Our first Christmas as a married couple in 1975 my sweetheart wife Janice Speegle gave me the Bible in this picture. I was not a believer at that time and when I opened the gift I remember thinking why in the “heck” did she buy me a Bible? Little did I know that five years later I would receive the Lord into my life and that I would be radically and wonderfully changed. Looking back I now see this Bible as more than a Christmas gift from the love of my life but a “Word from God” that I would spend my life sharing the gospel across this country and around the world. I’ve had and have many Bibles and I’ve loved them all but this one holds a place in my heart like no other because it represents and is the first Word God ever gave me about His plans for me.

Thinking about all of the above morning in my personal time with the Lord I was reminded of Mark 6:12 (M) where it says - The disciples were on the road preaching with joyful urgency that life can be radically different. I’m “SO” thankful I’m one of those with a radically different life because of the death burial and resurrection of Jesus and His Word. THANK YOU JESUS!!!!