Many of you know by reading my writings that I spent 17+ years stoned on marijuana. Many of you are correct in assuming that I am trying desperately to make up for lost time. If you attempted to walk in my shoes today, you may get ‘worn out’ fast, but I love every minute of it.
My day starts between 2 – 4am. Praying, studying-the-Bible, typing inspirations, then I go on a walk with God admiring the stars and moon. Street missions, nursing home visits, clowning, church activities, singing & humming all day, emailing & phoning new friends, neighbor visits, worry about the homeless (who are freezing like popcycles right now), writing a book, playing with my kids, smooching my wife, scratching my dog’s belly, daughter’s basketball practices/games, son’s karate lessons, trying to help Jesus save the lost sheep, shouting from mountain tops… yes, I guess you could say I’m trying to make up for lost time.
You hear stories about people ‘coming back from the dead’ and having the same experience. They write a book, public speak, ‘neighbors think they’re freaks’… they have been so ‘inspired’ that they change their life (180 degrees), and they are so ‘excited’ about the new changes that nothing can stop them, and they just won’t shut up about it. Wow, sounds like me.
For many of the 17+ years drug addicted and depressed, I often thought about my legacy. How would I be remembered? What would my family and friends tell my small children about me when I’m gone? I would agonize daily about leaving the legacy of convicted felon, lazy, depressed, offending people (some things never change), luke-warm, quitter… gee maybe that is why I was so depressed.
I knew I had a good heart and cared for others, but my lifestyle suggested that I spent most of my waking hours living for myself, not very giving, etc.
How will I be remembered?
To be honest, I never really cared what people would think about me when I die – that was until I had children. I had a very low opinion about myself (and for good reason). If I died, although painful to admit now, just my loyal relatives would have showed up at my funeral (maybe), a Preacher, and maybe a dad that's mixed up - showing up at the funeral dinner (must read ‘Peter Perfect’ to understand). Click HERE.
In the past, I would go on mini road trips, in order for me to smoke marijuana away from the house. I would drive through the cemetery (the people there never ‘narked’ me out). I recommend everyone to spend many hours at a cemetery (but not to smoke weed). It really makes you think. Even before the cemetery visits, I was always the kid with the biggest fear of dying, and I thought about death for many hours (each and every day). I’ve spent most of my life preparing for this inspiration, and if you read my poems at age 19, you will read many poems about – death and dying – mostly because I ‘suffered’ from suicidal depression. The cool thing about those poems was the fact that I always finished the poem as an inspiration for others.
Hopefully, you can hear the difference between the second paragraph of this inspiration and the last four paragraphs. Hopefully, the people that work with me, and my close friends and family can not only
I know my new friends see a difference (the homeless, crippled, mentally challenged, elderly, wounded students, the underdogs, the mistreated...), because they tell me often about my good heart. And I know my kids and wife see a difference, because they are usually with me to cheer people up, and they hear my type, type, type in the wee hours - then I REQUEST my wife to read ALL of my writings – which she’s always fearful of what I might ‘say’, and she too thinks my inspirations get long winded - and believe me when I say that she ALWAYS gives me her FEEDBACK.
It has been noted that I sing too loud in the mornings, that I shouldn’t raise my hands so much during song-worship at church, that I should take a sleeping pill to sleep past 2am, that I should… that I should… that I should… You know? Others telling me that I should do this and do that, my whole life, is probably another reason why I spent so many years depressed. This society, in which we live, seems to beat the joy right out of little kids, usually by the time they finish Middle School (I know I’m right about this, because I am living proof). Thank you Jesus for giving my joy back!!! Where does it say in the Bible that hyper-active kids should take medicine to sit all day in a classroom? Then go home and do tons of homework? We never learned the lessons in the Bible about creating so many LAWS & RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This may come as a shock to you, but when I write, I do not write for your benefit only. Yes, I would love to think that I’m leading thousands to Christ, but that's not why I started writing. As a matter of fact, the reason I started writing inspirations was to leave a legacy – to let my children (and possibly my grandchildren…). I wanted to let my family know who their dad (granddad, great-granddad…) was. But, I have a feeling my children will remember who their dad was by living with me. My desire for my life now is to put ACTION with my passion, and they are along for the ride!
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intension of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming 'WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE!" (unknown)
I also enjoyed reading the writings of my deceased grandfather Stewart, who I've only read a few of his articles, but what I did read, told me that he STOOD UP FOR WHAT HE BELIEVED, then he sent his writings to newspapers. Hopefully my kids will enjoy reading about my life, appreciate the stand that I am taking for CHRIST, and appreciate the positive changes that only God has brought about. Maybe they will understand who Jesus is, and want Him all the more. God really can do (and does do) miracles and does change hearts, transformation, which is what The Bible is full of. Life upon life if TRANSFORMATION!
I am realistic though in my thinking to know that my future family generation will probably not care so much about what I do or say (they will have their own lives), as my trips to the cemetery has told me many truths:
- People neglect and do not visit the many stones placed throughout the cemetery. I can count on one hand the times I've visited my grandparents gravesite (and I only visited them because I was riding in the car with my mom). After many hours ‘visiting’ the cemetery during my road trips, I discovered the waste of money and land space for preparing us in such a way (which no one really cares about – later in life – not even the closest family members.) If you are a Christian, then you know that the loved one is not really lying there at all – right? When I die, please cremate me, spread my ashes in a flowing stream of water (not the bath tub or toilet), and spend as little money, on my funeral, as possible. IF I have any money left when I die (which I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that one), please distribute the money amongst my kids and grandkids… and they better use it on my new best friends (the homeless, abused, needy…). I wrote a paper in college titled ‘Land for the Living’ – It ‘talks’ about how we, as a ‘established’ society, are using up our precious soil for caskets (which only 7% of the Earths surface is usable for growing crops, and America is RICH with good soil, which is why we are not starving and why many others around the world are - STARVING!!!). I've always heard that it is ‘Biblical’ to be buried vs. cremated, but in my research for this college paper on cremation verses burial told me a different story. The only Biblical truth that I found on the subject, and why people thought it was Biblical to be buried was this: The Bible said Jesus was buried – that’s it. Yes, the Bible does say that Jesus was buried, but I do you realize that Jesus was in a tomb with a big rock in front of it (which tells me He was above ground). I’ve heard people say they believe that the body needs to be intact – folks, many people alive are not ‘intact’, and what about the people that die by explosion or fire – do they not go to Heaven?
- Do I really need a 2 or 3?
- Please read 1 again.
Since we're talking about my funeral and me dying, please let me express my desires (my living will) for my children. Should my wife and I depart from the Earth while my kids are under the age of 18 years old, I leave my kids to Paul & Deana Gram, currently living in Springfield, Ohio.
I would like all of my belongings (not the kid’s stuff, pictures, Bibles, sentimental items) to be sold, and the money be given to the caregivers of my children (please do not give them our debt. Lord, please forgive me of that dept! In Jesus Name, Amen. Thank you in advance!)
Dear Lord, please allow Jessica and I to live long enough to rear Lauren and Jack till their grown, please, please, please!!! If Jessica and I should die before Lauren is 18, then please find them a good Christian home, with a Christian family, who are NICE, and can offer them good solutions vs. a bunch of negative problems and fear. If Lauren is 18+, and Jack is not, please have Lauren take care of him (if she is able).
To my sister and her family. I leave for you any pictures you want. I love you with all of my heart. See you when we get to Heaven (if God puts Baptists in their own plat, then I will look for you and T.D.'s family). I'll be more tolerable in Heaven (I'm sure). I loved your serving heart!!!
To my brother T.D., I leave for you the birthday card you gave me when I was about 12 years old, which contains one of your special poems written to me (mind you he was 17 when he wrote it): “The frog on the front reminds me of you, it’s small as a runt and smells like mildew. If your voice gets any deeper and you sound like a nerd, I’ll have Kim kick you in the peeper and you will chirp like a bird.” My mother would have said the following in response to your ‘special’ card: ‘Good garsh, now that sounds real smart! I’m going to knock your head right off.’ Brother I forgive you - please forgive me for being a Skippy Del. I love you - please love me. Keep on loving others unconditionally. Thank you for the many good memories!!! If you find any photos that you wish to keep, feel free to have them. I'm very proud of your schooling and for serving your country. Thank you for saving me from drowning in the ocean, and thank you for saving Jess and I tons of money with the car loan!!!!!!!!! You were a good role-model, I just couldn't KEEP UP!!! You firstborns tend to be OVER-ACHIEVERS!!! I hope, in Heaven, God lets you RELAX.
To my dad, I leave for you a BIG THANK-YOU &
With the above said, a notarized copy of this ‘living will and testament’ can be found with the Grams, my work place, and in my home. Glen B. Davidson & Jessica M. Davidson __________________________
I don’t plan on dying soon, because as Pastor Joel Olestein has pointed out, I now see visions of a long Earthly life (with a great purpose), instead of visions of dying early from smoking and from not baring much fruit. Pastor Joel is my favorite Preacher because he is a GREAT ENCOURAGER and is extremely positive!!! If you have Pastor Joel preach at my funeral, I’m sure he will lead many to Christ!!! However, if you have to pay him more than $100, then have my next runner up Craig Grammer preach, he is also a dynamic ‘preacher’. If Jack Rain is grown, I’m sure he’ll be a Godly man (please have him tell others about Jesus that day, and as a ‘profession’).
To Lauren and Jack, do not fret, do not fear, Jesus Christ is always here. Each and every time you see the moon, I am waving, and will see you SOON!!! I leave for you my LIVING legacy and my new friends to visit (again, my true friends are the homeless, crippled, my co-workers at Christian Edu-Care), the blind, kids, those that stood beside me supporting my child-abuse campaign, the donors (thanks Bonnie), and the elderly.
Lauren and Jack, I love you will all of my being, but I can’t even attempt to tell you how much I do love you!!! God blessed me with you, and changed my life through you!!! God’s love is UNCONDITIONAL, because I DID NOTHING TO DESERVE YOU!!! I deserved a whoopin. Always speak the truth (no matter what), and always remember that your dad said this next phrase “words are only words if not spoken by the heart, once God gives you the words to speak, then you must take ACTION”.
Since I have analyzed and over-analyzed death, let me sum it all up for you (all), so you don’t have to spend hours thinking about it – death. Heaven and Hell is real. Good and Evil is real. Choose Jesus Christ to save you by God’s Amazing Grace, and you will have the blessed HOPE of everything blessed. Find the SECRET to the Kingdom of God in Mark 4. If you don’t choose Jesus’ free gift, then you are truly foolish, because He paid so much for that precious gift, and the Earthly gifts that come along with it are truly amazing!!! Any questions or concerns are explained, in detail, in God’s Holy Word (The Bible) ***IF you just take the time with God to read it. Jesus is more than a Savior, and His Grace is enough. Jesus is my best friend. When you are having a bad day, or when you mess up big, just remember this: God loves you! God loves you! God loves you! You are important to God. Don't let others push you around and bring you down, becuase you are royalty! You are a child of the King (click HERE) then scroll down and watch the video.
Each and every one of us who are put on this Earth, are here for a purpose (there is a reason for everything). Please read the book from Chip Ingram (about the 7 attibutes of God). When you have fulfilled that special mission (purpose) that God has given you (His WILL for you), then your time is up (here on Earth), but if you choose Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you won’t really die at all.
If you choose to talk about how wonderful Jesus is (here on this Earth), Jesus will ‘hook you up’ with so much JOY that YOU WILL BE SHOUTING IT FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS.
“A person is as only special as what he/she gives, not by what he/she has in material things”. When you are financially poor, it doesn’t seem logical to give, but it is necessary!!! In my son’s fortune cookie the other day, his ‘fortune’ said this: “There is no one so rich that he doesn’t need help or so poor that they cannot help”.
The giving of your time is way more important than the give of your money (thank God, because you will probably be poor like me) DO NOT STEAL, and TRY NOT TO LIE!!! If you are financially rich, then you must ponder, in your heart, this next statement: It's not what one possesses, but rather what one does with what he/she has for Jesus Christ, that determines one's true worth.
This life is but a vapor in time, but how you use your time is extremely important. Most folks arrive at their death-bed (sooner than expected) and then reflect. They reflect back on their lives and wish, wish, wish… wish they would have spent more time with their kids (and would have abused them less), they wish they would have been more giving, they wish their jobs wouldn’t have come first, wish they wouldn’t have spent so much time on their cars, houses, chores… wish, wish, wish… my advice to you all is this… trust, trust, trust, trust… in God Almighty!!! Jeremiah
You will mess up daily (sin), and you will want Forgiveness, so please forgive others when they ask for it (which is Biblical). Just know that with each new day God’s mercy is new, and you can always ask for forgiveness, and He will forgive and forget (East from the West) Psalms 103 is one of my favorite chapters!!! You can find new strength by HOPING in the Lord. Hoping and Trusting Believing = Faith. You can ONLY be saved by God’s Amazing Grace, through BELIEVING in Jesus Christ and Faith! Ephesians 2:8-9. (Romans 3:20-25 summarized the Bible quite well).
I am praying right now that I haven’t fulfilled all of my purpose (God’s will) in my life, and I am praying that my life will be long (even though I smoked for 28 years, loved mayonnaise, fried foods, butter, sugar…I do believe in miracles Lord…). I do know from reading the Bible that we are able to extend our lives by obeying our parents and gaining wisdom (fearing God). But, when my time is up here on Earth, just remember this ‘I’m not in good hands with
God Bless!
Sweet Dreams! (Dreams are only dreams if you let them be)
In Jesus Precious Name!
Love you
Glen B. Davidson
In Loving Memorie of Chris Smith
Died at age 19 (from drinking and driving),
But left a legacy of A HUGE HEART FOR OTHERS!
A special legacy Indeed - of true LOVE!!!
WE MISS YOU SO MUCH CHRIS!, BUT WE'LL SEE YOU SOON!
Abraham Lincoln said " I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."
Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you (unknown).
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass, its about learning to dance in the rain. (unknown)
If God brings you to it, then God will bring you through it. (unknown)
I'm so far behind, I thought I was first. (unknown) This is my favorite!
Be joyful always; pray continually. I Thes. 5:16-17
Relax... God is in control (I'm sure this is in the Bible somewhere)
Faith is not believing that God can, its knowing that God will.
My favorite inspirations thus far on this website are these: Jesus Paid it All, The Bible Thief, Good Ole Joe, The Evil Villain, On The Side, Today I Stand, Unwinding Rest, Poetic Justice, Please Flip Me A Bird, Go Set Ready, Though None Go With Me, W/ or W/O, Faith Them To Death, Mercy, Better is One Day, Chirch, WHATEVER! WHOEVER!, God of this City...
There are 14 videos below, and they are equally special to me.
