My boyhood dream was to grow up to become just like Bobby Richardson -- a man from South Carolina playing second base for the New York Yankees. :)
That dream did not come true, but God did something more amazing! He transformed my dream into my prayer, and then He answered that prayer. For you see, I did grow up and became just like Bobby Richardson -- a child of God.
Bobby went from being my idol to being my brother in Christ! And three years ago on October 21, 2010, Bobby was so gracious to be a part of my commissioning service into the discipleship ministry with Journey in Christ.
Following is my transcription of a part of Bobby's talk that special evening. He quoted by memory a profound description of the Christian life that so well describes how Journey in Christ seeks to disciple Christians in their abundant resources in Christ and for Christ's glory.
He prefaced this quotation by asking a poignant question:
Is there a quality to our conviction?
BOBBY'S QUOTING OF
"THE CHRISTIAN LIFE"
Christians fail, not because they do not try,
but because they do not make use of their assets.
Being unfamiliar with the resources
God has made available,
many a person limps along the best he can
on his own limited resources,
and his Christian life is a pale, thin
shallow imitation of the real thing.
The Christian life is not difficult,
it's impossible.
Only Christ can live it!
And the essence of the Christian experience
is that Christ literally indwells a person,
works in and through him God's will and purpose.
The person who struggles in his human best
to act like a Christian
suffers pride of partial success
or despair of failure.
He drifts along
a dismal plateau of mediocrity.
Christian growth is a matter of learning
the necessity of dependence on Christ within.
And the irony is that it is more difficult
to be a half-hearted Christian
than a completely dedicated one.
It's always the fence-rider
who walks like a man on a tight rope
constantly vacillating between
the appeal of a thoroughly Christian life
and the deadening drag of compromise
and sub-Christian living,
never really enjoying either.
Sort of like riding two horses in opposite directions.
The strain is terrible.
But the man or woman or young person
who goes all the way with Christ
and is determined his life will be a credit to the church,
finds that God has made available
all the resources anyone needs
to live an effective life.
The standards are high,
but the resources of God whereby
those standards are achievable
are present and available,
thanks to the grace of God.
Note: Below is the key verse Bobby opened with.
BOBBY'S BENEDICTION
I wish Mickey (Mantle) had lived longer and had someone come alongside to disciple him.
My prayer this night is that you, Gregg and Joy, might have the wonderful opportunity indeed of serving in a ministry and that the Lord will bless not only you but all who are connected to you and to all who come under the shadow of your influence. Thank you for letting me be a part tonight.
The photo below left depicts me trying to be like Bobby Richardson when I was in Little League.
An Idol Becomes a Brother 
