For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

  -  Romans 15.4

The troop which we have set forth/ is the pillar of Christ's kingdom;/ there is much profit/ in what we have searched out in our books.

  - Oengus mac Oengobann, Feilire Oengusso (Irish, 9th century)

Today we are moving furniture. I have moved more furniture in my lifetime than most men have seen. But at least today we have some help from two local movers (thanks be to God).

In preparation for moving my library we had to take all the books down from the shelves, a task I have been dreading since we planned it. However, as I mentioned to Susie while we worked, I had the sweetest memories of things learned from the many books I've read, studied, and used over the years, as I took them from the shelves and stacked them on the  floor in preparation for moving them upstairs.

It is pleasant to learn, and pleasant especially, I find, to learn from our Christian past - the heroes of the faith and their achievements and lessons. Oengus is just wrapping up his calendar of the saints, the remembrance and celebration of whom was a particular delight of Celtic Christians. Like me, he was grateful for the memories of all he had learned, and that the Lord had given him the strength to compose his poem and offer it to the generations.

If I have one regret about my present ministries, it is that I would enjoy more time for reading and study. There is much profit to be gained from researching the lives and lessons of our Christian past, as well as from the many ways God is making Himself known through such disciplines as the arts, science, and philosophy. The more we endure the work of reading and study, examining all we are learning in the light of God's Word, the more we can expect to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to be better fitted for serving Him.

Summer is a good time for learning something new. Let me challenge you to invest at least part of the remainder of this summer in the study of some new subject, person, or period of our Christian past. Learn as much as you can in order to increase your vision of Christ and His Kingdom and to grow in your relationship with Him.

Let the reading and study of Scripture be the continuo under all your reading and study, and you will be amazed to discover the many new ways Jesus can make Himself known to you.

Then be sure to share what you are learning, especially what you are learning about Jesus, with someone else. Why keep the sweetness to yourself?

T. M. Moore, Principal

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