The Living Bible

I have a secret that not many people know about, until now I guess. I’m what’s known as a Bible Geek. If you've never heard that term before it’s not surprising because it’s not widespread in use. But a Bible Geek is someone who collects Bibles. I won’t tell you how many I have because you would probably consider me ridiculous after hearing the number but suffice to say, it’s a bunch of em.

When people come to my place or even my office and see that I have so many Bibles they are usually a little shocked. I’ve become very good at justifying my habit to others and once I get through my spiel they usually start asking Bible related questions. Almost everyone ask “So which one is your favorite”? I never know how to answer that because if I keep a Bible I really like it. See I have given away a lot more Bibles than I own, usually with the Book of John marked with the ribbon and a note with my phone number to call me with any questions. But in order to explain which Bible is my favorite? I need to share a little story 1st…




His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.


He is brilliant. He is kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.


Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.


One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and his wild hair. The service has already started, so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.


The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.


Bill gets closer and closer to the pulpit. When he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.


By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.


Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and is wearing a three-piece suit. He is a godly man — very elegant, very dignified, and very courtly. He walks with a cane. As he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.


How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?


It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.


The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.


When the deacon finally reaches Bill, the church watches as this elderly man drops his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.


Everyone chokes up with emotion.


When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget."




So what is my favorite Bible? It’s the Living Bible, the Bible that I hope we all represent to those who may never have read one.


I think our greatest shortcoming as Christians can be how we interact with those we consider of the “World”. But the truth is we were all part of that world until “something” happened and that “something” was usually a “someone”.


As you go through your day and week think about that "someone" who made the difference in how you looked towards the faith you now have. Think about the way you perceived them at the time. Would someone that didn’t have Christ in their life perceive you that way?


Be careful how you live and how others see your life if you make it known that you follow Christ. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read.


Grace and peace,


Jeff