The Book Everyone Should Read? The Bible

In 1970, while in the Navy, I stole a book. It happened in Atsugi, Japan. Someone left a Bible in the Admin Office. I picked it up and began to read Psalm 40:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock…”

Those words touched me.

The year before, I’d been under investigation on suspicion of drugs, but because I’d just become a father, I was given leniency. Afterward, I was sent overseas.

In June 1971, my first wife wrote me a “Dear John” letter. It shook me up. That Sunday, I went to Chapel. The chaplain gave an invitation. I went forward. A counselor had me read Roman 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The promise of Psalm 40 was fulfilled.

I study the Bible regularly now. It gives me comfort when a loved one dies. It gives me wisdom facing decisions. It gives meaning to life. Best of all, it gives me insight into my destiny—in this life and the next.