“Thank God for the Blessed Jackass!”

Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He will use any means to get our attention, so that we can walk in godly matter. He will use the people around us, the circumstances we are in and even strangers to reach us to let us know how much He loves us and cares for us. One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is Balaam and the donkey.

The story is found in Numbers 22. The Israelites were sojourn in the land Median east of the Jordan River. They just defeated the Amorites and took possession of the land. King Balak, the king of the Moabites was afraid for his people, so he hired Balaam the prophet to curse the Israelites. God commanded Balaam in a dream not to go see King Balak messenger, but King Balak wouldn’t take no for answer, so he continue to send messengers and entice Balaam with promises of great riches. So Balaam again prayed to see if God would change His mind. God’s anger was against him and he told Balaam not to go to Balak’s messenger. God sent an angel as an adversary against Balaam. God’s anger was kindle against the prophet for his disobedience and was planning on killing the prophet.

Balaam mounted his donkey and was heading towards King Balak’s messengers, when the donkey saw the angel with the sword in his hand. The donkey stopped three times due to angel’s interference, and each time Balaam hit the donkey for not moving forward. The donkey finally sat down and refused to go further. Balaam struck the donkey and God open the donkey’s mouth and he spoke.

"What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!" So the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?" And he said, "No." Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. And the Angel of the Lord said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live." And Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, "I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back." Then the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. (Numbers 22:28-35) so Balaam ends up blessing the Israelites instead of cursing them.

Over the years Our Heavenly Father has brought people into my life to speak life into me. He has used situations to get a hold of my attention, especially when I have wondered off the road. Several years’ back the Lord taught me a lesson of love and about judging people. This happens to be one of the best lessons that He has taught me over the years.

I love it when God puts certain people in our daily paths. Several years ago, the
Lord put a person heavily in heart and I didn't care for this individual or his family. He and his wife were a couple drunks and I personally didn't care for drunks because my grandfathers were one. Over the years I witness how it destroyed their lives and rest of the families’ too. So put it mildly I look down my nose on this couple, because I saw what it was doing their two children.

So when the Lord placed them in my life, He placed them in my heart. He gave me a love for them and from day on I saw them through Our Heavenly Father’s eye. Over the following years my wife and I saw the hand of God move on this couple’s behalf and same time witness the pitfalls. I would love to say that couple became sober over years, but sadly no.

I now know that Our Heavenly Father brought them into my life to heal me of my past wounds. Also He caused my heart to change, so I wouldn’t sit in judgment anymore, but see to see the person through God’s eye. I am eternally grateful for this lesson, because now I know when God places someone in my path; it is opportunity for me to grow in my spiritual walk.

I appreciate the love Our Heavenly Father has for us. He loves us so much that He sent His only begotten son to save us and draw us to our final goal, which is to live with Him in Heaven. . I am personally grateful for my loving wife and children, who over the years help me to become man that our heavenly Father, have called me to be. My wife Deanna has been one of my richest blessings in my life. I am thankful that several years ago, He placed in my path a dear sister in the Lord, who became my prayer partner, Carol Goodrich. I am grateful for a dear brother in the Lord, Bishop Rick Kay, who spoke life into me and planted seeds in my heart that night at my mother’s wake. I am thankful and grateful for the beacons he has placed in my life that brought the restored message to my home. Thank God for men like Elder Henrickson, Elder Miller, Elder Southam, Elder Campbell, Elder Pettersson, Elder Priesendorf, and Elder Lachaga who have ministered to me over this past year. I am especially grateful for Elder Ingram  and Elder Anderson  that taught me the gospel and minister life to me this past year. I will be eternally grateful for them. I am grateful for two other friends of mine, Barbara Meyer Williamson and Elder Andrew Barnum, who were the first that brought the gospel into my life. I am eternally grateful for them too.

I have been blessed beyond words and my cup runnth over. I know without shadow doubt that my Heavenly Father loves me enough because I am his child. I am also eternally grateful that Lord has brought Dave, my personal jackass, into my life so I could grow in love and in the gospel.

Please click on the following web link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xz3YvkaA5Q&feature=related

“A Love Letter From Jesus” by C. Stephen Rogers

July 16, 2011

My dearest child,

I came from heaven above so that you can have a home above. I was born in a stable to know your poverty. I walked this earth to feel all your cares, concerns, and problems. I did all this to know you ever more then I did when I formed you in your mother’s womb. I walked the last three years of my life to teach you the love of my Father has for you. I taught you how to pray and to deal with Satan’s wiles, and to be victorious in all areas of your life.

I took your sins, aliments, curses and your diseases so that you can have life with me and my Father in heaven. I nailed it to the cross and gave my life up so you have life abundantly. I shed my blood so you can be born again and be part of my kingdom.

I shed my blood so you can have my righteous. For whatever you confess your sins, I am faithful to forgive. I shed my blood to set you aside and be part of my family. For you are mine and you have been redeemed and bought by my precious blood, for you are now a child of the Living God. I became your peace so I can turn the wrath of God away from you. I came to bring peace through all the trials and tribulations and calm your stormy seas. My peace brings you wholeness and soundness. I promise to be with you all days of your life. Drawing you even closer each day unto myself.

I am your healer and the great physician that came to heal your body. I took all diseases and aliments and nailed them to the cross so you can be healed. I take all fragments of your troubled life and bring the soundness and wholeness. I care for you, my dear child and I will provide for every care you have. Ask and you shall receive because my love for you is sufficient to provide for all your needs.

I am your victory for I have overcome the world so that you can be more then conquerors. For my love is set upon you and against you to sustain you. For no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Most of all, I am dear shepherd that will walk you through valleys and mountains with you. I am your guide and my word is lamp unto your path. Even when you make mistakes and fail at times, remember surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all your days. For I turn all things out for the good to those who love me.

Why did this all happen? Because the dear Father in heaven and I love you very much. For I am gift from the Father in heaven and all you have to do is believe, so you can live.

I love you my dear child and have a blessed day. Take some time out and ponder these words and rest in this one fact that if you were the only one on earth, I would come to die for you so you can live with my Father and I in heaven. You are precious in my eyes and you are the apple of my eye.

Love,

Your Lord and Savior,

Jesus the Christ

                                        

 

“Out of the Darkness into the Light!”

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

 Zechariah 4:6

Luke 15:11-32

By promptings of the Holy Spirit, when I was a young man the Lord lead me to the truth and to the restored Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As years went by I grew in the gospel and matured as a young man, but pride, the spirit of offense and un-forgiveness entered my heart, which cause me to drift away from the Church.

For past 38 years, I have been wandering the desert and doing my own thing, like “prodigal son.” While in that desert, I kept seeking God’s face to suffice the emptiness in my soul. I long for the truth, but as years went by I continue to circle that mountain in the middle of that barren region and always coming up empty handed. Oh how I hungered after God! I tried several things and religions, but nothing would suffice that hunger and hole in my soul. I kept pushing along for I was seeking the love from my Heavenly Father. Along this trail this last year in this wilderness and through the mercies of God I was led back to the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel.

On July 2, 2011, I was re-baptized into the Kingdom God and on July 3, 2011, I was confirmed and I received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  On that glorious day, my Heavenly Father led back into the Promised Land. He swooped me into His arms and kissed me on my cheek as father did in the parable of the “Prodigal Son.” That night He placed the ring on my hand, by ordaining me to the Melchizedek Priesthood to office of Elder. It is good to be home again! Praise God!

I know without of shadow of doubt that Jesus Christ is head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and He died for sins. I know also that my Heavenly Father loves me and He has forgiven me of all my sins. He is truly the God of second and third chances. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and he was instrument to restore the true Church. I know the Bible and the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know President Thomas S. Monson is our present-day prophet, seer and revelator. But most all I know deeply in my heart that our merciful Heavenly Father loves us because we are His children. I say these things in Jesus name. Amen! 

Elder Kevin Anderson, Me (Steve), Elder Bo Ingram & wife Deanna

Elder Benjamin Preisendorf, Elder Kevin Anderson, Me (Steve), Elder Bo Ingram, Elder Greg Lachaga & my wife Deanna Rogers