Let The Redeemed Of The Lord Say So

I never realized how long God had His gracious hand on my life, until now at 85 I can
look back and revel in all that He has done! 

I am thankful for God’s grace to me through the blessing of my wonderful wife, Ruth. We met in 2000 when we were at a Bible camp. It wasn’t love at first sight, but we liked each other a lot right off the bat.

About a year ago, I was attending college and coaching youth football. I was doing well in school with good grades and was successful with the team I was coaching.  Life was seemingly normal, but I was an isolated Christian who was in a rut spiritually and becoming more fatalist with a doom-and-gloom outlook that was misaligned with my faith. 

“Depart from me; I never knew you” are words that will reverberate for all eternity for those the Lord does not “know.” Pretty scary, right?

Alight! Alight! O little flame

Kindled for His holy Name.

Quickened by the Spirit’s call

However faint, however small.

It was the summer of 2006. Mike and I were in our 50s. All three of our children were married, and we were excited for the next phase of life. I noticed how busy Mike was; I was praying for him to slow down so we could spend more time together. He often seemed exhausted. 

On August 8 our lives changed in a way we never imagined! After a week of battling a high fever, I took Mike to the hospital. Doctors found he had contracted the West Nile virus. His case attacked the nervous system. He became paralyzed and was unable to breathe on his own.

Choices. We make them every day. It can be as simple as deciding what you want for breakfast or as big as giving your life to Christ. Whatever the choice, I believe Christ is always one step ahead!  

South Street, Philadelphia. “The Strip.” It was the “cool” place to be on a Friday night. Hot rods revving their motors and shops selling all sorts of things. It drew throngs of people, which is why we were there.

“We” were my buddies Tom, Ryan, and me – airmen stationed at McGuire AFB, N.J., in the mid-90s. We were single Christian guys who would do Bible studies, hit the gym, and hang out together. But on many Friday nights, we’d drive 45 minutes across the Delaware River to South Street to share the gospel. 

This part of my story began in the winter of 1986 with the collapse of the life I’d worked so hard for. Everything was taken from me. My ranch and all my assets were given to my ex-wife by the court without reason or fault. I began the day with a net value of $400,000. By noon I was left with $400 and a new truck. At least I wasn’t walking.