Today, March 20th, 2009, is my 49th Birthday! Not my original birth birthday, but my spiritual birthday. On March 20th of 1960, which was a Sunday, I attended Crossroads Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana at the invite of my sister and her husband. I decided to go that day, to break a record of attending church more than once a year, usually on Easter Sunday. That day became one that would totally change my life and its direction.

My sister, Sharry, and Joe, her husband, had recently received the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior and had been witnessing to me. We were not raised in a home that went to church regularly, but only taken occasionally. I really had no idea about being a sinner nor about John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I knew that at 16, I did things that were not right and that there was something lacking in my life.

So, there I was, listening to the sermon by Rev. Charlie Kittrell. As he gave his message I realized that I was a sinner, (“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10), there was a penalty for sin and also a gift of salvation (For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23), and that I needed to ask forgiveness for my sins and accept the Lord as my Savior. (“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” Romans 10:9-10). When the invitation was given, I went forward and a lady showed me how to accept the Lord, and I did.

Since that day, my life has changed quite considerably and I have a peace in my heart that only the Lord can give. Many mistakes and blunders (sins) have taken place since then because I am not perfect, but only a sinner saved by grace. I have had to ask forgiveness, not to be saved again, but to renew my fellowship with the Lord. He gave a promise in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

My walk with the Lord has improved with maturity (Yes, 49+16=65) and “He gets sweeter as the days go by.” I have had the privilege of attending Bob Jones Univ. (16 yrs. to graduate) and Indiana Bible College, even though I came out of high school with a D+ average. I now have a 4.0 Master’s degree in computer education from Barry Univ. That, is only the Lord’s doing!  He loves to take normal ordinary people and use them. He is more interested in using an willing and obedient heart, than sacrifices that are for show.

The Lord has given me my super husband, Dan, and we have been married for almost 46 years. Have we ever argued or nipped at one another, sure. I John 1:9 works there also. Do we love each other, you bet! When two are blended to one, it doesn’t happen immediately. Our marriage is one of the greatest blessings in my life. Dan is not only my husband, but also my best friend.

As for what I used to do before retirement? I spent 13 yrs. with the phone company, but when I left there I started teaching 3rd and 4th graders at a Christian School. Now that was enjoyable and a blessing. While doing that I started my computer training at night. Eventually, I became a teacher of adults, teaching computer applications.

All during that time, we were active in our churches (IN, SC, FL) serving where needed. Now that we are “retired”, we have more time to do things for the Lord. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like these last 49 years with out having received the Lord as my personal Savior.

I could continue on and on of the blessings the Lord has bestowed on us, but my heart’s desire is that you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior also. We talk about birds here and are trying to show forth God’s glory and wisdom in their creation. If you fail to see Christ’s love for them and mainly His love for you, then we have failed. If you would like to find out more about salvation through Christ, then contact us or my church, Faith Baptist Chruch.