Our finishing school for young men...

(Tim) Here at Church of the Good Shepherd, we have what I call our "finishing school for young men." A deacon of our church, Bob Kaplowitz, is severely afflicted with cerebral palsy and needs to have help with the basics including feeding and clothing himself. So as long as he's lived in Bloomington, he's had a stream of men living with him who, in exchange for room and board, share caring for him. What a gift this is to our church and what husbands these men make for godly women!

Imagine marrying a man who spent the period of your engagement feeding, clothing, bathing, and translating for a Christian brother. What kind of character would this build in your future husband? What kind of father would he make?

This month, a local magazine (H&L) did a piece on Bob's House, Bobbites, and the remodeling one of our elders, Tim Wegener, did for Bob. It's an excellent article...

featuring not only Bob, but also Lucas Weeks--the man our third daughter, Hannah, will be marrying in a couple months if God wills.

Check it out; it's a good read. I'm so grateful to the Lord for the service Bob does our church in so many ways; but particularly, in humbling himself to be served so the men of our church may become the kind of husbands, fathers, elders, pastors, and deacons that will lead with courage and humility. (I'd call them "servant leaders," but the term's been ruined by the charlatans who use it to mean little service and no leadership.)

(Picture of Bob with Lucas holding Bob's favorite cookbook.)

(NOTE: When you click on the text above, "Check it out," you're automatically downloading a PDF file of the magazine article. If you can't find it, you may want to search for "Bob_aricle.pdf". Yes, that's without the 't'.)

Comments

[Bike Bubba]

I know you've heard this a bazillion times before, but this is seriously cool. If it doesn't embarass our dear brother Bob too much, can I ask for more on the Bobbites? I think we need this challenge. (I know I do)

[Mark]

Boy you patriarchal types are all the same, teaching young men to be selfish Archie Bunker types.

[Brandon Pickett]

One of the most wonderful benefits of living at Bob's is that you learn how to cook good food. I'm not talking about macaroni and cheese. I'm talking about a three-course meal for 6-8 hungry 20 year olds. Moreover, because Bob is so hospitable, you are often cooking for 10-15 people.
However the best part of living at Bob's is becoming Bob's friend. It's no wonder that he's been in so many weddings. Plus, he looks quite dapper in a tux and has a great smile.

[Keith LaMothe]

Ah, the America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook... maybe I'm just easy to please, but that's some GOOD stuff.

Thanks for the post, Tim.

[Michael Foster]

Bob needs to move to Cincinnati. We've got some young men he could take under his wings. Put a good word in for us!

[Steve Moxey]

Bob's joy and generosity are contagious and I had the honor of serving him (or rather, being served by him) for almost 3 years. Come to Bob's house for dinner and you get a picture of heaven. A word of caution, though, if someone starts to say, "Hey, Bob remember that time in New York...", get ready to hyperventilate from laughing.

[Valerie (Kyriosity)]

Becoming better husband material AND beautifying the bride of Christ. Awesome!

[Stacy D McDonald]

Now THAT was encouraging. Keep it up - train up those godly young men! We have a good crop of young ladies out near Peoria being prepared as well!;-)

Bob sounds like a gem. It's a good reminder to me that God uses our neediness, as well as our service, to minister to others and to glorify Himself.

[Leonard H.]

I saw this blog quite by chance and had to comment. I lived with Bob back in 1981. Living there was a bright point in what was (at the time) the worst year of my life. If I were still living in Bloomington I would probably drop by and help him out regularly.

So many years have passed and I imagine he doesn't remember me at all, but please send along my regards to Bob at any rate. Perhaps someday I'll see him again.

Best,
Leonard