• Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 10:17; John 5:39, 40; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Kings 22:8-23:25

For many individuals this is a life-changing time of the year. From pre-schools to universities, students are participating in graduation ceremonies. It’s well-deserved celebration for significant achievements in their lives.
 
At graduation exercises this past weekend at Fort Hays State University in Kansas, 95-year-old Nola Ochs and her 21-year-old granddaughter, Alexandra Ochs, were among the 2,176 graduates. The two marched and received their degrees together.

When Nola’s name was read and she was presented her degree in general studies and history the audience rose to their feet in applause. Nola received the usual congratulations from the University President, Academic Dean and her Department Chair.

In an out-of-the-ordinary appearance, Kansas State Governor, Kathleen Sebelius, then came forward to present Mrs. Ochs a modified copy of the Guinness Book of World Records. The Governor announced that in the next printing of the book it would include Nola Ochs as the oldest college graduate in the world! 

Mrs. Ochs achievement proves it is never too late to learn. In fact she told some reporters that she is considering starting coursework towards her master’s degree. But first she wants to apply for employment on a cruise ship so she can go around the world as a storyteller.

The Bible is full of stories you don’t have to board a cruise ship to hear. It is available in a variety of versions, languages and forms. You can even download the entire Bible onto certain cell phones.

Some of its stories rival a modern blog. Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. Fortunately for us the stories aren’t sugar-coated, reporting only things that perfect people said or did.

The good news is that the Word of God has life-giving and life-changing power—if we read it. With the help of the Holy Spirit our faith grows, the desire to read the Bible deepens, and the more we learn the better we get to know Jesus. In this cyclical arrangement we find strength to meet our day-to-day challenges.
     
Just as it is essential to study from the textbook for a class and apply its principles in school to become intimate with the subject matter, it is important to study the Bible not just to say we read all the chapters but so we are able to apply its principles. The Bible reveals the will of God who desires the best for our lives.

An anonymous author of an e-mail currently being forwarded over the Internet asks us an important question:

 “I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone.”

• What if we carried it around in our purse or pocket?

• What if we flipped it open several times a day?

• What if we turned back to get it every time we forgot it?

• What if we searched it daily for text messages?

• What if we gave it to our kids as gifts?

• What if we used it when traveling?

• What if we used it for emergencies?

• What if we couldn't live without it?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible? “

Oh, and by the way, there will be no textbook buy-back when we get to Heaven.

So why not mark your Bible now, make notes in the margins and share it daily? ~ck

Paul Richardson, Director