Dear Orange Moon Friends

Friends,

   I became a born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ forty one years ago today, on September 17, 1975.  I've thought a lot about the anniversary in the last few days, primarily in terms of all I would have missed had I never come to know the Lord.  That includes just about everything and everyone in my life.  First and foremost, I would have not known the glorious presence of the Lord Jesus in this life and forevermore.  "In Thy presence is fullness of joy.  At Thy right hand, there are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11).  That's a horrifying prospect to consider.  However, I would also have missed being blessed with nearly all the people in my life.  My wife Frances and I met in church, which led to our life together, including our children and grandchildren.  I can't imagine having lived without such indescribably wondrous gifts to my heart.  Moreover, I would have missed nearly all the friends in my life, the vast majority of whom are believers I met because I became a Christian.  Another terrible thought to postulate.

   This leads to grateful thoughts about all of you who read these devotionals.  I consider you to be friends, as well as brothers and sisters in Christ.  Many of you I consider close friends because you have been kind enough to respond to the messages, leading to regular fellowship of heart to heart.  And with some of you, this has become a face to face experience.  Again, I've thought to myself in the last few days, "What if I had never known the people who read the Orange Moon devotionals?"  I literally shudder at the thought!  So, please know that on this day when I gratefully consider the glories I have known in these forty one years, and what it would have been like to have missed them, you are all among the gifts for which I can never offer enough gratitude.  I thank the Lord with all my heart, and I thank you.

   "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now" (Phillipians 1:3-5).

Glen