Six years ago today, Mrs. Denise, Scruffy and I pulled out of our driveway in the frozen tundra of Northern Ohio, headed back across the Mason-Dixon. We had spent the past 2 days in the freezing rain and sleet, attempting to put everything we owned into the back of a 26′ Budget Moving Truck and in our Dodge Caravan. We were numb mentally, physically, and emotionally. That morning, we said ‘goodbye’ to dear friends at our church as I preached for the last time. Ten years was a long time to be away from the land, the sights, the smells, the food, the culture, and the people that we called ‘home.’

We had very dear friends that helped us pack and load during that weekend. You know who you are, and we still cherish everything that you did for us! You are loved way more than you realize!

A lifetime has passed since that day. Sitting here now, it seems like that day was so very long ago. I have aged tremendously since then. Many life-altering events have occurred since I started that diesel engine and pointed it South that Sunday afternoon. Most I will forever cherish…some, I choose to forget. Even though life happens in flashes of time, the love, protection, and guidance of my God has and always will remain steadfast. We understand completely that, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We know well, who the enemy is…he has been identified. And he knows we will battle to the finish. Because we know who holds the ultimate victory. He truly is ‘The Great I Am.’