I didn't really know you...

Thank you, Clayton McDonald, even though I didn't really know you. An 18-year-old kid who viewed the world the most like Christ I've ever seen. You loved people like you wouldn't see them again and you lived every minute like you would never have it back.

I hope I never forget that you made death so real. To those who are more concerned about having a good family, good job, good house, good car... Good everything -- you told them not to get distracted. You didn't balance the good life and the life with Jesus. You jumped in with both feet. You said we wouldn't be disappointed if we jumped all the way in.

How could I possibly live for the Christian American dream after your lesson? I will not make a wife, kids, good job, good house, good car, good everything what I strive after. That'd be molesting the Gospel. No... I'll love everyone like I won't see them again and live every minute like I'll never get it back. Thank you.

I think I heard the echo on Monday morning around 8:30 a.m. when our Lord said the words...

Well done, good and faithful servant.

www.claytonsstory.com

Important

I heard from a dear brother named Tim Shontere tonight who is back for a few months while his wife has their third child. He is in his late 20s and at 19 he decided that, though he did not feel a "call," that the Lord had already called everyone to go. He stopped pursuing the many dreams he could have pursued as a skilled young man and took his wife to the YembiYembi tribe in Papua New Guinea where he has been for the last 9 years. He has let the harsh conditions take 15 to 20 years off his life expectancy and probably his childrens' too.

He said that when he returned to the States he was handed 17 letters from other tribes in New Guinea with their own languages that no one speaks. They are begging for someone to come to them. Tim said he's heartbroken because he responds to them that there is no one to send. He said their reply was, "Then this message must not be as important as you say it is."

Is my car, house, job, and family my end? Or, are they a means to an end: the Gospel. Does the place I live... the car I drive... the dreams I chase... Do they make the Gospel look important?