26. Living for Jesus Doesn’t Eliminate the Speed Bumps in Life.

I ran into a believer trying to become a father. His wife has had multiple failed pregnancies over the last 9 years. Michael just spent a ton of money on in vitro fertilization.

I shared with Michael that we went through a similar situation minus in vitro fertilization. I found it was all about me not listening to where the Lord wanted to take me. Long after I accepted the Lord, I was still trying to negotiate with Him. I told the Lord thank you for saving me, but “Don’t ask me to be a preacher and don’t ask me to be a missionary.” C.S. Lewis noted, “There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.” The Lord would not let me set the terms of anything related to my salvation experience.

It took a long time for me to get to that point – roughly a decade. I went to Russia to teach in an ex-KGB camp. I taught Russian Professors about how to teach and live the Christian Worldview in business. My wife was sure we would be moving to Russia. No confirmation.

Next, I was headed to Seminary. I was told to apply to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School near Chicago. I applied and worked out a deal to teach Business at the college and the President, Dr. Meyer, worked out a deal where I could go to the Seminary across the street for free. I decided to take one of their Seminary classes at a church in Indianapolis—no confirmation—just the opposite. For the next 20 years, I had great freedom behind a lectern, but not behind the pulpit. I refer to these experiences as Abraham experiences. Will you sacrifice you son Abraham? Never mind—just wanted to see if you were a true man of faith.

I shared that with Michael, and he seemed to appreciate the need to get his life in line with God’s plan. Finally, our oldest son was born. I’ve always told Joshua that he can’t say he wasn’t wanted because I have the receipts to prove it.

Michael is an excellent young man and will be an excellent father.

The story continues—I received my ordination in 2021. Don’t try to tell God what you will and won’t do! This is the happiest time of my life. I love doing evangelism. Loved my time this last June at the Livingwaters.com sharing on Huntington Beach, CA and on the Santa Monica Pier. What fun. I love teaching in churches, in small groups and one-on-one about how to share Christ. And I now have the best boss that I have ever had. His name is Jesus and He has been my boss for many years.

Last but certainly not least, pour on the prayer for my dear bother Michael … that he will sell out to Jesus and that he and his wife will get that precious baby!

Got an update today from Michael. Everything is going well! Baby arrives in the spring.

Psalms 84:11b NLT “For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.”