The Town Creek Story

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Today I thought I was going fishing and just enjoy the great out door. Well that is how it started out any way. Town Creek Bridge in Guntersville Alabama is one of my favorite spots to fish. The beauty of this spot is one that draws me there time and time again.

Today turned into more than catching fish. I walked down to this rock to fish and there was man already there to my right. Just about 15 minutes later another gentleman came down to the rock that was between the man and I that was already there.   Well the gentleman began telling the man that he needs to apologize to him. My mind was think oh my, where is this going is a fight going to break out here.

Well the man ask the gentleman what he need to apologize for. He said I was down here this morning and I did not even talk to you and as a Christian that was wrong of me. The man said that it was ok that he did not think anything about it. The gentlemen insisted he was wrong and that he just did not do what he knew was right and speak and acknowledge him. The man said I might have used some language when you where here this morning that were not very nice for a Christian man to hear.

Well the gentleman ask the man his name he said Mark. The man said Mark my name is Conley. Conley said Mark the Lord sent me down here to talk to you. Mark he said I feel like our paths crossed today for a reason. Mark began to cry and said I am just and old sinner. I am lonely never been married and sometimes I wish my life were over. Conley began to witness to Mark. Marks eyes where filled with tears as Conley was sharing with him.

Conley ask Mark if he would go to church with him Sunday. He said sir I have not been in a church in 20 years. Conley said if you want to go I will come by and get you. Mark said I really want to do that sir. Mark said I want to learn more but I am just don’t understand all this. Conley said hey why don’t you just come over to the house with me tonight and lets eat fish and talk about Jesus.

Mark said I really need to go home first I am dirty and stink I really need a bath. Conley said I am not married and I live alone so you come just as you are. Mark said ok I would love to sir.

This whole thing took place before my very eyes and ears, people in boats where looking over our way. There was another gentleman walked up named John from Louisiana. He ask if we where catching any fish I said today we are fishers of men.   Conley replied with a nice loud Praise the Lord.

I told Conley that I just witnessed on of the most beautiful things I had ever seen that my heart was so touched. I was thinking in my mine I wish I had the boldness you have Conley.  I am going to work on that with the help of God for sure.

I went over to Mark when it was time to go. I said to him you blessed me today he shook my hand and said Jeff can I give you my number and lets come fish together sometimes. I said sure Mark you bet. He said I made some friends here today and I love you Jeff. I told Mark I love you to man I look forward to seeing you again.

So Conley and his pastor are sharing the gospel with Mark as they are eating fish as I am typing this. I also got Conley’s phone number I want to go fishing with him again to and here how it turned out with Mark and Jesus.

This a true story that happen at Town Creek Bridge Guntersville Alabama April 15, 2013.

So there is one thing I want to take away from today is to be bolder about my witness.

Matthew 4:19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

The Jouney

The Journey

I really am thankful that God has changed my life. For the years I wasted I can not get back. I choose not to live in the past what done is done. I choose to live everyday to the fullest. I have had God teach me that I have a choice of how I live everyday. I can choose everyday to be happy no matter how I feel. That was a big thing for me to learn that I don't have to live on my feelings. That I can choose to use self control.

The other big thing in my life is that I had to learn to forgive. To forgive people even if that did not ask for forgiveness. Most of all to learn to forgive myself. I had to a huge problem for years of feeling like I was never good enough. I lived the the regret of the mistakes I had made financially and personally and spiritually. I was always talking about my past and how I wished I could go back and change things.

I just had to learn that I was wasting my time. Not only my time but Gods time living in the past. Not only living in the past but living my days with grudges and anger of things that had happened years ago. When I got free from my past is the day the most life changing healing began.

So I got my wish to change things. Not my past but my future. To give my time to whats important. To God and my family and to grabbing every piece of wisdom I can. To learn from the word of God and books and from older people that are very successful. I hope one day that I am able to share my life's story with the younger generations to come so that they can grow and not make some of the same mistakes I have made.