Upon reading the Upper Room this morning, I was again reminded of what I sometimes take for granted.
That each day is a gift from God, and to try to live each day knowing that He holds us in the palm of His hand, for we all are children of God.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Sunday, April 8, 2007
My Journey
First of all, I must say I'm not all that I can be, DEFINITELY not what I used to be, but right where I'm supposed to be. And that is a true gift from God.
I was born in 1943 and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan. In my early years, the only time I attended church was when my folks took us to Dayton, Tennessee to visit Dad's relatives. At age 4 or 5, while down there, I was taken into the river and thought they were trying to drown me! I truly didn't understand anything about baptism or about the Lord. It was what my Dad's family wanted for me.
I did go to a few churches on Sundays in Battle Creek until I was 17 years old. Then, tired of my parents' rules, I thought I was smarter than them and joined the US Navy. I learned then what rules REALLY were! I served 3 years, 11 months and18 days (but who's was counting?). I learned to use alcohol to escape reality.
From 1964-1983, I went wherever and did whatever alcohol wanted me to do. I drove a semi as my job, not caring who I hurt and what I did. I was to the point that I carried a .357 Magnum and a .38 "special" around with me all of the time. I wanted to die as much as I wanted to live.
My now ex-wife found me at a drinking buddy's apartment and I told her I was going to end my life. I was wrecking her life and everyone Else's that I was touching. Her question to me was just this: "Who made you God, to take our children's' father from them?" That was the right thing at the right time for her to say. I knew then that I truly wanted to live. That was Aug. 30, 1987.
I went back to a 12 step program and surrendered myself to it, as I knew no other way out. With the help of my sponsor, Don, I started 1 day at a time to learn who I was and to try and change what I had become. It was from that program that I found the true meaning of God and accepted Jesus as my Savior. In 1999, I went back to church with a new concept of a loving God.
In 2001, I had a stroke and spent 7 months in rehab learning to walk and talk again, only by the grace of God. Then, in 2002, after my rehab, I came to Dade City, Florida, to live with my sister, and Joyce entered my life. We had talked on the computer for a couple of years and become friends along with a whole group of others from all over the world. We decided to meet at Wendy's for lunch and she took the key to my heart.
Our walk together has been a true gift and she has helped me in more ways than I could ever explain. We moved to Temple Terrace in September of 2004 from NY and found our home here at TTUMC. I wish to thank everyone at TTUMC for making my life a better place to live.
I was born in 1943 and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan. In my early years, the only time I attended church was when my folks took us to Dayton, Tennessee to visit Dad's relatives. At age 4 or 5, while down there, I was taken into the river and thought they were trying to drown me! I truly didn't understand anything about baptism or about the Lord. It was what my Dad's family wanted for me.
I did go to a few churches on Sundays in Battle Creek until I was 17 years old. Then, tired of my parents' rules, I thought I was smarter than them and joined the US Navy. I learned then what rules REALLY were! I served 3 years, 11 months and18 days (but who's was counting?). I learned to use alcohol to escape reality.
From 1964-1983, I went wherever and did whatever alcohol wanted me to do. I drove a semi as my job, not caring who I hurt and what I did. I was to the point that I carried a .357 Magnum and a .38 "special" around with me all of the time. I wanted to die as much as I wanted to live.
My now ex-wife found me at a drinking buddy's apartment and I told her I was going to end my life. I was wrecking her life and everyone Else's that I was touching. Her question to me was just this: "Who made you God, to take our children's' father from them?" That was the right thing at the right time for her to say. I knew then that I truly wanted to live. That was Aug. 30, 1987.
I went back to a 12 step program and surrendered myself to it, as I knew no other way out. With the help of my sponsor, Don, I started 1 day at a time to learn who I was and to try and change what I had become. It was from that program that I found the true meaning of God and accepted Jesus as my Savior. In 1999, I went back to church with a new concept of a loving God.
In 2001, I had a stroke and spent 7 months in rehab learning to walk and talk again, only by the grace of God. Then, in 2002, after my rehab, I came to Dade City, Florida, to live with my sister, and Joyce entered my life. We had talked on the computer for a couple of years and become friends along with a whole group of others from all over the world. We decided to meet at Wendy's for lunch and she took the key to my heart.
Our walk together has been a true gift and she has helped me in more ways than I could ever explain. We moved to Temple Terrace in September of 2004 from NY and found our home here at TTUMC. I wish to thank everyone at TTUMC for making my life a better place to live.
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