Dear friends:

It is in even in the secular news: Indicted NFL football superstar Michael Vick finds Jesus!

Speaking in a quiet, contrite voice, former NFL stud Michael Vick faced the media outside of a hotel in Richmond, VA -- and accepted responsibility for his role in a dogfighting ring.  Between apologies to everyone from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank -- to all the kids who used to look up to him, Vick declared that he's found Jesus and has turned his life over to God.   From http://www.www.tmz.com/2007/08/27/vick-i-found-jesus/

He exact words: "Through this situation, I've found Jesus, and I ask Him for forgiveness, and I've turned my life over to God."  To hear him say this, go to http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/law/08/27/michael.vick/?iref=mpstoryview#cnnSTCVideo

Don't be skeptical.  Most people have to get low before they look up.  People ride high and confident in their fleshly ability until they find they have built their house on the sand, and they need to rebuilt in on the Rock.

Vick needs prayer that God will help him grow in the Spirit.

Gambling charges may be added.  He is facing at least a year in prison, and he has already lost millions in pay and endorsements.

FLASHBACK:  In 2002 I moved to a neighborhood in Virginia where I heard a rumor that Vick's mother lived in a nearby ritzy home and neighborhood, a home that Vick had recently purchased for her with his NFL bonus money.  Curious, one day I rode my bicycle over there to see if I could find it.  I knew the approximate location.  I found some kids playing and they pointed out the exact street and house. I wrote down the house number.  It is on a cul-de-sac of beautiful homes, all probably in the million-dollar range.

Armed with this address, I went home and wrote Vick a nice personal letter and told him about Jesus, and sent him a copy of the Four Spiritual Laws, which describes God's love and plan for his life, and plan of salvation.  I prayerfully mailed it, trusting God to use it.

I never heard from Vick.  But I choose to believe it served as a seed, to be watered and used by God according to His timing, plan and love for Michael Vick, His creation.

"Lord, please bless Michael Vick, draw him to Yourself, and magnify yourself in him.  May he be your faithful servant and a witness to many.  Amen."

(Jokingly, in my letter, I challenged Vick to a one-on-one basketball game with this retired, aging white boy.  That's probably why I never heard from him.  He was afraid to face me.)

Jim