When I was 12 my school handed out small Gideon Bibles that had a daily reading schedule, so that over the course of two years, you'd have read the whole NT. I read it twice. Got nothing from it. Fast forward 40 years, and the knocks and scrapes of life, and here I am - thoroughly disillusioned with the world (boo-hoo, woe is me lol). So I bought a leather bound KJV red letter edition (Jesus's words are printed in red) and I am reading Matthew then will read Mark, Luke and John. With what I have learned through living, the Word is beginning to make sense. My impression is that Jesus is no softy - he rebukes and remonstrates, criticises and condemns, but at last I am starting to see the light of Christ. It seems to me that by taking my fill of what this world has to offer - and being sickened with it and finally pouring it away - my cup is empty and ready to be filled with the love of the living Christ. At 12 I was not receptive. My mind was occupied with worldly things. At 52 I stand ready to reject this devilish world and surrender. Well, almost. It's not easy but I'm making a start.