Moreover, over one year ago, I was drawn to a particular bible on a shelf in a bookstore. I opened and both the print type (I’m for good or bad aesthetically influenced though the category of things that make an impact on my visual sensibilities are narrowly defined) and the construction of the book appealed to me a great deal. The text was also in Standard English. I then flipped to a random page and found a quote that I then and still now believe had significance.

I did not buy that bible although I really could have used it, since the only bible I had was a free copy of the new testament I received on the streets of Harlem back in the mid 90′s; a time when I never did read the bible. This bible also has an interesting story to tell but that’s a separate commentary.

In any event, although there was only one copy of this uniquely designed (lime green leather cover with a Celtic symbol in the center), I kept checking on it from time to time and it would remain in the bookstore unsold. I finally purchased it only a few weeks ago and it led me again to a related quote.

It is true that the word of God is the living water. It is ever fresh and speaks to us directly. Well interestingly enough, it spoke to me about the quote that is the subject of this blog. Why now am I reading this blog? Answer is so clear to me. Only yesterday and more clearly today did I receive communication and undoubtedly a revelation as to why my life has been plagued by certain events/circumstances that I have not been able to resolve for many years now. The answer from God was clear. I ended the day knowing that I now had a lead to follow.

I have also found that the last three books I read gave the same message and appeared to cite to language that again spoke to circumstances in my own life. There is no question in my mind as I write this that these books were written for me.

Oh, yes, I checked the copy write dates on the first and the last and they were written some years back. The first in 2005 and the third in 2000. Still, I want to believe God planned to have it written and led me to these texts so that I would have his word in a fashion that would be appealing to me and accessible to me now. It is the language, the quality of information, the meaning and the design of these texts which confirm this fact. Only God can know so much about me and orchestrate in this fashion.

Moreover, NO ONE suggested that I read these books! As has been the case for many years now, I am simply led by (I now strongly believe the Holy Spirit) to pick up this book or the other in a bookstore with thousands of books.). Always just the right teacher shows up for the time and the message always builds. Although I bought these books in May, I did not read them until NOW! I also just realized Max Lucado wrote a blurb recommending the second book I read in the past three days published in 2009, which I finished reading yesterday.

So what? Well, I just read an entry on another blog (oddly enough a non-religious blog) an entry citing Max Lucado, which I found extremely moving. I am not a follower of Lucado’s work, although clearly he is widely read. This in fact makes my point. God did not send me to Lucado, No, but to Manning who is just ‘my cup of tea’. So, my message had to come through Manning or I would not have received it.

Again, here is that quote from Isaiah in your blog entry. Do you see the synchronicity? No, not at all a coincidence. Or rather, it is co-incident! There’s significance to all this and it’s leading me somewhere, and it is the fulfillment of His promise that his plan for my life is to give me a future and a hope.

I believe my future is bright, and he will show me how to work out what he has worked in me. I will walk through the ‘shadow’ of the valley of death and I will fear no evil for He is with me. His staff and his rod, they comfort me! You know I’m paraphrasing here from The Lord is My Shepard I shall not Want! As my pastor J. Prince would say, there is no qualification here.

Much love, peace and blessings to you, Bahamabob! I thank you 4 sharing what it is I could understand. I have not followed your blog 4 long so what may be apparent to you and your followers is like a private joke to me. What I was able to glean gives me the signal I need from the Lord that He is with me. It is my Lord saying ‘Do Not Be Afraid, I am With YOU!’ Read these very words today in Manning’s book.

You are a servant of the Lord, this is clear. I feel both loved and embraced by your language and your dedication to communicate His message!