In Texas we all love the beginning of football season. Maybe it's because the start of this sport signals the coming of Fall. And cooler weather. Or maybe it's because someone we love is playing on that 100-yard field. Whatever the reason, we all seem to walk with more spring in our step. More sparkle in our eyes.
This year I have a vested interest. An active six-year-old boy who has decided he'd like to give the game a try. Off he trots, all excitement in his size-seven football shoes, specially made with plastic cleats. Heady stuff. This oldest grandson of mine runs straight for COACH - the young man who will teach him some very important lessons - including a little about football.
Coach Jerrod Shearer is a young, twenty-something single guy. He clearly sees the value in pouring what he knows into these young hearts. His payment isn't worldly currency - it's heavenly treasure - a richer compensation. The satisfaction of influencing boys and girls for the Lord.
During a practice break on this hot evening, sweat drips as Jerrod teaches his small team from God's Word. "Each of you is fearfully and wonderfully made by God." The lesson centers on the value God places on His created ones. They share a few giggles as they sip their water, contestants trying to remember each name in the circle.
Did Grandson Number One learn how to hold a football when taking a hand-off? Yes, indeed. Will he learn some lasting spiritual lessons as well? Without a doubt. Thanks to young men like Coach Jerrod Shearer.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Shan Gill
Imagine a man standing with the Lord at the end of time, watching a play-by-play of his own life. Right now he's witnessing his beginning. His brave young mom presents him to the world, but then wisely and unselfishly recognizes her inability to provide a stable life for a child. She tenderly places her son in the arms of an awaiting woman.
The man turns from the scene to face Jesus, confused. "Who is this new woman holding me? She isn't my mom - by birth or adoption. She's not a relative. Not a nurse either. Who is she?" The Savior smiles. He simply answers, "Allow me to tell you about Shan Gill, lover of new babies and one of my special servants."
As with any legal process, adoption can have its glitches. Paperwork that needs to be completed. Babies who arrive earlier than expected. People who have a change of heart. Because of these unusual situations, an interim caretaker is sometimes needed for the newborn. This is where Shan enters the picture. The call for help can come any time, night or day. She faithfully remains ready - stocked to the hilt with baby supplies and positioned with open arms.
Shan absolutely glows as she introduces her latest charge to admiring friends. Each time she allows her heart to be captured, knowing the child will never remember her sacrifices. In spite of sleepless nights and the constant demands of a helpless one, Shan finds great joy in this work.
At the end of time, I imagine the Lord will show Shan the fruit of her labor. Perhaps He was speaking of her when He said, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes Me...."
The man turns from the scene to face Jesus, confused. "Who is this new woman holding me? She isn't my mom - by birth or adoption. She's not a relative. Not a nurse either. Who is she?" The Savior smiles. He simply answers, "Allow me to tell you about Shan Gill, lover of new babies and one of my special servants."
As with any legal process, adoption can have its glitches. Paperwork that needs to be completed. Babies who arrive earlier than expected. People who have a change of heart. Because of these unusual situations, an interim caretaker is sometimes needed for the newborn. This is where Shan enters the picture. The call for help can come any time, night or day. She faithfully remains ready - stocked to the hilt with baby supplies and positioned with open arms.
Shan absolutely glows as she introduces her latest charge to admiring friends. Each time she allows her heart to be captured, knowing the child will never remember her sacrifices. In spite of sleepless nights and the constant demands of a helpless one, Shan finds great joy in this work.
At the end of time, I imagine the Lord will show Shan the fruit of her labor. Perhaps He was speaking of her when He said, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes Me...."
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Kim Jacoby
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Most connoisseurs who closely study Michelangelo's detailed sculptures would stand in awe of his inspired work. The same goes for Renoir's colorful impressionistic paintings.
Kim Jacoby happens to have a favorite piece of artwork, but it wasn't crafted by any famous painter. Far from it. It will never hang in an art gallery. It wasn't fashioned using oil paints, acrylics, pastels, or even crayons. No, this picture was painstakingly brushed on paper using Skittles soaked in water. The artist? A female inmate, Paula. Once an atheist, now a believer. The subject? The bowed head of Jesus Christ, her Savior. A not-so-subtle message to Kim, her mentor and teacher: "I've surrendered. I bow before my Lord." Probably an attitude a long time in coming and not without its costs.
Paula was a hard case. She attended the Bible study Kim facilitated within those inescapable walls. Arms folded and a scowl on her face, she declared, "I'm an atheist - I don't believe in God. He's let me down too many times." Apparently this female prisoner attended class just to have something that looked good on her record. Wisely, Kim recognized the incongruence of Paula's statement. "Well, if you don't believe in God, why do you credit Him with letting you down?" she inquired.
Their discussion continued until, finally, it was time for Kim to leave. Before she parted, she left Paula with this challenge: "You know there is a God. That's a start. You might want to ask Him about His Son."
Shortly after that talk, Kim brought Paula a book - "The Case for Christ." Paula hungrily devoured its pages in less than a week. For Kim's next visit, Paula astonished her new sister in Christ with the portrait.
Just as Paula "Skittle-painted" that blank piece of paper, the Lord used His tools, Kim and the Truth, to transform an unbelieving heart. "Behold, I make all things new."
Kim Jacoby happens to have a favorite piece of artwork, but it wasn't crafted by any famous painter. Far from it. It will never hang in an art gallery. It wasn't fashioned using oil paints, acrylics, pastels, or even crayons. No, this picture was painstakingly brushed on paper using Skittles soaked in water. The artist? A female inmate, Paula. Once an atheist, now a believer. The subject? The bowed head of Jesus Christ, her Savior. A not-so-subtle message to Kim, her mentor and teacher: "I've surrendered. I bow before my Lord." Probably an attitude a long time in coming and not without its costs.
Paula was a hard case. She attended the Bible study Kim facilitated within those inescapable walls. Arms folded and a scowl on her face, she declared, "I'm an atheist - I don't believe in God. He's let me down too many times." Apparently this female prisoner attended class just to have something that looked good on her record. Wisely, Kim recognized the incongruence of Paula's statement. "Well, if you don't believe in God, why do you credit Him with letting you down?" she inquired.
Their discussion continued until, finally, it was time for Kim to leave. Before she parted, she left Paula with this challenge: "You know there is a God. That's a start. You might want to ask Him about His Son."
Shortly after that talk, Kim brought Paula a book - "The Case for Christ." Paula hungrily devoured its pages in less than a week. For Kim's next visit, Paula astonished her new sister in Christ with the portrait.
Just as Paula "Skittle-painted" that blank piece of paper, the Lord used His tools, Kim and the Truth, to transform an unbelieving heart. "Behold, I make all things new."
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