I was reading a blog by J.D. Greear recently. J.D. is a pastor in the RDU area and he was commenting about spending time with a veteran of the faith named Jim Henry. I know Dr. Henry because he was my pastor 35 years ago in Nashville, Tennessee. Anyway, his point was how much of an influence Dr. Henry had been in his life. It got me thinking about the spiritual influencer's in my life. Here are a few.
1. My Dad. When I was growing up Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw, Reggie Jackson, Julius Erving were all "mega" stars in the sports world. I can remember on many occasions my friends commenting about how when they grew up they wanted to be like "Mr. October" or "Dr. J". Not me. I always wanted to be like my dad. Frankly, I am not sure why. Dad is certainly not a big man in stature. He, at the time I was boy, wasn't pastoring a "mega" church. He holds no auspicious degrees. Never the less, he was the guy I wanted to be like. I remember as vividly as if it were yesterday listening to dad encourage me to be tough and to believe in myself. I remember our talks at the kitchen table in the mornings as we both fought over the sports page. I remember listening to Dad preach in church and thinking he was the best preacher I ever heard. I remember Dad sending me letters after I moved away from home reminding me that God wanted to use me and that he had a plan for me. As crazy as it may seem, I always believed Dad. I am, in large part, who I am today because I had a Dad who loved me and loved God. I often think as I raise my three boys, I hope that they think of me like I think of my Dad. He was, and still is the biggest spiritual influence in my life.
2. Mike Poff. Mike was my Sunday School teacher when I was in the 8th grade. I am sure he had no way of knowing at the time, but his genuine concern for what was going on in my life had a huge impact. I can remember Mike calling me and coming by to pick me up and taking me out to eat. I can remember him offering words of encouragement at an age where encouragement is so needed. Most of all I can remember Mike being a "cool" role model. His love for God seemed so real and yet he wasn't goofy like I thought so many other adults were at the time. To this day I still have a Bible that Mike gave me with words he wrote in the front that challenged me to live a live for Christ.
3. Ken Dibble. Ken was my youth pastor until my junior year in high school. Ken was a guy that was goofy...at least to me. But underneath that goofy outer layer was a heart for kids and a heart for God. I can remember Ken pursuing me relentlessly when I just wanted to be left alone. I can remember him showing up at South Meck to have lunch with me and while I hated it then, I look back on it today with an extreme sense of gratitude. Ken was the type of person that when the chips were down, he was there. His dedication to the kids in my youth group has resulted in many of those kids being in ministry today. I am sure he probably wondered back then if he was making a difference. Little did he know right?
As I think about the potential I have to have a spiritual influence on the people I shepherd and on my children, it humbles me. I hope that I can be the kind of influence these men have been to me. I am grateful for the opportunity.
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