A Man Named David

**David Adams** was a local high school football star. His name was well know known in Tucson in the early 1980’s. He led the state in yards per carry (12.6), punt returns (8.7) and kickoff returns (38) in 1980 and was named player of the year by the local newspaper.

However, David Adams was not very big. He was physically strong and very fast but he was not very big for a running back. When he graduated from high school many football fans thought that David should get a scholarship to play at the University of Arizona in Tucson. It would be a great story for a local high school football star to play for the local university. But most of the coaching staff at the U of A thought he was too small to compete in a major college program. Only one coach thought they should offer David a scholarship – the head Coach Larry Smith.

David did get a scholarship to the U of A and had a remarkable college career. He became one of the greatest running backs in U of A history. In his senior year, David led the PAC-10 conference in rushing yards (1,175). After graduation, David was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to play in the NFL. I did not know David Adams personally but I remember the excitement he brought to the football program at the University of Arizona.

There is a similar story in the Bible about **another man named David**. He also seemed to be too small to compete in a critical contest against a huge opponent named Goliath. King Saul and his staff thought David was too young and inexperienced to face the giant Philistine. But while other men fled in fear, David was confident he could defeat the enemy with God’s help and he did! (First Samuel 16).

I wonder how often we dismiss people because of their age, size or inexperience. When I looked for men to fill leadership positions in our church, I often passed over some because I thought they were too busy or not qualified to serve. However, the leader of our Women’s ministry had a different perspective. She went through the church directory and enlisted the help of every woman in our church. Her approach was different. She didn’t look at reasons why they could not serve. She found a place for every woman to serve in our Women’s program.

Let me encourage you to see the potential in people. Don’t assume they can’t succeed. Don’t dismiss them because of their size, age or inexperience. Look for ways that they can succeed with God’s help. You will be glad you did and they will too!

You can read more stories and articles by Mark Hopper in his book Let Me Encourage You. It contains 365 more stories and articles (one for every day of the year). You can purchase a book for $20 plus postage ($5). Oder your copy today at markh@efreedb.org.

Pinocchio

We met Bob and Margie Jones at church when we came to California in the late 1980’s. They lived in Fullerton and graciously invited our kids to use their swimming pool. Bob was retired by the time we met him but he had a fascinating career. He was a puppeteer. He created the kind of puppets that were controlled by strings above the puppet stage. They were called Marionettes. Bob directed plays and actually created and designed many of the puppets himself.

Eventually Bob was hired by Walt Disney in the 1930’s to create puppets for a variety of projects. Bob’s most famous creation was Pinocchio. He told me it was challenging to work with Walt Disney. Mr. Disney was very demanding and had specific ideas of what the characters and puppets should look like. Bob said it took a lot of work to shape and design the puppet that became the model for the movie. His family still has some of the original Pinocchio puppets.

After World War Two Bob left the entertainment industry and launched his own manufacturing company. After he retired Bob took the time to write up some of his memories of working with Walt Disney. One time he took me with him to drop off some articles at the Disney archives and he gave me a personal tour of their animation studios in Burbank.

Earthquakes were a new experience for us when we moved to California. We would try to guess how strong an earthquake was. Since Bob was an engineer he learned to calculate the strength of an earthquake by the movement of the water in his swimming pool. The stronger the quake – the stronger the waves in the pool. He said when the Whittier Narrows earthquake struck in 1987 (a year before we arrived) water was actually thrown out of the swimming pool and splashed on to the side of their house. He knew it was a very strong earthquake!
Bob was also a Christian. He shared with me that it took him a while to believe in Jesus. Engineers like to figure things out for themselves. They want measurable proof that can be calculated and understood. Believing in Jesus does include reliable evidence and eyewitness accounts. But it also requires faith. Jesus said to one of his disciples named Thomas, “You believe because you have seen me – blessed are those who have not seen me and yet believe in me” (John 20:29). You may not have an engineering background. And you may find it difficult to believe in someone you have never seen. Let me encourage you to examine the evidence yourself. Read about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in the Bible. I hope you will come to the same conclusion that my friend Bob Jones did and put your faith in Jesus. He would be glad you did and I would too!

You can read more stories and articles by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You. The book includes a story for every day of the year – 365 articles and stories. You can order a copy of Mark’s book at markh@efreedb.org. The price is $20 plus postage.

Holding Hands

Recently, I was on my way to visit someone at Pomona Valley Hospital when I saw something that caught my attention. Instead of taking the freeway, I took surface streets. I like to stay off the busy freeways whenever I can and enjoy the side streets and local neighborhoods.

As I was driving along Orange Grove Avenue in Pomona, I saw an older couple walking on the sidewalk. It was a nice day, the sun was shining and this couple seemed to be enjoying their stroll. The thing that caught my attention was that they were holding hands.

This couple looked like they were in their 70’s. I’m sure they were grandparents or maybe even great-grandparents. But as they slowly walked along the sidewalk, they were holding hands. I suppose we expect to see some teens or young couples holding hands. Sometimes we see couples out on a date doing the same thing, but I don’t think we often see older couples taking a walk and holding hands.

I wonder why we stop holding hands with our spouse. I suppose it starts when we have children. Young parents have their hands full with baby carriers and diaper bags. It may be when we try to protect our toddlers and tell them to hold our hand as we cross the street or navigate through a busy parking lot.

Since we are so busy holding the hands of our children, we may not have the opportunity to hold the hand of our husband or wife. In addition, there are those times when our hands are filled with groceries, shopping bags and other things so we are not able to hold someone’s hand.

I think God gave us human hands so that we can touch, caress and embrace those we love. Touch is a powerful sense that can communicate so much. Whether it is a soft touch or a firm grip, our hands communicate love and emotion.

Let me encourage you this Valentine’s season to hold someone’s hand. Make an effort to hold their hand as you walk to the car or stroll through a park. Use your hands to communicate your love and feelings for the special people in your life. They will be glad you did and you will too.

This article was originally published in the book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. You can read 365 more stories and articles (one for every day of the year) by the author in his book. The price for two books is only $30 plus postage ($5). Order a copy for yourself and one to give to a friend at markh@efreedb.org.

Hand Me Another Brick

Most people don’t realize that many homes and buildings around the world are made with bricks. Israelite slaves made bricks with mud and straw in Egypt (Exodus 1:14). Native Americans in the southwest made houses with adobe bricks. Many buildings and cathedrals in Europe are built with flat red bricks and covered with plaster.

One of my favorite people in the Bible is a man named Nehemiah. He led the efforts to rebuild with walls of Jerusalem around 450 BC. They used stones, bricks and timber to restore the walls around the city. You can read the details of this amazing project in the book of Nehemiah.

When Scottsdale High School was torn down in the 1990’s, the school district removed bricks from the old buildings and sold them to local residents and former students as a way to remember the importance of Scottsdale High School in their lives and in their community.

Several years ago, Disneyland invited people to purchase a brick that would be placed in the large plaza between Disneyland and the new California Adventure Park. It is fun to read some of the names on these colorful bricks paving the way for visitors at the theme parks.

A few years ago my brother learned of an opportunity to honor our father’s military service in World War Two. Steve attended a ceremony at Atascardero Lake Park Veterans Memorial and heard he could purchase a brick to honor the service of men and women in the military. He purchased one for our father.

Recently I received an invitation to purchase a brick at my graduate school Dallas Seminary. The school will soon be celebrating 100 years in 2024. They have invited students, faculty, alumni and supporters to purchase a brick for the patio area in front of the new Chapel on the campus. My wife and I decided to purchase a brick to express our thanks for the years we shared at the school. Dallas Seminary prepared both of us for decades of pastoral ministry. We are thankful for the leaders and professors who encouraged and prepared us to love people and love the Bible. I learned so much in the classroom while my wife worked full-time. She also attended classes in the evening. We are thankful for the impact Dallas Seminary has had on our faith, family and ministry.

Let me encourage you to watch for an opportunity to honor and express your thanks to a school, hospital or an individual who has impacted your life. Make a donation and leave a small statement for your children and grandchildren to see. You will be glad you did and they will too!

You can read 365 more stories and articles (one for every day of the year) in Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. Purchase two books – one for yourself and one to share with a friend for only $30 plus postage ($5). Order at markh@efreedb.org

A Rusty Gate

We have lived in our home in Diamond Bar for over 30 years. It was challenging to buy a home when we moved to California in 1988. The price of a 1500 square foot house was three times the amount we sold our home for in Arizona. Generous church members created a special fund to supplement our house payment for the first three years which enabled us to transition into the California housing market.

The home we were able to buy only had three bedrooms but I was able to add a fourth bedroom and a third bathroom within a year after we moved in. The original owner had purchased the home in 1980 and added a number of improvements including a large backyard patio and a built-in spa. He also enclosed the front court yard with a wrought iron gate.

Homeowners know that houses always need maintenance and upgrades. Over the years we replaced the wood shingle roof, installed double-pane windows and a new rollup garage door. We have fixed many lawn sprinklers and replaced some valves and the timer, too.

But as the years passed the wrought iron gate began to rust. I think one of the lawn sprinklers sprayed water on it three-times a week. I noticed the rust a few years ago but didn’t think it was a problem. The gate still worked. But the rust continued to erode the bottom of the gate. It was obvious we needed to find someone to replace the gate.

I realized that I had been ignoring the problem far too long. I had been lazy and indifferent. A rusty gate or overgrown landscaping reveals a lot about a homeowner. I wonder what my neighbors and guests thought when they saw my rusty gate. There is a passage in the Bible that says, “I walked by the field of a man where the weeds were overgrown and his fences were broken down”. The author describes the owner as a sluggard or a lazybones (Proverbs 24:30-34).

Recently I saw a man replacing a wrought iron fence in our neighborhood. His wife and two children were helping him. I stopped my car and asked the man if he could help replace my gate. One of his kids translated as we talked. I think it will make a wonderful Christmas present for my wife. I’m sure that it is just what she wanted this year.

Let me encourage you to not neglect a rusty gate or overgrown shrubs. There may be areas in your personal life that you have neglected too like a bad habit or a selfish attitude that are slowly destroying your relationship with others. Take action before things get out of hand. You will be glad you did and your family, friends and neighbors will too!

You can read 365 more articles and stories (one for every day of the year) by Mark Hopper in his book “Let Me Encourage You“. Two copies are only $30 plus $5 postage – one for you to enjoy and one to give to a friend. Order your books today at markh@efreedb.org.

My First Car

I couldn’t wait to get my driver’s license when I turned sixteen. My parents explained that if I wanted to drive I needed to buy my own car and pay for the gas, maintenance and insurance. I had no idea how much a used car would cost but I had been saving money from my early morning paper route hoping to buy something I could afford.

Some friends told my parents that their son was graduating from college and they were going to give him a new car. They knew that I was almost sixteen and wondered if I would be interested in purchasing their son’s old car. It seemed like a nice opportunity but I wondered what kind of a car it was.

It was a *’57 Chevy*! The car was a two-door Belair with chrome rims and a beautiful red interior. The small V-8 engine had a four-barrel carburetor and loud glass-pact mufflers. The license plate had three letters and three numbers – JDY *007*. The numbers *007* were the code name of James Bond in the famous movie series that started in the 1960’s. There is a picture of the back license plate of my car in our High School year book!

I bought the car two months before my birthday 16th in 1966. I had to wait until I got my driver’s license before I could drive my car without an adult with me. I think I washed and polished it every week. I was so excited to have my own car. After I got my license, I loved driving to High School and having the freedom to go out with my friends on weekends.

I had no idea how valuable a ’57 Chevrolet was. In my mind it was already ten years old and required a lot of gas with that four-barrel carburetor. So after I graduated from High School and set my sights on commuting to ASU, I sold my ’57 Chevy and bought a Volkswagen beetle. As I look back, I think that was one of the most foolish decisions I ever made! I should have kept the ’57 Chevy. It became one of the most iconic cars of our time. Let me encourage you to think through the choices and decisions you make in life – especially when it comes to a classic car. You will be glad you did and I will too!

For 365 more articles and stories (one for every day of the year) by the author you can purchase his book Let Me Encourage You. The After Christmas Sale price is only $30 for two books plus $5 postage. Contact the author at markh@efreedb.org. Purchase one for yourself and one to share with a friend. You will be glad you did and they will too!

I Miss the Donuts

Recently, we had some of our grandchildren and their parents staying at our house. It has been nice to have more people in our home during the holidays. I have enjoyed some early morning conversations with the grandkids and doing some special things with them.

One day my wife suggested that I go buy some donuts for our special guests. I took orders from parents and children and hurried off to the donut shop with my list. I ordered a dozen donuts which included one chocolate glazed, two glazed twists, two pink donuts, a maple bar and several others. They were a hit and enjoyed by everyone.

As I reflected on my brief shopping assignment I realized that have missed donuts. I have met with a group of men at our church on Friday morning for many years. Every week we met at 6:00 AM to encourage one another. We shared about our families, our work and challenges we were facing. We studied the Bible together and prayed for each other. And, every week someone brought a box of donuts. Coffee and donuts were an important part of our weekly meeting.

However, we have not met together in person for many months. The Covid-19 pandemic has prevented us from meeting in person. Now, we meet online with Zoom. I’m thankful we do have a way to stay connected. We continue to meet every Friday morning. But, there are no donuts!

Honestly, I’m not sure which I miss more – the men or the donuts. I guess I have to say I miss the men more but I do miss the donuts too. Each week a different man would bring a box of fresh donuts. I loved to be the one who opened the box and got to select my favorite one first. As we passed the box around the table each guy picked a donut that he liked. Sometimes someone else opened the box and selected the one I wanted. But I usually found a different donut that I knew I would enjoy.

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted many areas of our lives. Work, school, shopping, travel and so much more has changed. We hope that one day life will get back to normal. But in the meantime we have to adjust and adapt to the new normal. I am looking forward to meeting again with a group of men on Friday morning at our church. And I am looking forward to the donuts, too! Let me encourage you to stay in touch with your friends and family during the pandemic. And don’t lose sight of some of the simple things that we hope to enjoy again soon!

You can read 365 more stories and articles (one for every day of the year) in his book **Let Me Encourage You** by Mark Hopper. You can purchase two copies for only $30 plus postage. Buy one for yourself and one to give to a friend. Order your books today at **markh@efreedb.org**.

A Proper Greeting

I actually wrote this article several years ago. It seems very appropriate during the current Covid19 pandemic too. Let me know if you agree.

With the flu season in high gear, everyone seems to be getting sick. Coworkers are sick. Neighbors are sick. School kids and teachers are sick. Everyone is sick!

I have heard one of the most common ways to catch the flu is through contact with someone who already has the virus. And, the most common contact is with your hands. Door knobs, cell phones, key boards and other things we touch with our hands can spread the flu virus. Even shaking hands with a sick person can spread the virus to others. There is a large sign in the elevator at a local hospital that says, 80% of germs are spread with your hands.

I watched a demonstration on the news where one person dipped his hand in a germ infested dish. Then he shook hands with a volunteer who in turn shook hands with another volunteer. The conclusion of the study showed that one infected person could spread the virus to five additional people as the germs passed from one person to another with their hands.

I have heard one of the best ways to stop the spread of the flu is to wash your hands frequently. One medical professional said that washing your hands is the single best protection against catching and spreading the flu. If that is true, then how do you properly greet a friend, family member or co-worker?

At our church, we recommend people not shake hands during the flu season, but try doing fist bumps to minimize hand contact. A Chinese friend had a better idea. He suggested we just bow to one another and avoid any physical contact. Sounds like a great idea!

I don’t know how long the flu season will last. And, I don’t know how long I can keep greeting people without a hug or hand shake. But, I do know we need to do all we can to prevent the spread of the flu this year. Let me encourage you to wash your hands often. Try a fist bump or bow instead of a handshake. And, if you start to feel like you are catching the flu, drink plenty of fluids, take two aspirin and call me in the morning!

You can read 365 more stories and articles (one for every day of the year) by Mark Hopper in his book Let Me Encourage You. You can purchase two books for $30 plus postage – one for yourself and one to share with a friend. Order your copies at markh@efreedb.org.

Going to College

Read more by the author in his book – Let Me Encourage You – 365 articles and stories (one for every day of the year). The New Year’s Sale price is two books for $30 plus postage. Order your copies at markh@efreedb.org.

A Flat Tire

I was out on my morning walk in my neighborhood when I noticed a man working on his small Toyota truck. I didn’t get a good look at first because I was walking on the opposite side of the street and several parked cars blocked my view. But when I looked again, I realized he was trying to change a flat tire.

At first I just kept on walking. I wasn’t sure if there was anything I could do. I felt bad for him. He was probably going to be late for work. But a few moments later I realized I shouldn’t keep on walking. I should try to help this stranger. I turned around and crossed the street to see what I could do.

He had jacked up the car and was trying to loosen the lug nuts so he could remove the tire. But he wasn’t having much luck. I’ve changed a lot tires over the years and lug nuts can get corroded and hard to remove on older cars. He didn’t speak English and I didn’t speak Chinese but with both understood the problem.

I decided to walk back to my house and see if I could get some tools and a pair of gloves. Roads are dirty and so are tires. But, on my way to my house I realized I could do more. I could call my roadside service provider. I walked back to his truck and offered to call AAA. He agreed we lacked the tools to get the tire off and we needed air for the spare tire.

The AAA serviceman arrived in about 30 minutes. He used a long piece of pipe to extend the tire iron, loosen the lug nuts and remove the tire. My neighbor’s wife came out to see how we were doing. She spoke some English and expressed their appreciation for my help. I really hadn’t done much. Just made a phone call to get some help.

The story of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:25-37. Jesus told the story of a man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was confronted and beaten by robbers. Several people saw the injured man by the side of the road but they didn’t stop to help. They just kept on walking. However, one man did. He went out of his way to help the injured stranger. There are a lot more details in the story that you can read for yourself. Honestly, I think I am more like those who kept on walking. I don’t know what prompted me to stop.

I think we all face unexpected situations in life. Do we see them as interruptions or opportunities? Do we stop and help or do we keep on walking? Let me encourage you to watch for an unexpected opportunity to stop and help someone this week. You will be glad you did and they will too.

About two weeks later, a stranger came to our house. I didn’t recognize the woman with her mask on but she explained in broken English that she was the wife of the man with the flat tire. I had met her briefly that morning but I didn’t recognize her in the dark. I don’t know how she knew where I lived but she brought me a tasty gift to express their thanks for my help. I feel like I have made some new friends in our neighborhood and it all started with a flat tire!

You can read 365 more stories and articles – one for every day of the year – in Mark’s book Let Me Encourage You. On sale now – 2 books for $30 plus postage. Order a copy for yourself and a give a gift to a friend at markh@efreedb.org.

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