Ambulances and Angels

*"*Fear of the Lord lengthens one's life, but the years of the wicked are cut short." Proverbs 10:27(NLT)

"Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." Psalm 90:12 (NLT)

Ambulances and Angels is a true story, written by God and told by me. It is the story of a life with its ups and downs, joys and sorrows, God's grace and mercy, and encounters with Ambulances and Angels along the way. In other words, this is the story of a life that may be similar to yours, with different names and circumstances. I am sharing this story to give readers a glimpse into what life was like "back in the day." I find myself in a mindset similar to that of King Solomon when he wrote Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes was written near the end of his life, and he shared some of what he had learned in hopes that others' lives might go better.

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

As I look back on my life, I can see how God directed my steps. I know this because I had my own plans for life that were different than God's. Guess whose plans prevailed! Personal encounters with Ambulances and Angels have characterized the seasons of my life; times of sadness and happiness, times of stress and times of peace, times of doing without, and times of plenty. I have always wanted God to reveal His plans for my future on Earth, but He has never done so. I think he didn't reveal His plans in order to test my faith. If he had shown his plans to me, I probably would have tried to change them. It would have been like the clay telling the potter what to do.

"But now, O Lord, you are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter, and all of us are the work of Your hand." Isaiah 64:8 (NASB)

My wife, Mary, has not just been a good wife and mother; she has been my partner. Through it all, she has been and remains by my side. I hope I can finish this story before "kicking the bucket" or, as we said in Vietnam, "going Tango Uniform." If you are reading this book, it means I have succeeded.

I don't know where the "kick the bucket" expression originated, but "Tango Uniform" was military lingo for "Toes Up," which makes more sense to me than "kicking the bucket." I fear the process of death, but not death itself. I look forward to seeing my Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face. If I don't get to tell you in this life, or if you weren't born before I go, please know that I love you in Christ, and I wish you a life of joy and peace. I pray that you will receive the Holy Spirit and that He will direct your steps as your story is written. Blessings for your journey.