It may be surprising, but amid this fun, yet serious, visit with Jim McNiel of St. Louis, there are many “laughs!” Not what one might expect from the man known as the “Walking Bible!” But it certainly is an indication that there are so many joys and delightful experiences, amid the trials, of a lifestyle of “walking with the Lord” — and of being “filled” with memorized Scripture running through one’s mind.
Jim McNiel reveals this reality in our brief conversation together … which is available for listening anytime. Jim describes his memorizing great and extensive passages of the Bible – sometime whole books – as a “gift.” You will be awed as you listen. Check out his website at www.jimmcniel.com.
Leave it to Jim, amid more laughs, to make an effective Gospel Witness connected to the movie, “Cockeyed Cowboy from Calico County” with Jack Elam. He tells the story in the recording. More fun!
Very, Very Important Insights and Practices That Changed My Life!
In this brief radio conversation, I recount my teenage experience of memorizing portions of the Bible. Soon after receiving Jesus into my life as a teenager, I became involved in the “Topical Memory System,” (TMS), sponsored by the Navigators. Over time I memorized many of the System’s recommended Bible verses. I applied their challenge to “review, review, review” to get the verses really entrenched in my mind and heart. And regularly going over and over the verses meant that I would think about them, meditate on them, ponder them and what they meant. And, with the verses becoming entrenched in my mind and heart, the Holy Spirit was teaching me from them.
The whole process wonderfully impacted me then and continues to impact me now … more than a half century later.
To learn more, visit www.navigators.org/resource/topical-memory-system/ and www.navigators.org/about/history/ .. which includes this encouraging statement: “If you want to memorize Scripture but aren’t sure what to memorize or how, this system is the perfect launch point to begin hiding God’s Word in your heart. It’s simple and easy-to-use — and will help you memorize key verses that point to basic truths and important instruction.”
One of the early passages I memorized was Psalm 119:9, 11:
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to you word. … I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
I remember the great Bible teacher and preacher, Chuck Swindoll, (see www.insight.org) sharing that while he was in the US Marinies in the Pacific, he memorized the Bible verses in the Navigators “Topical Memory System.”
One of my grandsons, Dawson Hendrick, is named after the founder of the Navigators, Dawson Trotman.
So today, as I write, I gathered four youngest grandchildren, telling them of the importance of memorizing Scripture and showing the links above, helping them to become involved in the Navigator TOPICAL MEMORY SYSTEM. (www.navigators.org/resource/topical-memory-system/)
Related “Links” to other brief radio broadcasts …
To hear … “Jim ‘Walking Bible’ McNiel; memorized most of the New Testament; lately, book of Revelation; see www.jimmcniel.com” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2013/04/21/jim-walking-bible-mcniel-memorized-most-of-nt-lately-book-of-revelation-see-www-jimmcniel-com/ ;
To hear … “Jim ‘Walking Bible’ McNiel relishes laugher amid rich joys & thoughts of Scripture he has memorized “ … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2015/11/30/jim-walking-bible-mcniel-relishes-laugher-amid-rich-joys-thoughts-of-scripture-he-has-memorized/
Jim McNiel and Humorist, Composer, Vocalist Mark Lowry …
Jim recalls a wonderful experience he had at a performance he had with humorist and Gaither Band member, Mark Lowry. Past radio with him, titled …”Mark Lowry, longtime Gaither Band member makes us laugh! His most famous composition is ‘Mary Did You Know?’” … can be accessed by clicking on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2014/06/15/mark-lowry-longtime-gaither-band-member-makes-us-laugh-his-most-famous-song-mary-did-you-know/
Some of the marvelous lyrics begin with …
“Mary did you know that your baby boy”… and then continues with words, such as …
- … will one day walk on water
- … Will save our sons & daughters
- … This child that you delivered will soon deliver you
- … Will give sight to the blind man
- … Will calm he storm with his hand
- … Has walked where angels trod …
- … and when you kiss your little baby, you’ve kissed the face of God
- … The Blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again, the lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb.