Belated Happy Birthday!

September 26, 2006

Lar,

Forgive me brother! I missed your birthday yesterday. I am terrible with dates, but will have to talk to Erin about this one. Usually she doesn’t let me forget! Well, just another evidence that I am a sinner and this is a fallen world.

Happy birthday though! I am thankful for you, and I know that I am not alone. You are truly an encouragement each and everyday. Your jealousy to go hard after God and lead others to the same consistently stirs my soul. And that word ‘consistent’ is an important one to me. Or maybe it should be ‘persistent.’ There’s no slacking. I know you might not totally agree, but I am continually encouraged by your ‘consistent’ and ‘persistent’ pursuit of the Lord. More diligence is needed in our seeking God, and I am thankful that the Lord has given you the grace to be an example of what that is all about. Keep showing us brother! Lead the way.

I also want to encourage you concerning the growth I have seen, particularly in the way that the Lord has enlarged your heart to people. This also is a joy to behold and, I know, a great blessing to the kingdom. For no matter the preaching gifts (and they are great–and necessary!–also), a heart that longs for men and women to know and love and delight in the Most High God is simply irreplaceable. I want to encourage you to continually seek that burden. It is a wonderful thing to have–not only for yourself, but for everyone else as well. We need more burdened leaders brother, and I am confident that the Lord has raised you up to be such a one!

Well, I’ll catch you later today Lar. Thanks for everything. My love for you grows daily in the Lord.