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.

I CALL HER BLESSED

The writer of Proverbs 31 describing a virtuous woman says that her children rise up and call her blessed. My Mom was used greatly in my life. I see her life as used to encourage godly character in her children. My parents were 37 years old when I was born in 1942 and displayed maturity as parents. Mom displayed a great deal of gentleness. She never scolded for mishaps that were accidental. She spent a lot of time with me through childhood sickness. I missed first grade because of illness. She had the ability to keep an open door to speak to her about any matter in my life. Sometimes I'm sure I shocked her, but she didn't let on. She prayed with me every night as a child. I know she prayed for her children as I saw her often on her knees beside her bed. She was very concerned for the spiritual welfare of her family and was responsible to get us to special meetings where we heard the gospel. Mom set a wonderful example of faith, integrity, and righteous living. When I left home and attended Wheaton College, it took weeks to get over homesickness for my Mom. I am glad to call her "Blessed"!

A Close Family

My dad's parents, Mary Alice and Harry, raised their family on a farm near Marcus, Iowa. They came from German and Pennsylvania Dutch background. The Neir family was a very close family with six of the seven children settling close to Marcus. Most of the families were at their folks for Sunday dinner and time together in the afternoon. There were five girls and they were all fine cooks. Good food was important in the Neir family. Through the years the family remained close through a yearly reunion. It seemed to me the family really enjoyed closeness, something I am grateful to see in our family. I am so thankful that our children enjoy getting together and coming home when they can. It seemed to me that talking about "spiritual" things in my dad's family was too personal to talk about openly. I think our family helped to change that after Roberta, John, and I were saved and had a burden for the Neir family. My dad's family were good, hard working people and I trust most of them trusted Christ. Some years ago after one of the reunions, I sent a letter to all the family explaining salvation and my concern that we would have a great reunion in heaven. I am thankful for this family background.

Grandmother from Sweden

My mom's parents John P. Johnson and Christina C. Franson each came from Sweden as young people and met and married in Marcus Iowa in 1894. They moved to Waseau, Nebraska and raised seven children there. Christina was known to have prayed for the salvation of each of her grandchildren. The Waseau Gazette stated: "she was a loving mother and deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of her children and friends for whom she prayed". She died before knowing many of her grandchildren. We are all greatly affected by those in our family line. What I hear about grandmother Christina reminds me a lot of my mother Alice. She had that same spiritual concern for her family. Faith is passed on in our families. I pray that my life and prayer will have an impact on those after me. Thank you Grandmother Christina for letting God use you in those yet to be born.