The summer of 03 was riddled with problems from health to work and finances, marriage and family, to the point of depression and really wanting to give up. I consider my self a spiritual person. Not in the eastern, zen, cosmic way, but in a God Good news and bible way. The Good News is that when we trust God’s grace to save us through what Jesus did, our sins are forgiven, we get a purpose for living, and we are promised a future home in heaven. Well I seemed to have lost site of my purpose. And without a purpose I really had no reason to go on. It was a mix of a lot of things, but God was right there with me the whole time. It’s funny, the times when we feel God is nowhere around is when He is closest to us waiting for us to call on Him for help. I had lost a well paying job. And there was no work around in the industry I was working in. I found a job in another industry for less the half the salary I was making. My wife is a stay home mom, so to say the least things where very uncomfortable. I absolutely hated the this new industry I was now working in. My depression was turning to bitter anger and I had totally lost my joy.

In the summer of 02 my wife and I had switched churches. It was not an easy thing to do because we had been going to that church for many years. But over the years our family and spiritual needs changed and we sensed God leading us to another church. This was the start of break through in my life and in our marriage. I started counseling with my pastor to gain back some clarity and focus for my life. The whole time God was teaching me about my character. You never know what you are made of until the pressure is on. God will allow us to go through some hard times to help us learn more about ourselves. Even to the extent of my disability. The Idea that God could take such a tragedy like a spinal cord injury and turn it around into something that can bless people all over the world is awesome. Actually it’s a miracle. And so is the recent change in my attitude. My attitude toward life, my purpose, my family and even the industry I am working in. Oh, God is real. And His mercy is new every morning.

I picked up a book in late summer 03 called “The Purpose Driven Life”. This book changed my life in less the forty days. Talk about getting the right thing at the right time. Get this book! It is no coincidence that it is on the best seller list. I highly recommend it. Also “The Dream Giver” I can not believe how clearly God has been speaking to me through these authors. I am a person who prays all the time. Not the typical religious prayers that are repetitive and seem to bounce off the ceiling, but simply talking to God as if I was having a conversation with my own Dad or best friend. I pray that I would be more productive on the job that I hated, that I would be a better husband and father. And that I would learn from and get the most out of the hard times. Be careful what you pray because God is listening and will answer, typically not when you want Him to, but when it is best for you. I started to like my job a little more. Then an opportunity came up to get involved with automating some of the production steps. This is right up my alley and what I love to do. At the same time I get a call from my old industry looking to bring me back for double what I am getting paid now. A few weeks ago I would have been gone, but now there is something inside me wanting to stay. I told my boss of the offer I had on the table. The next day my boss gave me a counter offer. God has a way of making a real bad situation turn around in your favor and give you the option to choose between good and better or better and best. And what ever you choose God will Bless it. I do have a purpose driven life and you reading this is a part of that purpose. Learning God’s will for my life and allowing Him to use me for His purpose is my purpose. Giving myself to God as an offering is my purpose. Even my broken disabled body is an acceptable offering to God.

For many years I lived with out giving much though about who God is and what he created me for. The sad thing is back then I never really took the time to under stand why He left heaven came to earth and died for me. I figured if I was a good enough person I would make it into heaven. The truth is there is no good enough. It is a pass or fail deal. If we try to live by the law we will be judged by the law. We are born into this world and if we choose to live our life with out seeking Gods purpose and His provision for our salvation, His way, we fail. Whoever if we accept that we are helpless and lost with out God and choose His plan, His Good news His grace then we have an eternal home with God. It all comes down to a very clear distinctive choice we all must make this side of heaven. Please consider what you are trusting in for your eternal security. This life it too short and then you have to live with your choice for ever. I just love the thought that in a million years we can talk about the day you read this in a place far more glorious and pure then this old tattered earth. Please ask God for His guidance and salvation today, even now. Just pray a simple prayer like this.

God, forgive me of my sin, I accept your Son Jesus as your provision for my salvation. Jesus, thank you for dieing in my place, come into my life and heart and save me. Fulfill your purpose in my life.

This might offend some of you and I am truly sorry about that. The truth is this life is short and in the time I am here I want to do all I can to be a blessing to you. Offering information and equipment to help you pursue the sport you love is wonderful. But if I do not offer Gods good news of salvation through Jesus then I have failed miserably. It is easy to be bitter and even blame God for having a disability, but if you open your heart to God he will take the very thing we struggle with and turn it into something good that will bless others. God made you for a special purpose. Give God the opportunity to show you what that purpose is and you will experience true peace and fulfillment in your life here and now, and forever. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.