Tell My story- (condensed version)

 My name is Kevin Sowards and have lived in northeast Kansas my entire life. I grew up with a tight knit family and still am close with my parents, brothers and sisters. We enjoy spending time together- I am blessed to have this relationship with them all. I was raised with a strong knowledge of right and wrong which is another advantage of my upbringing. I still suffered from a prideful attitude wanting everything my way, and when things didn't go my way I tried to shut myself off from the world outside. I turned to alcohol to numb myself from the already depressed state I was living in. I struggled to get by through my early adulthood years not knowing how to leave this pattern of life.
In the years from 1994 through 1999 a transformation took place in my life. I started to live my life not dependent on alcohol, not putting myself in compromising situations, understanding what life could be like- a life without the binding chains of this life. I read the Bible with a different insight. I was rereading things and having a clearer understanding of what it meant. Putting away my prideful attitude and turning to Jesus Christ completely transformed my world. I was no longer dependent on alcohol and understanding what real relationships with the other people in my life really meant.
My goal from this point forward is to help others discover what Christ can do for them. How He, and He alone can free them from any struggle they have in this life. How turning to Him can give them much more than this world can give them. A difference that can't be measured by earthly or humanly terms. He has given me life beyond this world, a life available to anyone seeking it. Anyone can have this life that I have by simply turning to Jesus Christ and asking Him to be Lord of their life. He will lead the way.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Permanent Solution

 This time of year in Kansas, driving on the roads can be an adventure. We can have wet, icy or snow covered roads. These conditions can hide imperfections in the road. As I was driving yesterday, the roads for the most part were dry and clear. That doesn't mean that you don't pay attention to the details in the road. The road I was on was in good shape and the ride was pretty smooth. At the time I didn’t notice how smooth the ride was. But (yes there is a but), then I came to a 5 mile or so stretch that I took notice of the road. The road had been patched (or needed a patch) and you could feel and hear each one as you went over it. I even slowed to under the speed limit to make it less noticeable. This lead me to a thought. My first thought was why didn’t they just tear out the old road and replace it? It would have cost more (probably) but the road would have been much smoother. From this thought I went further. Isn’t this how we handle the problems of our lives and the world...
Read more

My hope is in Jesus Christ alone

  The following is the text from my dad's funeral 6 years ago this week. He had asked me to speak (along with my brothers and sisters) but didn't give much direction beyond that. I had no idea of anything else that would be said that day but wanted to make sure that those in attendance would understand where my hope is. My focus would also be on the last part of his life as I would be speaking after the others. I would like to focus this time on the last 8 months. It has been a year of physical challenges for my family. A time filled with stress partly because it seemed every minute has been filled with something to do and partly the unknown future. In late January mom had brain surgery to remove a tumor. This had a great effect on mom’s health but the rest of the family as well- including dad. Both mom and dad have been in and out of hospitals this year. At one time I figured someone from our immediate family had been in the hospital this year more days than not. And with that...
Read more

Where is God when I need Him?

Life is filled with many struggles. We have struggles that are real and present in our lives- and also the struggles that are perceived and brought up only in our minds. We also wonder where God is in our times of need. Do we call out to Him for help? Do we call out to Him in frustration? Or are we more inclined to push Him away? I have reacted many ways when "pushed" to my limits or beyond my limits. Anytime I've been faced with a difficult (or hopeless) situation, I've been forced to make a decision. Do I continue on and reject the help that He offers, or do I turn and seek Him? He who is always present in my life even though I push Hi away. He is not hard to find. He is able (and willing) to help me through any situation I may be facing. The world is a scary place and I wouldn't want to go through life alone. There have been times that give the appearance that I was alone, but I have never been alone. I have experienced loneliness without acknowledging Him tha...
Read more