The Good Samaritan

In church this past Sunday the sermon really got me thinking.  It really challenged me to look at how I react to people in need.  The preacher spoke about the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).

I know most of you are familiar with this story but I am going to touch on it a little.

A man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and he was jumped by robbers.  He was beaten, and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest passed by, saw him, and decided to pass him by on the other side of the road.  Soon after, a Levite saw him and passed him by on the other side of the road as well.  Finally, a Samaritan traveling down the road saw him lying there as he walked by, and took pity on him.  The Samaritan placed the man on his own donkey, and took him to an inn, and took care of him.  The next day, he gave the innkeeper two silver coins and asked him to look after the man.  The Samaritan told the innkeeper that when he returned he would reimburse the innkeeper for any extra expenses that came about while he was gone.

The Jews and Samaritans did not care for each other, yet this Samaritan was the only that stopped to help this man.  God commands us to love our neighbor as we do ourselves.  Your neighbors may be people you don't particularly care for, but as Christians we have a responsibility to glorify God by following his commandment.

When you see someone standing on the road begging for money or a ride, it is not right to pass judgement on them because you don't know why they are in the situation they are in.  I know on the surface it seems simple.  You may tell yourself, "He doesn't work and is broke because he is a drunk or does drugs".  Well that is the outer-shell.  What about the inner-shell?  Why did he begin to use drugs or drink?  Sometimes it can go as far back as their childhood years.  Anything could have led to the emotional breakdown of this person to succumb to this kind of behavior.  They could have been physically, mentally, or sexually abused.  Maybe they had a traumatic event that happened that caused them to no be able to think in a logical manner.  Whatever the case may be, you may never know.  Whether you know their background or not, this doesn't exclude you from showing them mercy and grace through God.  If you have the means to help them then as a Christian it falls on you to do it.

This could mean as simple as giving them a ride, feeding them, or helping them financially.  Of course, you should use your head and not put yourself in danger when giving someone a ride and you should also be wise about helping someone financially and making sure the money is going for the intended use.

When you do this, take the opportunity to tell someone about Jesus Christ and what he has done for you and can do for them.  You may not get to everyone but even one soul is worth it all.

Never let any kind of bias, whether it be race, economic standing, or whatever other prejudices there are, stop you from showing someone God's mercy.  All for His Glory.

On another note we had our second men's bible study and started in the "Courageous Living Bible Study" book.  It was very interesting to hear other men's views on how to live courageously as a father, husband and male role model.  I look forward to the next few weeks of learning.  I'll update you more on what we covered yesterday in the bible study.

That's Not My Kid

Well I believe we have finally settled on a church home.  It has been kind of exasperating.  I will admit I have enjoyed visiting the different churches and seeing all of the different ways people worship.

I started a men's bible study group and held the first meeting at my office this past Monday.  It was pretty interesting and informative.  We talked about the roles of fathers and husbands in society and some of the issues surrounding the lack thereof.  As a cop I saw first hand what fatherless homes have done to children.  I can honestly say it made me feel bad reflecting back on some of the kids I dealt with.  As a cop I was never in step with Christ at all so my observations were entirely from a secular viewpoint.  Looking back now, with Christ in my heart, I realize most of those kids if not all lacked male leadership and in some cases female leadership as well.  These children were really victims of their own upbringing.  My attitude was coarse at the time and I wish I knew then what I know now.  I have lately wondered what if some of these kids had a different set of circumstances.  Would they be great leaders in our society?  Would they be productive members?

All of this makes me reflect back to some of the principles I picked up in that wonderful movie "Courageous".  God does not just tell you to care for your own children but he also commands you to take up the cause of the fatherless.  So where there is no role model you have a responsibility and an opportunity as a christian man to guide that young person and train them in the ways of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This is not a request men this is expected of you (Ps. 82:3-4) and should not be taken lightly.  If more christian men would take on their proper role with their children you would see a tremendous difference in our society.  But imagine, men not only taking up the time with their children and training them in the ways of God but stepping in where there are no fathers there at all.  The difference would be so far beyond measure and we would be able to see society turn to Christ in such a big way.  Each of you men know some child that is in such a situation.  The child's father may be in prison, deceased, or just skipped town completely.  These children could be your nephews, nieces, or just a close friend's child that could use a Godly male role model.  Show these children what it means to have God in your life and what the church is about.  Get down on bended knee and teach these children how to pray to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Its very easy to have the attitude, "They aren't my kids why should I have to deal with it".  Because God said so that's why and that should be enough.  If you won't teach them what a Godly father is suppose to be then how will they come to know the greatest Father of all.

There will be more to come on this subject but I'm done for now.  I'm not saying you have to raise someone else's kids but consider who will be their role model if you are not.  There are plenty of ungodly people out there that Satan has put in place to jump on the chance to take these children down the path of evil.

My Return

In June, 2010 Adams Investigative Services, LLC was opened and initially I worked from home.  In August I moved into an office in Sumter.  There was another company named Hilditch Investigative Services that referred some work to me and subcontracted me to do some process service.  I also used the owner, Chris Hilditch, to help with some case work on occasion.  Chris and I worked pretty well together.  He was really busy with process service and didn't have as much time for investigations.  Chris invited my wife and me to dinner one night to discuss a business proposal.  During the dinner Chris stated he thought it would be a good idea for us to merge and I agreed.

In October we official merged and Central Carolina Investigations, LLC was born.  Things went well and I was satisfied with what I was doing.  As time progressed during the summer of 2011 I became quite restless and didn't really know why.  My stress and anger were on the increase again.  I felt like I was looking for something but I didn't know what.  My wife told me she felt like I was searching for something as well.  I began having a lot of questions spiritually and started researching and reading. The problem with this is that I was researching and reading all of the wrong things.

My business partner, Chris, goes to church and serves the youth of his church.  I began bouncing things off of him and he answered several questions for me.  What he couldn't answer at least got me thinking about things.  Chris and I had several conversations at the office (still do) about God and what it means to be a christian.  So with this, I must say I feel that God put Chris in my life because he knew what I was going to go through.  I have to give a lot of credit to Chris for helping me with some of the spiritual questions.  Even if we didn't agree, it made me look in the right places at least.  My research turned more toward the scriptures rather than secular solutions.  God was trying to work on me and I didn't realize it.  I had ignored him for so long that I didn't even give a thought that this uneasiness was the Holy Spirit trying to move me to search for God.  You see, when the Holy Spirit moves in you it is not necessarily going to be a peaceful feeling sometimes He takes you out of your comfort zone to move you in the right direction.  But if you're like me, and have resisted God for so long, you miss the signs and look in the wrong place.

My wife was praying that I would come back to God and God answered her prayers.  God was tired of my lack of faith, my ungrateful attitude, and my complete disregard for Him.  Things came to a head with my wife and I believe that was God's intent.  He needed to get my attention and He did.

I realized that God had a use for me and He was absolutely going to get my cooperation this time.  I was tired of resisting Him and this time around instead of getting back in the church for other people's happiness I did it by His grace and my desire to please Him.

I began attending church and reading the bible again.  I really feel a strong calling this time and can't seem to get enough of the scripture.  My desire to serve God supersedes anything else in my life as it should be.  Currently my wife and I are searching for a church home and we are waiting on God to show us the right one.

The most beautiful part about following God is that faith that you have when things don't seem to be going your way.  Man has to understand that the problems we have we can't fix.  We are INCAPABLE of doing it on our own.  Only through God's grace can we work through life's trials and once we acknowledge our inadequacies for handling our own problems the sooner we can receive His grace.

God has really helped me improve my relationship with my wife, children, and friends.  Before, I was reluctant to announce my belief in Jesus Christ but now I desire for everyone to know it.  I want to be so close to God that people can see Him in me before I open my mouth.  This is the change He has done in my life.

As of late, I have been researching the possibility of seminary school.  I don't know yet what God has in store for me but I know I want to serve Him whatever that means I must do.

Well now that we have caught up I will be posting current things happening in my life and how God is working in my life.


James 5:19-20  (NIV)


19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.