Christian Living
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE As A Member OR Visitor
Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article
A PERSONAL LOOK
This article inspired its thought process from a sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley. The sermons point was Gratitude. “How grateful are you about God” was the question. The sermon went on, one Scripture passage connected with my heart. 1 Peter 1&2, “God chose you from the foundation of this time to hear the Gospel message and by the Holy Spirits conviction receive Christ as your redeemer”; “paraphrase.” Every human would hear the Word and make a choice to receive or reject Christ as their savior, John 3:16. Another Scripture came to mind from Romans 1, “it is within man to know God”, (paraphrase). I made a list of items I was grateful for and it was exhaustive. First on my list was that I found God and Jesus brought me into reconciliation. I was saved!
Space within these pages is too short for the whole story so what appears is a synopsis.
An Italian grandmother with Roman Catholic roots raised me. She sent my brother and me to Catholic school. This was my first contact with God. A Nun in the school took a special interest in me and gave extra time. Thinking back this was God working out His plan for my life. What stuck in my mind was a verse of Scripture she repeated on several occasions. John 14:6, “ I am the way, the truth, and the life.” This didn’t mean much at the time, but the verse grew on me, even to this day. I am grateful God that you brought Sister Theresa into my life. We lived in Chicago, Illinois my first 13 years when my parents decided to move to San Diego, California.
Skipping the third grade I was a freshman in High School. My parents weren’t strict nor were they churchgoers. I was a normal teenager doing normal teenage things. God was not a part of my life, but I knew right from wrong, always not making right choices. Leaving High School I joined the USAF. There I met a Chaplain who took favor with me as I could be an altar boy. I am grateful God was always subtly on my backburner. God was with me and would never leave me. Along the way John 14:6 kept popping in my mental processing.
A short stay in Community College brought me closer to taking God more serious when meeting a girl that would be my wife. She would be my rock. A Southern Baptist she eventually brought me to the Lord via her pastor. I am thankful Lord for bringing me to this particular woman who after 55 years has consistently been my rock. I was 25 years old.
Soon after my salvation experience I was asked to work with the youth group. God was bringing my new life to where He wanted me. Inexperienced and as a new Christian my path was set. For the next twelve years, I served as Youth Director/Pastor for three Churches when God called us toward a new direction. We sold our home and moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon. There for a few weeks I was called to be a Youth Pastor in a Denomination unfamiliar to us. God was using people placing us on His path. I am grateful for all those who helped us on our journey. The Cottage Grove group taught me many new things learning to use the Holy Spirit for a stronger commitment and a realization of my gifts. We allowed letting the Holy Spirit move us further into sharing the Good News. Thank you, Holy Spirit for all you have done and continue to do.
After twelve years with young people, we received the call to further our ministry in the pastorate. We sold our house and moved to Portland, Oregon where I received a BS in Christian Education. Our senior year we visited a careers seminar talking to those about ministry work. After much prayer, we decided to go with a group called Village Missions. They were a rural ministry group and we felt our talents and gifts led us that way.
Our first church was high in the coast Range Mountains, A company town owned by Boise Cascade. Here I would deliver my first real sermon. It was not a real success, but the people were few (35) and they wished to love us in spite of my weakness. The population was 450 and we visited every household introducing ourselves and talking about the Lord. These people were rednecks and we were city slickers, but they taught us the way of the woods. When God called us to move we didn’t want to but the Director of the Mission insisted. We left Valsetz with 95 members and many lost souls who found the Lord. Thank you, Lord, for teaching us to rely on your providences and the privilege of sharing our faith.
We moved to a larger church in Springfield, Oregon (80 members). Here, with more sophisticated members more education was necessary. I received a Master of Arts in Theology from a recognized Seminary and was ordained. The church grew in size and again the Holy Spirit guided us to lead the lost to the Savior. This church showed us how “good Christians” can be influenced by Satan. Certain people in high places wished for us to leave. Being naïve about such matters we resigned. We left the church with over 100 members and many new believers. Thank you, Lord, for teaching us patience and thickening our skin in matters of fighting Satan. We didn’t listen to God and defend ourselves or remove the guilty; we just gave up. Consequences were in order and we were disciplined. Yes, Lord, I am even grateful when you discipline me.
One year of working outside the church we were given a call to interview with the Conservative Baptists in John Day, Oregon. This was a small church that had never grown and at this point we had some fame in evangelism and teaching. We had grown; with the Spirits help two churches and now we would be put to the test. The church grew by leaps and bounds as the Holy Spirit gave us insight on how to proceed. We saw many come to the Lord and when leaving we seen over 250 in the church.
Next we went to Stevenson, Washington to pastor a mid-sized church. Here we would meet Satan head on. We refused a call to a much larger church but declined as I felt my homiletics wasn't sound enough for a large church. That being said, the Spirit had always helped me in preparation and delivery with very good results. This church was our nemesis as Satan does creep into churches and manipulates who he can. This was the only church we were asked to leave. We did see many come know the Lord, but they would never stay in the church. The church membership never grew, but the Lords church found many new saints. We are grateful Lord for teaching us how to confront things that are wrong and against your commands.
We left the ministry to pursue a way to gain some financially as rural churches do not remunerate well. My youngest son and I formed a General Contracting business that after 15 years did very well. Again, I am grateful Lord for your providence all these many years.
Now we are old and after over 20 years of ministry and 15 years of hard labor we decided to retire. We became “snowbirds” and did our winters in Arizona. Six years went by and the Lord is calling us again into ministry work. At the age of 75 and 74 we will be on our way to help in building churches for the Lutherans. We joined a group called Mission Builders.
We are grateful Lord that you still wish to use us to further the church until we finally see Jesus in our everlasting life.
One last thing, my wife, the rock is gifted in teaching and administration. I am gifted in evangelism and teaching. We both have many other talents that have helped in our ministry work. We are both grateful Lord that you chose us to receive Jesus as our redeemer. Grateful also for all the grace you have given us. We are grateful for so many more things, too long a list for this article.
You too must have a list of items you are grateful for. How often do you reflect on them? First and foremost should be that the Lord chose you to be part of His family.
This is our personal story of how the Lord has taken two into His fold as the good shepherd. Our prayer is that through our experience you will be able to reflect on your experience. Why did God choose you?PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR
This article has been read 605 times < Previous | Next >
Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.