Introduction

I had desired to work for God since the beginning of my salvation and wanted very much to be a minister if God would permit. He did and called when I had been one of his children less than three years. I realized how inadequate I was and began my study of God's laws and ways in earnest.

In my studies I found that a minister needed to be all things to all people. It was needful to strengthen the diseased and feeble both spiritually and physically, to help lift up the hands that hang down lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, to bind up that which was broken, to bring again that which was driven away, and to seek that which was lost.

At the age of 30 God sent me to a small church of about 10 families, which since has grown to approximately 73 families. When he sent me to Tiftonia, I was very young by the standards of most people in our church.

Fully realizing my shortcomings, I began to pray and to desire that I could be of help to all those who have needs. The word of God is for reproof, rebuke and correction. It is also for comfort, consolation, encouragement and instruction. I wanted desperately to be all things to all people, and to be available when I was needed. I tried very hard to do this and finally realized that there was only one of myself and only 24 hours a day allotted to me.

I considered all this and there was born within my heart a dream to write a book or books on different subjects that might be of help to our people. I realized that it might be met with opposition and there would be people who would not want to read what I wrote. Then again there would be those who would read it just to criticize.

Knowing this was   probably true, I thought of the ones who would read it for help and encouragement. If I spent my life in this work and it just helped one person to live for Christ and to bear the fruit of Holiness, and if it could help one person at perhaps a turning point in their life to hold on and stay in the way, then what price would I be willing to pay?

Would the criticisms and weariness of the flesh, caused by   the hours   spent studying, praying, typing, reading, re-typing, re-reading etc. be worth it? As I thought on these things, my heart said yes a thousand times yes.

I have heard it said and have said it myself that Holiness begins at   home. If a husband and wife get along at home, it will definitely show up at work, in the way they treat their children, their neighbors, and friends. Most of all it will show up at church and in the way they live there daily lives.

My wife  and  I  have  had a  very  good marriage for over  twenty-five years now.  We have had our ups  and downs as all  marriages do. However I  would like  very much to  help our young and maybe  not so young to  be able to go around a few of those mud holes  instead of looking up  and finding themselves  in the middle of one.

If they  do  find  themselves  there,  I would like  for the  things in  this book  to help them find  the way  out. With these  few thoughts in  mind, I  prayerfully begin  this book with the sincere hope that it will  be a help and a blessing to God's Children.