From the Banks of Polecat Creek...

[DB]

Another Lord's day is on the horizon, as I sit here listening to the tree frogs, whiporwills, barred owls, and my son's dog 'Jackson' bark at everything he can. The windows are open and one of the most pleasant breezes is passing gently through the room.

Many, including myself, are anticipating the Lord's return at any moment, truly, what a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see!

My thoughts of going home are interupted by that precious soul that lifted her hand last Sunday, admitting during an invitation that she was lost. What if tomorrow she will return to hear the wonderful story of Jesus and His love?

What if tomorrow will be the day her soul is set free by the Son of God? That part of me wants the Lord to tarry His coming just one more day. Just one more day, one more soul, maybe not here; but somewhere on this earth the gospel has been heard and conviction has set in. Within a moment many more souls may be resqued from the flames of Hell.

I remember one day back in 1986, I heard about the Lord Jesus Christ and His offer to save my soul......


My testimony to follow.........

[DB]

I was 16 years old, hadn't had my driver's license long, and was driving a Ford Ranger pickup. I met this girl who was a "church girl" and I wanted to date her.

I found out that in order for that to happen, I had to attend the church she and her family went to. I figured I was man enough to withstand the preaching and pressure, after all I had fooled a lot of folk before.

In the spring of '86, I for the first time in my life, I heard the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I had never felt anything like that before. My heart was about to leap through my chest.

The preacher came down the isle and stood right where I was seated. It felt like he preached from that position for an hour. The drops of sweat dripping from his nose hit the carpet beside my feet, I saw this because I could not look him in the eyes, I was staring at the floor, anxiously awaiting for him to move so I could breathe.

All around me I could hear the 'Amens' and the praises. It seemed crazy to me that these people could find joy in such preaching! Time went on, I learned the language, and could lie to the preacher , her parents, and all of those folks who were asking me if I was saved. During the invitations, I could raise my hand as a testimony of salvation, the whole time knowing I was headed for Hell.

Once, the conviction was so strong, I had made up my mind I was going to talk to the preacher personally about my soul. The service ended and down the isle I went, before I got there he was swamped with people, I sais I would wait another day. I remember a young teenager came one Sunday morning with some friends of ours. The preacher told of the dangers of sin and it's consequences. Just before the invitation began she could not contain herself, In absolute abandon of pride and dignity she literally could hardly get up to make her way down to the front. Shaking violently and crying she was escorted to a private room where a couple of Sisters helped her find out how to be saved.

It shook the foundations of my soul, my inside was almost liquified, I wanted so bad to get saved and be free from fear. It got to where I couldn't sleep at night , I could not do my school work, or eat normally. I was scared to close my eyes and fall asleep because I thought I would die and go to Hell. I thought about the ceiling falling in, car accidents, and anything that could take my life.

I gripped the pew time after time holding back, fighting back the tears. Everytime I would look up during the invitations, the preacher was staring a hole in my soul. I remember the times it got so tight, I would have to go to the bathroom to get myself together.

A year and a half went by, we broke up, but her mother tried to get me to keep coming to the church. I did for a couple of months, but eventualy left for good. One day I went to the local barber shop, and upon walking by the little counter where thay keep the hair tonic and Brill Creme, I noticed a little booklet. It was a gospel tract from the ministry of Dr. Oliver B. Greene.

Not wanting anyone to notice, I slipped the tract in my pocket and went on like everything was o-kay. I went to the truck and read the tract, all of the conviction I was dealing with doubled, as I was confronted mith my sin yet again and the fear of going to Hell! I kept that tract in my wallet for years. Every now and then I would read it again, I had almost memorized every word.

I became a drunk. I drank anything i could get my hands on. Monday thru Sunday , I longed for that escape. I was married in January of 1992 to the same sweetheart who sits in the other room from me as I write this.

We fought, we separated 3 times, and I was still dealing with the conviction of the Holy Ghost on top of it all.

Then, on July 21st 1992 at about 3:10 p.m. , after me and Mrs. DB had fought again, I hit the bottom. As she walked out to go to work, I felt it was just about over for good, I had drank myself almost to complete destruction.

After six years of conviction, the fear of Hell, death, and losing my wife I remembered the gospel tract I had in my wallet.

In tears and total fear, I read those precious words of life one more time. I read it over and over, always coming full circle to the glorious invitation.

I heard Jesus speaking to me in His own words " Whosoever will, may come.."

My stubborness finally crushed, gave in, and I said " I believe I will.." I remember hearing the Lamb of God say " whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved"

I said " I will "

I used to say " I'll never bow my knees to anyone!"
Now I looked at my knees on the carpet. I simply cried out to the Saviour of the world, that I was tired of running from Him, I wanted to be saved, " Jesus saved me!" " I don't want to go to Hell!" " Help me, please Lord Jesus!"

I asked, and heaven' joy bells rang out, the angels were rejoicing, the saints were rejoicing. There I knelt down a young man lost and on his way to a devil's hell, but came up a son of God. It was just me and the Lord there in my living room that day; no preacher or crowd. I took the Saviour at His word.

More to follow on how the Lord brought me to where I am today......

[DB]

I didn't explode on the scene as a fireball Christian walking the strait and narrow right way. It took a year or so for me and Mrs. Db to get into a church and start serving. She was still lost at the time. Maybe I can get her to write her testimony on here for you brethren someday.

I was swashbuckled into joining a deadbeat church by a smooth talking 'preechur'. Many things were wrong with the church and God showed them to me as time went along and as I grew. Disagreements and conviction set in for the truth. I was feeling the Lord's lead to leave, but as many know, it is sometimes hard because of friends and the possibility of things being made right with the Lord.

Five years went by in that church and I could no longer stand it , my wife on one side telling me we should leave, and the Lord demanding on the other. We struck out for the mega-church scene with hopes for great things from the big crowd.

Three months in that fiasco was too long as well. We then came to a church that had a preacher who had been telling the truth for over 44 years. With a congregation of about 120, we settled again to serve the Lord there.

Mrs. DB was raised up in the pentecostal church and wasn't too thrilled about the Baptist faith. I remember several periods of time when she was at her mother's church and I was at mine. The Lord is not the author of that mess. After many 'spiritual' battles and debates over Bible doctrine, the Lord opened her eyes, and we moved forward.

I had been called to preach in 1999 back at the liberal church we started out in, not due to the preaching there either, but simply called of God to preach His word. The pastor at our new church allowed me to fill in for him when the need arised, and also let me work with the children there.

The phone rang one night, it was a brother from town, who had gotten in contact with my pastor looking for some one to fill in for him on a Sunday morning. I accepted and we found ourselves at a church that I did not know existed about 30 miles from our home.

This church had been without a pastor for a long time, the brother that called me was just filling in at the time. After the service was over, the folk there were bombarding me with questions, I felt again the Lord getting ready to show me something.

As Mrs. DB and I walked away from the buiding that day, we did not have to say a word, we only looked at each other and knew who was doing the talking. We got in the van and I said to her " we'll be back here again" she replied " I know"

Two weeks went by, and while studying one night, the phone rang downstairs. I told my wife, that will be the man from the church. It was. He told me that the church had met and voted 100% to ask me back to "candidate for the pulpit" I promptly told him that i was no politician! The following Sunday found us there again preaching the gospel. I also taught the Sunday School lesson for that day and led the singing, I reckon thay wanted to see what else came along, you go figure!

For 2 hours I and Mrs. Db never said a word. We just went home and sat, there was nothing else to do but pray and listen to the Lord. The phone rang on Wed. night; it was the treasurer from the church, he said that they wanted me to come back on this coming Sunday and preach, after that, the church was going to vote on me for the pastorate.

That Sunday came and as we sat there, they voted 100% before dismissing. That's been going on three years now, souls have been saved, the church is still growing solidly. To God be all the glory! Many troubles there are in the ministry, but It's worth it.


We press on..........

[Keith]

Awesome brother DB, just awesome. I'm moving this over to Prayer and Praise 'cause, well, it is!

[Murph]

I will add an Amen and Praise the Lord!

It is awesome what the Lord can do.

[DB]

{no problem on the move}


As belivers reflect on the wonderful, free Salvation that is given by the Lord, we will remember the blessings and can 'see' God at work in our lives.

I think back to when I and Mrs.DB first got married. We were working at Burlington Industries at the time and things were going pretty good. One night there was an accident. I steel rod had fell on Sister Kim's back she was taken in for x-rays to see if there was any serious damage to her back.

After the results came back she was refered to a specialist in town. Kim was told that she had spondolethesis(sp?) which is like a degenerative bone disease in her spine. There wasn't enough damage at the time to warrant surgery, but the doctor told her it was pretty much inevitable. Also Kim was told she would never make through having a child.

Well have I got some news for the Doc! Today, we have two beautiful children, one boy and one girl. They are doing fine, we do not deserve such wonderful children, but the Lord in His goodness saw fit to bless us with Samantha and Jacob. Sister Kim has had one surgery a couple of years ago, and is dealing with pain every day. But brethren and Sistren of DI I'm here to tell you that God has been good to this unworthy preacher and his darling wife!

How can we ever find time and space to praise His name!


Come what may, I know that I'm saved, and I'm going to Heaven to see the Lamb of God in all His beauty, majesty, and glory!!

What a different look the world has when one is born again! Amen!


DB.

[DB]

[ let's not let ol' DB be the lone ranger on the testimonies, " let the redeemed of the LORD say so!"]

[DB]

How many of you that have been born again can remember after that you were saved; someone giving you a witness, testimony, inviting you to church, or asking you were you saved before you got saved?

That sounds a little confusing, so I'll put it this way, remember before you were born again the times when God was getting your attention through other poeple?

I've got one that I hope will be a blessing to you.

At the home I grew up in we had two other families as neighbors. One had a husband/father that was an alcoholic; his wife was a devout Christian that served the Lord with all that she had. Their son was a little hellion that was disobedient and spoiled to the core.

The other home had a husband/father that has a heart of gold, but sadly I believe he is still lost, I have not heard of him getting saved. His wife is also a born again believer and loves the Lord; she has also been found to be a soul winner.

As I grew up and played with the children of both homes I saw a marked difference in the way the spoiled lad and the children of the other home acted and talked. Whenever the boy who I'll call "trouble" would cuss, the other two would gasp for breath; the little girl would run home and the boy would usually slap ol' trouble in the face and dare him to even flinch at him.

I remember one day we all were taken for a treat; we all piled into the car and headed for the local ice cream drive-up for some sugar filled dynamite. As we passed the church where the family attended the little girl asked me " Would you like to meet Jesus? If you would, we are having a revival there and He'll be there tonight" I did not know what to say.

Keep in mind that this precious little girl was only about 6-7 years old. I looked at the church and thought "Boy, I reckon there will be a mob in that place to see Jesus"

I did not go then, but in answer to their prayers for me, when I turned 16; I found myself sitting beside my girlfriend in that same building. It was there that I heard Him speak to me.

Is it not a wonderful thought to remember those little times in our lives where we 'see' the Lord at work?


DB. ;D

[DB]

The moon is gently shining through a few scattered clouds, the owls are chanting out their disagreements over terrytories, Oscar and Jackson the beagles are trying to outbark each other at nothing but moonshadows. My two precious children just kissed me goodnight.

As the world turns about in doubts and confusions, fear, and uncertainty, there is a temporary peace here in this bottom; away from the hustle and bustle of town. I wish it could last for a long time, oh! but someday, it will last forever, and it will be uncomparable to anything we have expierienced here on this side of eternity!

As the message was from JOHN ch 16 tonight "UNquenchable Joy" was preached, it is time for me to sit back and enjoy this joyous Salvation, that no one can take away from me.

One day I'll meet Brother Keiffer, Caretaker, Lawrence, Steve, Becca, and all the rest of the born again believers. I've already had the honor of meeting the legend, Duck, and still have that feather in my office.

How wonderful the blessings are when we think of His benefits!

But best of all...................... we shall see Him, in a little while, ..Blessed be the name of the Lord, let all that is within me bless his holy name.

(seems as though I can hear the agreement from the family of God already. Amen)







DB.

[Keith]

Amen! And you might want to tone down that 'legend' talk. You'll make her bill swell up... ;D ;D ;D

[DB]

Heee heeee, I was wondering if anyone was going to catch that one Keeffer!


Her bill is restricted temporarily, but if it does get out of hand, I have a suprise up my sleeve!! ;D

[DB]

I went to visit an old friend who is in a nursing home not very far from where I live today. So happens, that, I got there at the time he was doing some therapy. Nevertheless I ambled along the halls and was saying hello to the residents there. I did not get a chance to see Mr. St. John today, but maybe next time.

Most would acknowledge me and nod their head or say hello. Their smiles were a special sight to me. I thought as I entered the lobby to leave, that I might wind up in one of these places one day. I take so much for granted and fail miserably to thank the Lord for His blessings as I should.

We have a nursing home in the town which the church is located and we go there on the 1st and 3rd of each month. I count it as one of the most special times of fellowship and blessing to go and sing, read the scriptures, pray, and invite those precious people to know the Lord as thier Saviour.

To them our visit is the high light of the day, I often wonder how I would respond if I were a resident. I was very impressed at one dear lady who used to attend our church. She came faithfully until she was stricken with Alzthiemers(sp?). She comes and sings along with no hymnal, always and I mean always, never does she need a hymn book to sing those wonderful songs.

I caught her doing very well one day with her memory, and asked her, how was she doing. She gave me a response that I will cherish forever and I hope to remember should I find myself in her place years to come.

She said something like this " I just do what the Lord allows me to do here. He has placed me here for a reason, some of these folks are lost, maybe I can win one to the Lord. I have friends here that love for me to pray for them, you know?"

The Lord always has something for His children to do, no matter where they are.





DB.

[Murph]

Thanks DB. I needed to hear that right about this moment...Lord has something for this ole legend to do. ;D

When I start to feel like that...all washed up and out, I always remember Caleb...walked up to that mountain at 84 and said, "Lord! Give me this mountain!" Hauled off and in the power of the Lord, took it too...giants and all!

[Murph]

Suprise up your sleeve...do ya think so now???

reminds me of the squirrreeelll that got loose at the revival...song.
Don't know why it made me think of that song...funny song!

Strange how the mind of us brilliant legends work...hee hee.

;D

[Keith]

May 15, 2008 15:47:22 GMT -6 Murph said:

Strange how the mind of us brilliant legends work...

SEE DB, SEE! Just like I told ya'...swelled bill... ;D ;D ;D

[DB]

okay, okay, okay...

suprise is on the way.......... brace thyself DI forum alumni's!
Batten down the hatches! You will see a tremendous response purdy soon from the "legend"


I garowntee it .....




hee
hee.



DB.

[DB]

I forgot to mention, it might take a couple of days, so don't set by the screen........................




DB.

[Murph]

Shucks! had gotten my soda and popcorn and settled in to wait...

It is not good to keep a legend waiting...

I think I might like this legend stuff...yep, Duck could get used to this...

[DB]

Is there anywhere to hide?


Keiffer is not going to like that post............







hoo hoo hee hheee.

[Keith]

May 15, 2008 19:27:42 GMT -6 DB said:

Is there anywhere to hide?

Keiffer is not going to like that post............

I've nothing to say. Sometimes you just have to let the star burn itself out...