will be the first stone laid in God’s house. And Lord, of everything You give me, I will give one-tenth always back to You!  

[All quotes from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted]

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I am always astonished at Jacob's seeming ignorance of the God of his father and grandfather. 

Clearly Isaac had flaws.  He may not have cultivated a close relationship with his wife, Rebekah.  They each favored one son over the other:  Rebekah advocated for Jacob, while Isaac loved Esau.  

Isaac illustrates a lack of trust in God on two occasions when he tells Rebekah to say that she is his sister instead of his wife!  

However, other than these incidents, Isaac and Rebekah seem to serve and obey God.  

Yet, it seems apparent that they failed to develop - in either of their sons - an intimate relationship and regard for the Most High God!  

It makes you wonder, did Isaac ever tell his boys about when his dad took him up the mountain to make a sacrifice?  What a faith-building family story!  Esau and Jacob wouldn’t even be alive if God hadn’t intervened!  

Esau marries Canaanite women.  He experiences anger and rage against Jacob and plots to kill him after his parents die.  He hardly illustrates a life dependent on God and recognizing His Lordship!

Jacob comes across as a pagan who is surprised when God opens Heaven and speaks directly to him!  

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True believers who have genuinely experienced the grace of God in their lives, have a significant challenge in raising children that God blesses them with!  

The fact that God has saved you, redeemed you and blessed you, does not automatically imply that your children will appreciate God in the ways that you do!

Godly parents [hopefully children have two of them] must be focused and diligent to cultivate love for God in their kids!  It takes more than just taking them to Sunday School and church every Sunday!  

Parents must model their love for God all day, every day!  They must speak about this relationship with their children and show them the high priority that God - alone - maintains in their life!  

I once heard an evangelist tell about walking through the kitchen in the dark and tripping over his mother's legs as she was silently praying for her family.  He advocated that it is essential that your children 'catch' you praying from time-to-time!  

Let them see your dependence on God!  Tell God-stories of intervention in your lives!  Let them see you praising God and worshiping with others.  Give them pictures of your honesty and integrity!  

Pray for them, of course, but even more important - PRAY WITH THEM!  And don't stop when they become teenagers!  That's when they need your modeling the most!  

Break the mold and have a time for family devotions and prayer!  Find a time that works for everyone.  Put some energy and preparation into it.  Tell them what you're excited about as you read the scriptures.  Together - as a family - pray for people that you all care about!  

You're establishing a legacy!  It takes intention and diligence.

If you don't focus on this, you may be disappointed like Isaac and Rebekah.

Why not sit down with your kids tonight and quiz them?

• Do they know 'The Lord's Prayer'?
• Can they name the four gospels?
• What is their favorite worship song?
• Can they quote John 3:16?
• What can they tell you about Psalm 23?
• What's their favorite Bible story?
• Do they know why we celebrate Easter?
• Ask them what the difference is between the Old and New Testaments.
• Test them with their Bible; how quickly can they find:
• the book of Psalms?
• the book of Revelation?
• Mark's Gospel? 

[Were they able to find these books on their own, or did they have to use the table of contents?]

How did YOU do on this quiz?  

God bless you as you shepherd your child(ren) into a life of rich faith!  

BIBLE READING TIPS

So many people have good intentions when it comes to reading the Bible, but it can be an overwhelming task – 1,189 chapters!!!!

The Old Testament is the longer of two sections – the New Testament being the other.  Certain areas of the Old Testament are repetitive and contain historical information regarding the nation of Israel.

There are all kinds of plans available for reading the Bible in a year or two.  This is a daunting task that will require you to read over three chapters per day [for a year]. That can be kind of time consuming for a slow reader!

There’s nothing magical about reading the Bible through in a year!  Vacations, holidays, trips and stressful periods often interrupt our reading plan.

Here’s a tool that might help you.  It can be downloaded at:

https://visualunit.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/bible_reading_chart.png

 

It allows you to read in complete freedom wherever you like on any given day and then simply ‘x’ off the chapter(s) you read.  You can jump around as much as you like!  You can read in multiple sections at the same time!  It allows you to easily keep track of your progress.

SOME TIPS:

1.    Secure a Bible that will hold your interest.  My favorites are:

·         The Message by Eugene Peterson – language of the 1990’s.

·         The New Living Translation was originally done by Kenneth Taylor in the 1960’s so   that his children could better understand the Bible.  Eventually, it was refined by   teams of scholars and is an enjoyable rendering of the scriptures for us today.

·         The VOICE Bible is a very creative version of the Bible produced by Thomas   Nelson Inc. and released in 2012.  Many writers, musicians, artists and language   scholars collaborated on this project.

·         The New International Version was an attempt to create a commonly accepted,   evangelical Bible at a time when so many translations were flooding the market.   First available in 1978, it has undergone numerous revisions.

Using a study Bible is a great idea!  These incorporate notations and explanations to help with understanding the passage.  This will slow your reading progress, but expand your understanding. 

 2.  Set a regular time and place to do your reading and try to be faithful at this newly desired discipline.

 3.    Make notations as you find things that strike/impact you.

·         One option – if you don’t mind, is to simply make marginal notes/symbols in your Bible.

·         Few will do this, but having a partner to talk with throughout the process can be enriching!  Use the technology of the day to compare notes, hold one another accountable, share discoveries and ask questions. 

     4.    Many pastors may be willing to be a resource to you when you have questions or need            explanations. 

            As an alternative, there are usually astute people in the church who have spent their lives        exploring scripture.  These people often are used as Sunday School teachers!  Tap into            their wisdom as well!

       5.  Exercise GRACE!!!!  Don’t quit because you missed a week of reading!  Jump back in!    You have not failed!  God is not disappointed in you!

  6.   When you’re ready to do so, add prayer to your reading time – even in its simplest forms.    Just a simple prayer like: “Lord, as I read today, show me truth that will help me to live pleasing to You! Amen.”

       Also, if people come to your mind while you’re reading, jot down their name and believe  that God brought them to your mind intentionally!  Pray for them!

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Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Bless those who may embark on the challenge of getting more familiar with Your Word!  Guide them! Teach them! Use them! Grow them! FOR YOUR GLORY!  AMEN!

MARRIAGE IN THE BIBLE

God started it all in the Garden of Eden

When He opened His plan of life

It’s interesting to me that from the very beginning

The plan called for a husband and wife

 

So Adam and Eve stood before God that day

To be united in holy matrimony

From that day till now this has been the way

To cling to each other, and each other only

 

Their union was rich and full and free

Their relationship marked with love

And to top it all off, they took a walk each day

With their God who came down from above

 

It was truly a marriage that was made in heaven

They were close as close could be

This couple was more than one-plus-one is two

This one was one-plus-one equals three!

 

It’ll be that way today if you’ll only believe

God wants marriage to be more than a token

In Proverbs it says a double cord is strong

But a triple one is not easily broken

 

Then God gave them their job which was really a task

To watch over the birds, earth and sea

It was all made for them to deeply enjoy

With one exception which was a great tree!

 

God fashioned them both with tender, loving care

He provided them food, clothing and a name

Then told them to be fruitful and to multiply

When they were naked, they knew no shame

 

Out of this union came children galore

But only three who are essential to the story

And God’s plan of life was born to this family

And the children were raised to God’s glory

 

Now problems arose, but that’s nothing new

Families have always been tested and tempted

But in spite of it all, God continues to call

And this plan has never been pre-empted.

 

Now we’re told very little of the children of that day

Except that one asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

But when Cain killed Abel while working in the field

It broke the heart of the ‘Silent Reaper’

 

Now blood shed to God is always special

It’s the source of life for all man.

But especially when violence entered this way

It disrupted and threatened God’s plan

 

But down through the ages God has kept His hand

Upon the family which He seems to have ordained

Uphill and downhill, long distance and short

Upon us all God’s gift has remained

 

There were many to follow

More than just a few

Their names roll through the ages

Down to me and to you

 

The first major interruption came after Cain

With the advent of a man name Noah

Bod was displeased and greatly disappointed

So He let the floodwaters flowa  J

 

And when it was all over eight people survived

Four families is a better way to speak

God started again with a clean, brand new slate

And a world that was so clean it would squeak

 

Over and over God worked with these people

Patience was the name of the game

Generations came and generation went

But most were as evil as Cain

 

Finally God stumbled on a couple who would listen

Abram and Sarah, his lovely wife

God made promises hardly anyone would believe

And they set out from Ur for a new life

 

As the story turns out, most of these promises were distant

And Abram and Sarah wouldn’t see them

But Isaac was born in their very late years

And survived even though his dad nearly killed him

 

Isaac and Rebecka were the next family on the scene

Their twin boys were a competitive pair

Jacob fought his brother before they were born

And Esau was all covered with hair

 

After seven years of labor, Jacob got Leah

But was deceived in the deal by Laban

So he worked seven more to get Rachel as well

And wound up with two wives and two maidens!

 

Twelve children in all came out of these four

And their stories take many a twist

But Joseph emerged as the ruler of all

And their home down in Egypt was fixed

 

It was many years later that Moses arose

From the bull-rushes to serve as a savior

With Zipporah, his wife, and a vision in his head

He led them from Egypt with God’s favor

 

With a God who was present in pillar and cloud

They started out on their journey for Canaan

It was to be a long trip with problem after problem

But it sure beat in Egypt remainin’

 

To reduce forty years, they made it to Canaan

And established a kingdom around Saul

Then came David, who was known to be after God’s heart

And Solomon, whose kingdom included all

 

In the midst of all this, we find Boaz

Who, in Ruth, found a wife that was good

Twas in Bethlehem that their first child was given

This is where Obed, David’s grandfather stood!

 

Again, years progressed and the Word of the Lord was scarce

And Hannah, wife of Elkanah, was caught in a stare

Eli, the high priest, gave her a promise of a son

Then came Samuel – a prophet quite rare

 

As these ages rolled by, the family survived

In spite of being abused

There was David and Bathsheeba and Solomon’s thousand wives

Now there’s a man who was REALLY confused

 

Before we change testaments there’s a few more we should name

Such as the family of Job and his wife

It’s amazing when you realize how faithful he was

He trusted God through the deepest of strife

 

And what about the prophet whose name was Hosea

Whom God asked to marry a woman of ill repute

So Hosea expressed a love for Gomer that was persistent

To show that God’s love is beyond dispute

 

Now that brings us to a critical point

Down to a woman and wife past family age

But with God there is nothing impossible

So a child was born to this marriage

 

When the promise came, Zacharias was left speechless

But Elizabeth certainly did not fear it

Her conception, late in life, was a blessing

And her child – in her womb – felt the Spirit

 

John the Baptist was a prophet like Elijah

His preaching was a sharp as could be

Our Lord Jesus was later to comment

“Never a greater man ever lived, than he.”

 

But the outstanding family story

Is the one about the young, virgin girl

Who was asked to reveal all God’s glory

Just the thought of it gives us a thrill

 

Mary’s conception was of the Holy Spirit

Joseph faithfully kept her from danger

When the child came at the end of their journey

Mary wrapped Him and laid Him in a manger!

 

That night was a miraculous occasion

We commemorate it down to this day

There were angels, shepherds and wise men

Who were all the first followers of the Way!

 

Now take notice as you listen to this story

God chose a family to reveal His full love

It was Jesus, Immanuel, and God’s full glory

was to shine through His life from above

 

And He preached and touched and He healed

As He walked on the land just like us

One would think He’s be loved and accepted

But actually, He raised quite a fuss

 

This One, whose life was nothing but service

Was finally hung on a tree

It was not until then that they knew it

He was part of a divine Trinity!

 

But His dath had no permanence about it

On the third day, He rose from His tomb

The women believed from the beginning

But the men – not till He entered the room

 

Even today, men are slower to respond

Oh, the church would be richer indeed

If, like women, they would trust in the Beyond

Upon His life and His Word they would feed

 

Other families were to enter this life stream

Many were there on Pentecost Day

When Peter’s words about visions and men’s dreams

Were fulfilled in a memorable way

 

Even some of our Lord’s disciples

Were married and had families to show

Peter was one of these brave ones

His mother-in-law helped him to grow

 

Now Paul had no wife that we know of

Although scholars have wondered and guessed

Where else could those beatings have come from?

And what about this thorn in the flesh? 

 

I’m joking, and certainly you know it

For the love of a husband and wife

is far more than children and possessions

It’s the way to an abundant life

 

I think of Priscilla and Acquilla

Pauls’ friends in the tent-making trade

Who opened their home and gave from their hearts

And oh, what a difference they made!

 

You see, from the very beginning

God ordained it – it’s the way it should be

Without families, the world would stop spinning

We’re essential, oh please – don’t you see?

 

We’re all needed!  The family is God’s plan

For life – abundant and free

Just stop and think for a moment

Without my family – now where would I be?

 

Every couple that unites in marriage

Participates with God in His plan

If they’d only recognize Jesus

As the Lord of every woman and man

 

The problems in our world would quickly fade

And struggles on our families would cease

If only a few people would take notice

That Jesus is the source of real peace

 

If you ask:  “Who can change our world’s pace?”

My answer will come really fast

If we put the family in its right place

It matters not what’s in our past

 

God will use a few families as leaven

This is the way that God meant

They will lead the whole world to Heaven

What we need is real commitment!

 

Biblical families have established God’s pace

Right down to now when we fear the great bomb

But the way He will save our race

Is through a Dad, a bunch of kids, and a Mom

 

So determine today – you’ll be part of God’s way

Don’t turn back, be determined, press on

Talk with your spouse – take time to pray

“O Lord my God, we will follow, just lead on!”

 

Now to close up this time of devotion

And to bring things to a right and proper end

In the name of the Father the Son and the Spirit

May we all together now say “AMEN!”

MAGNUM OPUS

Back in early March of 1987, I made a purchase from Cambridge University Press for about $26.  It was a loose-leaf, three-ring, wide margin, New International Version Bible!  We were living in East Liverpool, Ohio, at the time and I was five years into a thirteen year appointment.  Travis would have been 11, Troy - 7 and Tracie - 6.  :-)

It's difficult to express how excited I was about this very expensive purchase.  I immediately began reading in it daily and adding notes in those generous wide margins.  I had already established a pattern of reading a book-a-week, so I also transferred notes from books I read into appropriate places in the new Bible.  Pretty quickly, I cut copy paper to the same size as the pages in my Bible and punched appropriate holes so that I could add pages (when needed) for additional notes and observations.  Many of these blank pages were in the front of the Bible where I collated data from each year's read-through of the Bible.  These notes and observations often turned into preaching series.  This Bible became a goldmine and treasure to me and I often thought that if we had a fire, I would grab it after I knew the family was safe!  ;-)

Eventually, I had added so many pages to the binder that it would hardly close!  That was when I found a second binder and split the Old Testament from the New Testament.  Woo Hoo!  Now I had tons of freedom for adding more pages and more notes.  Needless to say, this Bible became an invaluable resource to me in preparing Bible studies and sermons.  I even lugged it along on vacations so I could sustain my daily reading disciplines and not fall behind in my note-taking.  

I am so thankful that I was raised in a home where the Bible was honored and used.  My Mom kept a plastic loaf of bread on our table filled with small cards that held a Bible verse on each side.  At our mealtime, we would each pull a card and read it before our prayer of thanksgiving.  My Mom's Bible was well-used;  she had re-covered it repeatedly and added pockets in the front and back to contain her many prayer lists.  I often caught my Dad reading and studying his Bible in his bedroom.  He regularly taught a Sunday School class and needed to be prepared for that role.  He made notes in his Bible of the texts used by the various preachers he heard.  I'm blessed to have those Bibles in my possession to this day!  

I was raised in a culture that was immersed in God's Word.  I remember memorizing lengthy passages in Sunday School and Christian Youth Crusaders (CYC).  Many of those passages linger in my memory even now!  I was taught by people who loved and lived according to this book:

• Betty Paugh - she made the Bible live for me as a pre-schooler!
• Neil Castilucci
• Paul Funkhouser
• Udele Gallagher
• Jim Rudolph
• Joe Douglas
• Chuck Eckles
• Carl Geissinger  [Notice:  in seventeen years I only had one woman teacher!!!]

Then, I went to Roberts Wesleyan College where I immediately fell under the influence of professors like Stanley Magill, Wes Vanderhoof, and Harry Anderson!  They loomed large to me and fostered a deeper understanding and love in me for God's Word (even in the Greek language)!

Then, after getting married, I began my Masters in Divinity studies at Asbury Theological Seminary.  Living in this Christian and educational community was a great privilege.  Again, professors led me into whole new areas of study and research!  I was mesmerized by the instruction offered by Don Joy, Donald Demaray, Gilbert James, Kenneth Kinghorn, John Oswalt and Harold Kuhn.  

After three years (without having attained my degree) we moved to Jeannette, PA, where I assumed my first, full-time role as pastor.  Within a few years, I realized that I should have completed my studies.  Returning to Kentucky was out-of-the-question, so I enrolled at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to complete my Divinity degree (part-time) over the next eleven years.  Dr. Donald Gowan and Dr. Charles Partee became major influencers in my life during that period (and Hebrew and Aramaic were added to my growing understanding of the Bible).  

Because our family was growing and I needed help with my role as a husband and father, I turned to radio resources almost daily to grow my knowledge and understanding in those areas.  My teachers were:  James Dobson, Dennis Rainey, John Huffman, John MacArthur, Chuck Smith and Charles Swindoll!  

In addition, I quickly realized that I needed ongoing education to be able to effectively lead the churches I was serving.  I began to consume resources and attend events that featured Ted Engstrom, John Maxwell, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Larry Burkett, Dave Ramsay, and Andy Stanley.  I also had laymen who taught and influenced me, including Ron Kelly and Jim Stetler (as well as others).  

Thank You, Lord!

Your faithfulness through the years has been utterly amazing!  There have been SO MANY moments of revelation and so many times of deep inspiration!  So many people have left their fingerprints on my life!  I am not worthy of such grace and attention!  I live with gratitude for the constant persistence of Your Spirit in growing me and developing the capacities that You placed within me!  

You've given me so many amazing opportunities over the years!  You allowed me to lead, teach and shepherd the people at Tunnel Hill (Indiana), Jeannette (PA), McClellandtown (PA), Oakland (East Liverpool, OH), Spencerville (Maryland), Cornerstone (Akron, OH), New Middletown (OH), and Kittanning (PA).  

In addition, You also gave us three years to serve Your purposes in Changchun (Northeast PRC).  We will NEVER forget the many friends we made from many countries during that period of service!  

And, my love for Your Word continues today!  I'm still making notes and observations!  I still delight at the things You teach me and show me on a daily basis!  You have been faithful through Your Holy Spirit to show me incredible connections and to reveal secrets to my heart!  Your Word truly is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path!  

Keep it going, Lord, and may my children and grandchildren benefit directly from the generations of faithful that have laid the foundation for them!  AMEN!