About ten years ago, I began a journey that would take me from where I thought I was going to where God would send me. I have to admit that not all of the journey seemed to make sense, nor were some of the events along the way all that enjoyable. When I look back and reflect, it would appear that everything (whether it seemed good or bad) was God’s way of preparing me for what is to come. During the process, I made some great friends that God used to influence my life. And, I lost a few that God used to influence my life.
Now I am at the point where the journey is not ending, but starting a new path. I am looking forward to what God has instore for me. So, my wife and I will be leaving what we know to be familiar and comfortable for something completely different. However, we know that what the Lord has planned for us far outweighs, outshines, and outstands any of our wildest thoughts. The Lord always takes care of those that put their trust in Him.
When Israel was held captive in Babylon, the prophet Jeremiah wrote these words from the Lord, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you and expected end” (Jer. 29:11). Likewise, the apostle Paul wrote something very similar in the New Testament to those who had put their faith in Christ. He said, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). The point is, when we put our faith in Him, there is no good thing that we lose. James put it this way, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
So, I am very happy to announce that I have been called to pastor Lake Point Baptist Church in Port Clinton, Ohio. It is a long way from what we have called home for many years, but it will be the new place we will call home for as long as the Lord allows. We pray that He use us for His grand purpose and that we honor Him with our words, actions, and lives. All Glory be to God!
