Not the healthy but the sick

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

Words I have breezed by numerous times before without giving more than just an "oh that's cool" sort of thought. But these words of Christ describe the very heart of this God-man and have taken on a freshness recently that was previously dormant. The Lord has placed people in close proximity to me who have taken Jesus' words to heart, who have made his mission their own.

No one really wants to work with the lost. It's much easier to spend out time with people who already know Christ (even though we have plenty of our own problems). But there aren't many folks out there just itching to sink their hands into the messy lives of lost people. Christ said it all, the workers are few.

Forunately I know a few of, well, the few. People like Emily, Matt Foster, Steve and Chrissy Holt, and Rebekah Duke, (along with others) are living out these words of Christ, investing and forming relationships with lost people. They are heros to me.

What they do is no cake walk; to them being a Christian is so much more than just going to church or reading the Bible. They are living and breathing the mission of Christ, and it is hard, often thankless work. But ask anyone of them, and they will tell you the reward is worth the cost.

I pray that God will raise up more of his children to labor in this way.
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pic of the day (from Emily):

Mom

She's completely selfless. Loving. Hard working. Patient. Kind. Teaching. Prayerful. Thoughtful. Encouraging. Outgoing. Dedicated. Peaceful. Sweet. Beautiful.

My mom gives her life away everyday. To her kids at school, her family, her prayer group, her church, to everyone she meets. She spends herself for the sake of others and in the name of Christ. An incredible example of faith and service.

Happy Birthday Mom. We love you.
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pic of the day:

The Franklin Broncos

When I opened up the home page for the Abilene Reporter-News the following story was starring me in the face. And what did I do, being the sap that I am...I teared up.

Now I will be the first to say that I wasn't particularly fond of my middle school years. It was an awkward time for most, and I was no exception. But there is a special place in my heart for Franklin Middle School, home of the Broncos. And as I read through the article and saw the picture of Coach Black with those players, I couldn't help but feel sentimental.

There are so many memories from that place, and I as I recall old teachers, coaches, classmates, and the like, one emotion stands out. I am truly thankful. Thankful for people like Coach Black, Coach Schoonmaker, Coach Carrol, and Coach Raughton who gave me a chance and some direction on the athletic fields. Thankful for Mrs. Embry, Mr. Spruell, and Mrs. Foster for dedication and inspiration in the classroom. Thankful for patient people putting up with an awkward and often times obnoxious middle schooler, and helping shape my future.

So as they they play the school's last football game ever today, I can still remember pretty vividly my last football game at Franklin, verses Sneezy Beltran and Mann Middle School for the city championship. We pulled off the upset that day, and I can only hope the same for my Broncos today.

Man, I am such a sap...
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pic of the day, my middle school boys on our retreat: