Last month, I shared the first of two real-life events that mirror the experiences of the heroine in my soon to be released book, All Things Possible.
This Christian Contemporary Romance follows the journey of Maggie Stone, the gossipy owner of a cozy bed-and-breakfast in a small town, as she reunites with her first love, Wade Ruby. Wade, a rugged rancher, returns to town after two decades to take over his father’s cattle farm.
Today, I will share the second of two similar events from my life found in the book, adding more to a story I have told in earlier blog posts.
Fifty years ago, a young evangelist, fresh out of seminary, held a revival at the church where my mom and I had attended for two weeks. On the last night, this preacher shared a message from Ezekiel, chapter thirty-seven. The story of the Valley of Dry Bones.
Up to that point, I thought I was a Christian because I believed in God and knew about Jesus. But during the message, the Holy Spirit stirred something deep within me and revealed that faith in God went far beyond intellectual belief.
As he preached, I related to those lifeless bones that lacked hope and realized I needed the Holy Spirit to dwell within me. Just like those bones, I desired to be filled with the breath of God.
The Lord called me to follow Him that evening, but I couldn’t move. I clung to the edge of my seat with my heart pounding loudly in my chest. If I had stood, I would have run out the back door—not forward to pray. Fortunately, the Lord didn’t let me rest throughout the next week. He continued to draw me.
The following Sunday, after the pastor preached and gave an altar call, I stood on shaky legs, made my way to the front, and knelt. I not only believed in my head, but I believed in my heart. My life changed that day, although I am still growing and learning. God filled me with hope, peace, joy, and love when He gave me a new heart and breathed His Holy Spirit into my dry bones.
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9, ESV
Two months after my new birth in Christ, the evangelist who preached the message that changed my life forever came back to my church as the new pastor. Three weeks ago, we traveled almost 500 miles to celebrate with him and his family his fifty years of ministry there. Fifty years of preaching and teaching God’s Word in the same church, resulting in many lives being transformed by the power of Christ.
I hope you enjoy reading Maggie’s story and how the message the Lord used to draw her to Him mirrors my story.
Was there a specific message or verse that opened your eyes to God’s love for you?
Photo by Marcelo Novais—Unsplash
Coming soon!
All Things Possible
Jesus looked at them and said,
“With man this is impossible,
but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26, NIV