My walk with Christ started in the 70’s when I was in my early twenties. I first started working at Lake Avenue Community Foundation in April 2010 as a Mentor Coach and more recently as Care Coordinator for LAC. My wife and I became members this past February. We also have begun serving in Hope Keepers ministry under the Care Ministry. My wife’s walk with the Lord started in May, 2003. We have four children - two sons and two daughters; Asia (34 yrs.), Shana (31 yrs.), Mark (30 yrs.) and Gregory (26 yrs.).
Maria and I faced similar challenges before we met, and after as well. The process of getting married, divorced and remarried was especially difficult on our children. Maria’s boys stayed with us until we moved to Hollywood while my girls stayed with their mother.
One of the most difficult parts for us was letting go of the past. The condemnation, guilt, un-forgiveness, and so on…we had to learn to receive God’s love, forgiveness, mercy, grace and the promises of His Word for the complete restoration of our children.
Another challenge we faced is that since I am African American and my wife is Latina. She has experienced racism in the African American community throughout our marriage.
Every day is a process, and some days are more difficult than others, but through it all God is teaching us every step of the way. He has been teaching us the power of His love towards mankind and His forgiveness. He is ready to forgive us of all of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness every time we miss the mark. It is His utmost desire for all His children to live free of guilt, condemnation, and un-forgiveness. He wants us to see that Jesus took our punishment for all our past, present and future sins. And that there is nothing that can separate us from the Love of God, absolutely nothing!
God has taught us and continues to teach us about His Amazing Grace and Love, and ultimate provision. He continues to reveal to us how He has already taken care of all our needs through Christ; as we continue to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. Matthew 6 is one of the Bible chapters that I continue to stand on. There are numerous circumstances, trials, tests that we have had to face over the years and God faithfully continues to teach us that our circumstances are not greater than His word and we are to stand on His word and not let the circumstances remove our faith in His word. We are seeing the fruit of His Word come to pass with our children as they see God through us. By loving and teaching them that “With God all things are possible” and all things are possible to those that believe!
Our hope is that through our story people who have been through similar situations will be set free of hurt, condemnation and confusion. There are those that suffer silently, thinking God is mad at them or displeased with them because of past mistakes. Our Father God is full of goodness and mercy. He is not holding anything against you or anyone in situations like this.
Our hope is that they will be comforted and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit. Only by His Amazing Love, Grace and Mercy we continue to live, move and have our being in Him.