Who's on your Mount Rushmore?

A question was asked on a radio program recently that Caught my attention. The speaker asked who the listeners would put on their personal Mt. Rushmores. The question sent my mind soaring off into some great memories. I must say that I was surprised with the speed and certainty that I came to my 4 guys. These men were used by God to alter the course and quality of my life.

Left To right (no real significance):

My dad, Rob Thomas Sr.
What a debt of honor I owe my dad for pursuing a relationship with me when I thought that time and opportunity were gone for closeness. This man has modeled a willingness to change and conform to God's grace and design that infects all around him. If ever I learned forgiveness through watching someone walk it out day to day, it was through watching my dad.


Rick Via
If you have ever looked at a picture that profoundly impacted you, you might get a sense of what Rick's momentary interactions with me were like. Never have I spent so little time around someone and been so influenced. Rick is the father of 2 of my close friends from college. The testimony that his sons passed on about him was more than glowing. I remember a morning when he took me to breakfast and poured out insight and encouragement into a very thirsty heart. I have drawn on the stories from his sons and those words of encouragement ever since.

Gayle Erwin

Can you imagine childhood without stories? I can't. I'm often surprised at the admitted loss of the desire to read or engage the imagination by many adults. Gayle has lost none of the joy in engaging others in a good story. His book "The Jesus Style" drew me into the accurate and colorful story of the Lord. I had the privilege of hearing Gayle speak twice in the past 3 years. When this simple and joy-spilling-over christian speaks, people listen.

Aaron Keyes
Aaron models what a relationship with God can do to a man in a way that I long experience. He has always been in a position of a one-step-ahead leader to me. In fact, through the years, I have almost litterally followed in his footprints. I watched his testimony playing hockey in the older guys league, I saw his heart for worship and service take off in a neighboring university, and celebrated his transition into marriage, parenting, and full time ministry as my church's worship leader/pastor. Aaron set a great example in openly celebrating the Lord. He is the only person I've heard speak about not "feeling like worshiping today," then going on to exalt God's worthiness despite our feelings.