Blessed

Looking back on my life, I realize how blessed I have been to have always had Godly Christian leaders and friends who have been there to help me learn and grow. McNaul, Maag, Fred O, Yearwood, Marsh, Hubert, Norman, Murray, Apostle, Stanley, Giglio, Smith, Fox, Hall, Earhart, Smith, Rice, Harrell, Chiles, Mayfield, Reid Whitaker – to name a few. I’ve been blessed to have long time Christian friends, who I’ve known and kept up with for the past 30-40 years. Some people live far different lives, bouncing from one place to other without ever putting down roots or developing long term friendships.

I don’t have many close friends, but I would never consider cutting off a friendship. It would never cross my mind. Someone would have to be rotten to be several times to get shut out.

We’ve had a former Muslim Imam named Amir, who converted to Christianity, come share his journey in our class. Since he renounced Islam (the religion of peace), word has spread throughout the radical Islamic world that Amir must be murdered. He’s managed to live a secret life but his brothers and sisters have been persecuted. Amir leads a worldwide broadcast with other former Muslim Imams, discussing why the Quran is not the true word of God. Millions of Muslims tune on, and every month over ten thousand Muslims renounce their faith and accept Jesus as Savior. 

Amir recently receiver a mysterious phone call. The person cryptically said “How do you like living in that yellow house, with your wife, who is soon to have a child?” The Islamists know where he was, so he had to be moved to another secret location. The Islamists have convinced Interpol to investigate Amire on trumped up charges. So terrible to have to live life like that, but Amir has a thriving, abundant faith in God. I don't know where he is.

A couple of Sundays ago I may have mentioned in my sermon notes that when Clay finished preaching, the music director came out to play the piano and sing the closing son – and Pastor Clay sang a duet with him. He didn’t make it a big deal, and you had to be watching. You would’ve thought it was just Bobby singing the song with Clay watching, but instead Clay was singing as well.

On Wednesday John Piper’s daily devotion was on the faith of Abraham Lincoln. While looking it up, it appears that Piper quite often teaches about the slain President’s faith on his birthday.

Last night on the way home Ceil put on a preacher preaching. Didn’t know who he was, but he talked and talked and didn’t say anything. Not much meat at all. I thought about saying “who is this guy?” to Ceil, but thought that she might’ve have liked the guy. I am so spoiled by Marsh and Stanley and now Clay Smith, as well was my Sunday School teachers.

The veteran who had cut ties to me came back and apologized, realizing he needed me as a friend. He needs tough love, something I am not good at – but will try.

On March 9 we have to attend all three services at JFBC, standing up on stage in support of our friends who live in the mountains of India as they get commissioned by the church. We’ll be finished by 11:45, plenty of time to get down to Taqueria Catering.

On 05-May-1955, TOMMY LASDORDA [SABR Bio] started for Brooklyn vs the Cardinals, and gave up 3 WP and a run before his team came to bat. He did strike out Stan Musial. It was his only inning that day. The Dodgers won their first World Series title in the Modern Era, and Lasorda made 4 pitching appearances with BRO in 1955, but he didn’t play in the postseason. On 31-May-1948, playing for the Schenectady Blue Jays of the Canadian–American League, Lasorda struck out 25 Amsterdam Rugmakers in a 15-inning game, setting a professional record. He also drove in the winning run with a single. He pitched for KCA in 18 games, with 5 starts in 1956.