FBINAA JANFEB MAG.2019

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

F B I N A A . O R G | J A N / F E B 2 0 1 9

Jeff Kruithoff

T he year 2018 is now fully in the history books, and 2019 is well on its way to establishing its own identity in history. We are fast closing in on the end of the second decade of this century. Sometimes it seems like yesterday we were all in a tizzy about Y2K and the changing of the Millennium. But before I digress into what many of you will find is ancient history, I would like to return to our discussion of SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, SERVICE, SUPPORT, and SIGNIFICANT EVENTS as a formula for a Spiritual walk that will prepare you both spiritually and emotionally in a “Quest for Excellence” in all you do. Last issue we talked about Scripture reading and the need to be deliberate in our readings, but also to be deliberate in every aspect of our lives to ensure we are living to the fullest potential designed for us by our Creator. Jeremiah 15:16 say’s, “Your words are what sustain me; they are food to my hungry soul. They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me.” TLB. Several versions of the bible make reference in this verse to “eating the words”. Now frankly, I have been inspired by many written words, but figuratively saying “I ate the words” would suggest a deliberate approach to the reading that I do not do, and would be very hard to achieve. But that is what we are continually instructed to do by God. He says very clearly in Psalm 1, “...you don’t slink along Dead- end Road, you don’t go to Smart Mouth College. Instead you thrill to God’s word, you chew on Scripture day and night.” MSG; and in Psalm 19 there are several analogies that say regular study of the Bible would satisfy us more than a diamond set, emeralds, food or money. These kinds of verses in the Scripture, and there are many, would clearly suggest that God intends for us to read the Bible diligently and deliberately. I think we also need to personally ac- cept that the Bible is an inspired book and unlike any other book we will ever read or study. With all this said, it is important that we understand that reading the Bible is different than studying the Bible. So far in these magazine articles we have discussed the importance of reading the Bible in a deliberate manner. But it is important to go further and accept that studying the Bible is also critical to our spiritual and emotional walk. As I have participated in several dif- ferent kinds of Bible study; I have found that this in one area in which the Bible is truly amazing. Merely reading a short verse or chapter makes you think you have drawn every meaning from the words, but a true Bible study may spend hours on the same read- ing, placing it into context, and analyzing it from the perspective of the entire Bible and what the verse means to each participant in the Bible study. Howmany other books have you read that pro- vide for that kind of deep introspection? I would submit that no books can reach that mark. Scripture – Spending Time Reading The Words of God

I am amazed and sometimes quite envious of people who can rattle off dozens if not hundreds of bible verses or stories that seem to speak to every situation they are facing in life. I am not that kind of person and do not have large parts of the bible memorized. Actually, it was that fact that hadme concerned when I sought to be the National Chaplain. We have so many fine and wonderful men and women in our membership who could shame me with their extensive knowledge of the Bible. However, even without that ability, I have come to realize that the Bible is a very important part of a spiritual walk in life. The comfort, perspective, peace, and knowledge the bible can give us through daily read- ing and study is incredible. I hope and pray that all my National Academy brothers and sisters will find time to pick up that most important book called the Bible. I amextremely confident you will be moved by its words, and comforted by its message. In the next article, I would like to move our magazine visits to a discussion of SERVICE. I am writing this article just days after President H. W. Bush passed away. I loved Bush 41. He came to the FBI Academy during my session (the 165th) to address a gradu- ating class of FBI Special Agents. I also met him while he was a Vice-President and then again as a President as I was working a security detail for visits he made to my community. During the extended news broadcasts and programs covering his life, I was struck by one thing he said in an interview after his presidency. “There can be no definition of a successful life that does not include the service of others”. This quote speaks directly to the next topic on our “Quest for Excellence”. That is deliberately being engaged in the SERVICE of others.

Until then, God Bless and don’t hesitate to contact me.

Jeff Kruithoff, Chaplain

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