I know that Paul wrote for us to forget what lies behind and press on to things that lie ahead. I can't help but to take a moment and reflect on where I've been. I'm closer to 60 than 50. Inside my mind I feel like a young man. Looking in the mirror tells me a different story. Thinning hair, achy joints, and eye glasses all indications that this mortal body is aging.
I recall growing up in east Texas where towering pine trees are in abundance. I've grown to appreciate those tall trees. I hated them as a child. Anybody who has ever had to rake pine straw knows what I'm talking about. I spent many an hour raking pine straw off the roof and off the grass. I grew up riding bikes, playing in the woods, having sleepovers, and playing whatever ball was in season with other neighborhood boys. We didn't need organizations or fancy uniforms. We got up a game as soon as we got out of school.
I took those games seriously and played for blood. I was and to some extent still am fiercely competitive. I hated to lose at anything. My fourth grade teacher named me "Bull Frog." She said one look at me after P.E. told her whether my team won or lost. When I lost she said I swelled up like a bull frog. Life seemed simpler. We thought punishment was being kept from going outside to play. Now days you can't hardly get kids out from in front of a screen of some sort watching or playing a game.
We didn't go to church much. I liked it when we did. I had a great aunt who attended a Methodist church. She was always trying to get us to come. For some reason she took a shine to me. She often got me to pray publicly in the worship services. I don't recall the old Kelty's Methodist Church being a large congregation. They did help form a foundation of some basic Bible stories. Next, we attended the First Nazarene Church in downtown Lufkin, TX before they relocated. We didn't attend frequently, but I did go to a children's camp with them. I even won a trophy for memorizing the most verses that week. It did not mean I was in right standing with God.
Football was my life. I read football books. Started lifting weights at 12 years old and have not stopped all these years later. I played imaginary football games in my backyard setting up obstacles and treating the pine trees as defenders to avoid. My dream was to play in college. I knew I would have to work for it. I was not blessed with height. God did give me strength. I worked feverishly at getting stronger to make my way to the starting line up for the Lufkin Panther football team. I wore the purple and gold with pride. It meant something to me back then.
To improve my chances at playing in college I pushed my body. I skipped lunch after my senior football season ended and went to the weight room to get in extra work. I climbed the fence at the football stadium so I could run bleachers. I ran in the hottest part of the days. I pushed my body until the muscles burned from the stress.
My whole life changed one Thursday night in October of 1983. I have written about it and talked about it numerous times. I will not go into great detail. I sat in Abe Martin football stadium when a man shared the gospel with me. It was during the junior varsity football game that I asked Jesus to save me. He did and my life has not been the same.
A friend from church told me about Howard Payne University and their football team. My youth minister set up a visit and I was offered a football scholarship. God had much bigger plans that I knew. It was after I graduated high school that God called me to preach at a youth camp. I did not even know Howard Payne had a Bible department. I did not learn that until I was standing in line to register for classes as a freshman and overheard two students talking about Bible classes. I connected the dots and enrolled as a Bible major.
Two years later I met a brown haired brown eyes beauty. One date later and I knew I met the woman I wanted to marry. Brenda loved Jesus. Her heart was even more beautiful than her physical features. She is one of the greatest followers of Jesus I have ever met. Brenda said yes to become my wife on June 29, 1991 at the FBC Hurst, TX. That was 35 years ago and we are still madly in love. God has blessed us with four sons and one daughter in law.
I never dreamed God's path for me in ministry would take so many twists and turns. I have served as a youth minister, evangelist, church planter, and a pastor. We have moved more than I ever thought we would. In the early days I chased success. It led to a lot of heartache. In latter years, I have learned to chase God and let the results fall where they fall. We have met and loved so many wonderful people over the years. We have seen moves of God that humbled us and left us awed. We have also endured some heartaches and ministerial failures. Our faith has been tested and proved.
Now we find ourselves living in the Texas Panhandle. Sometimes it is hard to believe we live here. The church we serve has grown moderately. The people have embraced us. Brenda and I both work hard. We start our days early and usually go to bed early. We try to give our hearts to the congregation and community. We hope and pray this is the last stop until we get to heaven. We have much to believe God for ahead.
It is good to look back at all the ways God has worked. It is also good to have God ordained dreams to pursue for the future. There is much work to do in this community. We dedicate our lives to serving our Lord Jesus and this flock. I am honored that I get to share this life with Brenda. Next to Jesus saving me, SHE IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME FOLLOWED BY OUR FOUR SONS. I can't say life has turned out like I thought as a child. I can say God has been faithful and for that I give Him thanks.
