Why do the author of this blog and I, as a supporting contributor, desire to expend energy on thought and mapping out life’s journey from the truth of Scripture?
For me personally, as a follower of Jesus Christ, my journey started at the age of five. By God’s grace and providence alone, I was raised in church, taught the Scriptures, and through the power of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) I surrendered my life to the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9-10).
April 21st, 1968 is when my journey began and through these decades of walking with Jesus I’ve had stretches with good mentors and stretches without any. I’ve learned that this journey can be a lonely one at times and the only one we can truly count on to find direction to stay on the right path is The Faithful Guide Jesus Christ.
When I consider the times that I have stepped out of the foot prints of Jesus and veered off the narrow way (Matt. 7:13-14; John 14:6) oh how it would have been to have had a mentor to help me get back on the right path and stay on the right path by walking with me (Rom. 15:1-6).
Around the age of ten God had put a burning desire to serve Him in ministry, but as the years passed I didn’t experience any real support to guide me in that direction. During my late teens and early 20’s I really struggled and sought direction towards ministry, but did not have anyone to come alongside me. At 35 I was married with two children and God fanned that flame of desire for ministry that I could not ignore. So, I enrolled and completed Bible college. Everything was a smooth road ahead right, well not exactly.
After Bible college I started seminary, then the road got rough. At the end of my first semester my wife of 18 years decided to leave the faith and leave me. Ok, now I really needed someone who had walked through this. I didn’t find anyone, but I relied on The Faithful Guide Jesus Christ. It was a hard stretch and many shunned me like I had a contagious terminal disease. But, God in His Word gave me direction, hope and I was excited to see what God was going to do in my life and ministry.
At 42 I met and married a beautiful woman who was young in the faith. Her husband had abandoned her and she had two children. I was able to mentor her in the faith, as well as my daughter and son in Christ, and our son we have together. We have walked this stretch together and God has taught us much and gave us wisdom that we desire to share with others.
So, my desire for ministry did not turn into the typical vocational ministry route. Like I said previously, many look at me like I have a contagious terminal disease after going through an unwanted divorce. I’ve spent the last 20 years in law enforcement sharing God’s truth with those incarcerated when the door of opportunity opened. So, has this ministry path taken me? Well, I serve my local church as a deacon and teach young men God’s Word. My wife of 20 years, who I have mentored, teaches women’s Bible study with around 20 members. My son in Christ, who is the author of this blog, who I’ve had the great pleasure and honor to mentor, is a flourishing pastor in his local church, and our son together is getting ready to enter Bible college seeking vocational ministry.
What a journey this has been so far with valleys and summits
Now, if I and the author of this blog can give you direction, encouragement, and guidance on your journey, and walk with you as we follow The Faithful Guide Jesus Christ, know this is our journey too, it’s our purpose, and it’s all for His glory.
As I look at the cross of Christ, it is our compass for direction and that direction is true north, upward straight and narrow as the vertical beam of the cross. The horizontal beam of the cross points east and west the way of sin marked by the nails that are waypoints ending in eternal punishment.
Our hope and purpose of this blog is to walk with you on your journey and to help you stay on course of your purpose of true north for HIS glory. If you have come to a crossroad in your journey walking east or west, the right path, the right direction is true north, it is Jesus Christ. Surrender to Him as your Lord and Savior and start your journey now.
The Faithful Guide 