Old Guys

Posted on August 27, 2019 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

One thing I love about my husband, Dave, is the fact that he is 12 years older than I am. The way I like to explain it is that he graduated high school when I was graduating kindergarten! Unfortunately, people look at us and say “I don’t see any age difference.” Therefore, either he looks young or I look old! I love that he is 12 years older than I am because I can feel better about getting older by telling him that I will ALWAYS be 12 years younger than he is! I really do love my “old” guy!

Lately, I have met some other distinguished “old guys”. A.W. Tozer, John Edwards, William Law, R.A. Torrey, Watchman Nee, Charles Trumbell, and Charles Spurgeon to name a few. I met them in the books I have been reading. I have found that they have so much to say about our walk with the Lord. The depth of their messages is greatly lacking in what we hear and read today. For the past few years I have been pursuing books with a deeper content. As Betsy Shoppy said the first day we met “I am so tired of reading fluff.” Betsy encouraged me to read a few meaty books like Sitting in Gods Sunshine, Resting in His Love by Alicia Britt Chole (Not an old guy but a no-fluff-allowed contemporary author)and Born For Battle by Matthews (Hard to get but well worth the search!). I want to encourage you to look at what sits on your bookshelf. Do you only see fluff? Cute titles that caught your eye but are low on content? Are there any meaty classics written by “old guys” on your shelf? If not, would you consider investing in one and commit to chew on something meaty?

I can hear the groaning already! Sadly, we have lost the pleasures of reading. I know it takes time and if you only have time to read your Bible please don’t set aside The Book for any other! Sadly, I often hear Christians say that they hate reading. Do you know what? It was a book God left for us not a DVD or audiobook on CD or MP3! He doesn’t download it to your ipod everyday either. Believers, be readers! Remember the slogan “Reading is Fundamental”? Reading IS fundamental to our spiritual growth. Reading, journaling and prayer adds up to spiritual GROWTH! Reading is one of the basic skills that will cause you and I to think, explore and expand our understanding of Jesus Christ. It is worth the effort!

I gotta go. I’m going to start a fire in the woodburning stove, grab a cup of tea and a blanket, and curl up on the couch to read something that an old guy wrote. I may even ask my “old guy” to join me!

“Till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” 1 Timothy 4:13 KJV

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

Written by Kathy Withers Kathy Withers is on staff at America’s Keswick and serves as Director of Partner Care. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 30 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and teaches a Bible Study for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.

Think About This:  If thou desire to profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faithfulness; nor even desire the repute of learning. – Thomas A. Kempis

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 120-122, 2 Corinthians 6| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. – Psalm 139:7-8

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.