FREEDOM FROM FEAR

One thing that stands out in my childhood is the amount of fear I had in my early days. Looking back, I realize that after I received Christ at the age of nine, I had freedom from fear. I remember having fear of storms, fear that our furnace would blow up, fear of fire drills in school, fear of getting sick to my stomach at school, fear of the dark, and I'm sure there were many more. I came to appreciate the power of God in some of the things that had earlier caused fear.
God led later in my life to deal with some very frightening situations in the spiritual battle. I am so grateful that God had delivered me from fear. "For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."(II Timothy 1:7) I agree with Martin Luther; "The Prince of Darkness Grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo his doom is sure; One little word shall fell him." I pray that those who come after me will find wonderful freedom from fear in Jesus Christ.

FUN ON THE FARM

When Mary and I started raising a family, I had wished that our children could have grown up on a farm. I really enjoyed my years on the farm. It provided endless opportunities for exploration and fun. We had about a mile of creek that needed a lot of exploring. I was one of three children. John was 6 years older and Roberta a year younger. We had a brother Edward who died in infancy. Since Roberta was about the same age, we did a lot together. Some of the things I enjoyed as a boy: looking for kittens in the haymow - baptizing cats in cattle tank(they weren't willing) - hypnotizing chickens - trapping gophers - and fishing in the creek. As we got older, there were chores and fieldwork. As I look back, I enjoyed it all. I thank God for those years and learning the lessons of farming and the cycles of life under the care of attentive, loving parents. It was a good beginning.

A HUNGER TO HEAR GOD'S WORD

When I was young, our family attended a church where I learned very little of the Bible. At our home we had a big old upright radio that had short wave capability. While I was investigating what stations I could find, I found HCJB (Heralding Christ Jesus' Blessings) broadcasting from Quito, Ecuador. I listened to Christian programs by the hour. I am so grateful that God led me to find the station and created a hunger in me for the Bible. My early knowledge of God's love for me, before I was a Christian was broadcast from high in the Andes in South America. In October 2006, I had the blessing of visiting Ecuador and sharing how God had used that station in Quito to bring the gospel to a lad in Iowa. I am grateful to the founders of HCJB.

A SENSE OF DESTINY

Something happened to me as a child that I've never told until now but it has an impact on my life. I would guess I was about 7 years old and we were visiting my Mom's brother Henry and his wife Alma. She took me into a room to see her mother, Mrs. Morrel, who was nearly blind and near the end of her life. She didn't know me well but I remember her taking my hand and telling me, "God has something special He wants to do with your life." Though I was young, it made an impact on me and I have never forgotten that moment. I don't know anything about Mrs. Morrel's relationship with Christ but I do know God does have a special plan for each of our lives. That plan can only be realized as we trust Christ as Savior and yield ourselves to His will.

Job 23:10 He knoweth the way that I take . . .

Jer. 29:11 I know the thoughts I think toward you . . .to give you an expected end.

I Peter 2:9(NIV) But you are a chosen people . . .

Eph. 2:10 For we are His workmanship . . .

I pray that those after me would have a sense of destiny that will move them on to realize the will of God in their lives.