By Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

"Birds of a Feather Flock Together" is a great truth and the one that goes with it is, "When the Student is Ready the Teacher Will Appear." In my youth I was not a reader and my interest was all self. At age twenty-two, a friend introduced me to the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ. I was arrested, convicted and pardoned that day and my whole world changed. The first Sunday I attended Sunday School as a Christian, they invited me to teach a class of eight-year-old boys. I was totally ignorant of anything spiritual with the exception of John 3:16 and John 5:24 which I memorized immediately. The superintendent gave me two books, "What the Bible is All About" by Henrietta Mears and "Teaching the Truth by Donald Grey Barnhouse." I was ready and God sent me two tremendous teachers in their books.

That was the beginning of an adventure that has grown more exciting and meaningful for fifty-six years. My life has been blessed by the lives of many great men but none like the miracle power of a book. A book you can hold, hug, feel, smell, underline, memorize, realize and even caress. Many of the great men that have shaped my life have been dead many years. Fred is special in my life because of his love for Jesus, Oswald Chambers and Fenelon. For me I've added Spurgeon, Tozer and Nee plus many others. The leader needs three categories of books, his profession, biographies and devotionals.

Maxey's counsel to Fred was right. "If you didn't know it, you can't write it." I discovered years ago, I don't need self-confidence, I need preparation. I've been forced to write many times and was grateful because writing makes you think and rethink your thoughts. I had to write a monthly article in our company publication, I dreaded it because my mind was barren of any great motivational or inspirational thoughts. When the deadline drew near, I turned to one of my favorite inspirational books, read a few chapters, and I was ready to write.

Travel is an education and I'm thankful for the many states, provinces and countries I've visited but I must always turn the spotlight to books. You need not leave your city because with a thankful heart and imagination, books will allow you to walk where Jesus walked. Fanny Crosby proved you didn't need eyes to see the beauty of life, you need only Christ and the books.

Thank you Fred. Your life is proof, "we are what we read."

This article appears in the new book Weekly Wisdom by Fred Smith to be released in 2007.