This past weekend, we finished a six week series called "Heroes". We talked about Joseph, Daniel, David, Mary, Paul and of course we talked about Jesus. I was recently thinking about who were some of my modern day heroes. I don't have many but these two guys that I am standing with are on the top of the list. My dad (the short - heavy guy with the ugly shirt - oh, that is both of them - ok the one with a beard) is my biggest hero. He is a stud - marine - policeman for over 25 years - black belt in karate - but more than that - he is a true man of God. Growing up, he was always there for me - at every game or event - home every night for family time and devotions - I have never seen him lose his temper - I have always known him to be a man of integrity and character. I have said privately and publicly, if I could be like anyone in the world - it would be my dad - he is my hero.
The other guy is Roger Reeck. Roger is one of the most amazing people that I have ever met, known or even heard about. He surrendered his life to the Lord and called and gifted him to translate the Bible into other languages. He spent many years in the mountains of Mexico - living among an Indian tribe who's language was not even in written form. He learned their language - put it in written form - then translated the Bible into their language and taught them to read using the Bible. Now there are schools and churches in this village. He then moved to Honduras to do the same thing among the Garifina people living along the coast of Central America. Now he is in Africa, helping translate the Bible into at least five different dialects. I consider Roger to be one of my spiritual mentors. When I listen to him, I feel like I am listening to God. He hates it when I talk about him like that but I really do consider him to be my hero.
What an honor - hanging out with two of my heroes - I am a blessed man.