When I was 6 years old, I played t-ball for the

first time. It was then that I fell in love with the game of

baseball. When I wasn't on the field, I was in my driveway,

throwing a tennis ball against the garage door and catching it in

my glove. I played hundreds of imaginary games in that driveway.

Since my first Little League team was the "Braves," I needed a role

model from that Major League team. My coach told me about one of

the most exciting players for the Atlanta Braves - Dale Murphy. So,

in every imaginary game I played, I was Dale Murphy. As Dale

Murphy, I made amazing catches! As Dale Murphy, I made game winning

hits! As much as a grade-school kid could, I tried to emulate Dale

Murphy. In Acts chapter 6, we are introduced to a man named

Stephen. Stephen was a man who had a goal. He wanted to emulate

Jesus. And, Stephen succeeded at his goal. In doing so, he

encouraged every one of us to do the same. Stephen's life of

emulation challenges and encourages us to walk the same path. To

emulate Jesus.