Clint's testimony

The history of our marriage is given in my wife’s, Lydia, testimony so I won’t duplicate what she has written, but needless to say we had a tough first couple of years. We didn’t know it then, but looking back it is so clear that God was at work on us. In the beginning of our marriage I believed and had been trained by the world that my role was to make a living for the family and to protect them, nothing more. I truly believed that the vast majority of marriages were drudgeries. I thought that I would be happiest at work or getting away from my family in other ways, such as being with buddies. I was working three jobs and doing a lot of playing. I also believed that I needed to maintain some of the independence I had when I was single to be happy. I was not loving my wife as God gives the role of husbands so clearly in the Scriptures.

Lydia’s response was to try and convince me to be the leader of the family, and to do more than what I thought my role was. I resisted and it wasn’t working. Our marriage hit a low. My wife looked for an answer and found it in Michael and Debi Pearl’s ministry “No Greater Joy”. Their ministry used the Scriptures to show my wife her role God has given her in our marriage. Lydia submitted to me, stopped nagging me, and prayed for me. She truly became my “help meet” in all things. I had no idea marriage could be this good, and full of joy.

When my wife dropped the reins, I slowly but surely picked them up. I am now truly the leader of our family and doing the role God called me to do. When I started reading the Bible to my children daily, God and the Scriptures became so important to them. I had no idea how important it is to be a father and how much influence fathers have on their children. The attitude change in my oldest son was amazing when I turned off the television and started reading to them. He stopped hating the Scriptures and they became very important to him. If it is that important to Dad, it’s important to him.

I don’t work as much now and truly spend as much time with my wife and children as I can. I would rather be with them, then anyone. I learned to put God first, my wife second, and my children a close third. My profession is still very important to me and I do my best, but it is now put in perspective of what is important.

Two of my favorite things to do are hunting big game, and hiking the Beartooth Mountains. They used to be a chance to be with my buddies and get away from my wife and children. I know men who don’t even like to hunt, but travel across the state to hunt, just to get away from their families, using the justification that it is for cheap meat. The truth is that by the time they pay for the fuel, equipment, food, and other expenses they could have saved money buying meat at the grocery store. Since God change my wife and I, I didn’t stop hunting or hiking. I just take the family with me, and they love it! I shot a nice mule deer buck with the whole family along, when my youngest son was one month old riding on my wife’s back. (never too young to start) I have bought a wall tent with a stove and we camp and hunt as a family. Every big game animal I have harvested for the last four years, I have had at least one of my children with me. My wife and children have been on four day hiking trips with me, complete with going over the highest mountain pass in the Beartooths. They will remember that trip always and still talk about it.

I thank God every day for my wife and children, and the change he made in us. This is why we have started this business, so that you can know the absolute joy in knowing God’s will and following Him with everything that you are. It takes time, but when we follow God’s plan, focusing on Jesus’ willing death for us and resurrection, growing in our faith, the changes that happen are amazing.

I believe there is a wonderful reformation happening in America. Amongst all the tragedy on the news and the open rebellion to God in this country, families are turning to God (Hebrews 11). Husbands are loving their wives (Ephesians 5). Wives are submitting to their husbands (Ephesians 5). Fathers are turning to their children (Malachi 4). Home schooling is growing (Deuteronomy 6, Ephesians 6). There is a start to balancing the State, the Church, and the family. In my opinion No Greater Joy, Vision Forum, American Vision, and Answers In Genesis are leading this movement. They are fallible men and women, and everything needs to be examined with the scriptures. However, these and other ministries are so instrumental in helping people grow in their walk with our Lord, Jesus Christ. I hope they help you see God’s truth the way they did for our family. God bless.