Saturday Night Musings

I discovered America on a Saturday afternoon on August 14, 1943 in the front bedroom at 647 Pike Street, Coal Grove, Ohio, weighing in at better than 10 pounds. I became number 10 of 11 children born to the late Shade and Minnie Hartley. Someone said to me, “Why were you born at home”? I said to them: “I wanted to be close to my mother”!  

On a Thursday evening in the fall of 1955, in a little church in Coal Grove, Ohio, at the age of 12 years old I was born again into my heavenly Father’s family. I am one of untold millions who had been given the power to become the sons of God by grace who believes by faith that Jesus Christ suffered and died for me. At that moment, I became a member of a royal family as a child of the King of Kings.  

I am blessed by marrying my child-hood sweetheart Jeanie, (which there has never been a day in my life that I have not known her), as of May 18 we celebrated our 44th anniversary! God has given to us two of the finest young men that I have ever known—Brett who is married to Tatiana and Todd who is married to Sue. They are the parents of: Madison, Taylor, Cara and Nathan (the only four perfect grandchildren that I have ever known!). I have been a local pastor for more than 35 years (now Pastor Emeritus), I am enjoying a teaching ministry, a ministry to local churches, doing some writing (a new book: Saturday Night Musings), and developing an Internet Ministry: www.cliffhartley.com. “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;”… Psalms 92:14. 

“Truly God is good to Israel “ , Psalms 73:1,…and truly God is good to me! 

“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand” Psa. 73:23. As a Child of the King, I value His presence more than all the possessions in this world. This world will pass away and the lust thereof one day, but he that doeth the will of God abides for ever. When I became a Child of the King, my Father became my everlasting Father. I’m now in the hand of Christ and Christ is in the hand of God—I’m eternally safe and secured. Being held continually by his hand, I’m never afraid of Him ever leaving me alone. I’m a rich kid! 

“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” Psa. 73:24. As a Child of the King, I treasure His Counsel more than the comforts of the world. We walk not by sight, but by faith. I have the permanent indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who has sealed me to the day of redemption and His eternal Word that is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I know not what tomorrow may hold, but I know who holds tomorrow. One day will be my last day, and like Enoch who walked with God, I too will be translated and be caught up into glory. I’m not conceited, I am convinced! 

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire but beside thee” Psa. 73:25. As a Child of the King, I desire His attention more than the accolades from the world. “For who in heaven can be compared unto the Lord?” Psa. 89:6. If there is not a sparrow ever falls the ground without the Heavenly Father taking notice, how much more does His attention ever keep focus on someone like me. Degrees may come and degrees will fade, but having His stamp of approval is more than ever could be accomplished.  I long to see my Dad and Mother one day in Heaven who first got me started, but I long to see my Father first of all! 

 Visit: www.cliffhartley.com