Hawkeye Pierce & Hot Lips Houlihan

“There is not a stale page in the Word of God. It is just as fresh as though the ink were not yet dry.” – C.H. Spurgeon

Do you have a favorite book or a favorite movie? How about a TV show that you never tire of watching?

Among my favorite films are Casablanca (Bogie is the best!) and The Dirty Dozen, which combines action, drama, and comedy better than most movies. And yes, I can watch High Society over and over again, just to listen to the soaring duet with Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.

As far as television is concerned, since most of the programs we tune into are off for the summer, Deanna and I have been watching reruns of M*A*S*H. Even though I have seen every episode multiple times, the antics of Hawkeye Pierce, Trapper John McIntyre, Col. Henry Blake, Major Frank Burns, Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, Corporal Radar O’Reilly, and Corporal Max Klinger still crack me up. Here’s to the good ol’ 4077!

Strangely, however, once I read a book I never go back and read it a second time. I either pass it along to a friend, sell it at a yard sale, or donate it to a thrift store.

With one exception, that is… the Bible.

Every weekday morning, I read a passage of Scripture (I’m currently in Psalm 103) and then meditate on it for a few minutes before starting my day with some intercessory prayer. On Thursday or Friday, I spend even more time in God’s Word preparing that Sunday’s sermon. I also read several online devotionals each weekday that contain Bible passages and obviously, I write five such messages myself every week.

That’s a lot of Bible reading, if I must say so myself! And yet, it never gets tired, it never gets old, and it never gets boring. In fact, more often than not, something will jump off the page and hit me right between the eyes as if it’s the first time I read it… even though it may be the 100th or the 1,000th.

Either I am getting old and forgetful or God is teaching this old dog some new tricks… and some new truths!

“I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.” Psalm 119:15-16 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President