A Tribute to My Bride: Sweet Sixteen!

On June 24, 1995 God gave me someone far more precious than gold, silver, or jewels. God gave me someone whom I do not deserve. He gave me an excellent wife. He gave me Christy Dawn Brashear.

For sixteen years, I have put trust in a wife and mother who is faithful to her God and family.

For sixteen years, she has creatively made our house into a home. It didn't matter if we were living in a parsonage next to the church, or even a church gym; she has always made our house a home.

For sixteen years, she has not been afraid to adventure out and find different ways to provide for our family. She definitely has an entrepreneur spirit and can do just about anything she decides to do.

For sixteen years, she has been an example of Christ-like love to the girls and me. She has been patient with me as God continues to perfect me into the image of Jesus. She obediently has followed my leadership even though much of her struggles in life have been a direct result of my struggles with insecurities and fears.

For sixteen years, she has faithfully served alongside of me in the ministry and has proven to be the best pastor's wife to ever grace this fallen world. She has helped me keep the focus of God's call upon us as a couple and the family; always pointing us to our family verse, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

For sixteen years, she has proven to be a great wife and mother, and is extremely worthy to be blessed and praised.

For sixteen years, she has shown consistency in living out this verse, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" (Proverbs 31:30).

I praise my excellent wife for being a woman who loves God and people, and who wants to serve the Lord no matter what the cost.

I love you Christy Dawn. I look forward to spending the rest of my living years by your side. You will always be my best friend.

Happy Anniversary!

Gifts From God

Sometimes in the midst of intense struggles God will send you gifts to let you know that he hears you, and he is with you. Last week, God gave me two gifts all in one day. I was prayer walking early one morning and found myself wresting with regrets about past decisions. I was struggling with those decisions and wondering if I could move forward in my walk with God. While I am crying out to God in prayer, a song comes on my headphones that basically gave the answer I needed. The song was "The Blood" by Shane and Shane. It speaks about how the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all our sins. The moment the song started playing, I knew it was from God. It was his way of saying, "I love you, and I forgive you. Move forward." I started weeping with joy knowing that God was working in me and conforming me into the image of his Son.

Another struggle I was having in my prayer time was my preaching. I must admit that the last few months I have been under attack in the area of preaching. Some of the attacks have been external, and others internal. Within an hour of my prayer struggle with God, I received an email that I knew was a gift from God, one that encouraged me to persevere in my preaching.

I have decided to start praying for God to send little gifts to others just to let them know that he hears them and is with them.