Encouragement

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But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news! Romans 10:14-15

A little over four years ago, was the beginning of what would turn out to be a five-day experience with the Lord that I will treasure in my heart forever. As many of you know December 5, 2009 we lost our son. A little over a year later my heart had still not fully healed. I had this video my brother made for us, that we played at his funeral service. I felt that if I could ever watch this video without breaking down, I would then know the Lord had completely healed my heart. To most people, even those closest to me, they just assumed I was ok, because I have always been good at masking my feelings; and in fact I had to, because I had people all around me looking to me for strength and encouragement. Because of this, I never had the opportunity to grieve myself. So on January 17, 2011, I decided it was time to spend some quality time with God and let Him do what He does best. I took a weeks vacation from work, and for five consecutive days I sat in the presence of God. The very first day He revealed that He was going to show me things, and He wanted me to write down these events in the chronological order He showed them to me. So that first day I wrote this simple paragraph:

"As I begin work on this book I just had my 48th birthday two days ago. I have felt for a while now that the Lord has wanted me to put my life in book format. The following will be my reflections of the amazing journey God has me on. Lord please speak through me; may You and You alone be my guide." And my book title came from that opening statement. Reflections: My Personal Journey.

From that moment on He began revealing things to me in great detail, and I simply sat at my computer and typed the things He showed me. Most of these events, especially those from my childhood, I had forgotten long ago. In the very order you find them in my book, is EXACTLY how He showed them to me. He even gave me the title to each chapter before I wrote a single word for each one. I am not a trained writer. I took 15 hours of English in college and, being a Christian Studies major, I wrote countless papers, but I had no clue about how to write a book. So when you read my book, I’m sure things are not done correctly, but they are EXACTLY as the Lord revealed them to me.

I believe God had me write this book for at least two reasons. The first, was to show me how He has ALWAYS been with me. Even when I was not living for Him, He was there for me then, just as He will be with me for the rest of my existence. Second, to have a means to easily share my story with the world, and let people know what an amazing God we serve. In Luke 19:40, when the Pharisees wanted Jesus to rebuke His disciples for publicly praising God for the miracles Jesus had performed in their midst, “He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” This is how I feel. God has done so many amazing things in my life, there is just no way I can keep silent. We live in a fallen world where people are going through pain and suffering at every turn. As the Third Day song, Cry Out to Jesus says,

There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary
And love for the broken hearts
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He’ll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus

So, if God has stood with you in the fire, and helped you through the troubling times in your lives, let me encourage you to share your story, it just may be the hope and encouragement someone needs to make it through the storm in their own life.

God has ALWAYS been there for us, though our sons death, and now my wife’s 1,202 day and counting battle with cancer, and until I take my last breath, I will be sharing my past and future stories of how God has been our refuge and strength, as well as the times He showers us with blessings from above. Because whether in good times or bad, He is ALWAYS with us, and most definitely worthy to be praised.

From my heart to yours!

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