My Dad
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
As everything slowed down we were forced to relax—and have fun! We went to Sevier Park (12 Ave S) to go sledding. Of course we walked there—the four-wheel drive went out on my Suburban on Friday. Bummer! I had no idea what I would find when we crested the hill there at the park.
They used cardboard, large woks, poster frames, kid pools, wakeboards, surfboards, actual sleds (imagine that!), and even casket lids—that was very strange but highly effective and creative! They were all so very happy. No one was without a smile. Why?—the absence of work related stress and the presence of sheer, childlike pleasure. The people of Nashville had fun together, in community.