Meet Kaleb

He’s got “a congenital bone marrow failure syndrome of anemia and neutropenia requiring a hematopoietic stem cell transplant.” I don't know what that means, but I know it's not good. He’s currently undergoing treatment at Duke University. You can read the whole story HERE.

There are so many needs in this world and so many stories of difficulty that it’s easy to become unmoved by them. I don’t even know Kaleb or his family (I was made aware of his plight by a friend) but his story was especially difficult for me to swallow. Maybe it’s because he’s such a cute little fellar. Or maybe it’s because I’m a daddy and I know I would lose my marbles if something like this were to happen to Jack or Joe. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter. I’ve purposed to pray for this family every day. I hope you’ll join me. You might also consider visiting his site. There you’ll find a link that will direct you to a page where you can assist the family financially in covering the cost of his care. It’s Christmastime and you probably have a bunch of expenses that are straining the ol’ budget. But let’s not forget that the Birthday Boy ought to get a few presents, too. And I can’t think of a better one than caring for one of His little angels.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

ST. PARIS, Ohio - Steven Zorn had put the pen gun to his head and clicked before, apparently thinking it was jammed and would not work.

But on the third try, the tiny silver pistol went off as the 22-year-old budding rap artist was drinking to celebrate an impending record deal. He died at a hospital.

The Nov. 18 shooting at Zorn's home in this rural village of 2,000, about 50 miles northeast of Dayton, is believed to have been accidental, according to family, friends and law enforcement officials.

"Steven had a career and his dreams all ahead of him," said Zorn's mother, Lisa McCoy-Horn. She said she wants lawmakers to outlaw pen guns, which are small-caliber, single-shot weapons that resemble pens.

Zorn had taught himself to play the keyboard and record tracts using inexpensive software on his home computer. He tracked down rap artist Miracle in Georgia and urged the crunk artist to listen to a CD of his original recordings.

"The lyrical content was awesome," Miracle said. "He had a lot of skill. I took a liking to him, took him under my wing."

Three times. I must say, I admire his persistence.