Sent: Monday, October 22, 2001

Subject: Bible Cover Truths

Dear Ethan & Emily:

This past week while preparing for my Confident Kids presentation Friday night, I pulled out my Scofield Reference Bible that I used for many years after your mother and I were married.  Although the Bible is falling apart, I will never part with it, as it contains years of notes and markings that are invaluable to me.

In the inside covers are quotes that I recorded from sermons that I heard over the years.  They are so very, very good and I thought it would be good to share them with you.  I will only pass along several each day this week, as you would do well to read them and spend some time contemplating each one individually:

One of my all time favorites…and so meaningful to me (as an “achiever” and “hard charger”) that it is the only one I wrote on the inside front cover of my Bible:

“I DON’T FEAR FAILURE AS MUCH AS I FEAR I MIGHT SUCCEED AT THINGS THAT DON’T REALLY MATTER.” 

(This was a quote from Pastor Rhoden at our church in Richmond.  And my constant prayer remains that God will keep me “on track,” directing and prioritizing my energies and abilities so that I put my best efforts at “succeeding” in things that will last for eternity!)

Other “gems” from the inside back cover:

“WORRY IS ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH GOD NEVER INTENDED ME TO HAVE.”  (From a Bill Gothard Seminar)

“GOD ALWAYS GIVES ME WHAT I ASK UNLESS HE HAS SOMETHING BETTER.”  (Source unknown).

As we continue to read from the back covers of my Bible, I find several more that deal with money (very important because what we do with money and how we spend it reflects our “real world” devotion and love for our Lord):

THE GREATEST THREAT TO GIVING IS NOT POVERTY…BUT COVETOUSNESS.

WE SHOULD BE MORE CONCERNED WITH SAVING SOULS THAN MONEY.

Bottom line of our commitment to the Lord:
GOD WANTS US TO HAVE A “TALK” THAT “WALKS”!

I’ll let these speak to you without commentary as they are simple and direct.

I hope these “Bible Cover Truths” will bless you and “instruct” you as they have me over the years.

Sending my love….

Have a great day,

Dad