Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.’”
Genesis 12: 1-2 (RSV)

‘“After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, ‘What were you discussing out on the road?’ But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, ‘Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.’”
Mark 9: 33-35 (NLT)

“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’”
Matthew 25: 37-40 (NASB)    

Sam Cunningham is a Sophomore at Auburn University, and one of the team managers selected by Bruce Pearl, the head coach for the Auburn men’s basketball team.

Sam also attributes his being alive to be able to be a team manager, to the never-ending encouragement and challenge of Coach Pearl.

At age twelve, Sam was diagnosed with Leukemia. 

Two weeks later a fever hit him, and he was hospitalized for eighty-three days.

It was a storm which could potentially end his life.

Learning of his situation, Bruce Pearl sent Sam a video letting him know that he was thinking of him and praying for him. 

The video contained one particular line which Sam embraced throughout his fight through the storm of cancer—

“Cancer picked the wrong hombre. It picked the wrong dude to mess with. 
You are going to beat this!” 

Bruce Pearl was a blessing as he walked with Sam through the storm he faced.

Three years after his initial diagnosis, Sam went through what the medical team thought was to be his last day of treatment. 

But seventeen months later the cancer returned.

So, the battle through the storm continued. As did Coach Pearl’s support and encouragement. Visiting him in the hospital, inviting him to practice when Sam was able.

While always reminding Sam that—

“Cancer picked the wrong hombre. It picked the wrong dude to mess with.
You are going to beat this!” 

From Genesis 1: 1 through Revelation 22: 21, we are called to reflect the love of God for others, by following the example and sacrifice of Christ, and heeding the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Not when convenient. Or when we feel like it. Or when it won’t be too difficult.

But always and forever—

To be a blessing to the world around us. 

To serve and lift anyone in need God brings before us. 

And to touch the world, serve, lift, go, and do whatever is needed for anyone around us—near and far—as if we were doing it to Christ Himself.

Certainly, Sam Cunningham attributes his being alive today to attend Auburn University and serve as a manager for the men’s basketball team, to his medical team. 

But also, he attributes it to the caring heart, never-ending devotion, and encouragement to fight on through the storm, of Auburn University’s head basketball coach, Bruce Pearl.

Blessing, serving, lifting, encouraging, challenging, and reflecting Christ to a young man, who is now one of Auburn’s students and basketball team managers.

Praise God. And thank you, Coach.

In His Name–Scott

Watch, and be blessed by this three-minute CBS Evening News special report on the development of this special relationship.