Are you "Bible shopping?" I've talked with you at another time about how confusing it is for a new Christian...or anyone wondering which bible to choose... when there are so many versions available today.

And I've mentioned to you that I read the "Faith" pages of the Kansas City Star each week. The Saturday of March 26, 2011, had quite an article that notes that this year is the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.

And it goes quite into detail about the Bible Baptist Church in Mount Prospect, Illinois, which believes that the King James "is not just another translation, but is the indispensable underpinning of a Christian's faith." In other words, what you read is what you get, and no matter how miraculous the things you read in it, they're to be totally believed.

And by now, if you read my "Conquest" articles on line, or listen to my brief program of an article and a couple of songs on Sunday morning at nine on KMOE or KMAM, you know that I agree with those folks.

And that brings me to the point I want to make, concerning your shopping for a bible. Write this down and take it with you to the book store: Check two scriptures; Isaiah 7:14, and Matthew 1:23. If either one depicts Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a "young woman," put that version back on the shelf. Make sure it says "a virgin." If it does not, that version is taking the miracle out of the birth of Jesus Christ, and you can be sure it's changing many other parts, so the bible will say what they WANT it to say. I'll repeat those two verses: Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23. Don't purchase a bible put out by someone who doesn't believe the very book they're offering to you.