Bobby & Bethany MMM 4-11-2011

BOBBY & BETHANY 

Monday Morning Message, April 11, 2011

What a week it has been for me to hear Bobby Richardson (New York Yankee great) and Bethany Hamilton’s story in the movie Soul Surfer all in the same week.  While some people are turned off by the public testimonies of Christians, I find all of them quite compelling and for sure it provides me with profiles in courage to be willing to be vulnerable.  It also comes at a time when so much of our news is consumed with the exploits of star powered people who are consumed with themselves. 

Bobby was an All Star second basemen for the Yankees in the 1950’s & 60’s and World Series MVP in 1960.  He caught the final out in the seventh game of the 1962 World Series on a screaming line drive from Willie McCovey’s bat. His team was only holding a one run lead, the Giants had the bases loaded and any hit would likely have won the game.  As the press clamored around his locker after the game wanting to get his reaction to that play, one of the greatest examples of Bobby’s testimony came from the first questioner.  The reporter said, “Bobby we know how you live your life…”!  I knew that day, that was how I wanted people to know me!  I wish I could say that my life is so exemplary, it is not!  Bobby once again shared last Sunday at Idlewild Baptist Church and invited people to know the same Jesus he has known, and many did just that.  One thing we do know is that for the past 45 years, we still know how Bobby lives his life … as a witness for Jesus Christ.

The story of Bethany Hamilton is being told at theaters around the country in a newly released movie titled “Soul Surfer”.  I highly recommend to families but would warn you that very young children may need to be warned about the subject of the story being a young woman who loses her arm while surfing.  Her journey has been most remarkable and the many interviews she has done in conjunction with the movie are almost as valuable as the film itself.  Don’t miss it!  I love that people have the courage to share their faith publicly with others.

This is a special week for me to be able to share thoughts about BRI and messages from Kingdom Gains with students, and faculty, at Liberty University as well as advisors in the Lynchburg, VA area.  Your prayers for many to hear and respond to the multiple sessions we have planned all day on Tuesday, April 12, would make a big difference.  This event would not have happened without one of our Kingdom Advisors, Rick Laymon, of Beaconwealth Financial Planners, who gave copies of the book to friends one of whom happened to be a professor at Liberty.  Thanks to all of you who have done the same act of kindness and generosity as you share your faith in the marketplace! 

 
Luke 4:36 (RSV) “And they were all amazed and said to one another, What is this word?  For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.”

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