Tag Archives: brothers

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Adopt a Spot

One of my favorite running routes takes me through our downtown city park.  It’s a nice, shaded area with lots of room for families to play, eat and relax.

In one far corner rests a small flower bed. It’s an official “Adopt A Spot” location for the City of Martin. You’ve seen these places…different organizations and businesses adopt public areas and keep them clean and beautiful. I’ve seen hands working in this particular area on numerous occasions.  Planting, weeding, watering.  Multiple people pouring time, energy and care into one small spot.  The results are, well…amazing. It’s a vibrant bed of color because of the constant attention it receives.

What if we had our own “Adopt a Spot” approach to our daily lives?

Pick someone. A neighbor. A co worker. The widow down the street. The single mom or dad next door.

What if we poured our time, attention and genuine love into someone right beside us?

There’s brokenness all around us. Pain, suffering, despair. But what if we adopted a “spot” from our neighbors and showed some attention and love?

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13: 34-35

This week my prayer will be to focus on a small need around me…and to have the courage to act and make a difference.

And please let me know how to pray for you.

God bless.

 

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Level playing fields

Our boys are experiencing a special season- and they know it. 

JT is an eighth grade kicker, punter and safety for his middle school team.  Our 5th grader, Britton, is an offensive guard and defensive tackle for the same team. 

Britton normally wouldn’t be playing with JT’s team. After all, he’s still in elementary school. 

But his 5th grade team didn’t have enough players- so the middle school coach invited Britton to “play up” and practice with the older team. 

While Britton hasn’t played much, he’s learned a lot from the older players and the coaches. He’s gotten stronger, learned much more about the game and become more disciplined in his preparation.  

And it’s brought our boys closer. 

They talk about the games at the dinner table. In the car, they share jokes about things that happen at practices. 

Despite their age and skill differences- JT and Britton are sharing a common experience. 

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”  Mark 16:15

Isn’t that how the Bible draws it up?  

No matter our background…no matter our experience…no matter our status- the love of Jesus and the promise for salvation is for everyone. We have a shared experience. 

There’s no preferential treatment. Everyone is free to accept the same level of love, comfort and redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

We are all united through Jesus. Teammates. And we should teach, support and pray for one another during our time together on earth. 

Please let me know how I might pray for you this week. It would be my honor as your teammate. 

God bless. 

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