‘Tis the eve of my 48th birthday. Hmmm… nothing special, just contemplative. It’s been several days of just kind of looking around. I see so many of my wonderful friends and family supporting and loving me. I also, happily and proudly, see some friends doing such awesome things with their music ministries, which quite honestly is where I thought God was leading me too. I still believe He is, but in a different way, and in a different time frame. One thing I do know is how very blessed I am!

OH, and by the way…. CONGRATS TO MY DEAR BROTHER JASON WATSON!!! TWO, COUNT ‘EM TWO NUMBER ONE SONGS ON THE CHARTS NOW!!! I love you Jason, and am so proud to be your bro! God bless you my friend! And also congrats to Andrea Beemer!!! My beautiful sister, and completely gifted artist! Getting married in July! Can’t wait!! I already rsvp’d!! HA!!! I love you Andrea!

Ok, I digress. My thought was that I was feeling sorry for myself, but then I realized that I’m really not. I’m frustrated, yes. I’m shaky in how I deal with certain things, yes, but I still believe whole heartedly in God’s ultimate plan for me. The last year and a half of my life has NOT gone as planned. SOOOO there’s a clue!!! Not by MY plan!!! DUHHHH!!! Hello!!! I preach God’s Word and timing, but sometimes I forget to follow my own faith, beliefs, and advice.

I know I’ve screwed up certain things in the not-so-distant past, and I also know that God invented humor, so during my meditative times of prayer and listening/talking with God, we do have a good laugh together!!!…. and then a long, hard cry…. but in the end… a strengthening of faith and love, and I absolutely, as always, with no doubt or reservation, KNOW that He has my back, and that I am doing His will.

Belief is not based on denomination, upbringing, or what WE want. It is based on heart, soul, and God’s will for us… in other words… complete and unwaivering FAITH!!! It is true that God gave us free will to choose, hence the opportunity to make our own mistakes and misjudgements! But even with that, He is always there to pull us up by the boot straps, or catch us when we stumble and/or fall!

Humanity is not a curse, although at times we may think differently. It is, in fact a blessing. A blessing of discovery and faith, a blessing of self awareness, a blessing of concious, and of conciousness. It is truly a gift… we just have to accept it as such. Or at least, that’s how I see it. In the end, it comes back to the fact that when we put complete trust and faith in the Will of God, and believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, then true happiness can occur. I know that sounds a bit simplified, and it is… but the fact remains, that it is true.

I have in the past several months, poured myself into my calling as a priest/bishop, and leader of the Celtic Communion of Christ. I have prayed over this, and it weighs on my heart to do so. My music and art are still so very important to my calling, and I truly believe these gifts to be something that God intends for me to use to glorify Him in every way, but the church has moved to the top of the list. This was not my idea, and the fact that it has happened this way, is just more proof to me of God’s plan, and timing.

I really have to thank my family, especially Mom, Sharon, and Lou Anne for sticking by me/putting up with me, during a time of re-discovery. Not to mention the many family/friends… especially Linda, Beck, Joe Dugan, Steve, John, and anyone else who I may be leaving out… you know who you are. God bless you all, and thank you so much for your understanding and not pulling some sort of weapon on me!! HA!!

I’m really just thinking out loud, and thanking God for everything on this birthday. I wouldn’t normally share all of this with the general public, but in this case, I felt compelled to do so.

God bless you all, and please know that I love you!

In His Grip,
Joe

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