Growing up it was always my goal to beat my Dad in anything, especially in wrestling. Wrestling is a passion of mine and my Father's. If people ask us why it is difficult to give a clear cut answer. We don't know why we do it or why we love it. We just love it!
It wasn't until I went to college and wrestled almost daily that I was able to beat my Dad handily. To be fair he isn't what he used to be. And actually if he read this blog he would deny that I could beat him let alone challenge him.
My Dad might not ever admit that but one thing he always will mention is that he has always by challenged by the faith of his kids. I've an older sister and a younger brother, which puts me in the middle. We didn't grow up passionate about our relationship with Jesus. But, as time went on, we began to respond to God. We began to talk about Jesus and what He was teaching us. We challenged each other with what we were reading in the Bible and what we were hearing on Sundays at church. We started to share about our prayer lives and how we could pursue more of God! It has been an extremely awesome last 6 years of my life with my brother and sister.
As my parents listen to us talk and join in on our conversations my Dad will slip in a little comment that he is challenged (in a good way) by what we are saying. By talking about Jesus we caused our entire family to start talking about Jesus.
My Dad will even tell his co-workers and friends, "I'm challenged by those kids, and their relationship with Jesus"
As I remember my Dad first saying that I start to sense a familiarity with that situation.
Right now I am a pastor of a UND Chi Alpha group. My main job is to support and be the right hand man for pastor Bryce Meyer. He is an amazing man to work with and learn from. But what I am noticing is the students he has under him have a desire to pray that I don't often see. Everyday students of this Chi Alpha group go on to campus and pray from 7am-8am. Everyday! Maybe 7am doesn't sound that early to you but keep in mind these students are in college.
When I miss a day of prayer or feel like I didn't give God the time I wanted to I think of the UND Chi Alpha students. I am proud to say that I pastor these students. They are becoming more and more precious to me and my heart desirous all that God desires for them. Just as much as I am proud of them I am challenged by them and their willingness to pray.
Now I can say just like my Dad does, "I am challenged by my kids"
Thank you UND Chi Alpha students! My prayer life needs your challenge.
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