Forgive me for a short blog. It is a great topic, how "God took a bad situation and turned it around." There are so many things that have been messed up in my life. I was an alcoholic and drug addict before I was 22. I have been divorced and remarried. I have done more bad stuff then most and lived with lots of shame because of it.
All through my life the teachers and the parents said I would never amount to much. I got fired from jobs, and finally ran off to college to escape. I found Jesus in there somewhere. I rose to the level of failure in ministry, and gave up all together. I received a second chance and did missions to Brazil and Norway. God wasn't quite done with me yet.
I met Mary Anne, and slowly I gave up ministry aspirations all together. Three and half years I was in the desert hoping to make a friend at church, worship God in power and lead a life with significance. Instead I was empty at church. I longed to be home with my family, and if they didn't go with me, I stayed home.
One day I woke up and the Lord asked me to go to a new church - one in which I had met the pastor before. He and I had been at a few conferences together over the years. That was last year. Now I am teaching a class and receiving phone calls; in fact I have to schedule them.
God has taken me out of the desert, and is now restoring the joy of my salvation.
Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one
who trusts in the LORD,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]
5 Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
