redeemed 1994

You know what happens when you assume!

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and YOU shall be saved.

I accepted Jesus as my savior as a young boy. About 6 according to my mom. She assures me I knew what it meant and made the decision on my own. As I grew up I rededicated my life a few times. Which, I think, is not all bad. Depending on your how and why that is. If you are constantly renewing your vows because you want to continue growing in your relationship with your creator. And out of realizing your sin and constant need for Him and Him crucified you cry out to Him again and again. Well I say praise the Lord.
If however it is because you choose not to live as Christ lived. Not following the example set before us being obedient to the Word of God. Then are you just trying to reassure yourself? That the decision you have made at some point is real rather than truly desiring more of Him.

This is the cycle I was in. Honestly unsure of that early in life decision. It was my sophomore year in High School. At that time I was at North Central in Spokane, WA. I had a reputation all my own. One that would clear the dark alleyway ahead as my cousin and I walked to the store one night to get sodas. So other kids would talk about me then turn away as I looked toward them. A rep that got me into a lot of hockey games for free because I would taunt the opposing team and occasionally initiate a fight behind their bench. This week I earned another "notch" on my proverbial belt as I beat the snot out of a kid named Mike. We had one class together, wrestled on the same team and often hung out at lunch. Really though, I didn't know Mike at all. Not his story, where he came from or what his family was like. All I knew is nobody liked him and he pushed me to far that day. Mike wasn't at school for 3 or 4 days after that. I don't remember, as I look back, if it was concern for him, fear of what I may have done or just worry for the sake of my own hide but I started thinking.

Not long after another major event took place. I don't remember what it was that set me off that night. My mom and I had an argument. If that's fair to say. You see I had serious anger management issues. As in I didn't manage it, AT ALL! Rage is the only word that would describe my actions that night as well as many other occasions. I yelled and cursed and who knows what else. At my mom, the one who raised me and loved me from birth. All said and done, that was it. She told me that night that someone would be coming to pick me up in the morning. She had called a boys ranch/home. We had talked about me going several times. It was a good option and a Christian run program. They offered discipline and guidance that I wasn't really getting and/or accepting. It was a last resort sort of option.

What happened next can only be described as a miracle.

Knowing I was going to be leaving that morning I packed the things I would need. When I finally went downstairs there was my mom. I apologized and promised her that I would never treat her that way again. We talked for a short time and she said she would give me one last chance. My mom has been one of my best friends since that day. Sure we have had our disagreements and even arguments but it is different. Since that morning some 16 years ago, the rage is gone the anger removed.

I know, it sounds to simple but it really was. that was it, done, over, gone! To the extent that three years later people didn't believe my old reputation. When I went to bible school a long time friend was there as well. He would tell people about our old hockey game days and how I used to fight all the time. Nobody believed him. Some would literally say, not him, you've got the wrong guy.

He still works miracles. Believe and see for the Lord our God is good

In addition- it was this year that I really learned or began to learn what it means to let God have my life, to live for Him. I began working with the jr.high group and stepping into a leadership role in HS youth group as well.