“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!” 

2 Timothy 4:7

How do we fight the good fight?

How do we finish a difficult race?

How do we keep our faith no matter what happens to us in this life?

You make sure that you have godly people in your life, blazing the trail for you!

The term, “to blaze a trail,“ comes from the beginning of our country, being formed. The pioneers, those brave, strong and courageous individuals willing to go ahead of others where no one had been before, “blazed the trail” for others to follow!

Spiritually speaking, a trailblazer is someone who goes before another, living the life Christ has called us to live, unwaveringly! Walking the walk, not just talking the talk! Demonstrating God‘s will, and purpose for marriage, for raising godly children, for pouring in to grandchildren, for serving the lost and unloved, and for never giving up the fight for God‘s will, and purposes!

We are blessed to have been given a couple in our lives who have done just that. They have loved us, encouraged us, supported us from near or far, have prayed for us, and have set a Christlike example in every way possible!

We were blessed this week to be able to spend time with the couple that we admire spiritually the most!

To leave a godly legacy through our marriage, our children and our grandchildren, and our ministry was the commitment, genuinely made to each other when we got married.

Mark Batterson expresses legacy in the best way I’ve heard it expressed…

Legacy is not what you accomplish. It is what others accomplish through you. Discipleship is growing fruit on other people‘s trees.“ -Mark Batterson

As Jim and I strive to “grow fruit on others trees”, spiritual fruit that is, of course, we thank God for putting godly examples in our lives of spiritual trailblazers and our true spiritual mentors, Graydon and Judy Jessup!

The value and worth is found in the commitment and dedication that the mentor couple is willing to put in to the other couple. 

It is not simply teaching a class that 100 people attend and going through mentoring principles, or speaking to a multitude in a message, it is living life with the couple and speaking truth into them.

It is time sacrificed and spent, listening to them, sharing stories with them, relating experiences with them, advising them, and believing in them! This and more we have experienced and received from Graydon and Judy!

We are forever grateful to God for their commitment and investment in us! We are truly blessed beyond measure!

Their spiritual tree is literally full of good fruit! We pray that we can follow in their steps from the trail. They blazed for us and fight the fight, finish the course, and keep the faith! We pray we can do the same, just as they have!

I pray that you will be encouraged and pray and work hard to find spiritual trailblazers and mentors like we have been blessed with. God has created us for Community! He wants us to live life with others who are like-minded for him!

TRUTH BOMB

Spiritual Trailblazers, leave a legacy of fruit in other people’s trees!

Speak Truth Love