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Randy-man,
I got my Bible when I was 18 years old. It was a gift to all graduating students from the youth pastor at my church. It sat mostly dormant for the first 10 years in my possession. Minus some course work at Tabor College it didn’t get much attention from me. In fact, it rested in the very box of which I received it. Oof. As my faith grew and as I matured I picked up my Bible with more frequency, but I viewed it as this sacred book. It had to be preserved. It had to be kept pristine. It was to be respected. I had to be careful with this text.
In 2017, I joined Multiply (named MB Mission at that time) as part of the FOCUS training program for long-term missionaries. I remember my first day in the Abbotsford office. It was September and it was a Tuesday. How do I remember the day??? Staff devotions were held every Tuesday morning at the office, and you were leading devotions on that day. As usual, you blew the roof off with your storytelling, insight, and message. I was energized! I leaned over to my neighbor (I think it was Bud Webb) and said, “Wow!! This is amazing. I am so happy to be here. What do we do in the afternoons????”
Ironically, I don’t remember the scripture, the stories, or the message you shared on that day. But what I do remember is your Bible. I happened to glance at your open Bible as you were speaking. Those pages had a lot going on; underlines, highlights, circles, notes, smudges, fingerprints. Those pages had their own color. Those pages had their own texture. Those pages were used. I was confident they contained dust and dirt from all over the world. I surmised they were once soaked with tears and sweat. I imagined they were stained from the most savory food and the sweetest drink. I could tell by the condition of those pages that this collection of words meant something more to you than it did to me.
In that one moment, you showed me the words on those pages were more than just words. These words are alive and active. These words are to be lived in and engaged with. These words are an experience, each and every time I read them. You showed me scripture. You brought the scriptures to life for me.
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I say ‘thank you.’ I am grateful for your passion, obedience, and leadership. I’m glad I know you. I praise Him for your giftings and how you shared them with me, and all of us. God has blessed you to bless a generation of His people.
Onward, Servant!