I Must be Old

Well, this is my first attempt at the world of blogging. It took me FOREVER to figure out how to post this and a picture...sheesh! I am OLD! Anyhow, I thought it would be a great way to keep in touch with family and friends. I've had a hectic week this week even though Jim is not traveling...I'm not sure how that happens...but it does. I've been thinking about our old neighbor from Columbus a lot lately...his name is Dennis George. He was a Pastor at Northwest Bible Church....and, I believe, an integral part in the lives of Jim and I. What a phenomenal man he is....such a genuine man with a lovely wife and family. When I decided to see what he was up to and log onto Northwest's website, I found that his picture was no longer under the "staff" tab. So, after a little digging online, we found Dennis...still in Columbus but no longer a Pastor at Northwest Bible. Maybe God was tugging on me to pray for Dennis....and his new endeavor....which I will do. Or, maybe God is reminding me of that important time in my life when I lived next door to Dennis...where I became a Christian. Funny thing is, I always thought I was a Christian.....sure, I believed in God, I believed Jesus was his Son...I sure hoped I'd go to Heaven....I tried to be "good"....wow, was I confused! It was never about me...never about trying to be "good" so I could "get in" to Heaven. Regardless, in October 2002 at Northwest Bible Church, I stood in the very last pew and prayed the prayer that would change my life. I asked Jesus into my heart....truly, honestly and sincerely. I vowed to live in a way that would be pleasing to Him. The beauty of it all is that even though I WILL sin....its just human nature....God will always forgive me.....no questions asked. This is mind-boggling for a human...and even moreso for a human who had a "religious" upbringing where I was taught that "good works" were a necessity to enter Heaven. I've learned that good works are a natural result of living my life in God's will. Looking back, I can see God's plan in perfect clarity.....the reason for the move to Lindridge Drive (next door to Dennis), the reason for the miscarriage, the reason for the heart problems....all of it makes perfect sense to me now. God was calling me and using every circumstance (good and bad) for his perfect plan. It was nothing I did...it was ALL Him!