Steady & Faithful
When I think back at the people the Lord put in my path to teach me and shape my life, I’m humbled and grateful for sure. I grew up on a small church called Roley Christian Church in Casey Creek, Kentucky. It was a small church with occasional drama. Everybody knew everyone and their “business” too. One of my first memories of Sunday School came from Mrs. Gertrude Tedder. She taught me about Jesus. She had cool treats too. I remember Maxine Webb and her lesson about the cups. She taught about the importance of being clean inside and out. I remember Jenella Davidson as well. She was sweet and kind in her teaching, but she didn’t put up with any silliness. I remember some of our church leaders. Ed Walker was an Elder in the church for as long as I remember. He was the postmaster at the Casey Creek Post Office as well. He was steady and faithful in following the Lord. My Dad served alongside him as an elder for many years. I remember some of the preachers in my path who taught from the stage, but more importantly taught me with their life and example. Morris Lewark helped me write my first sermon and had me speak. I thought it was going to be a long one, but it lasted for about 7 minutes! I remember Raymond Martin, who was very well known in our county, the preacher at the city church in Columbia. Some of these people have gone on to their great reward, while many of them are still steady and faithful following the Lord today. My grandmother was a HUGE influence on me as well with her mostly calm demeanor and faithfulness to the Lord in His Word. They all came to mind as I read this passage in Hebrews. Check this out….
7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.(Hebrews 13:7-9 NLT)
I was influenced in College and my early day in student ministry by some giants of the faith as well. I’m thankful for David Eubanks, David Enyart, Don Sewell, Ken Jones, Harold Ray, Bob Shell, Jim Donavan, Fred Skinner. These men poured into my life in unique ways along the journey. Some of them had years of influence in my life, while other’s time was brief. I’m thankful for their example of faith. I’m thankful for all the lives I’ve been able to touch, both in as a student pastor, a youth ministry instructor, worship leader, REALTOR, elder and friend. I am the culmination of many people in my journey investing in me and living out their faith in front of me.
It is my prayer that my family and anyone I might have influence on, will pursue the heart of God revealed in His Word. I pray that they hunger for His Presence in their lives. I also pray that they don’t have to experience tragedy, suffering or struggle before welcoming His Presence. He is the Change Maker, the Difference Maker in my life. I want to be an example of His Grace because I’m a HUGE recipient of His Grace.
Pressing On!
Dwayne