THE BIBLE IN MY LIFE September 29, 2003 Issue

A book that speaks in many ways

By Susie Rynerson

MY EARLIEST MEMORIES of the Bible are pictures from books retelling some of its stories in simple language. I can still see Joseph looking up from the bottom of a pit toward his brothers who had thrown him there out of jealousy for the beautiful coat their father had given him. Next, I see Nehemiah standing with crossed arms, putting to silence three men trying to convince him to leave his work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Then there are Daniel and the lions, Moses and the Red Sea, and so on.

My next vivid experiences with the Bible came as I began to memorize passages in Sunday School—the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the Beatitudes, the 23rd Psalm, the 91st Psalm. At this young age, I loved earning stickers for learning each new verse—I began to see how important they were, and to experience their power. Even now I'm amazed at how fresh, relevant, and comforting these passages are.

The healings and teachings of Jesus that are recorded in the Bible were important to me, too. As I went through school and set out to accomplish everyday tasks, I remembered the assurance in Science and Health that the good Jesus did so many years ago is possible—with God's help—to anyone today.