Ken Buck is a Wise Sage

My siblings and I have a tradition on the birthdays of our family and close friends. We often share fun facts - some made up, but mostly loving comments. My friend Ken (a great man of God, a youth pastor, seminarian, philosopher and lover of the poor and hurting) took exception to my Jon and Susan's birthday facts about me. Ken is a man who follows God's directive to "do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God" and I think that's he's pursuing here:

My Persecuted Friend Dave..

If you were to look up the word persecuted on Wikipedia it just might read Dave Kurt after what I am about to tell you gets out. Now Dave has been a friend of mine for over 7 years now and I feel that I have had a pretty good chance to see his true colors come out. I have to say that Dave is one of the most giving, loyal, kind and encouraging friends that I have had. Now I know that Dave is a kidder, a jokester if you will.... but deep down... no... not deep down, but right under the surface, Dave Kurt is a decent and kind man who is always looking out to bless those around him!!!

Now let me give you a few examples:

• He took time out of his busy work schedule to come to my wedding via a stop in Atlantic City.
  
• Year after year he spends a whole week of his personal vacation time to be at camp with a bunch of Middle School kids that the rest of the world has thrown aside.
  
• He has twice used frequent flier miles and hotel points to hook me up with a weekend getaway with my wife and a flight to Costa Rica!!
• He gave me his Motorcycle.
• We have shared our love of kids and youth ministry.
• He taught me the difference between the snobbish jerks at fancy Martini bars and the good folk at a common pub.
• He taught me how to play blackjack and has introduced me to great people Chauncey Billups, Will, Brad, Eli and Noel.
• He took in a homeless girl from Xenia, Ohio.
• And Dave has taken time to honor people on their birthdays to make sure that they truly know that God loves them and that they are indeed special. You can read these here, and here, and here.

Now the reason why I took the time to share a little about St. Dave Kurt is the just the other day was his birthday. And was he written about on such a day? Yes he was, but not with the grace, nor the beauty, nor the kindness that he gives to others... No he was maligned and mocked and defamed over the World Wide Web!!! You might think that is is Old Ingrid again, but no, this I must say is even more underhanded than she... the attacks that I am about to share with you about the persecution of Dave Kurt is from his own brother and sister!!! Read these words and weep for Dave pray that he can with stand such attacks with grace....