Your Bible...

Are you one to write in your Bible? Some people would never choose to do so, which is fine for them. But me, I write! For instance where there are verses that have been made into music or choruses I put a couple of musical notes by the verse. For instance, Isaiah 55:12 "For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Right in my margin are my little musical notes to remind me that this has been made into a chorus.

Then in my margins I also have notes of things that have struck me, or impressed me during a sermon etc. Often times I do different color ink for different years. And, on many of them, I have significant dates written down. For instance, besides Psalm 139: 14-16 I have my brother's name written (he was born with Downs), along with his date of birth and his death. In that same section, just a little earlier, beside the verses 11-12 I have his coma noted. What a comfort that was to my sister and me. I have thought of this verse often regarding Terri Shiavio. Psalm 139:11-12 says, "If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to thee." So, even though my brother was in a coma, God Himself, ministered to him in those farthest, innermost areas of his soul.

There is one verse that seems to have numerous dates written over the years by it. That is because whenever I encounter a physical problem I go to this verse, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 which says, ""And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." In my margin there, I have the dates 1/92: melanoma; 8/93: glaucoma; 10/98: asthma; 5/99: diabetes; 7/02/02: 1st stroke; 7/31/02: 2nd stroke. I haven't decided completely but I think I will use the verse in James 1:17 about "every good and perfect gift is from above..." for when my glaucoma was healed. So, I will be adding a new date beside that verse if it ends up the final verse chosen.

There are many prayers in the Bible that I have made notes beside as I pray these prayers for my family. For instance, Ephesians 3:16-19 is one I have prayed over and over again for our son, James, since he was about 5 (and I haven't let up yet). So as I read through, I substitute James' name and some notes. Like this: "That he would grant you, James, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; (then I lay out items for character development). That Christ may dwell in James' heart by faith; that you, James, would be rooted and grounded in love, (I throw in nourishment, stability, experientially comprehensive understanding of the love of Christ). James, may you be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled (that your goal, James would be spiritual maturity) with all the fulness of God."

In the front of my Bible I have written this: Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my time, my all, utterly to You to be Yours forever. Fill me and seal me with Your Holy Spirit. Use me as You would, send me where you will, work out Your whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever. 3/98. I am glad that I have this written down because I can refer to it over and over again when my resolve weakens or I stumble. Devotion to Jesus Christ should be the grand preoccupation of my life!!! Amen? Amen!!!