When I was born into the world in May 24, 1974, the world was
experiencing significant turmoil. Duke
Ellington who invented ‘Big Band’ had passed away marking the end of a cultural era. A new political era that began
in the 60’s had grown into the 70’s resulting in societal uncertainty. President
Richard Nixon was experiencing the Watergate scandal who in a few months would
resign from office leaving another man in charge of the Presidency. India just a few days before this
successfully tested its nuclear bomb becoming only the sixth nation in the
world to have done so. I was born into a
time of political, cultural and societal changes that were sweeping the world.
My father who had joined the cultural changes that were
sweeping America
began to re-think his life. At the age
of thirty, my father gave his life to Jesus Christ after watching a Billy
Graham crusade on television. He was convicted
of his sin and gave His life to Jesus Christ.
The night life world for him came to an end when he put his bass guitar
in the closet to focus on serving the Lord.
The love of God was calling my father to be a Kingdom Man
who loved and cared for his family by creating a stable world that we could all
enjoy and live in. Every night before
bed, my Dad would do the Dad thing and read me a Bible story. Prior to going to sleep, we would pray
together on the side of my bed before I was tucked away for the night.
At the age of six, my Dad was explaining the gospel to me in
the basement of our home. He said, “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
While I was young, I really understood
that my sin was responsible for Christ’s death on the cross. The picture I remember is the sacrifice of
Jesus who loved me and gave His own life to save mine.
“Denny, would you like to pray with me right now and ask Jesus to come into your heart?”
At that moment in 1980 all the problems of the world were of
no importance to me. My world consisted
of a very small house, a church, school and a few stores. The only thing I could see was my Savior who
loved me and gave Himself for me.
“Dad, I want to ask Jesus to come into my heart.”
My father and I prayed next to each other on the couch in
our little basement. I can still see
that old red carpet, the outdated brown paneling and a little cast iron stove. The world was very small to me then; however,
my understanding of the world was going to grow.
