A Changed Life

 

I’ve been actively involved in ministry to men since 1995.  It is my passion, subordinate to my personal walk with Christ and my marriage. 

 

It hasn’t always been so.  There was a time when my priority in life was to make money, without regard to the impact on my family and without any thought of honoring the Christ who saved me as a child.

 

But Jesus is not mere man and declares in John 10:28 -30, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  I and my Father are one.”  And though I was ignoring Him, He was not ignoring me. 

 

He gave me a godly wife, who has been foundational to my spiritual growth.  He gave me low wages when money was my idol.  He drew me back to Himself, step by step – comfort from His Word when my father passed away, a wife who prayed for me to wake up to God’s call, and a church family that welcomed my revival and gave me opportunity to serve.

 

In June of 1994, I was dragged off by a persistent assistant pastor and the Holy Spirit of God to my first Promise Keepers conference.  This was the culmination of seven years of preparation and a conspiracy of prayer by my wife and others in the church who loved me in ways I did not fully understand at the time.  But God, who is gracious, revived me that summer day many years ago.  He reformed my view of Him and of myself – and my wife.  He showed me a better way to live, a better way to love my wife, and a better way to handle “my” money. 

 

And He blessed my wife and me with two great kids - lent to us by God to train up in His ways.  The Lord has been most gracious in this arena as well, as our children are now grown, good friends with one another, and fellow joint heirs with Jesus Christ.  Not by my skill, but by the hand of almighty God - our kids are fine young adults who love the Lord and seek to honor and glorify Him with their lives.

 

Yes, there are days I get tired of people who let me down – the same way I let others down.  There are days when I don’t feel like serving God or praising Him.  There are days when I clutch my paycheck too tightly.  But He never grows tired of His children and He gives joy when we are abandoned to Him.  And He alone is worthy of all praise and service whether I feel like it or not – and we all need to be reminded of that.  Heb 3:13, “exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

 

In my life, the Word of God has made the biggest difference, proving again and again that God is God and I am not.  Reminding me of His will, His promises, and His provision. 

 

Now I know I'm not a perfect man

Still have days when I build with sand.

But I belong to Jesus - in Him I stand

Every day I have to die,

rest easy in the Potter's hand.

 

Colossians 3:1 – 3, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” 

 

In the grip of God’s grace,

  

Stuart L. Brogden

Personal update: 

After a 15 year absence from riding motorcycles, with my wife's encouragement, I bought a 1982 Yamaha Virago XV750 v-twin with shaft drive.  My last bike was a 1979 Yamaha XS750 in-line triple with shaft drive.  Considering the on-going maintenance and recurring costs of riding a chain-drive bike, I determined a while back to avoid them.  The Virago lasted about 2 years - I knew I still enjoyed riding and the Virago was not the bike for me.  I found a 1980 Yamaha XS850 Special for a great price and bought it, sold the Virago.  A picture of my current ride, below, as I rode the Dragon.  Read about that trip here.

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