jroelive

By far, my father has been the greatest influence in my life.
Perfect? No.
Humble enough to ask forgiveness when he isn’t perfect? Yes.
My dad, George “Bubba” Rose, Jr…

His passions? The man in the picture above loves Jesus. He is a student of the Bible, and has been since he was saved by the grace of God while at Appalachian State University back in the early 70’s. He lives each day to gain more insight into the heart of God. He lives each day to fight sin well and to glorify God much.

He loves my mother, Nedra. Never in my 30+ yrs of life have I seen any man love a woman the way my dad loves my mom. The only close second would be my grandfather (my dad’s dad), and the way he esteems my grandmother.

He loves his family. Everything my dad did in life–whether it be mowing the yard, going to the store, kicking a football miles into the sky–he did it with us. He has carried this into his relationship with my three kids, his grandkids. He When we get together it is as if I have four kids! He is such a family guy.

He loves good food and great fun. When trying to explain the personality of my father, I often will say that he is a man who laughs with his whole life. You are not with him for long until he lets out a jolly laugh that fills the room. Then you find yourself in laughter yourself! Also, each time he sits down to eat a meal (whether in Togo, India, Peru, or the U.S.), he will assure you that that particular meal is the “best I’ve ever eaten! EVER!!” That’s my dad.  

The bottom line about this guys is that your are not with him for more than five minutes before he talks about Jesus Christ, Nedra Rose or his family. It is far from rare that he is moved to tears when talking about the aforementioned.

His love for me? I love this man because he loves me. I never, NEVER remember him ever belittling me or making me feel insignificant. My dad views every failure of mine (there have been many) as an opportunity to love me and encourage me in spite of my failure.

Even in times of discipline (there were many), he would say with tears in his eyes “Son, daddy loves you. I love you enough to tell you the truth. I love you enough to care how you live life. I am only doing this because I can’t help but love you. You are my son.”
Also he would say, “Jeremy, there is nothing you could ever do that would ever make me love you anymore than I do right now. Son, there is nothing you could ever do that would ever make me stop loving you or begin loving you any less than I do right now.”

It is easier for me to understand the love of God because I have Bubba Rose as my father. I pray that my children will be able to say the same thing for me.

The above mentioned isn’t necessarily just because my dad tried really hard to do this or to become that. The only reason my dad is the way he is is because of the grace of God. My dad constantly seeks to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ more clearly and deeply. As a result of the hunger for God that God Himself has placed in my father, my father is who he is. He is reliant upon the Holy Spirit to teach him how to act and why. Jesus has made a difference in my dad and as a result he has made a difference in me.

I love this man. Thank you, Jesus. Thanks dad.

photo courtesy of LuAnn Hunt Photography

admin Christian Life, Documentary, Men Children, Family, humility, Jesus, Men, Parenting, The Gospel

During my studying this past week I was reminded of a story my father likes to tell about an old Nazarene preacher by the name of “Uncle Bud Robinson.” Uncle Bud Robinson was a character.

He would pray…

Lord Jesus; help me to declare war on the devil.
Give me a backbone as big as a saw log,
and ribs like crossties,
and iron shoes along with galvanized breeches,
and give me a rhinoceros hide for a skin,
and hang a barrel full of determination in the gable-end of my soul.

Help me to sign the contract to fight the devil as long as I live.
Help me to beat him as long as I’ve got fists,
and to kick him as long as I’ve got feet,
and to bite him as long as I’ve got teeth.

And when I’m too old to hit him with my fists
and to kick him with my feet,
and when I no longer have a tooth to bit him,
help me to gum him until I die.

All this for Christ’s sake…Amen.

Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson 1860-1942 was born in a log cabin in the primitive mountain region of Tennessee. When he was 16, his father died, and his mother sold what little they had and moved to Texas. After an unsuccessful endeavor as a sharecropper, Bud hired out as a ranch hand.

In August of 1880, during a camp meeting, he felt deep conviction for his sin and trusted Christ as his Savior and was gloriously saved. That same night, while lying under the wagon with his hat on a mesquite stump for a pillow, the Lord called him to preach.

Although he had no education and stuttered so badly that he could hardly tell his name, yet in the first year of his ministry he saw about 300 conversions in his meetings. On January 10, 1893, he married Miss Sallie Harper at Georgetown, Texas.

The remaining 60 years of his ministry were given to evangelism. While lacking formal education, Uncle Bud had a wisdom all of his own. It was an unusual insight into the purpose for the redeemed man here on earth, a holy walk, day by day.

During his long ministry, it is estimated that Uncle Bud traveled over 2,000,000 miles, preached over 33,000 ser- mons, witnessed more than 100,000 conversions, personally gave more than $85,000.00 in helping young people with their Christian education.

In spite of his handicaps and physical ailments, speech impediment and lack of education, he made the Who’s Who of California. From Boston to Los Angeles, thousands thronged to hear him, charmed by his homespun wit and his unique presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His life was one of activity, and his will to his dying hour was to serve his Lord. He went to be with the Lord on November 2, 1942. I guess within the next 50years, or so, I will chill with Uncle Bud in Heaven.

admin Documentary, Great Story, Preaching Jesus, Missions, Preaching, The Gospel

I found this today. This video documentary of Samkon Gado was filmed last year when he was with the Texans. He has since signed with the St. Louis Rams. On his very first run of the season this year he ran for a 77 yard touch down!

Pray for him as he strives to live a gospel-loving, Christ-honoring, repentance-filled life in the NFL. I know Sam personally. He and my brother were roommates back in college.

admin Christian Life, Documentary, Men, Missions college, humility, Liberty University, Men, Prayer Walking, Truth