Be a Hero

by   February 22, 2020 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

His age is 24. His number is 15. His name is Patrick. He plays football.

And faith in God was his message in an interview:

*He had gone to church since he was young.

*He kept going to church when he got older.

*He went to Bible study on Friday.

*He went to chapel on Saturday.

*He walked into the stadium on Sunday.

*He kneeled – and prayed – at the goalpost.

Toward the end of the interview, he said that he liked being at a stage where he could glorify God.

He sure was that night as 148.5 million watched.

Patrick Mahomes, quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, had just led his team to a Super Bowl victory.

On that huge world stage in his life – and in that important stage of his life – his faith was displayed.

He was a hero.

He was a man of faith.

A hero – of faith.

I watched in awe, as I said to my family, “Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to have a world stage like that to share your faith on?”

Hebrews 11 has a list of what is often referred to as heroes of faith. The list includes:

*Sara – who doubted God.

*Noah – who had gotten drunk and embarrassed himself in front of his sons.

*Rahab – who was a moral failure.

*Moses – who was disobedient to God.

*Abraham – who was old when he began his journey of faith – and who lied, deceived, and laughed at God.

Their lives were not perfect, but their purpose was. They were on the stage where God put them – and in the stage of life where God wanted them.

They all had faith. And their faith still impacts us today.

Can we be a hero of faith?

Maybe not to THE world.

But maybe we can to OUR world.

In our ways. In our words. In our work. In our worship.

On a stage – or in a stage – where God can use us.

Our lives are not perfect – but our purpose is.

The world may not see us kneeling at a goalpost, but a child may see us kneeling by their bedside.

The world may not hear us say the name of Jesus to an audience of millions, but some in our world will see – and feel – our heart as we share the love of Christ daily with those God has put in our path.

Don’t feel like a hero?

A.W. Tozer said, “We can be in our day what the heroes of faith were in their day – but remember at the time, they didn’t know they were heroes.”

I believe there can be a hero of faith inside each of us.

Tell someone they are a hero of faith.

Be someone’s hero of faith.

Ann is a speaker and teacher. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com

So, Why Can’t Everyday Be Like Christmas

by   February 17, 2020 with No Comments

By David Freeze

    I often wonder if others get as excited about every new day as I do. I just came back in from a Sunday run, amazed that I got to see one of those sunrises filled with reds, blues and oranges. That sight was awe inspiring, but I wouldn’t have seen it without getting up at 4:40am, running the right route and finishing just at the right time. Within minutes, the awesome sunrise had clouded over.

    I mentioned getting up at 4:40am. Some days, I can’t even wait that long. Two things have happened to my day as I’ve gotten older. I go to bed later and I have continually pushed my get up time earlier. It isn’t always when I wake up because the alarm does break the silence on some mornings. Still, on most days, I am already awake by the planned “get out of bed” time.

    What makes the early mornings happen is the excitement for the upcoming day. I remember one Christmas morning when I was about 12. There was a good chance that a real bicycle of my own was going to be under the tree, or at least in the same room. Just on the other side of one door, the magic of Christmas waited. I hardly slept that night and finally at some point had to get up and look. What I found was a brand new Schwinn bicycle, all shiny and ready for all the joy it could bring. I didn’t know how to ride but anticipation of learning was another joy ahead.

     Over the years, I began to seek those days with something special on the agenda. Including those made by others as much as driven by me. The best ones come with maybe a little missed sleep filled with anticipation with what might happen. Others are surprises, just like the sunrise this morning.

    In just the last few days, here are a few examples. Our local running club culminated months of planning Wednesday with the announcement that a check for over $13,000 would be presented to Rowan Helping Ministries, our local homeless shelter. One of my favorite young runners just scored 1,000 points in her high school basketball career. And my YMCA basketball team, 5th and 6th graders, just finished their season yesterday with huge improvement and many lessons learned over a 10 week season. Today, I saw the sunrise.

    Those few days of excitement should lead to more. In fact, I will do my best to make it so. My new granddaughter is coming to visit tomorrow afternoon, with no particular agenda. That’s right after I get to work with three of my wellness clients who are seeking better health. Interaction with them is always fun. Mixed in is a produce delivery to Partners in Learning, something that I started years ago in hopes of improving the diet of day care kids and staff.

     There is much to do. We’re planning a much improved walking and running track at one of our area parks. The pieces are coming together. And an annual fundraiser called Love They Neighbor is well underway to benefit a young mother with colon cancer.

      Back to the early mornings, why does it work for me? Years ago, as a young dad, I remember getting up at 5:30 am nearly every day. Since then, my mornings consistently get earlier. And people seem to marvel at that. I don’t understand why. I want more of those experiences described above. As much for experiences received as for gifts I can give. Fitting them in with my daily exercise and work responsibilities have driven the earlier wake-up time. I’ll take the trade!

    I recently came across a forgotten Bible verse that backs these thoughts. From those to whom much is given, much is expected! Luke 12:48. Count me in Lord, I’ll do what I can.

     All this from a guy with two small year-round Christmas trees, one upstairs and one down. Yes, the lights stay on full time. As for me, I’m going to celebrate Christmas every day!

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