Keep Searching

Dear Friend, What a wonderful life I have experienced. Oh, I don't mean it's just been wonderful, but when I look back now at the experiences, both good and bad, and how they've brought me to the place I am today. Inside, I am better, more secure, independent of the world and dependent on God, and there is a constant peace.

I could be sad that I've experienced divorce, but it's awesome that I was blessed with the experience of having been close enough with someone to enjoy all the joy that comes with intimacy within marriage. And, to bring beautiful children into the world, to help them grow into maturity, with lives of their own now. What a blessing.

My Father was an alcoholic and a womanizer for many years and I hated him until I was 27. Today, we are closer than ever. It is sad to see the affect that alcohol and an ungodly lifestyle has had on his mind and body, but it is awesome to see enough of the father I so wanted, that is left of him for me to enjoy now.

My Mother suffered many years with Bi-Polar before even knowing what was happening to her. At times it caused much heartache and stress within the family. I could grieve over the loss of love and struggles that caused us, as children, growing up, but today, she has, not only had medical treatment for it, but is much better at dealing with it. And so now, we are able to spend quality time together.

As a runaway teen, I can remember selling blood to buy drugs, and stealing food and life was very rough for a number of years. I could be sad for such a troubled start at life, but today I am thankful for have gotten a G.E.D. and to have retired from the military.

Even though I did not know God in those days, He knew me. His love for me was constant, meticulous, and patient. In time, he would use my hard edge, strong will, and desire to be something someday, to bring me to know Himself.

My first Job in the Air Force was at Cape Canaveral, Fl., typing launch countdown sequences for Rockets. I was also an escort to DVs during the 1st 4 shuttle Launches. Then I went to the Pentagon for 4 1/2 years as the Secretary of The Air Forces' Supply man. I went from there to Hickam AFB Hi. and was NCOIC of Protocol.

I was in Protocol for nearly the rest of my career and met all kinds of people. Big Wigs... some nice, some not so nice. I retired with 23 years of service, with the 6yrs Army added. 3 MSMs, 3 AFCMs, 3 AFAMs, and 1 JCM. I have been to Alaska, Portugal, Germany, Hawaii, and 47 states... I've watched Ice Burgs dwarf cruise ships in the bay near Anchorage, Bears fish barehanded... hehe...

I watched 3 F16s come up to the back of a Kc10 and refuel over the Pacific as I laid in the tail window. I've climbed the highest mountain in HI and watched the sun go down in the ocean that night and come up out of it the next morning. Seen guards walk behind the Iron Curtain between Germany and Russia, The Aurora Borealis (northern lights) in Fairbanks Ak, Volcano Plumes on the big Island, Rockets and Shuttles take off.

I've seen underwater missiles take off from submarines and dove off 60 feet cliffs into the ocean, swam with every kind of fish there is, and skied on every form of water, but the greatest thing I've ever seen was watching my 3 children born. God has let me see many things in this world , including death, and He has brought me all the way back where I started, here in N.C. Through all of it I see His Love, Grace, even Mercy... And lots of patience and forgiveness. I am trying to share His-story with everyone now.

In our relationship together, He has cut away many things that kept us separated for so long, and He is still doing a work in me.

But the greatest thing He has done for me has been revealing to me His Love. I don't know why me, but I am so thankful, because it is the greatest thing I could ever have received. The more about Love I learn, the deeper into Love I am plunged. I can't keep it in. I can't shut up about it. It's power over those I share it with is visible, amazing, and life changing. Those that I don't think the love is working on right now, come back later and tell me how it begin to work and grow in them.

It is what has changed my view about all the pain I have endured in my life. Love has made me feel loved like never before, and love has allowed me to love like never before.

Walking in a Spirit of Love, is an amazing thing to watch. Most amazing to me is to see for myself, and to know in my mind that it is NOT me that is generating this amazing power.

Before, I always believed that I knew where I was going and very concerned about what would happen. Today, with Love, I do not know where I am going now and not concerned at all what will happen.

In trying to be loved I struggled with sin, but understanding love has made me to sin less and loved even more. Walking in Love changes the way we perceive the whole world.

I was listening to a sermon the other day that was using the Old Testament to threaten the listeners into repentance. Walking in love, I was able to travel backwards in the Spirit towards the time when Gods' prophet wrote those words.

On my way back towards that time in His-story, I passed by the Cross and I saw the threats of the Old Testament nailed there into the hands and feet of Love. I traveled a little further back in time to when He said, "Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the Prophets, but to complete and fulfill them".

Walking in a Spirit of Love allows you to understand that when God says something has been fulfilled, that IT IS FINISHED, "no refills", Amen?

I want everyone to know this love, and God is waiting to fill up every heart with Himself - LOVE so that you may Walk in a Spirit of Love. Keep Searching my friend.

I love you.
by: Preston Pittman
Keep Searching - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV