My Dad's story became mine

Tonight, I listened to my dad share his testimony at church and I will never forget it.

"What happened for me is that when I came to faith in Jesus, the gospel was clear. It was clear to me, that the only way I would know God is through Jesus. And that His cross and His resurrection came to me by faith alone, that I could not earn it. That was so abundantly clear- you're going to hear, for the rest of my life, the clarity of the gospel on my life, has revisited again and again and again. As a pastor who has pastored as long as I have, studied the bible as long as I have, there is no more profound truth than the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every time my life is broken, every time I'm screwed up in my thinking, it is the gospel that brings me clarity.

My dad grew up in west Texas with a family who never went to church or talked about God. In the second grade, my Dad remembers asking his friends who went to church "What's it like?! What did you learn? I wish WE [my family] went to church!" He was drawn to the Lord and he thanks God for that grace. At 10 years old, he met Jesus at a rally. Even as a kid, he took his faith very seriously.

In listening to him, God revealed his grace to me. I was able to identify with my Dad in realizing the many similarities in our stories. I also realized that God's grace, which has changed my Dad's life, is for the Christ-followers as much as it is for those who aren't. My dad, even after becoming a believer at 10 years old, never grew tired of hearing/preaching the gospel. In view of his own brokenness, my dad has continued to let the gospel take root in his heart so that everyday he is becoming who he was created to be.

As I listened to my father tell of God's grace over his life, I was reminded of the grace God has shown me.

This past year, God has saved me from myself. Even in my brokenness, brokenness that stemmed from a self focus, I thank God that I have lived in my parents' home this year. I have heard the gospel in my home through my Father and my Mother and I am different because of it. Now they told me the story of Jesus' death, resurrection, and power to save when I was six years old... and the gospel of Jesus Christ is still the best thing I EVER heard!

Listen to my Dad's story here: http://66.241.210.241/uploads/podcast/20090401_TG_TheJourney_4-4.mp3