I obeyed the Gospel twenty-four years ago yesterday, June 23, 2000, at Camp Caudle in Hector. It was, and remains, the greatest day of my life. In that time, I have suffered many heartaches, many setbacks, many frustrations, and many disappointments, but never once have I ever regretted the decision to reenact the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord, to put my old self to death, and rise to walk in a new life (Romans 6).
I remember the first full year I spent as a child of God. I read the New Testament straight-through five times, I talked with friends and family about the Gospel, and I sat at the feet of whatever teachers I could get to (and I couldn’t get to many) in order to learn as much as I could about the Bible. I’m eternally grateful for the friendship of men like Chris Eubanks and Scott Roderick, who gave me all the help and instruction my young brain could hold, whenever I was able to be with them, as well as men like Jason Almond and Clay Blake, who helped me immeasurably with many phone calls at all odd hours of the day.
I celebrated my first year in Christ, June 23, 2001, by preaching an evening devo—my first ever sermon of any kind—at Camp Caudle. I summarized a lesson I had read in a book of sermons by Jimmy Allen (“What is Hell Like”) and from then on my path was set. My life’s journey was laid out before me as vividly as the summer sky. I’ve been preaching ever since. In that time, I have suffered many heartaches, many setbacks, many frustrations, and many disappointments, but never once have I ever regretted the decision to make my life’s work the declaration of the Good News of Jesus.
My desire to preach led me to Memphis where, in 2003, I met Lauren. Two years later we were married. One year after that we had our first son, Jack. Two and a half years later came the second, Caleb. We stayed in Memphis for a total of five years, then spent the next four in Higden. After that, we moved to Guy where I preached for the next seven years. It was in that time that our third child was given to us by the Lord.
Yesterday was my spiritual birthday, and I celebrated it, as ever, with great (private) ceremony. For the past decade, however, June 23 has also been the day of my third son’s birth. What a blessing to share that most special day with him. One day, Lord willing, Joshua will make the decision I made almost a quarter-century ago. One day, Lord willing, Joshua will put on Christ in baptism. When that day comes, whatever the date may be, I hope it’s as special to him as June 23rd is to his father.
Happy birthday to my Joshua.
And Happy birthday to me.
~Matthew