This-way-truth-life.blog

Hello again! Happy Friday! I hope you all have a great weekend ahead. Not sure what we’re doing, all I know is Sunday morning is church, and my afternoon won’t be ruined by the losing Dolphins. They took care of that already.😔

As I’m sitting here at my youngest daughter’s house watching my 3 year old, Autistic grandson, I figured I’d pickup the tablet and write some.(since he is listening to the song brown bear for the 100th time 🤗) I first want to say thank you for their many views, the several amazing comments and the 1 like, yay! lol But really, thanks for the encouragement and the testimonies. I’m so glad that you’re following Jesus into new and better days ahead.

I mentioned my grandsons autism because I know there is probably quite a few people out there who can relate. He’s been awesome these past several months, as I volunteered to watch and teach him for my daughter. The only thing that is a bit frustrating is that he likes to throw everything on the floor, including food he doesn’t eat. I bought a broom and long handled dust pan so I can clean up after him. Clean up is not his favorite words , ha. Unfortunately for me, they’re moving to Colorado after next week. My daughter is going to work in the field of helping autistic children and my grandson will be able to attend a school just for him. I’m sad but very happy for them. You always want your kids to succeed better than you did. It’s a definite answer to prayer.

I’ve wondered for about 7 years now if I myself may be autistic. I met a young boy back then who was autistic and had a lot of interaction with him. I had never had this experience before. I began to notice things about his personality that reminded me of me. I began to study autism. You know everything you want to know in this world is stored in your lil phone. With the birth of my grandson and his testing which confirmed my daughter’s suspicions, I wondered if the autism came through me. God had just brought me through a dark time earlier this year, of bad depression and suicidal thoughts (from gabapentin for nerve pain), that I had to speak to a psychiatrist. After speaking with her over several weeks and her switching up my medication, I came back stronger and realized I needed to have myself tested as well. After many hours and a ton of questions, I qualified with a score of 5 out of 7. It was a relief to finally get to know myself, and put a lot of questions to rest. When I continue on with my past, you’ll see how autism affected my relationships and why I was bullied in school.

So even though I have been walking with Jesus for so long, He is still working in me everyday. Even though the chronic nerve disease (CRPS) is getting worse, I trust him for healing now or on the other side of heaven. Though I just spent 5 days in the hospital last month as they removed 16 blood clots from my lungs, I know He’s got me. And to top it off satan threw in cancer to top it off. As 1John 4:4 says “ You are of God, little children (those who proclaim Jesus as Lord of all), and have overcome them(satan and his angels), because He who is in you is greater than he(satan) who is in the world.” I stand on this promise, and trust that He has greater things in store for me, greater ways to serve Him for His Glory.

Which reminds me that with all that is going on in the world, especially this nation, we do not fight against people. As followers of Jesus, we are to fight against satan and all the unseen evil, not against flesh and blood (my paraphrase of Ephesians 6:12). We are to love our human enemies(not without the power of the Holy Spirit living in us), bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…(Matthew 5:44) This is the truth, the life we are to live, and the way that Jesus would have us follow Him in. Even though I believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ and as much as I physically would love to go home some days, I continue to pray for this nation. I pray for a humbling to take place and that unity would prevail over this hatred.

Well I guess you’ve got a glimpse of what makes me passionate. I’ve stood in the face of rejection many times and it stinks, but it’s not an excuse for me to hate someone. I’ve been betrayed, beaten and mocked, but I’ve forgiven them and prayed for them to come to the Lord. We who claim salvation and hope with great excitement the day we get to go to heaven, have a lot to do before we go. Jesus’s command is still the same. Go and tell others about Him, make disciples, and baptism them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. That’s our purpose, our calling in life. Because how are people going to know if we don’t tell them. He has gifted us all to proclaim the gospel in our own way. Some speak, some go into ministry, some sing, and some write. The list goes on and on. Find your niche, if you haven’t already, and get busy!

My niche is writing, and acting, as in drama productions. Back in the 90’s and early 2000’s I had the unbelievable opportunity to portray Jesus in several passion plays. Our church at the time was known for its drama department. They put on Easter and Christmas productions before we got there and some time after we left. (new ministry opportunity) I do not like being on stage but I started out with a non-speaking part as the disciple Phillip. I was bit by the drama bug as they say. The next year I portrayed the disciple John and actually had some speaking parts. I found that it was easier to play someone else on stage. In ‘92 the fellow who had been portraying Jesus moved and the drama minister let me try out for the part. As you know I got the part, and my life was about to change….

I’ll come back to that in a later blog. I had left you last time with me being 20, married, and the father of a one year old daughter. I had quit school and got a full time job working in a delicatessen in a popular store. Four years later found me as a deli manager in one of the biggest stores. My manager who I had worked for became my assistant and we ran the number one counter in the county. Union money and a lot of working overtime. This is 3 years before Jesus and I became one. I was drinking everyday and starting early in the morning. I denied having a problem and even had the audacity to drink at work and let my help drink with me. Needless to say things at home were not at all good, and my wife gave birth to our first son. It was 1984.

I’ll continue next time. It took me awhile after salvation to see how God was working behind the scenes to bring me to my knees. Unfortunately I had and still have an extremely strong will. Part of being autistic. So never give up on loved ones or friends who are struggling. Keep praying and know God is working behind the scenes to answer your prayers! Have a great night, be safe. God bless ❤️

Don’t forget to comment and hit like if you like. 😁 Talk to you soon…