Sunday, June 19, 2016

Influence: Like Father, Like Son

My father influenced me to read the Bible. I remember seeing dad read his Bible, usually in the evening before he went to bed. He read his it so much that his thumb almost wore through the leather cover. I have his Bible. Here it is.





I received a leather-covered Bible when I was confirmed in our Lutheran Church. I was twelve years old. My mother stored it somewhere - I don't know where, and didn't care. I never picked it up and read it.

Until I was 21. That's when Jesus rescued me out of a deep enslavement to evil. My life began to change for the better. And, I needed a Bible.

I drove to my parents' home. I asked, "Mom, do you know where my Bible is?"

She got it for me. I began to read. And read. I wore the leather out on it so much that the cover finally broke off. I still have this Bible. Here it is.





I am my father's son. Like father, like son, right?

The apostle Paul wrote: 
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

And: Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. (Philippians 3:17)

Today I honor my dad, who influenced me for the good in ways he probably never knew.


***
My book Praying: Reflections on 40 Years of Solitary Conversations with God is available HERE and as a Kindle book HERE