Importance of Family

I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in a normal family except that my father traveled a lot. We took vacations, enjoyed Christmas, and had music playing around the home.I played music in the band, and actually made all shore band, district band and all state band playing the trumpet. I finally made 1st chair trumpet, and was driven by the need to succeed.Joshua 24:15 says" Then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the true God, or the false gods. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Sadly for me, I chose the way of the world. I chose the wrong friends, and started getting involved in heavy drug use. I worked at a local Arby's and found a lot of good friends. I made frequent trips to Ocean City Md, where I bought and sold drugs.During this time I had been working at my parents home to make some extra money. I was raking leaves and started a fire only to pour gasoline on the fire. The fire quickly flared up and caught me on fire. A buddy quickly threw me to the ground and rolled me over to put the flames out. I went to the emergency room where they told my mom that I had 2-3rd degree burns. My school friends started to call me crispy critter, and I pulled away from everyone.My mom prayed for me, and I received a miracle. As of today, I only have a small scar on my left hand. The doctors verified that it was beyond medical science.I graduated from High School, and went to Salisbury University. On Oct 5th, 1973 my big day happened. I was still on drugs, and was doing a free concert with my friend Robin Pratt. The music was jamming, and he walked away and said he was leaving. I announced to the crowd of around 50 people that the concert was over. I went over to Robins car, and asked " Whats wrong" He said everything. His parents are breaking up, his girl friend left him, and he had to leave College because of bad grades. I tried everything to console him, but nothing worked. He wanted to take his life, as he was so depressed. Then I remembered my mom's prayers. I shared them with Robin, and quite miraculous both of us had a eye opening Christ saving experience.Robin and I turned our lives around for Jesus. Jesus does make a big difference. Robin left college , and I left after the first semester. I had a good year until I went to visit some of my old friends. This was August of 1974. I started smoking marijuana again, and felt myself falling away from the church that I was attending. I started going to Ocean City Maryland again, and quickly found some heavy drugs. John 10:10 say that the thief comes to steal and destroy.I went back to my friends home in Salisbury, Md. and asked for some LSD. I took the LSD, ate some pills, and drank some liquor . I can't explain what happened, but all of a sudden, I started to blank out.My friends came over me, and verified that my heart had stopped beating for 3 minutes. Quickly they left the room, as they did not wish to be blamed for a death. Then it happened. I saw a vision of Jesus riding on a white horse, and He said to me: Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I cried yes Jesus, with all of my heart. Just as I cried, I came back to my self over that toilet, and promised to Him that I would serve Him all the days of my live.My ministry began to take off, as I sought to tell my story all over the world. I was married in 1976, and found a beautiful family of Mennonites in Pennsylvania.I needed a strong family as I had just come from a world of addictions and pain. Today my life is all about family. Family is coming together to share, live out values, and live out community to help those all around you.I truly have a wonderful family, starting with my own. I am married with 3 boys, and 2 grandchildren. Life around our home is great. We are blessed.