1 Peter 1:6-9

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:6-9

It seems rather backwards when you think about it, have joy while you are enduring many trials. Joy is not something we generally associate with trouble or difficulties. Rather joy is the thing we expect to be feeling when everything is going great. But Peter reveals just the same things Jesus taught him about the source of joy and peace, is Christ.

For many in the early days, the Apostles spoke of Jesus having had the firsthand experience of working alongside Him. Many watched Him throughout his ministry up to the cross and witness His resurrection. Peter writes to those who never saw Him, which includes every believer today. We believe with a faith that was different than the Apostles for we believe in whom we have not seen walking around healing people and raising dead men to life. Our faith stems from His work in our own lives, walking us through difficult times, and restoring broken things around us.

When you go through difficult times, and you will go through them be sure, have faith even more. Write down your journey with the Lord, even when you do not see Him in the circumstances. After you have been pulled through the storm you will not want to forget the lessons He was teaching. All glory belongs to Him, and He will be glorified in all things. The trials you endure are testing your faith but they are also evidence you have faith first in which needs to be tested. Strengthen yourself by this knowledge that you are counted worthy to suffer and deal with worldly trial so that His work will be made seen in your life. To Jesus Christ be the glory for doing all things well with you.

1 Peter 1:3-5

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
1 Peter 1:3-5

Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ there is no hope. It is through the death of Christ we have been saved from the punishment of sin, and through his resurrection we have no life in Him. He executed the covenant between man and God by dying on the cross. And He returned to enforce that same covenant and to ensure us of our future inheritance. 

Every believer who has come to the saving cross of Christ and died with Him, also rises with Him into new life. There is a promise here of an eternal reward we will all receive in heaven. Notice Peter gives us insight into what heaven will be like when he says there is no change or decay. Heaven will not be like the earth, a place outside of time and the laws of disorder, chaos, and destruction. It is a place all of us should long for, and even those who do not realize it, desire.

 

God is the protector of our souls and will watch over us in this world. He is the one who is in charge of our future and hope. Not only do we have a purpose to fulfill here on earth, but there is also so much more waiting for us in heaven. He knows and we can trust Him that one day it will all be revealed. The future salvation of our souls when we pass from this life into the life prepared for us by Jesus. Praise be to the Lord who has died to set us free, and risen to keep us free indeed.

1 Peter 1:1-2

This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.

I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
May God give you more and more grace and peace.

1 Peter 1:1-2

You have been known, chosen, and made holy by God the Father. Peter begins writing his letter to the Jewish people scattered around the nations. He begins by reminding them of their position and God’s choice to set them apart from the world they live in as strangers. All believers fit into this category for we are all citizens of Heaven, temporarily placed on this earth for service to the King.

Being known by the God of the universe is no small matter. Imagine someone in leadership you highly admire. Now what if that person invited you to lunch, wouldn’t that be amazing? Then what if they gave you their cell phone number and told you to call them whenever you had a question or just wanted to talk? You would feel wonderful if this happened, you wouldn’t feel so alone in this big world just because you were noticed and considered highly valued. Your heavenly Father, the one who created everything including you, has called you by name and given you his own personal line to talk anytime. To Him you are a highly treasured!

Apostle Peter knows firsthand what it feels like to be called by the Lord. When he was still a fisherman in Galilee, Jesus walked along the shore and invited him to be a disciple. From that moment on Peter was in the company of the King of the universe, even though he probably did not realize it at first. When we know the Lord desired fellowship with Fishermen, tax-collectors, notorious sinners, why wouldn’t he want to also have us? He does, and desires us greatly every day and every minute. Allow these words to fill you with the same grace and peace Peter prays for over the chosen of God.

Psalm 131

Psalm 131

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

¹ Lord, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I don’t concern myself with matters too great
or too awesome for me to grasp.
² Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.
Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

³ O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—
now and always.

Humility is the act of acknowledging who you are in relation to God. Remember David was the youngest of his brothers, working as a shepherd boy when God anointed him to be king of Israel. When David through a parade to bring God’s holy Ark back into the city, his own wife scolded him for being undignified. He responded by declaring he would be even more so before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is a testament to humility as a man who was already on the throne with a great history of military and political conquest. This Psalm is a message to us about being humble.

Our God is the creator and master of the universe. He did not just create it and leave it to grow, but is at work in everything everyday of existence. There is not one petal on any flower falling to the ground without His awareness. You can never catch him by surprise or disappoint him. The Holy One is Holy and worthy to be praised as David continues to remind us throughout the Psalms.

When was the last time you got on all fours before the Lord of the universe? When did you last lay it all down literally and give Him everything you own? Do you own past regrets, guilt, pain that should be given to Him. Do you track your sins even though they were each already paid for by the blood on the cross? Worthy is the Lamb who was slain for us! When we focus on who He is, its impossible to not be humble before His Awesome Might and Power. His unending grace and mercy are abounding for all of us forever and ever, Amen!

Ever busy season of our lives

Life in the Bowlby house is never boring and rarely quiet. On this night however I have reached the point where everyone is sleeping except me so I am going to use this moment to be productive in my blog and attempt an update on our ever busy lives. My beautiful wife and three children keep me ever so on my toes and running every direction seemingly endlessly. Ill first being with our youngest hatchling….

Erin Nicole has been growing ever so slowly it seems for the past year. Now pictures are evidence she has changed a little, and there is more hair to get in the way of those pretty little eyes. Every morning it is a fight to get her hair in pony tails. Daddy is just not as good with those things as mommy. But we do have a good time getting dressed every morning. Still not good working with the potty though so all things in time…. She is only two and a half. She does love her snacks though, including anything daddy considers yummy and wants to keep to himself. Oreos are a major such snack that must be hidden or causes a good deal of mess! She just craves chocolate and caffeine, and baby dolls. So she is a girl in every way.

Kenneth the twin brother or prince charming as mommy calls him, is always on the move. Unless he is somehow in the zone of Super Why or Curious George, he never stays in one spot more than a few seconds. Kenny is our own form of curious monkey. He does like to play with his sister from time to time, but they fight a lot too as siblings do. All of our kids are fond of play time, who isn’t really? His word bank is growing little by little as he always wants his milk or juice milk as he says. He can get a bit frustrated when it comes to things like sitting in the car waiting for Avery to get out of school, or simply not getting his way and throwing a tantrum. But his charm and sweet spirit every other time of the day wins us over.

Avery finished cheerleading and will be going back into soccer in the fall which is great! She is really athletic and enjoys the sport. I imagine our children will be keeping us very busy in the years ahead with sports. Hopefully I can come to some of her games this time, working on weekends tends to take away the time. But it is necessary in the long run since the kids do well with being at home with their parents rather than a big daycare environment. Avery is doing really well in school and enjoying her time with friends and playing outside. She has learned how to ride her bike now without training wheels, and has recently expressed desire to go to her friends house’s across the street to play. So our little girl is not so little anymore and it is just too soon! I am so thankful for her and for the woman she is becoming. I could not have asked for a better Avery than the one the Lord gave us. The same goes for all my children.

Holly and I remain busy with various work and school projects. I am busy with my degree for childhood education and Holly with her Human Resources. So I imagine the coming Spring will be very busy. Hopefully I will find more time to update then, but for now its late and I must be getting to rest now!

Psalm 130: Hope in the Lord every New Day

Psalm 130

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

¹ From the depths of despair, O Lord,
I call for your help.
² Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.

³ Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
⁴ But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.

⁵ I am counting on the Lord;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
⁶ I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

⁷ O Israel, hope in the Lord;
for with the Lord there is unfailing love.
His redemption overflows.
⁸ He himself will redeem Israel
from every kind of sin.

Psalm 130

American culture and even those around the world await the moment when a single ball drops celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. This new year celebrates causes many to gather around with drinks in hand to celebrate, possibly kiss loved ones at the precise moment of midnight, and overall give hope to a coming year. Our world is broken so year after year it makes good sense for us to look forward and make resolutions to make a better year. But as a believer in Jesus our King, we know our real hope is not in the changing of the calendar but in the Lord.

Nothing much is going to change between December 31^st and January 1^st without a serious commitment to the Lord and His work in your life. There is nothing He would like more than to bless you, walk with you, and use you in His great plan on this earth. When we walk according to His will we find perfect peace, so it is in His will we place our hope. Turning the pages on the calendar means nothing more than a moment when you can make a promise to yourself about being more productive in the year ahead. Place your hope in the Lord just as the soldiers long for the dawn, and morning birds wait for sunrise.
Promises are good and should be made and kept. At the beginning of each day, not just the New Year we should be committing the day to the Lord. When we find ourselves engrossed in every Word of the Truth we find joy. Yes His message is convicting and desires to change us from within. I find my faith grows when I read the Word for as He makes apparent the things in my life He desires to change I find it evidence of His present work in me. Prepare not just to make a promise to yourself for the New Year but renew this day your soul to the purpose He has designed you for in this present age.

Christmas Season in review

It has been a tremendously busy season for us here. The closer we have gotten to Christmas the faster things seem to spin which is pretty normal. This morning while the children are still sleeping in their beds I am doing some picking up and trying to get all the last minute things done in preparation for our Christmas day fun.

Holly celebrated her 31^st birthday Saturday with some cake and a trip to the Melting Pot. Its our favorite place to eat, we get to cook our own meat and meal in the fondue style. Time goes by so fast we can hardly believe the year is almost over. Christmas eve we set out for lunch at her dads house and then in the evening we made for her Mema’s. The kids have all been having a great season so far. Now its going to be just one big relaxing down around the Christmas tree with some good movies and yummy food.

Backing up just a bit my parents stayed with us for a week and left just a couple weeks ago. My sister will be here on Thursday. They had such a good time while they were here. We were able to take the time to move in some new beds we bought for the girls and put them in the same room together. Kenneth is now in his own room in a twin bed. No more cribs for the babies which make them no longer babies really. Though I still call them babies, they are nearly 29 months old almost here. This is the first big year for them to really enjoy the holiday season.

Between the Christmas train, lights at Rhema, and the birth of our new niece Ella Nicole on 12-12-12 at 12:11am, its been an exciting time. Its always sad to see it all end but its been full of blessings from the Lord and we are happy and so very blessed. This morning Avery woke up to check her stocking and the plate of cookies left out for Santa. She informed me she did not get coal and he ate the cookies! Then she went back to bed since we have to wait till a decent hour to open everything together as a family!

Remembering the birth of Jesus this season, we read the story last night to the children who were still awake which was just the girls. Kenneth partied himself out last night. We thank the Lord for all His blessings this past year, allowing us to be able to keep the kids home and our of a daycare environment. We believe its been so much better for them this past two years to have so much time with their parents and be able to play with their sister and niece so much more. Emery and them get along so well so they really enjoy having her over all the time.

As we approach the new year we are excited to see what the Lord is doing to do with us. I am working to finish my degree in Early Elementary Education, should be done in May. Then off to NSU to get a BA. Along with working weekends and watching the kids at home it makes for a very busy life. But the Lord’s blessings abound!

-David

New baby!

Our niece was born this morning at 12:11 on 12/12/12!!!!!! How exciting! Little Ella Nicole. Holly is at the hospital with her. I'm laying here at home with the kids, my parents are in town so we are all going to see new baby soon! I love being an uncle!

Play as learning

Children during playtime have entered a world of their own which adults have since long forgotten existed. It is a world of wonder and imagination, where creativity and adventure abounds. Children who are in the midst of playing are not simply passing time mindlessly. There is a great deal of learning going on for the child in their own person as they interact with their world and with the worlds of the other children.

No two children are going to approach something in the same way, their minds and experiences are always different. Because of the differences they are able to learn from each other during playtime as well as learn from themselves. Adults forget the values of exploring with others and learning from others, even though they never truly stop.

A child presented with toys such as blocks, play clay, other things give them experience with different textures and categories. They are not going to understand all of the things adults think about, but they are in an active state of using their imaginations and creating their own designs. From a child’s perspective the task at hand is exciting and important. It gives them a sense of accomplishment and achievement when they have completed a task. Children will work with each other or sometimes alone to make believe they are in a different world, doing the things they see adults doing all the time.

Adults are a mystery to the child just as the children are a mystery. They want to dress up like the adults, do the things the adults are doing, because this gives them purpose and a feeling of identifying with all of the grown up giants around them.  

My program has a good deal of open space for playtime for the children. This is not simply mindless chaos even if it appears in this manner from the outside view. If we are outside there are places for them to be constructive in the sand box, operating shovels and digging. Outside also yields plenty of places to find leaves and sticks, grass, exploring nature is very important for children. You can teach the children while they play, often they are more engaged because they are moving around and waiting on the adult to follow.

Children are learning as much during playtime as anything, their social skills are a major source of learning. When its playtime they can interact with each other and give clues to how brave or how shy they are in different situations. A child who is pushy with his toys has to learn how to share and why it is important, but also needs to find ways to cooperate with the other kids. Adults have to be present when children are at play so they can direct these moments of learning and play.

Growth and learning is brought about through experience with life situations. This is as true for adults as it is for children. But for the children their experiences are given through simple things they do day to day. From dropping their food and learning about generated responses from adults, to the buttons they push on their toys to make various events happen. Children are learning as much about their world through interacting with it as they are able. As a child grows they will attempt more and more, even follow the patterns of adults as role models. Every child seeks to be just like the adults they see.

It is important for children to learn from themselves so they will be prepared for this learning in the future. Self-initiated play is a key building block for their personal growth. A child will learn through creative thinking and making their own decisions. It is unclear to the adult most of the time, but the child who is very busy is the child who is learning everything he or she can about their world. This kind of learning is important for children just as much as it is for adults to learn about themselves.

My children do not just spend all day in mindless play, but in daily interactive creativity using their imaginations. When I observe them at their personal play time, they are growing and learning more about their world and what they are able to do in the world. They will learn which words they hear and repeat work to gain access to their desires. Babble turns into language adults can understand. They are interactive with each other and following the important process of learning as they play.

Halloween 2012

This year the family got dressed up and went out on the prowl for free candy… along with everyone else in town. Avery dressed up as Izzy from Jake and the Neverland Pirates. She looks more grown up and beautiful every day. Soon she is going to be a young woman, the years are just going way to fast. Hard to believe really, just want to keep her as my little baby.

Kenneth and Erin went as Luke and Leia Skywalker. They truly looked adorable. Kenneth got right into the spirit of trick or treating. He followed Avery to every door and said, “treat, treat,” Soon as he got the candy he said thank you and was racing off to the next house. Erin hung out in the wagon and waved to everyone. She said “bye, bye.” Could I have any more precious children then these three…. Avery and mommy and daddy got tired out quicker than the twins though. They had way to much sugar, most of which got taken away by daddy.

Now with November 1^st here, we look forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Its been busy so far and will continue to be busy. But that’s okay we can enjoy every moment of family time we have and push forward to what is ahead. Thankfully the Lord is with us, and every day we can be thankful for the blessings he has given.

 

Psalm 123: Watchful servants

Psalm 123

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

¹ I lift my eyes to you,
O God, enthroned in heaven.
² We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy,
just as servants keep their eyes on their master,
as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
³ Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy,
for we have had our fill of contempt.
⁴ We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud
and the contempt of the arrogant.
Psalm 123

The Bible never wastes a pen stroke in revealing evidence of His creative hand! From the beginning He is the assumed Creator, not just a local man made God. Skeptics continually try placing God as simply a national god, in a temple, and leave him there. But he is enthroned in heaven. However in His great wonder, He has chosen a small piece of land and a people to be called after His name to be a message of light to the world. The Jewish Nation.

Israel was always meant to be a beacon of hope to the dyeing world, a message of salvation to those lost in sin. We worship the Messiah was promised to be the ruler in Israel in the line of King David. Losing our Jewish heritage would be a dangerous mistake. Forgetting from where we came from, and God’s plan for His people, would be to lose sight of His plan and will all together. He is our King, and we are His servants just as the Psalmist has written.

Our lifelong duty should be to serve our Lord the King with all willingness and obedience. To live with integrity, have lives honoring Him in all things. Just as the servant watches his master, just as the worker keeps on eye on what the boss wants, so must we as believers be watching for our Lord. Through prayer we are enlisted in the daily work of the Lord. Through faithful obedience to His commands we will see His desires not just for Israel, but also for us as messengers of light to the world.

Parenting Tip: Take your job seriously

No one will ever be more concerned about your job than you are. Success largely depends on your own perspective and desire to work each day to the fullest. When it comes to be a stay at home dad, or parent, the fundamentals of being a hard worker are the same as in any other position. Parents differ in the lack of income for their time investment. Benefits are long term, and product will be displayed in the years to come as the children grow into adults.

Many times in the Bible we are instructed to be good workers, and to serve as to the Lord and not man. He is not the man upstairs, or the boss, He is far more than we really think. He is the King of the Universe, and as King He has adopted us into the Kingdom to be servants and followers of Him. We are called to serve in whatever job arena He has called us, and serve faithfully.

There have been many jobs I have worked at in the last ten years since I entered the work force. Each of them has tested my skills and abilities, but also my personal faithfulness and integrity to the job. So when someone who is called to a high calling of following the King, working becomes a service to God.

Being a stay at home dad is a full time job with the added benefit of being able to invest personally in the lives of my own kids. When they fall, I pick them up. When they cry, I dry their tears. When they need discipline, I am there. It matters not who the parent is who stays at home with the kids, it matters that they are doing the job. The house may not always be as clean, the food may not always come out of the oven smelling as good, but it’s the longer running investment in the lives of the children that counts most.  

I feel like sometimes I have to stress this point every day to myself. With the cost of childcare going up it seems like the obvious choice to stay at home with the kids. But even more so you have to be ready to deal with society constantly telling you what you should be doing differently. There aren’t as many friends and family coming around as you thought there would be. Avoiding depression and stress becomes priorities. So I find the best method to being a productive stay at home parent, is to remember my job at home is just as important if not more valuable for the little ones than anything else I could be doing. But I have to take it seriously, they deserve nothing less.

Birthday week has begun

Turning the heat on in the morning and the cold air on in the afternoon; must be fall! And along with the change in weather patterns comes the busy season. From this moment till after Christmas we hardly have a moment to think about anything else other then food or gift related items. Sounds like its going to also be a rather chilly winter. The kids are ready though, ready for fun in the sunshine as long as it lasts.

Yesterday we headed out to the Zoo for some last days of Fall fun. This weather will turn to icy cold soon enough, so we mine as well enjoy what we can. Today was more of a stay in town and do fun things kind of day. Mostly just hanging out at the park and running around the yard. Avery is on fall break so its pretty much up to her what we get to doing. It is never a dull moment.

Kenneth follows his big sister around like a little shadow. Always wanting to do what his big sister is doing. If she is running, he runs. If she walks backwards, he will try. If she climbs a landscape, he will as well. Erin and Kenneth are getting better with their verbal skills, though as two year olds they do tend to rely on cranky cry if they have to in the moment.

First thing we do in the morning is get them out, set them on the couch and give them their morning drink. And they demand the drink as well. At least Avery has this week off, so it makes it easier without having to take her to school. Nothing like one more little one running around. She will be six in twelve hours if we go by the time she came into the world. I am glad we have so many pictures and blog posts to look back and remember. For now however there is much to do before the busy birthday weekend.

Parenting tip: Time for you

We live in a busy where with hundreds of different distractions everyday pulling us in all directions. Even as a stay at home parent it can be a challenge to find some down time just to take a break and focus on some inner meditation. I am not talking hyper spiritual people of the earth kind of stuff, but rather just doing something else for a little while to maintain sanity.

Golf, hunting, and shopping are among the first few hobbies coming to my mind which someone might be able to use for down time. It is important for you as well as your children for you to have some time to balance out all of life’s troubles and worry’s with some plain fun. Fun is allowed, even among Bible believing people. I never see anything wrong with a good laugh, a good wholesome activity, we all need that in order to not get completely lost in the low hum of society.

You may find it hard to get away when you really need to, because even when you are not in the middle of screaming children or a part time job on the side, life just doesn’t allow too much time for anything else. Stay at home dads are not any different in their needs to get out and do something. The house is also the work place, and even the occasional trip to the yard doesn’t help.

Time for myself, has for the greater majority of the time been either during a closing shift on a slow night, or if I am blessed enough to get all the children to sleep while driving around town. Sometimes even something as simple as a chocolate milkshake is a sweet taste of something different and pleasurable to take my mind away from chaos. And yes raising children even with all the planning and practice is still a bit overwhelming. Sometimes the greatest moments of relaxation are those moments after everyone in the house is asleep and I can hear myself think.

Give your thoughts to the Lord, allow Him to fill you with peace and hope in every difficult moment. You see there is something about having every moment with the kids being a teachable moment. More often than not, I am the one learning. He is using the very words I say to my kids to remind me of the very things He has taught me before. ‘Why don’t you just listen the first time”. “That will only end in you hurting yourself and no one will be happy.” So on and I am sure you have your own. If I jotted down all of them, no one would want to take the time to read them all.

So take some time for yourself, every day or at least once a week. Also take some time for you and your spouse. They are your partner in this parenting world and deserve attention, respect, and admiration. You will never be working as hard as you think you are. Show your kids what it means to be an adult because you set the example for them to follow. Our next generation needs to know it is okay to spend a little time away, it is good to have some fun, and you can never invest to much in time spent with loved ones.

Word of Truth - Psalm 119:169-176

Taw

¹⁶⁹ O Lord, listen to my cry;
give me the discerning mind you promised.
¹⁷⁰ Listen to my prayer;
rescue me as you promised.
¹⁷¹ Let praise flow from my lips,
for you have taught me your decrees.
¹⁷² Let my tongue sing about your word,
for all your commands are right.
¹⁷³ Give me a helping hand,
for I have chosen to follow your commandments.
¹⁷⁴ O Lord, I have longed for your rescue,
and your instructions are my delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live so I can praise you,
and may your regulations help me.
¹⁷⁶ I have wandered away like a lost sheep;
come and find me,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
Psalm 119:169-176

Where are you today? You might be just about anywhere and feeling as far away from God and His Word as possible. Even if you don’t, even if you still study and are focused on keeping up your devotional life, this Psalm is still for you. It’s a reminder to us to keep the Word above all else in this life. Nothing else in the Bible is put higher than the Word, not grace, mercy, the Spirit, only the Word.

Pray the Psalmists prayer, that those things which He has promised will come to pass and you will find the insights promised. May everyday be a new fresh encounter with His message for you! Sometimes it will be something you say to someone else in passing, or a thought which comes to your head, but it is really the Holy Spirit. These are the things to write down, take note of, and remember for your life.

He is the Shepherd and He is heading out to take care of His sheep. Those who are lost will be found, those who are His will hear His voice. A child can hear their parents voice on the playground despite the chaos of noises all around. A child who knows the voice of the Father will also hear, any moment of any day. The more we develop a passion and longing for the Word, the closer we become to knowing Him.