I had a wonderful Father’s Day! It began with my meeting Jim Hohnberger. Jim is the founder of Empowered Living Ministries (www.EmpoweredLivingMinistries.org) and the author of many Christian books including Escape to God. I read Escape to God a few months ago and felt an instant bond with Jim. This book is about Jim’s journey from non-believer, to being a “religious” man, to truly walking with God in all areas of his life.
When I read his book I could not believe the similarities in our lives. In fact, when I finished reading the book I said to Chris, “You have got to read this. This guy is living our life, but he is doing it right!” I felt such a bond with Jim that I longed to meet him some day and compare life experiences.
Well, about a month after reading the book, Ron Gabbett, the friend who loaned me the book and told me I had to read it, informed me that Jim was going to be in our area speaking at a nearby camp. Ron asked if it would be alright if he invited Jim to speak at church. Alright? I told him it was more than alright. I asked him to please do whatever he could to get Jim here.
Jim agreed to come speak to our little church. His message was such a blessing. After service we had Jim and Michael, the camp instructor, and Ron and his friend Ann over for lunch. We had the opportunity to share our hearts and experiences with one another for a few hours. What a blessing. Jim offered me words of encouragement as we continue the ministry of Norwood Christian Ranch (www.NorwoodChristianRanch.com) and how we might take it to the next level of ministering to pastors and missionaries and Christian families.
Jim is such a wonderful man of God. I felt like I had known him my whole life because God has had us on such similar journeys.
After Jim left we went out to Miramonte Reservoir with our dear friends, the Parkers, to do some fishing. The weather and the fishing were good and we had a nice, relaxing time on the water in the Parker’s boat. We came back with five fish and some funny fishing stories about “the ones that got away.”
All in all it was an excellent way to spend Father’s Day.
Serving Christ and His family,
Pastor Ken Lawrence
