Why not be a saint?

My eight-year-old daughter just finished a kicking book report on St. Francis. I thought that very special becasue I did a major paper on him back in the day at cemetary, oops I mean seminary.

I also feel a special affinity with Francis becasue of his ministry. He regulary treated nature with respect as all things, especially the animals, had been made by God. He even spoke to the birds and got a response. Why just last week someone at church said my teaching was for the birds! What a compliment!

Francis could have written the Wild at Heart material with John Eldredge, too. He had grown up wealthy; trained to be a warrior and a soldier but instead had a vision from God that changed his life forever.

Francis was a great inspiration because when he heard from God, he really obeyed. If you've never really looked at his life, I'd encourage you to read up on him. You can't help but be inspired to follow Christ, unless of course you're not prepared for radical life change.

Luke 14:25-30
One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.

"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.'