Chapter 16: Myth—God Owns Solid Rock

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Myth—God Owns Solid Rock

about ten of its executives and I was one of them. Suddenly, what I had wondered about materialized. Why I had taken the family out of our

Minnesota roots to California is a long story. I suspect it was an answer to the prayers of at least two people. Even more important and looking back now I know it was part of God’s spiritual training for my earthly life.

For my children who may still wonder what it was about, let me say that God was taking our family on a spiritual adventure to train dad in His ways. It would be a time to learn to rely upon His grace and not on our own resources. Remember in the last chapter where Jesus sent his apostles out

without a moneybag? Well, God was also sending our family without one. Indeed, we would learn to trust in His ability to keep our family functioning. We couldn’t afford any luxuries, but the family lacked little in terms of actual needs. We had a roof over our heads, electricity, heat and food. We had clothes on our backs. We also had a future with hope and knew that

God’s plan was still unfolding.

We returned to Nowthen Alliance in late 1985 and spent the next seven years there. During our stay, I became more grounded in God’s Word

as a result of Pastor Frederick’s teachings. I have an entire NKJV Bible marked up with notes from his teachings during those years. Thanks for the great teachings Paul! God was using you to anchor this apostle in His Word. Indeed, this was a time for me to grow in depth concerning real knowledge

of God’s Word. This growth came about by detailed studies and application of the word to my life. Remember, I had long ago read the whole Bible.

While at Nowthen Alliance I was baptized by immersion. It was

almost ten years from the time of my epiphany before I was baptized as an adult. The issue of baptism by immersion weighed heavily on my mind. For me it was just another step away from the prior church programming. I was baptized as a baby in a Lutheran church, yet I know that it was the stuff

of Christian mythology. When baptized, Pastor Frederick asked me what my testimony was. I said: “God had asked me what I was waiting for?”

“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized

[by immersion] and wash your sins away, calling on his name [the name of Jesus Christ].” Acts 22:16 NIV