Our trust in God began many years before we even met each other! We can both see now how God was molding us and making us ready to be each other's marriage partner way back then. We both truly believe that God has put us together for a reason and that He will use us in His divine plan for His glory and purpose.
We have been married now since 2/20/88 and are closer to God than ever before. When we first got married, we both committed the marriage relationship to God and asked Him to bless us and show us His plan for our lives. We truly believe that putting God first in our lives is what has enabled us to make it through the tough times.
We have had many trials to face and overcome throughout our marriage—such as Jacki's chronic debilitating illness, the loss of 2 grandparents, Jacki's mother, several aunts and uncles, and later on losing both of Gorden's parents. Especially hard was the loss of our little Dusty—our fur-baby for many years. It is trials such as these that have brought us closer to God and helped us to rely on Him more and more. When nothing makes sense, it always helps to remember that God is in control and that He is still working out His perfect plan for us. He has carried us through every trial, just as He promised He would, and we can give thanks even in them (not necessarily for them!) because we know that God can take whatever the enemy throws our way and meant for our harm and use it for our good! (Romans 8:28 – "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." and Genesis 50:20 – "As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people."
We believe He has allowed all these trials (especially Jacki's illness) in order to prepare us for things to come in the future—simply transforming us into the people He has always envisioned we could be. He has "refined us with fire" and hopefully, we will eventually "come forth as gold". We praise Him and thank Him for all the blessings He's given us and for His ever-loving presence in our lives. Yes, we pray for healing and have received a good measure of it! We anticipate the day in which Jacki is completely healed and are claiming it by faith! (Isaiah 53:5 – "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.")
We dedicate this web site to His glory in the hopes that it will draw others close to Him and help someone who's searching for answers…
Jacki's Testimony of Faith – the story of Jacki's conversion from Roman Catholicism to Biblical Christianity.
Did You Know…? – Originally written to speak to Catholics who are being told that we can only "hope" to have eternal life. Explains very clearly the awesome plan of salvation through faith in Christ!
The TRUE Good News! – Jacki's simple explanation of the "Good News" (Gospel) shortly after her conversion.
Just Let GO! – a short, but wonderful lesson learned from a bug on a car window!
Scriptures to Strengthen Your Faith – our favorite collection of scriptures that can lift us up out of the darkest of times.
What is Blind Trust in God? – a collection of our thoughts and ideas about learning to trust God completely without question for everything in our lives—even when it doesn't make any sense!
Trusting God with Complete Abandon – a story of the "potter and the clay" that teaches a lesson about trusting God in every situation!
Comfort for Those Who Mourn – Scriptures of mourning, comfort, and joy, compiled after we lost Dusty.
Things That Dusty Taught Me – We lost our precious little fur-baby, Dusty, on 10/22/01. He was 16.5 years old! He was such a blessing to us and taught us so much. Here's a little of what he taught us.
The Windsock – When we look at the world through our "spiritual eyes", we can learn tremendous lessons from the simplest things! Here is a story by Jacki about lessons learned from watching a windsock blowing in the breeze one winter day.
The Path That Leads to Destruction – "Eternity – Smoking" – What will happen if you don't receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior…
The Way to Peace With God – "Eternity – Non-smoking" – How to KNOW you will go to heaven when you die and have peace that passes all understanding here on earth!
Shelved – by Christine K. McClelland – Our value to God doesn't depend on what we can do for Him…
A New Spin on Humpty Dumpty – Another poem by Kelly Irwin that shows God's healing love and care for us.
Here's a special poem that we wanted to share with you that was written by a 12-year-old girl in Boston shortly after the Columbine High School shooting incident. We believe it really speaks loudly and clearly about the current state of affairs in this country…
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule.
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
Any time my head I bow
Becomes a federal matter now.
The law is specific; the law is precise:
Praying out loud is no longer nice.
Praying aloud in a public hall
Upsets those who believe in nothing at all.
In silence alone we can meditate,
and if God should get the credit – great!
They are bringing their guns – I don't dare bring my Bible;
To do so might make me liable.
So now, Oh Lord,
this plea I make:
Should I be shot in school,
My soul please take.
