Many
times over the past few years I have drawn attention to some people who have
made a difference in my life or spoken in to my life in big ways. This could be men like professor Sumner Wemp,
writer Mark Batterson, pastor Francis Chan, dreamer and helper of hurting
people Matthew Barnett or his dad and prophet of God’s truth Tommy
Barnett. There are many others too.
But I
want to point you in a direction a bit different than the names above. I’d like to talk to you about some of the
people that few of you have met but who have impacted my life. Realize that I am not sharing these people
with you for their glory. Literally I
share them for the glory of God. These
people have allowed God to use them in powerful ways in my life and in the
lives of others.
1 Thessalonians
3:8 NASB
for now we really
live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
1 Corinthians
15:58 NASB
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, knowing
that your toil is not in vain
in the Lord.
My family was blessed to spend over a week with my family in
Oklahoma at Christmas time and through the New Year. It was so good. There are several people that I got to spend
time with that mean much to me. Men like
Harry Thompson who prays for me and holds a special place in my history and
Allison Dickey who has pastored a small town church for several years and who I
have seen grown in big ways. Allison’s
wife, Marilyn, passed away this month.
His family means much to me.
I love spending time with and learning from my dad. Christmas was sweeter because of that time
with him. Few people have as much wisdom
and insight as he does, and I still can’t understand how he has gotten so much
smarter the last 20 years since he wasn’t too wise when I was a teen
(hahaaa). I also got to spend some time
with one of my greatest encouragers and giants of faith. That would be my brother Steve. This dad, husband, businessman, friend,
mentor and follower of Jesus is amazing.
Wow on both those men.
Last week I was with lots of the people who work with at
speedways and with race fans across our country. Some of these people has poured into my life
in awesome ways. Ron Pegram is one I
admire greatly and who always encourages me.
Howard Brammer is a new friend who I am learning from in huge ways. I also spent time with Dr. Roger Marsh. Roger for me is the father of this
ministry. I’ve been able to listen to,
learn from and work beside this man much in the last few years. I am so grateful for Roger’s faith and his
passion for starting new ministry at the speedways. Another one of these men is David Martin from
Fort Wayne, Indiana. I really am just
getting to know David but his integrity and friendship encourage me big time.
The last men I draw you attention to are going to go unnamed in
this past. They are the few men that I
get to spend time with at our church and around the ministry that I am a part
of. Even this week these men have poured
into my life in ways I didn’t expect. I
would be so much weaker without these men praying for me and speaking to
me. Wisdom and strength seems to roll
through their lives to others. How
awesome these men are.
What is the link between these great men? There are a couple links. First, I have been blessed to spend time with
these people. They have allowed their
lives to make my life richer. Second,
they connect themselves to God before they connect to anyone else. The best, brightest, and even biggest men I
know are those who make God their priority.
These men have done just that, and I am indebted to each. I praise God for each of these great men that
I have spent time with.
Romans 15:5 NASB
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the
same mind with one another
according to Christ Jesus,
1 comment:
That's cool, Michael! It would be hard to walk without great encouragers and people who challenge us. I'm sure it is awesome having Steve as a brother. He's a great guy. I'm sure you are on ALOT of people's lists, as well! Keep serving!
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