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January 18th will always stick out in my mind, body and spirit!

On this day, twenty-three years ago, I experienced something I had never encountered before and something I have never experienced since…

I heard the Voice of God!

Suffice it to say the three years leading up to this date had been incredibly rough, tough, difficult, full of setbacks, a few small steps forward in the midst and mire of trying to gain traction in a world full of new faces, new job, new relationships, all the while everything and everyone I once knew was fading fast into the rearview mirror of life. 

It was a Thursday afternoon and I was driving in my car along the “Katy Freeway” (Interstate 10) on the west side of Houston heading home to my humble apartment after a week on the road consulting with churches. 

All of a sudden, I felt the presence of God fill the car completely and wholly. 
It was a most surreal feeling, yet calming and soothing. 
Then I heard a voice, unlike any voice I had ever heard before. 
The announcement made was short and to the point. 
My heart, mind and soul heard it loud and clear. 
Eleven words…
That’s all there was to this declaration. 
Sixteen syllables later and my life was forever changed in that moment. 
I burst into tears…

Tears of joy,
Tears of comfort,
Tears of relief,
Tears, tears, tears
And my deepest fears were relieved in an instant!

Here’s what I heard:

"David! You’re back! 
You’re back to being the person I created!"

God called me by name. 
I was now free from the most recent past which had taken me prisoner in all sorts of ways.
I was back to being the person God had intended all along!
I was ecstatic!
I was overjoyed!
I was overcome with weeping so intense I had to pull over to the side of the freeway until I had regained my composure. 

January 18th…
Thank you dear Lord for reaching down and pulling me up and out and placing me on a course which has led me to where I am today!
It lasted an instant and the ramifications will remain forever!

1/18/01 - The Date!

Let’s take a closer look at those numbers and punctuate them a little differently:

118:01 - What do we have now?
Let’s add the word “Psalms” in front of it…

Psalm 118:01 - What does it say?

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!”

And thanks I do give!!
Happy Thursday the 18th to you...

Grace and peace,
Laugh often and Fear not!
David Dendy
Pastor MVPC