Without a doubt I know my life is a miracle. That I survived a suicide attempt over 35 years ago is the defining moment of who I am. Humbly and gratefully I must declare this -- God has been and continues to be merciful to me.
I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska - a non-descript industrial city set on the banks of the Missouri River. I was reared to believe in God and especially Jesus. I recall that I was drawn to and found this person, Jesus, fascinating. Always, from my earliest memories. Especially I loved reading His Sermon on the mount ( Matthew 5 - 7 ). Once during junior high a friend and I were playing a gme of "If you could go back in time where would you go?" Immediately I said I wanted to go back to when Jesus walked the Earth. See, at that time I didn't know Him as I do now, and I wanted to see for myself if He truly was the Son of God - with my own eyes. I didn't know that this would have not been enough - He said Himself that even if one came back from the grave some men still would not believe. Well, I later became wise in my own eyes ( and became a fool ) And still later I came to be entrapped in the drug culture so prevelant during early '70's and later. That led to my coming to the end of myself and needing an escape from a living "hell" ( there is a real Hell , you know ). I placed a 12 guage shotgun under my chin and blew off the top of my head.
Perhaps this began when one cousin began to pray for my mother and his. When my mother answered the call from the hospital which informed her I had only two hours to live - well, then finally God got mother's attention! She knew I wasn't ready for the judgement day and she pleaded for my "souls' sake" to have mercy on me, and He did.
The medicals at the hospital where I was taken could not stop the bleeding and believed I couldn't survive. Mother was assured I would. Further, the doctors said that were I to live I would never have a "normal" life. I wouldn't be able to walk, speak or think again. But they could not be true - how else would I be able to ask God's forgiveness? So, I am here today in my right mind - waking, talking and praising God for His mercy and love.
I LOVE Worshiping God and giving thanks to Him through song and dance. Attending church offers me the oppertunity to do this on a regular basis. I love God ( Father, Son and Holy Spirit ) and am so grateful to Him for allowing me the freedom to give praise to Him.
I am also so grateful to God for the gift of my wife, Karin Lynn-Hill, founder of 4-Given Ministries. It is our prayer that God will use us both mightily for His glory through the work He has for us here, online, as well as wherever He directs our steps to go. I look forward to us getting to know one another more. You may contact me, anytime, via email.