The weekly Booking Through Thursday question for today is:
What, if any, memorable or special book have you ever gotten as a present? Birthday or otherwise. What made it so notable? The person who gave it? The book itself? The “gift aura?”
I receive a lot of books as presents. Our family likes to have ideas of what the recipient would like, so books are almost always on my list, specific books at that. Though I love and appreciate them, there is none that particularly stands out except my first Bible that I received some time during my elementary years from the church I was attending. I don’t remember if it was a general gift or a reward for Sunday School attendance or what. But my mother kept it put away and wouldn’t let me have it except for church. I’m sure she just didn’t want me to mess it up in some way, but I remember even then thinking, “It’s not going to do me much good to have it if I can’t read it!” Still, though, perhaps that experience as well as teaching about how special a book the Bible is taught me to respect it. I believe in respecting and taking care of all books, as we discussed last time, and I believe the Bible is meant to be studied rather than showcased, so I do highlight and underline and jot notes in it. But I hate to see it on the floor or under other books or stuffed with other papers or with food or drink on top of it.
“Above all theologies, and creeds, and catechisms, and books, and hymns, must the Word be meditated on, that we may grow in the knowledge of all its parts and in assimilation to its models. Our souls must be steeped in it; not in certain favorite parts of it, but the whole. We must know it, not from the report of others but from our own experience and vision,…Another cannot breathe the air for us, nor eat for us, nor drink for us.”
–Horatius Bonar from They Walked With God
Read the Bible, and it brings you into the association of the best people that ever lived. You stand beside Moses and learn of his meekness; beside Job and learn his patience; beside Abraham and learn of his faith; beside Daniel and learn of his courage to do right; beside Isaiah and learn his fiery indignation toward the evildoer; beside Paul and catch something of his enthusiasm; beside Christ, and you feel His love.
~ Charles H. Spurgeon
10 Comments
November 6, 2008 at 9:43 am
Oh! But of course! I didnt think about the Bible. Interesting how your mom wanted to keep it on the shelf. I do understand not wanting it messed up, but I’m with you…it should be read!
I also write in my Bible a lot. (My fiction books I keep like new, though, as discussed last time!)
November 6, 2008 at 11:23 am
Ah! I am with you on not liking to see my Bible (or any) buried under other papers or stacks of books.
And I totally didn’t think about receiving my first REAL BIble from my grandparents. I had specifically asked for it — a Precious Moments Bible when I was 8 or 9. My mom made a cover for it and I still have that Bible sitting on my shelf right here next to me. Unfortunately, (given my first statement in this comment) my son likes to pull that particular Bible off the shelf and remove the cloth cover. So we’ve talked.
Great answer!
November 6, 2008 at 12:41 pm
You can’t get much out of the Bible (or any book for that matter) unless you read it, for sure.
November 6, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Giving the Bible as a gift is a good idea for a child’s gift. Happy Booking Through Thursday. I’m giving away a couple of books. See my sidebar if you’re interested.
http://bookcritiques.blogspot.com/
November 6, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I’m the same – I refuse to write in any of my normal paperbacks, but my bible is highlighted and underlned to the max
November 6, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I’m definitely with you on respecting books. I don’t think I could ever write in one.
November 6, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Oh my, I didn’t think of the Bible. That’s one good present. My Bible is so well-loved it’s scribbled all over, highlights and all.
November 7, 2008 at 1:05 am
yes, the Bible…the best gift ever! I mark mine up too. Years later I am blessed by my little notes
Great BTT!!!
November 7, 2008 at 2:07 am
My family does the list thing too – not as exciting maybe, but better than using up valuable bookshelf space with books you’re never going to read but feel obligated to keep!
November 7, 2008 at 10:14 am
One of my favortie books that I ever got for a present was a large hard cover beautiful version of Snow White from my mom and dad. I still have that book!