I am teaching a series on 2 Timothy to challenge and encourage the students of VTAIA to remain faithful and continue on the mission in the Athletic Family here in Blacksburg. I thought I would share a few excerpts of my time with them over the next few weeks. It will be in "snippet" form, but I hope the heart will come through. Thoughts from 2 Tim 1:8-14 Look into the face of Jesus, look at the beatings, pain and horrible death he bore on behalf of you, look at him! look at him! are you going to walk away from his calling on your life. Don't do it, don't walk away, be not ashamed, preach his good news, and turn this campus upside down!!! ... He saved us, and calls us to live for him, not to be ashamed of the testimony, not to be afraid of hardship or suffering for following Jesus and bringing his good news of love, hope and forgiveness for sins to the people around us. It is a great burden in my heart that many of us, for fear of being different, for fear of the pressure of "peers"", will not follow the one who ABOLISHED Death, and choose their own comfort, coolness, and acceptance by the world. Guys step up, be not ashamed, and to the one who calls to your soul and says "Follow Me" I say follow!!! ... We need Patterns, a perfect pattern Jesus, and other patterns on our way. We need Heroes!!! Mentors...Dad, Mom, Pastor, Coaches etc. We need to be following the pattern of sound teaching and life of others. Paul said striking things elsewhere in the New Testament.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 Can you say this of anyone, that you can follow them, as they follow Christ? Can you say this of yourself? Do you hope to? Do imagine what your life can be as an example of the power and love of God to others? Don't waste your life! Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7

In all humility, I hope in Kasey and me you observed a pattern to follow and you are receiving a trust. In other words, we are moving on and we trust you guys to carry on with the good deposit to carry on in the truth and preaching of the gospel in the VT athletic world - How? With Sound Words/Doctrine not comprising the truth, yet at the same time in faith and in love. ... I am praying that as we close out our time here at VT a beacon call will resonate in their souls - that God is calling them up next year and unleashing them for his service on their campus. Out

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