WE NEED TO READ

Friday, February 03, 2006

Several years ago, The Christian Science Monitor coined a word to identify a dimension of America’s reading habits. The word is alliterates, referring to those who can read but won’t or don’t. There are millions of illiterates in this country but there are also many millions more who are alliterates. The American Booksellers Association did a study that found that a large percentage of American households never buy a single book.

A study of Old and New Testament Scriptures would compel us to conclude that God promotes literacy. He may even command it. There are more than ninety biblical passages either commanding the readers to read or describing someone reading. Almost another 400 verses refer to the act of writing. This implies a heavy emphasis on the ability to read and write---literacy. God commanded the Israelites to choose a king who would “write for himself on a scroll” and who would “read it all the days of his life” (Deuteronomy 17:18,19).

The answer begins in the home. We need to establish early that reading is a priority. That means that parents need to set an example and then do everything they can to restrict distractions like television. Generally illiterate parents produce illiterate children.

It is estimated that the cost of illiteracy to businesses and taxpayers runs into the billions each year. A majority of America’s prison inmates are illiterate. Seventy-five percent of unemployed adults have reading or writing difficulties.

I have always done everything I could to encourage people to read. As I set at the computer I am surrounded by books. A small shelf next to my computer now holds the following: Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey, Rumors by Philip Yancey, Believing God by Beth Moore, Heaven by Randy Alcorn, Job by Charles Swindoll, Come Thirsty by Max Lucado, Down In The River To Pray by John Mark Hicks & Greg Taylor, The Meal Jesus Gave Us by Tom Wright, and The Rabbi’s Heartbeat by Brennan Manning.

SO MANY GOOD BOOKS---SO LITTLE TIME. START READING NOW! PLEASE!