This I Believe

CORE BELIEFS IN ACTION

I’m not on the earth for me, but to gain friendships. The friendships open the door for me to share God’s plan for living–to serve Him humbly. That can only be done by believing in Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Then I had to confess my sins. He died and rose again to give me life with a purpose, and a future with Him forever. I believed in Him and invited Him into my heart. The good people at first Baptist Church of Wichita, Kansas guided me through careful Bible studies, and God-honoring worship. On March 30, 1947 I was baptized as an outward symbol of my faith in Him.

I never saw my parents get angry and cuss at me, or shove me into the floor. But, when I disobeyed, at times a switch crossed by backside. I was expected to obey authority. At school, when I talked too much, my grades showed the consequence of my mouthiness. Every time I look at the grade card, it all comes back. Obey, obey, obey. God helped me to see that obedience to Him is the way to happiness.

Then I recall the importance of treating everyone fairly. Not my brother of course. Not till I was in high school did I realize how unfair I had been with him. I had deep guilt. God finally grabbed my heart, and still keeps me attuned to His fairness. No matter the race, beliefs, culture, actions, I seek to look fairly upon everyone.

Now it’s quite different when I’m faced with evil words and actions. God is just, and that’s the way I approach rebels. Even so, God still loves them and so do I. Each evil is an opportunity to open hearts to God’s loving way to relate.

When Jesus came to earth and became poor by this world’s standards, He chose to give up all His great powers and knowledge. Why? So that those who observed Him would see what has to be done to help others. Be humble. Put others first. See their needs and meet them. That’s the way I see myself, finding needs and meeting them as God directs.

Some of the ways He has led me in meeting needs includes tutoring grade school kids, a high school boy, a college student, and now by helping international students with their conversational English.

Teaching various Sunday School classes through the years has been a joy. Singing in the church choir keeps my focus on praising God. Serving on overseas missions has opened my eyes to the world’s needs, and that God has all the answers.

God has led me to put into writing His teachings so others can benefit. Since 1965 He’s led me to write Sunday School Lessons, Christian education articles, poems, devotionals, a short story, skits, songs, and six books. If I was centered in this life, none of the writing would have happened. Each piece of writing was for both time and eternity.