StoryTeller: Darrin Seamster – The Story

Let me start at the beginning.  I was born in the home of a an evangelist.  I was the youngest child of my parents.  I traveled all over the country with my family as my dad did his evangelism.  When I was seven my dad was arrested as a pedophile and set to prison.  I haven’t had contact with him since that time.  This was my first brush with hypocracy in the church.

We moved to Maryland where my mom’s family was.  While we were there I turned into a bully.  My older brother was little for his age and got picked on at school so he would take that aggression out on me.  I was big for my age and I would take that aggression out on my class mates.  I was mad at everyone and everything, I beat up a lot of people.  Around this time I also found pornography.  Since I was big for my age I was able to purchase things that I wasn’t supposed to be able to get my hands on.  I was hooked on porn.

Eventually I found football!  I was rewarded for being aggressive!  It was great!

When I was 15 I gave my life to Christ and everything changed.  I went from being a bully to leading bible studies in the school.  People couldn’t believe the change they saw in me.  At 17 my family (including my step-dad who my mom had married while we were in Maryland) moved to Florida, I had a strong calling to go there and the family packed up and headed down there.

In Florida I was a leader in my high school and in my church.   The church I went to was great!  Prayer permeated everything we did.  There were all night prayer meetings often and everyone was focused on prayer.

When it was time to go off to college I went to Liberty University and was a starting center on their Division 1 football team as a walk on freshman.  My time at Liberty was cut short because my dad started drinking again.  I needed to go back home to be there for my mom.

I went back to Florida and did odd jobs.  I tried to get back into the church but things weren’t going well there.  There were moral failings of some key leaders and the focus of the church had completely changed.  So rather than finding a new church I just stepped away completely.

In 2002 I joined the Army.  I was still struggling with this battle of, “Will I go back to Christ?”  But while I was struggling with that I was still frequenting bars, hanging out with unbelieving friends, my best friend was a Buddhist – obviously he wasn’t encouraging me to turn back to Christ.  During this time (right before I deployed to Iraq) I met a gal in a bar and proposed.  I turns out she was just trying to get money from me because she already had a boyfriend.

In Iraq I saw some pretty terrible things.  I was a medic and our unit treated over 70% of the wounded in 2005.  I was seeing all of this horrible stuff and thinking about what was going on back home with my step dad and mom.  When I came back for a mid-tour leave I went to a pastor I respected and asked to get together for some prayer and counsel.  I tried numerous times to connect with him but he never got back to me.  Completely blew me off.  That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I went off the deep end.  I was completely opposed to God, the Church and believers.  I ran from God as far and as fast as I could.  I decided that I am going to do whatever I want to do.  I completely stopped caring about God.

On August 18, 2005 – one of the trucks in our unit was hit with an IED, everyone in the truck was killed. My best friend was killed.  I was mad at God for allowing best friend (Buddhist) to be killed.  This pushed me further away from God.  If I believed in Him I would have to believe that my friend didn’t make it to heaven.  I couldn’t go there.

After my tour in Iraq I went back home.  I thought it would get better when I got home. NOPE!

Ever had one of those years where nothing seemed to go right?

First, I tried to re-enlist in the Army.  I had a dream job set up for the re-enlistment, I was going to San Antonio and I was going to party it up!  But the Army wouldn’t allow me to re-enlist because I exceeded the Body Fat test by 1%!  This made me really angry!  I started disrespecting my superiors, I was mad and depressed.

After I got out of the Army I started working in a strip club.  I had all of these plans to start hanging out with women, get a ton of money, I thought I was living the life!  Even though I was running from God, I still wanted to help people. In the strip club I was watching people’s lives fall apart and there was nothing I could do to help.  Along with this, the VA they diagnosed me with post-traumatic stress. When I was working in the club, if there were a lot of people around me, I would have a panic attack. I couldn’t have my back to anybody. I could never rest. Didn’t sleep more than 2-4 hours every night. The feelings of emptiness continued.  Eventually I ended up quitting the club.

I wanted to do something better with my life. Went to community college to be a teacher.

I thought that would fix everything.  Nope.  My depression was getting worse and worse.

Then I got a job working security and discipline in my old High School.  I thought I would get to help kids.  This should make things better! Nope!

While I was at the school I was able to help coach football.  As I did that I remembered how much I enjoyed the sport and that I still wanted to go play.  Since I only played one season at Liberty I still had eligibility to play college ball and I also had the GI grant for school so I decided to go back to college.

One of the guys I coached with was friends with a coach at Simpson College. Turns out that they were excited to have a 6′4 350 nose guard whose school was paid for by the government.  I got here and I was 28, not in the same shape I was in in college. I went from starting at a division 1 school, but now I’m not starting at a division 3 school.  I did not feel better.   Not only was football not going the way I wanted it to but I didn’t find the comradery I was looking for.  I was too old for the college parties (I realized that that didn’t make me happy) and yet I didn’t connect to the coaches because even though they were closer to my age they had families.

NOTHING WAS FIXING MY DEPRESSION.

The depression kept growing. I started to feel like I wanted to take my life. What is my purpose? It really came to a head on fall break.  It was a bye week so there was no football and NO ONE was around! I was really lonely, very depressed.  I decided that this would be the weekend that I would take my own life.  I was sitting in a Burger King (why Burger King? I don’t know) getting ready to drive my car to my death.  All of a sudden my brother called me.  Then my mom called me (I’m a mommas boy).  That broke me.  I let them know I was having a hard time.  Those calls brought me back.

The depression would get better and then worse and then better then worse.  I went home for the summer, things with my step dad got way worse.  I got back from the summer to college, and found out my dad had hit my dad.  Here I am away in Iowa, playing JV at a division 3 college.  Nothing was going well.  Nothing would make me happy.
I keep looking for happiness.  Found a gal on line.  She was a satanist, she was telling me this crazy stuff.  She said that satan wanted me.  If satan is real and wanted me, then God must be real. That woke me up!

I went to a talk with a friend’s mom about what I was going through, she encouraged me and prayed with me.  Later, I talked with my sister and told her that I don’t know if God is real.  The next morning I woke up felt the Holy Spirit, I realized that God is real! All of sudden I realized that as I was running from Jesus but He was right behind me running with open arms! All I had to do was to turn around.  Bam!  Everything changed!

I had a peace!  The depression was gone.  I had a hope and an identity!

I let God clean out my heart and my life.  I asked what do I need to do now, what do I need to get rid of?  God slowly broke me of the old stuff.

God began the process of restoring me.  He has been giving me back the things that I lost.

Even as I began that process I would still get lonely.  I wasn’t like before with the depression but it was still tough.

God knew about that need and met it.

Around Easter, I came up to Valley for the Saturday night service and all I saw were families and I was sad again.

I told my mom and aunt about being lonely and they started praying.

The next morning at church a guy came up to me (Dolan Pedersen) and said I feel like God is asking me to invite you to my house for lunch.  I started to make connections with others and began to be a part of the community.

Even after I gave my life back to God I still had struggles with sin.  But I realized that the way that Jesus dealt with temptation was through quoting scripture so I’ve been  memorizing scripture.

Through my journey I tried a lot of things to find peace but only one thing actually worked.  Jesus gave me peace.

Men it is time to let a young eagle fly at Storytellers.  Darrin’s story has only been going for 30 years but God has done remarkable things in his life.  Spanning across continents, rebellion and redemption, Darrin’s story has a lesson for every man.  You will be glad you came to hear and see a man whose life has been changed more than once by the power of the truth of the Gospel!

Manly refreshments will be provided.  We will be meeting at Northpoint

StoryTellers

3-28-10

Jim Mars

Jim’s Introduction:

We did not come into this world with a clear perception about God and His Kingdom – or about our own selves, for that matter. We began with distorted views, and part of our task as Christians is to let God change our views to accurately reflect His character and His Kingdom. In other words, we need wisdom. And the Bible earnestly desires wisdom, understanding for us.

• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom – Proverbs 9:10
• Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you – Proverbs 4:6
• Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding – Proverbs 4:7
• Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you – Proverbs 4:8
• If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault – James 1:5
• Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold – Proverbs 3: 13-14

But what is this wisdom?: The very mind of Christ; Listen to Paul’s words to the church at Corinth. He as tell them the source of his instruction – 1 Corinthians 2:13-16

1 Corinthians 2:16b – “But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ”

Wisdom therefore is not information imparted, but character learned.

If we pray for wisdom, the direction will become clear.  If we pray for direction, God could answer by giving us information. But if we pray for wisdom, God answers by giving us His own mind.

God’s provision of His mind is often given in advance. It is more than instruction for a way to go; it is training for a way of life. We begin to understand our time, our treasures, and our talents differently.

Think about it, would you prefer to depend on the logic of finite mind tainted with sinful motives? Or on the vast intellectual resource of the Omniscient – the one who knows the fabric of our souls and holds the future in His hands?

If we are to have the mind of Christ you have to:

1. Have Christ; 1 John, these things I have written to you that you may know that you have eternal life – 1 John 5:9-12
2. In order to learn the mind of God, we have to face up to a sobering fact; our own understanding is fundamentally flawed. The human mind is never dependable and it cannot be given free rein to choose its own direction. Why/ because our knowledge is limited and our motive are not pure. That’s why the scripture begs us to:
   1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding – Proverbs 3:5.
   2. Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds – Roman 12:2.
   3. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:6.
3. We have to surrender our will, instincts, ambitions to the Lordship of Christ. It’s not enough to know our minds are flawed. The change is to surrender to the Lordship of Christ.

Jim’s Story (or Jim’s dad’s story):

I could tell you a lot of stories but I want to tell you a story about my dad: I want to tell you the story of my father from a son’s perspective. My goal is for you to see how one man’s commitment to Gods wisdom controlling his life, gave to another the invaluable lesson of what having the mind of Christ looks like. Not that I have it figured out, but I would be satisfied if I could have the mind of both my fathers.

Growing up as a PK

I grew up in a pastor’s home.  It was great!  We had missionaries over all the time and other pastors.  We heard incredible stories.  I saw the collision of human instinct and kingdom values on many occasions.

Church was kind of my play ground.  I remember one time that I was supposed to clean up the communion cups with my friend and we decided that we would just drink all the left over grape juice.  The result wasn’t pretty, I had way to much grape juice.  I remember the first time I sang I was probably about 3 yrs old, they had me standing on this table so that people could see my head sticking up behind my brothers.

My dad was very sensitive to the fact that the pastor’s house was a “glass house.”  It was a glass house in more than one way.  My dad was very concerned about the glass house (people from the congregation watching our life) as a young pastor but he didn’t realize that the real glass house was a little boy that was watching him.  I realized that he was real human being.  There was one Sunday when he was preaching and hit a big point in his message that his pants fell all the way down around his ankles, I was in the front row watching this and could see this around the big pulpit.  He stopped and said, “Let’s pray.”  That got everyone to close their eyes but the choir was behind him at the time and they could see everything!  He human.

For my dad his faith began in the South Pacific in a Foxhole.  He was a Marine and a future tight end for the University of Minnesota but he came to Christ and it changed his life.  After he came home he went off to Northwestern College in St. Paul to go into ministry.  He was married and went into ministry.

4 Characteristics I saw in my dad

Characteristic #1 – Sacrificial Love: Just before my brother’s senior year of High School my dad took a job in Polk City Iowa.  This meant that my all of my brother’s work to get more playing time on the football team for the last three years of high school would be lost.  It was really hard on him and my father made a commitment never to do that again. It just so happened that just before my senior year it was time for my father to leave his church and go to another. Instead, he left the ministry and went to work as a painter. All so he did not scar me and his relationship with me. What causes a man to set aside his own ambitions for his sons? That’s the day I learned what God’s “Sacrificial Love” is.

You know, God honored that.  After that time as a painter God brought Dad back into the ministry at First Federated Church.  By the time he was 60 he was at his most fruitful in ministry.

Characteristic #2 – Unmerited Grace: As a young teenager I committed a stupid sin against my father.  I was so embarrassed I couldn’t confess it to him. Well he found out. And when he came to me…..I couldn’t look him in the eye. This 250 pound, ex-marine pulled me into himself and said “you’re forgiven”. That’s the day I learned what God’s “unmerited Grace” is.

Characteristic #3 – Trust in the Lord: When I was 26 years old man, married with three children, I experienced some nausea and lost my equilibrium playing catch in the street with a friend.  The doctor just thought I was out of shape and had high blood pressure that would be corrected if I got off my butt, did some exercise and started eating better. After 3 weeks of working out and losing 10 pounds, he thought we should do a CAT scan of my brain just to make sure it’s not something else. On a Monday following a Friday scan, he called to tell me: “Jim, you have a mass in your cerebellum. I need you to go home, get packed. I’ll call you in a couple hours with more detail. You’re going to Mayo Clinic tonight for an appointment tomorrow morning. Get home, I call you in a couple hours.”

I went to my friend’s office to tell him what was going on we talked and laughed but on my way out the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks.  I immediately went to see my dad at his office.  He was in the middle of talking to a couple but when he saw me and knew something was wrong he dismissed them to talk with me.  I told him what was going on and he told me two things. First he said, “This is going to be really hard on your mom.” Second he said, “Let’s pray.”  I hadn’t even thought of that!

The surgery went really well.  The next week I was recovering my dad was visiting with me.  While he was there I heard him in the next room praying with another patient.  He was ministering around the hospital wing while I was recovering. That’s the day when I learned what it meant to “Trust in the Lord”.

Characteristic #4 – Total Surrender to the Lord: I’ll never forget at the end of my dad’s life.  My dad was a diabetic. He didn’t follow the doctor’s orders, he didn’t take care of himself very well.  At the end of his life he was in this intensive care type room, I don’t think it was actually intensive care but it had a lot of windows so that the doctors could see in and keep an eye on the patients.  I was in there with my whole family, and through one of those windows I saw my good friend Magdi Ghali.  I stepped out when I saw him and we talked about what was going on with Dad.  About that time the kidney doctor came over and he and Magdi talked together about my dad’s medical condition.  Madgi told the other doctor that he needed to be more clear with us what was going on.  The doctor came into the room and said “either he goes on dialysis or he dies.”

So we had the doctor ask Dad what he wanted.  He asked him and Dad says, “No, dialysis, I’m done” He was fine, no worries. Everyone is crying but Dad was fine.  Just about that time in comes a priest. Dad couldn’t see him so he asked the priest a few times who he was.  Once he knew that this guy was priest, Dad asks him, “If you die tonight where will you go?” The priest sort of hemmed and hawed but he wouldn’t let him go.

This is what peace looks like from someone totally Surrendered to the Lord.

Conclusion

If you don’t know God, seek him today. All you have is your own instincts and they are flawed.

My father, needs no accolades: I’m not here to praise my father. You have to see where he came from. He was a drinking carousing football player. He sought the Lord and God changed him.  His instincts were changed.  Because of that he can echo what Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8

How many of you have kids. One thing that frustrates me is all of the “how to” books for raising kids.  What we really need is to live out the character of Christ. We don’t always have to do it right we need to show the character of Christ. I didn’t say one thing about a sermon my dad preached but instead about how he lived.  We need to remember that our kids are watching how we live.

Where does your wisdom come from?

Proverbs 3:6 says “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Think about it, would you prefer to depend on the logic of finite mind tainted with sinful motives? Or on the vast intellectual resource of the Omniscient – the one who knows the fabric of our souls and holds the future in His hands?

What is the key question for us who desire to have the mind of Christ:  Can God be trusted? I am continuing to learn the answer to this question.  As a young man I said “no”, but as an older man I am beginning to understand the answer is not only yes, but that I can’t trust myself.

In a secular society, depression statistics rise dramatically. Suicide rates soar. Anger, bitterness, and hopelessness are evident in the cultural expression of our times. There is often a missing ingredient in the psyche of modern man that makes him pursue his own foolish instincts – The Love God!

Think about your emotional tendencies. Don’t most of our behavioral problems and psychological flaws come from an insecurity deep within?

Those who have immersed themselves in the immeasurable love of God are wise indeed – and extremely secure. They have no need to envy; no desire for revenge; no reason to fear; no time for pettiness; and no cause for self-promotion.

Having the mind of God means a willingness to live differently.

Human nature tells us to:

• Hide when we’re in trouble. God tells us to cry out to Him.
• Protect ourselves at all cost. God tells us I will supply all your needs.
• Danger is lurking at every step. God tells us no-one can lay a hand on his own.
• Make a name for yourself, that’s success – God says have the mindset of Jesus who became nothing.
• Trust your instincts, watch out for #1 – God says deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.
• Get everything you can – seek me first and you’ll get all the rest.

Psalm 107:43 “Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord”

Jim is an executive at Holmes Murphy Financial Services and has rendered many  years of service to Valley Church as a teacher, elder, and campaign chairman.  But, Jim’s most important contributions have been to his family.  Come hear Jim’s story, from life growing up as a pastor’s son to his current role as husband, father, and grandfather. Jim will share some of the experiences that have shaped him, as well as his commitment to Christ that is making an impact on generations to come.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to interact with Jim and other men. You will be sharpened and encouraged.

Manly refreshments will be provided.  We will be meeting at Northpoint

Mike will share his story of how forgiveness served as a bridge from a childhood filled with divorce, abandonment, and verbal abuse; to an adulthood spent strengthening marriages and families.  His story highlights the amazing power of forgiveness and reconciliation in our lives and you will be blessed by attending!

Don’t miss this great opportunity to interact with Mike and other men. You will be sharpened and encouraged.

Manly refreshments will be provided.  We will be meeting at Northpoint

Mark Stevenson will be sharing his story of life in ministry. He will be discussing his triumphs, failures, heartaches and successes with us. Don’t miss this great opportunity to interact with Mark and other men. You will be sharpened and encouraged.
Manly refreshments will be provided (in the case of rain we will be meeting at Northpoint)