A Short Testimony

Please allow me tell you what God has done for me.

In 2007 my wife left me and divorced me. She based it on a blizzard of accusations: some true, some half true and some false. All were designed to justify her decisions and gain sympathy and support from those who should have known better. God soon got my attention and made me to understand His plan for marriage and my life. It is the Bible's model of "One and Done."

As best I can in this weak flesh, I have committed to being available to forgive and restore our marriage if God opens that door or else to remain single the rest of my life. Scary? YES! Easy? No!

Satan is working overtime to "kill, steal and destroy" our homes and marriages. Statan is also fixing the game so the entire world is telling us that we can only find happiness through a new relationship after our homes and family are shattered. God's Word tells us that to do so is adultery. I've made lots of mistakes and taken a few wrong turns, but, thankfully, God's faithfulness is without end.

And here is more great news! By NOT seeking solace in the arms of a new woman, I have found the joys of peace in the arms of God in a way that I have never experienced before. Has He been faithful? Words cannot express how faithful, loving and caring God has been!

And, since I've NOT been busy trying to meet the needs of a new woman in a relationship that is in defiance of God, [which always takes extra time, guilt and justification,] I have been able to spend my time serving God and loving my children. Today I appreciate my daughters and teach them in ways that I never did before. I have always loved them and tried to be there for them, but I have never had the opportunity to focus on them and serve them as I do today.

As the pain and anger of my wife's actions has dulled over these years I have gained the perspective to see that most of the relationships I might have entered after the divorce would have resulted in much less happiness and none of the peace which I have today. After being, literally, abandoned my heart cried to be accepted, loved and appreciated by a woman. My heart said this would make me feel better and also, honestly, it would show that my wife was wrong about so many things. Thank you God, that you stopped me from following that path.

The road has been hard at times, but God has walked with me every step of the way. He provided wonderful support through the ministry of Rejoice Marriage Ministries in Pampano, Florida. (They are on the web here.) Sometimes, (sometimes often,) I still find myself desiring a loving mate but when I stop and think about what God has done for me I know that I'm wealthy beyond belief with Him as my lot.

Many think I'm crazy. (There are days when I can see their point.) Ultimately, I have been blessed.

God is faithful! I wanted to let you know.

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

- Matthew 6:31-34

Berean Call... You Go Guys!

_{This was today's Berean Call Newsletter. (Yep, I copied the whole thing!) Hit an important issue right on the head... an issue that I've been dealing with lately. Enjoy!}

RENOWNED ATHEIST OFFERS GOOD THEOLOGY [Excerpts]

[In] Portland, Oregon, noted atheist Christopher Hitchens laid down some seriously good theology. Most people recognize Hitchens as the author of the bestselling book God Is Not Great: Why Religion Poisons Everything....In Portland he was interviewed by Unitarian minister Marilyn Sewell....The following exchange took place near the start of the interview:

Sewell: The religion you cite in your book is generally the fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I'm a liberal Christian, and I don't take the stories from the Scripture literally. I don't believe in the doctrine of atonement (that Jesus died for our sins, for example). Do you make any distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?

Hitchens: I would say that if you don't believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you're really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.

- Dr. Ray Pritchard, "Christopher Hitchens Gets it Exactly Right," KeepBelieving.com (2-1-10)

Sewell wanted no part of that discussion so her next words are, "Let me go someplace else."

This little snippet demonstrates an important point about religious "God-talk." You can call yourself anything you like, but if you don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and then rose from the dead, you are not "in any meaningful sense" a Christian.

In one of the delicious ironies of our time, an outspoken atheist grasps the central tenet of Christianity better than many Christians do. What you believe about Jesus Christ really does make a difference.

_{This is the The Berean Call's "TBC Today" Newsletter, April 24, 2010. For more information, click here.}