Romans 5:8..."But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
My Story
Born the youngest of 5 in 1966 in the rural community of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky I lived what many would say "a simple life." Dad and Mom worked everyday, my Mammaw took care of me and everyone knew everyone. Unlike today, we had fans in the widows, with one telephone and we never locked our front doors. And the amazing thing is that we never knew we were poor, we just thought that everyone ate soup beans, cornbread and taters alot because we liked them ! All in all I wouldn't trade my upbringing for anything, because I know now that even though times may have been tough, I've gone through everything I have to get right where I'm at today.
Life took and sudden turn by the time I turned eight years old in that my parents divorced, which was devastating to me in that I never heard them argue or anything that would lead me to believe there were ever any problems in their marriage and our home. So we sold the house, moved across town and it was then that I began having problems with my left leg, even to the point of not being able to walk at times. Mom was directed to a life long friend whose father was a Shriner and he got me into the Shiner's hospital where it was determined the ball in the socket of my left hip was decaying and I would need to wear braces on my legs. These braces were steel with a steel bar between my legs, keeping them 32 inces apart.I remember after being home schooled for about month my mother decided to let me go to school and that first day how everyone followed me around like I had just been let out of a spaceship or something. But I'm sure they didn't understand what was wrong with me, although I never saw myself as being handicapped. Needless to say I kept my braces tore up a lot because I refused to be limited or tied down.
After having my braces on for 18 months I was completely healed and restored back to being your normal 10 year old. On top of that I looked up one day and my Dad and Mom had gotten remarried, almost fairy tale like isn't? I wish it was because it was short lived in that my father had been diagnosed with ALS a.k.a. "Lou Gerhig's Disease." He suffered quitely as his muscles detereriated, and by the summer of 1979, one month before my 13th birthday he went home to be with the Lord. I kind of always felt as if I lost my father twice, even though I wouldn't have had him back the way he. I know heaven is a better place with him there.
We weren't a church going family, in fact the only times I went to church was if the neighbors took me, or my uncle's family. I don't recall ever going to church with my mother and father although my father received Christ before he died. Yet, by 1980 I was a teenager needing direction, needing to fill that void that is present in everyones life without Christ. So I went to see David Wilkerson (The Cross And The Switchblade) along with Dallas Holm and Praise (Rise Again) at the Montgomery County High School. It was like every song and every word was being spoken to me and at the end of the service I gave my heart to the Lord, receiving Christ as my savior.
At that time in my life I felt the call of God on my life to preach the gospel and to pastor His church. The Word of God became alive to me and I could quote it, preach it, like a house of fire. But I didn't want to be a preacher because being from a musically inclined family I had picked up the guitar, therefore I wanted to be a rock-n-roll star! So not being rooted and grounded in church, I walked away from God to follow my plans and my dreams.
By the age of 15 I was playing night clubs, and beginning to live the life of sex, drugs and rock-n-roll. I grew up fast, living in the fast lane and running from the call of God on my life. I married at 18, became a dad at 19 and divorced at 20. I didn't know how to be a husband or father, and I lost that which was precious to a rebelious lifestyle. Remarried at 23, became a dad again at 24 and turned 25 in rehab.
I spent 31 days in a 21 day rehab only to get out and relaspe time and again. Trying to return to God for a quick fix of the mess my addictions made of my life only to go back out and do it all again. Still pursuing my dreams of becoming a star, God did open some doors for me and I did have some measure of success in 1996 and 1997. Going to Nashville, recording and having talks with labels about recording deals. I actually thought I was going to make it, and so I partied all the more. Causing another marriage to fail, leaving another child to be raise without a father in his life.
At the age of 32 I was back home living with my mother, everything I owned I could fit into my car. Sounds like a superstar if there ever was one doesn't it? I wanted to move to Nashville and write songs, just get away from all of my past and start again. But on March 1st 1998 my life changed forever, when I was pulled over for a DUI and placed in jail. I'll never forget that night because I had my 7 year old son for visitation and he was at my mother's waiting for me to come home that night. But I was locked up in jail and he was left to wonder where I was. I was let out around 10:30 a.m. that morning and when I got home I'll never forget the look on his little face or the words that he said when he asked, "daddy where have you been." For the first time I saw how my life was affecting everyone around me, how my addictions had now begun to hurt the ones I love the most.
Once by myself I had to examine where I was in my life, and I didn't like the man I saw in the mirror. I remember I didn't even weigh 120 lbs. soaking wet, my eyes had dark circles and pretty much I felt as if I was dying. So what did I do? I called on the Lord once again, but unlike times past there was a sincerety in my cry that I hadn't heard since I was a little boy. I said, "Lord, I can't do this anymore...I need you to take this from me."
It was at that moment that I found the same Jesus I had met when I was a teenage boy and instantaneously delivered me from all my addictions. He didn't condemn, but rather wrapped His arms around me and for the first time in a long time I knew what real love was. So I surrendered, placed my life in His hands and little by little He began to reconcile and repair the brokeness in my life. The first thing that happened was my first wife, Sandy, my first love, walked back into my life and we remarried after 13 years of being divorce. Next, God opened the doors for ministry where I accepted the call to pastor. After a brief interim pastorate my wife and I planted Mt. Sterling Covenant Church in 2003 where we completed that season of work in 2008.
Today I serve as an associate pastor and music minister at the Lighthouse Church of God in Winchester, Ky and do volunteer work at the Shepherd's Shelter / Ross Rehab here in Mt. Sterling. We are patiently waiting on our next assignment from the Lord, willing to be the vessel for Him to use to change the lives of others. I know today beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is still in the saving, healing and restoring business, for I am living proof as the life I live today I live "By The Grace Of God."
