I am so blessed
 

I was sitting tonight visiting my wife(who is my best friend besides the Lord)
She isn't suppose to be living because of a near fatal auto accident she had 3 years ago, but here we are in our comfortable home, our two dogs who love us unconditionally, I pastor a wonderful congregation of saints(most of whom are far better than their pastor) I have a host of friends across this nation. I am content and happy. My wife is a class A cook. We enjoy each other's company after nearly 32 years. I would rather be with her than anyone. The saints I pastor are so kind to us they have us spoiled. I am in good health. Just wanted to reflect on the good things God has sent our way I am so undeserving.

Bro. Epley, Thanks for reminding me as well. That my wife and I have been through some tough times. One of our son's has been through a lifetime of doctors. My wife is so strong, loving and just a great comfort.

Thanks for reminding me of the great things God has given to me as well.

Even the little dog who barks each night I come from work.

Nathan Eckstadt

Thank the Lord ... for every moment ... brother Epley ... You are blessed beyond measure... My Mom and Dad had the same kind of relationship .... Live the rest like you're dying.

My mom would do anything to be in your shoes .... Dad went home in November '05 .... she'll have to wait a bit longer to see him again.

Just had a preacher friend 46 years old to die after battling cancer 12 years or longer another friend lost his good wife. I want to appreciate what I have while I have it.

I am daily loaded with blessings both spiritual and natural. God has been so good to me.

Elder,

I remember hearing when the wreck occured, and we wept in prayer for you and your precious wife at the Bristol church. It seems like so long ago now.

God is truly better than anything. I can share in your joy as I look at my wife of almost 20 years. We have been through separations, nervous breakdowns, Pressures to divorce, bankruptcy, being without a home. But though the journey, Oh what a love he has aloud to be cultivated in our hearts one to another. We are forever knit together. She is my best friend. My hearts desire is just to grow old with her.

Hardships and trials are what cements the marriage much more than the blessings. When couples are forced to lean on each other and pray together.

I was in a special service not long ago and there to my surprize sit about a dozen folks I had pastored years ago. There they were yet in church doing good and they was happy to see me. Life is to short to live unhappy. Rejoice in the good days and things you have the bad days will come but if you develop a habit of being thankful during the good times that habit will kick in when the going is tough.

I know my Redeemer lives!!!!

I appreciate this thread!

:ty

Please forgive me if I sound like I am boasting but God has given me some of the best men I could ever pastor. I love EVERY saint I pastor none are a burden even though some are more difficult than others. They don't like me doing anything(I can't do much) the grass is mowed, the church is cleaned, on our special days folks are so thoughtful. They respect our privacy. Nearly every service most of them men will come to the platform and tell me how much they enjoyed the message.(sometimes I think they need a lesson on honesty) When my wife had her wreck they tended to us fixing dinner everyday, taking turns sitting and caring for my wife. I am not embarrassed of the saints I pastor they are a compliment to me. The founding pastor is yet with us 84 years old and what a gem he is, never a problem. When my wife had her accident about 70 preachers came by from all over the country and around 200 called on a regular basis. The hospital staff asked who this woman was to have so many folks there on a regular basis. They said no patient in the hospital has ever had the flowers sent to your wife. When remodeling our home preachers came from all over to help us siding the house, hang sheet rock, roof and whatever and would not take a dime. In this ungrateful world I do NOT ever won't to take good things for granted.

I have been given so many things shoes, clothes, books, etc. But my wife and myself are givers I have been so greatly blessed by giving. I for years have bought shoes for missionaries, evangelists, and saints( there is a wonderful discount place in M'boro, Tn.) and a man bought me 4 pairs of skins I would have never bought myself. I have been fed at the finest resturants treated like royalty. This ole Morton's Gap boy has been blessed way beyond what I ever thought I would have. And don't deserve one drop of it. The song says "I can't complain." All the good days outweigh the bad days.

Back again I have been allowed to preach among the greatest churches all across this nation. The Lord has opened so many doors I cannot oblige them all. I would rather preach here at home than a large conference any day. If a man has any preach in him the saints at Mitchell will get it out of him. They love preaching and teaching. We are loaded with musicians and singers, saints who testify better than some preachers preach. Our church is so friendly to visitors without being told to do it. A visitor's hand will be shook here several times.Don't get me wrong folks are folks the saints are not perfect but neither is their pastor. In a area where preachers are run off at a whim I am glad to be at Mitchell.

Great thread, Bro. Epley. We have SO much to be thankful for.

It's good and NEEDful in fact to stop and count blessings once in a while. I've enjoyed reading Bro. Epley counting his!

Yes, Elder E...I too am blessed!! Thank you for this thread...

You make me want to visit your church!

I just know that you are a wonderful pastor. Those folks are blessed to have you and your wife. God is good!

Brother Epley: God bless you sir! I've been to your church before and yall have a beautiful spirit. No doubt. You've encouraged my soul this morning, also.... I've can't count the many times my family has looked death in the eye. With the birth and death of our first child.....Almost losing my husband to a severe infection. He went into the hospital for them to tell him if they didn't take his leg he would die, infection was soo bad. He walked out in a lot of pain, but he trusted in God and for 2 weeks he suffered...But God walked in and gave him a miracle! THat was 4 years ago!!! That was also after my baby boy now 4, was born... He was born at home after me having 3 c-sections...He was born totally healthy, and by the way, docs told me I could never have a baby naturally! Get this, he weighed 11lb14oz.!!! Tell me!!! God is incredible goood!! We went through a rough time financially and God kept us. My husband gave our last 50 dollars in an offering, not knowing what we would do and a brother in the church came by the next day and said he felt like God told him to bless us and he gave us $100.00. That was some 5-6 years ago and not my children never went without nice clothes to wear or food on the table... I'm not bragging on me yall. I am bragging on God!!! I could go on and on with the blessings of God!!!!!!

Yeah, I like this thread too!!

This was the first thread I read this morning- what an uplift!!!!!

Thank you, Bro. Epley...my blessings are immeasurable. :ty

There is no such thing as great marriage that has NOT been tested, stretched, tried, and sometimes to the breaking point! I guess it would be easy to ake the Lord the make the road smooth, straight and flat. But the things that happen in life make us who we are in Him.

Thank Bro, "E" for calling our attention to our blessings!!! :D

Amen Elder. You are blessed! We are blessed!
The siong "Count your blessings" comes to mind.
Then it will amaze you what the Lord has done!

Thank you Elder for reminding us of the goodness of God in our lives.
May the Lord bless you even more!:thumbsup

Elder E, this thread is AWESOME! I have lived a blessed life as well....

Elder Epley I'm glad God has blessed you.

This is far and away one of the best threads I've ever seen started on any forum! thank you, Bro Epley for taking the time to testify today.

I would love to see others jump on this. Tell us what God has done for you. Give Him honor and praise and glory!

We are living in the time Paul said men would be unthankful I don't want that fulfilled in me. Folks live such misrable lives complaining and murmuring. When God daily loads us down with benefits.
I am living better than I have ever lived. My frig and freezer are filled with food our pantry is full. I throw out more than most of the world eats. My closet is full of nice clothes, I drive a nice car. And probably have done far less for God than my fellow brothers and sisters in poverty stricken lands. I have been to Brazil, Haiti and have seen those devout wonderful saints so happy with so little in earthly goods.
Then those powerful services I have been in and I have heard if not the best some of the best preaching and teaching Pentecost has had to offer.

I am thankful for my husband,that has believed in me sometimes when I didn't believe in myself.He is an honorable man.My husband is.....Drum roll , please.....none other but St. Matthew.

Hi Chick!

I had the awesome pleasure of meeting you and your family in Tennessee back in 2003. Doesn't seem like that long ago. I'd love to see you all again sometime.

:welcome2 Chickadee. Your husband is well thought of on here. I'm sure you will be too. Good testimony!!

You look great! If your 'e going to be close to Nashville please let us know,
I would love to meet up.:highfive


Chick

I'm sure you remember how sick I was when I met you. If you've kept up, you already know that I had surgery and my problems were solved.

I''m trying to make plans for this summer. I'll let you know.

Thank God for restoring my husband.
Except for His mercy I could be a widow today.

Titus, tell us your story. I can relate with you. If God had not restored my husband I would also be a widow today. But God is a prayer-answering, miracle-working, grace-giving God!! I have so much to be thankful for!!

What an awesome testimony thread! Thanks, Bro. Epley for sharing with us your blessings. God is soooooo good! I thank Him for my husband who is so anointed and yet so much fun to live with. We are truly best friends after 28 years. I thank Him for Godly parents and inlaws. I thank Him for my two kids who love God and are following His way. My daughter was wayward for a couple of years, but God graciously brought her back and she is working in ministry today. I am believing that my son will never have to go through any of that stuff, but will stay true to what he knows is right.

I thank God for a wonderful growing, alive church! The people are almost all new to the Spirit filled movement, so they are so hungry, they are insatiable! Coming from Catholic, Church of Christ, Baptist, Presbyterian, etc. backgrounds, they feel like they have been set on fire (and they have!!).

I do too, Elder Epley. Thank you for starting this thread!:ty

I just had someone the other day remind me of something. A friend told me that she remembers 21 years ago when I shared with her one night how I was in Love with my future wife.

SHe told me she remembers my eyes getting big and looking so happy.

You know I told that friend before I told my future wife that I was in love with her.

It was so cool to have someone remember 21 years later how I looked and felt all those years ago.

It just made me think about today 20 years after being married, just how much that Love has grown...

I am blessed..........

I am blessed I was born and live in America. I knew all my grandparents and great grand-parents.
:bliss :bliss

Brother..Epley.. I was talking with my Dad the other day to see if he knew you.. He has spent some time in Ol' Kentuck.. I have a Uncle who pastors there.. and he said the only Epley's he knew about was a story about a Young Couple and a truck Camper???

Do you know about this story??

I am blessed to have been married 18 yrs.come May. And to the same woman I look forward to spending my old age with her.

No I don't???

I am blessed to still be married to my wonderful husband. Knowing that I could have lost him last May makes every anniversary that much more special. 21 years now, folks! Thank you, Jesus.

And to have two wonderful sons to drive me crazy. This is something that everyone told us we'd never have. What a gift. 17 & 13 and I am watching them and a whole gang of their friends out throwing snowballs at each other in our front yard right now. What a treasure.

I am blessed to have friends who have been my friends since I was in my teens. That is such a gift. Friends who have a history with you.

Most of all, I am blessed to have a God who walks with me every day, sharing each step, each secret, each thought, each hurt, each joy. Never leaving me alone. Who could ask for a better friend?!