big white Bible

"What matters is not how many words we memorize, but what happens to our minds as we immerse them in Scripture."

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"One of my earliest memories of church involves a contest to see who could memorize the most Bible verses. We each had a poster on the wall with our name on it. The poster had a picture of a mansion, and every verse memorized meant a sticker--a little room to add on to our mansion. Whoever got the most rooms in his or her mansion won a prize: A white Bible, with our name printed on the cover...in gold.

Eventually the contest narrowed down to me and another kid--a freckle-faced, dark-haired little girl with great big glasses, who was named Louise. For weeks it was nip and tuck, until the last month, when Louise began to pull away. In the last week it was clear she would win.

I began to wonder: What could I do about Louise?

So...I killed her.

At least, in my mind I did. I did not like her. I would have done almost anything to hear my name called as the winner and get that Bible. Church was becoming a place where I could shine and prove how good and smart I was. So I did not rejoice when Louise's name was called.

That wasn't the only time I have turned church into a contest. Sometimes I still act as if I'm trying to earn a big white Bible.

To memorize Scripture--to 'hide it in our hearts'--can be a great help, but only if it serves the Divine purpose: 'that I might not sin against Thee.'"  ~John Ortberg from The Life You've Always Wanted

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"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." ~Psalm 119: 11 [KJV]