“When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.”  – Joyce Brothers

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Titus 5:8)

What have been highlights for you in each of the past decades?

Today is my 50th birthday. Ten years ago I had plans to retire by the time I was 50 and was well on my way financially toward that goal. But God had other plans. He jerked me out of Culpeper Hospital where I had worked for 12 years to free up my time to set me on a path of discovery. A year and a half later I committed my life to Jesus. Within a few years, my wife and two children were saved.

I was on my way to hell and didn’t know it. To Rev. Mark Jarvis, I am eternally grateful for sharing the Gospel message in a simple way I could understand. Now I plan to never retire. Retirement isn’t biblical – there’s not a single example in the Bible that endorses retirement. Until the day I die, I plan to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Before dedicating my life to Jesus, I had very little prayer life and never prayed with a patient in my entire anesthesia career. Since then I prayed with hundreds of patients shortly before their surgery. In fact, many times I was called into the operating room by an anesthetist because a patient requested I pray for him/her just before being put to sleep.

What were some top highlights for each of the first 5 decades of my life?
1) Living in Italy with my family and Rosa when I was ages 1-5 and Germany when I was ages 11-15
2) Meeting Julia (my wife) at the University of Virginia in 1981 on her first day of classes there – the second greatest day of my life
3) Graduating from medical school (MCV) in 1983 and completing my anesthesia residency in 1986 opened wonderful doors of opportunity for me to serve society as a physician and provide for my family.
4) The birth of my children in 1985 and 1987
5) Committing my life to Jesus on Jan 6, 2001 – the greatest day of my life
6) Celebrating my parent’s 50th anniversary in 2003
7) Beginning Your Daily Blessing e-prayer devotional on July 1, 2006 to share my heart authentically to bless you and others

In conclusion, I’d like to give a special thanks to the people who sowed the most into my life:
1) My parents for training me up in the ways I should go
2) My wife for being my helpmate and my encourager
3) My two children for honoring their parents
4) My coaching buddies for 5 years – Mark Jarvis, Matt Gregory, Michael Stay
5) My coach and mentor for the past year – Jerry Graham

Prayer Power
Most gracious and loving Father, thank You for 50 years of abundant life. Thank You for the precious gift of a wonderful family and for the privilege of being an American. Thank You for my health, my friends, my home, my opportunities. My prayer is that I finish the race strong with my family and that through the web I may encourage millions of other families to be a blessing to millions more. Thy will be done. Thy Kingdom come. In Jesus name, I pray and give You glory, now and forever. Amen.

Link of the Day
2003 Christmas card with family photo and “Point of View” poem

Blessings to live life to the fullest for the King of kings!