Scariest Story about the Bible?

Dear Crosswalkers,
 
In her book Amazing Grace, Kathleen Norris shares what she calls "the scariest story" she's ever heard about the Bible. Norris and her husband were visiting a man named Arlo, a rugged, self-made man who was facing terminal cancer. Arlo started talking about his grandfather, who was a devout Christian. The grandfather gave Arlo and his bride a wedding present: an expensive genuine leather Bible with their names printed in gold lettering on the front. Arlo's wife sent a thank you note, as custom and courtesy dictate, but the couple never opened the box nor looked in the Bible. For months afterwards his grandfather kept asking if he liked the Bible. Arlo told Norris, "The wife had written a nice thank-you note, and we'd thanked him in person, but somehow he couldn't let it lie, he always had to ask about it."
 
Finally, out of pure curiosity, Arlo opened the Bible. "The joke was on me," Arlo said. "I finally took that Bible out of the closet and I found that granddad had placed a twenty-dollar bill at the beginning of the Book of Genesis, and at the beginning of every book … over thirteen hundred dollars in all. And he knew I'd never find it!"
 
What treasures have you yet to find inthe Bible?  In Psalm 19:10-11, we read this about the words of God:
They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
 
God has given Crosswalk Church a new vision for our future together.  You will be hearing a lot about this in the weeks to come. A significant part of that vision is LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.  Please do not be discouraged or put off by this title in any way. Everyone is an influencer, and that means everyone in some sense is a leader. God wants us to grow in his grace and become more effective influencers in the world.  We will be introducing new ways for you to grow in your faith over next several months.  
 
Here are two ways to grow your faith: 
 
1.  INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE is offering a NATIONAL CONFERENCE in our Backyard!  For 5 days at the end of September, you can be a part of an incredibly successful training event. We will be looking, in depth, at the 8 Core Values of Christian Leadership.  All the information, with a link to register, is featured below.  It would be fantastic if we could get some Crosswalkers to attend this training.  I will be making a couple of presentations, as will Peter Pereira and Al Vom Steeg, both great friends of Crosswalk.  If you can't make this deepest level of training, we are offering Christian to the Core here at Crosswalk, beginning Weds, Sept 7, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.  Linda Jackson and Leanna Christie will be the facilitatiors.  This class covers the same 8 Core Values of Leadership!!
 
2. READING GREAT BOOKS is always a way to grow deeper.  I just finished a fine devotional book edited by our own Rev. Edward Taylor.  FAITH IN THE FIRE:  Wisdom for Life, contains the writings of Gradner C. Taylor, who TIME Mag. calls "the dean of the nation's black preachers." There are so many great quotes in this book!  Here are a couple:
 
"There is a language of grace, which we have only learned to stutter in its simplest words. There are vistas and distances we have not begun to reach. We are growing... We are becoming and we are not yet what we should be!"
 
"Hold on, even when it seems as if nothing is going to happen.  So one prayer, one struggle, one effort and then another - nothing happens.  But keep praying.  Keep hoping, keep serving, one more effort, and one more day like all the rest and we shall waken satisfied and in God's likeness. Hold on, work on, pray on, believe on, and trust on, and God will make it well.  Be patient!"
 
This is destined to become a devotional classic, and it can be purchased on Amazon at this link:http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Fire-Gardner-C-Taylor/dp/1401929621
 
THERE ARE TREASURES IN GOD'S WORD FOR EACH OF US!  This Sunday we will open the Scriptures again and be blessed by the Holy Spirit.  See you in Church!
 
Growing with you,
 
Pastor John