Got your back

When i was in school middle school. i was the tallest yet very heavy. I might have been the biggest in my class but the 9th and 10th graders were way bigger then me. So because of these factors I along with other boys were picked on. This went on for most of middle school. Teachers and faculty would do nothing. This combined with issues at home, I had stomach ulcers at the age of 11 to 13. My parents knew something was going on that i really didnt want to go to school, yet i would never fully tell them what was bothering me. Then one day my dad got me and said come on son i need you to go to the store with me.

Before i go further with that let me tell you a little about my dad. First he was my step dad. My "real" dad was cheating on my mom and at the age of 5 they burst into my bedroom to have there final fight in my room. I remember standing on my chair, cause i was at my desk drawing when they burst in, so i stood in my chair screaming at them to "stop just stop". My dad sitting on my bed with red lipstick on his shirt collar holding my moms wrist as she stood over him trying to hit him. That was the last i seen of him for awhile.

Anyways so my step dad came into the family when i was 9. So it had just been me, mom and my sister for awhile, we didnt have anything but we were a family. So mom meet this man dated him for awhile kinda keep us kids "safe" till she got a fill for the man. Then he asked her to marry him and we had a dad again. Needless to say i didnt treat him well. in return he didnt treat us well either. He was in law enforcement "seen a lot of bad stuff" had a drinking problem and a temper. the first few years were hard so hard. He never hit us kids but he did hit mom. And me a young boy would try and beat down the door to protect my mom. I had a hard time with this, he would ask me to do something and i would harshly tell him that hes not my dad and i dont have to do anything. needless to say we had our problems but he never laid a hand on me even though i deserved it. Here is the amazing part my dad Eventually he found Jesus and a transformation was made in that man that i got to witness. No more drinking, no more temper, no more harsh words, no more cold and distant. now there was love, joy, laughter, peace and a relationship. He and my mom started going around singing gospel music together. we started going to church together, I would go to work with him, we were doing things as a family. It was awesome to see that change in him and although i was grateful for that change then, I wouldnt fully appreciate it until later in my life.

So back to that day so were in the car and we get to the 4way in the center of town and the grocery store was to the right well we turned left. I said dad the store is back that way, He said i know son we need to go have a talk. The fear set in immediately i start racking my brain. What did i do or not do or what did they find out that i did? well i coudnt come up with anything "surprising i know" so we get to the park on the other end of town, dad pulls in and parks the car, and im like oh boy her it comes it has to be serious if hes brought me out here. So he looks at me and says son i need to know whats going on at school. Your not in trouble but i need to know so i can help you. So finally i let it out all of it and he just listens until im done. He ask me if thers anything else and i so no. So then he tells me that no matter what hes got my back. He will stand up to anybody for me as long as im not in the wrong. That i better not ever be the one to start trouble, but if trouble comes my way stand up to it and he will be there to help me with whatever comes because of it. James 4:7" therefore submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee from you." I was shocked and our relationship changed for ever that day. It was now a dad and his son, now i looked forward to helping him do projects around the house, and also once i took his advice to school the problems stopped for good. Who new it just took a loving dad to care for his son and tell him what to do and hed be there.

This man who had come into our lives in such a bad way ended up haveing such an impact on my life. Taught me about God through his life changing, taught me how to work, how to be a man, how to treat a woman, how to stand up for my self, how to live life. Sad with all this i had witnessed in his life i didnt change my life until i was 36. Thats after many years of living badly and for my self, until we were invited by my wifes aunt to come to this church were i found my self in my everlasting savior Jesus Christ. Were a great pastor my pastor took me under his wing and and the holy spirit filled me with truth and knowledge and put a calling on my life which is why im able to wright this today. Now i met My true father now it made sense that change i saw in my dad since now that change was happening in me. Isaiah 43:18-19 "dont remember the former things, behold he will do a new thing". 2 cor 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation old things have passed away behold all things have become new." How that conversation in the park that day forever changed the relationship i had with my earthly dad. Thank How much of a relationship you can have with your Heavenly father. When you come to an acceptance of how much he loves you and wants to have an eternal relationship with you. "John 3:16 He gave his only begotten son that who so ever believe upon him should not perish but have everlasting life." Just like my dad had my back and would intercede on my behalf. Hebrews 7:25 "Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them." That the creator of all things the only true and living God would fight for you "exodus 14:14 the lord will fight for you and you have only to be silent." Our Advocate and friend Jesus is ready to jump right into our mess our sin no matter how deep that sin is to save us. Before Jesus the priests would have to confess there own sins by using sacrifices. only after cleansing themselves, were they ready to bring the sins of the people before God. But then the Cross and Jesus has been made High Priest. Hebrews 7: 26-28" For such a high priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens. Who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the peoples, for this he did once and for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesss, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever." Deuteronomy 31:8 " The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged."

I have been so blessed to witness the change in my step dads life, in my life and now in my 40's im happy to say ive got to witness that change in my "reel" dads life now that he has found Jesus Christ as his lord and savior as well. When i got to see him again after his battle with cancer the only thing i could ask him was if he new Jesus. And thats when he assured me yes son i know Jesus. Now i want to ask if you know Jesus? If you want that change in your life? If your tired of carrying around that sin trying to hide it? Today right now can be when its all taken away, when your set free. John 8:36 " If the Son makes you free , you shall be free indeed." Freedom in Christ is a grace we can not comprehend.

A; admit that your a sinner, repent confess of those sins

B; believe upon the lord with your heart that he died for you and rose again

C; confess him as lord and savior of your life ask him to come in and make that change in your life.

I really pray anyone reading this that you truly understand salvation through Jesus and nun other and that you see and feel that inseparable Love of God

God bless you

John Boyle A.P

;17