God's Smuggler

This is a classic Christian book that I have not read. Well, I read it...wow! What a cool story. This book is the testimony of a Dutchman who became a Christian and slowly found his mission to encourage and comfort the suffering church in communist states. This chronicle of miracle after miracle is quite challenging. Brother Andrew (a name he became known by due to his need to keep his identity a secret) traveled all across communist Europe with quite a few close calls. Brother Andrew is still going too...you can find out more about their work in "closed" countries at the Open Doors website.

The real challenge is the way the Christians in eastern Europe viewed the scripture. They could not believe when Brother Andrew came and brought them this precious book
that so few people could get a hold of. It's a difficult thing to relate to. We in the west have access to so many Bibles...so many kinds There are about 6 in the room I'm in right now. And even more weird is the fact that it is so available and so little read.

Let's read the Bible more. The actual one. As a favorite preacher of mine used to say, "the best Bible to read is the one you read." I usually carry around a pocket version in case I run into someone that could use it. Inside the "Gideon" pocket Bible is this inscription. I love it...

"The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgement, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents."

From The Gideons International