"You don't know Jack"...

It was a spring day, two weeks after several tornadoes had devastated our area. Our neighborhood was in shambles. We had not had a direct hit by a tornado, but there was so much wind damage all around us. Trees down, roofs damaged, trees through roofs, etc. I remember driving home from work that day and I was exhausted. As I rounded the corner and went up the hill toward our neighborhood, low and behold, there he was. My dad. My 77 year old dad. He had his work hat on. If memory serves me right, he had his work gloves, too. And he was mowing our neighbors yard.

Our neighbor was a 30-something year old, able bodied man. He hadn't bothered to mow his yard all year, so the grass was knee high. You see, my dad had seen my neighbor out looking at the damage on his roof the day before. Dad was coming to chop up some downed trees for us (another act of love and service). When he saw our neighbor, he stopped to talk with him about the damage his house had sustained. And while he was at it, he talked with him about Jesus. But dad didn't want to leave it at that. He loaded his mower up, and came down the next day to mow our neighbors yard. He later told me that he let the man know he was doing it in Jesus name. The man barely uttered a thank you and closed the door on dad. That didn't detour this honorable man of God. He went ahead with his mowing, sweat dripping from his brow, doing his work "in Jesus name".

I have watched Dad do things like this for others my entire life. He goes about quietly serving. Humbly talking to other people, getting to know them, praying for them, and when possible, telling them about Jesus. He has won more people to Christ through his humble spirit and by loving them than anyone I know.

Why am I telling you this? Dad would not want me to talk about the things he does for others. He would be embarrassed to get any attention for his service or his kindness.

But I am writing and telling this story for a couple of reasons.

I am seeing a movement, as of late, that is bashing organized religion. I have written in the past about my views on this subject. You are absolutely right about organized religion! It has failed miserably in so many ways. Churches are full of "religious" people who are hypocrites, fakes, snobs, and cliques. They are full of adulterers, liars, cheaters, and people that are so judgmental, usually because they are covering their own sins.

But churches are also full of godly men and women. People like my dad. For every hypocrite, there is someone who will selflessly mow someone yard, or cook a meal for someone in need, or feed homeless people. There are people who work with children, or mentor teens, or visit the elderly. The list goes on and on of good I see. There are many people within the church walls, who love Jesus with all their hearts and get up every day to serve Him and serve others in whatever way He calls them to do. These are men and women of God. Yes, God is real. Yes, He is alive. Yes, many people serve Him. If you don't believe me, let me introduce you to Jack Price...my dad...

This is my Mom and Dad, with Paul, and Lindsay and Daniel. I am so thankful for the heritage they given us. Mom has served God most of her life, too, just like dad, only behind the scenes a little more..

Much love everyone, and thanks for reading...