Today marks the anniversary of the birth of our favorite first child. Note the careful selection of words. I did a massive 24 second long video for her that you can find at: http://kozlowski.org/2019-03-22+1

When you get to the page, you will see links to other videos for ErikaLeigh, including the one she did in 2008, “Keeping the Promise”. I watched it again today, actually more than once, and took a snapshot from it as you see below. Note the words she chose. She was right then and is right now on that point. I have made the same point from Scripture, but again your dad tore the Scripture to shreds and ran. Scripture is clear that marriage begins with sex and ends with death. ErikaLeigh was right in her video, and for the record, I continue to live it as described in the December 8, 2018 video “Marriage Defined and a Commitment Beyond”.

There is a bit more in that ErikaLeigh wrote some words for her video and then had me do the voiceover. Consider reading those words. I suggest they are Scripturally accurate and in a real sense prophetic for me. I will quote them for you to consider:

Wounded by the ones I thought stood by me

Slammed by those I thought loved me

Misunderstood by some

Ignored by most

Speaking the truth, may leave you feeling lonely

But no matter how many people reject you

No matter how many people tell you you’re crazy

If you speak the truth of Christ

He is right there next to you

Throughout the trails in this world

Don’t be surprise by those who hate you

They hated Jesus first, remember?

But the truth needs to be spoken

No matter what people say

If you’re best friend calls you crazy

Don’t turn aside from the Lord’s path

Only cry out to him who answers prayers

And he will always be with you

With his love and comfort surrounding you

And his words filling your empty soul

So no matter who calls me crazy

No matter what anyone says

If the Lord tells me to speak

Who am I but to obey?

If the Lord tells me to step forward

Who am I so stand still?

If the Lord tells me to fight

Who am I to lay down the sword he has placed in my hand?

In so many ways I am living the words ErikaLeigh wrote. In one sense it is a real joy. In another it hurts deeply.

Consider her words “If you speak the truth of Christ”. Mr. Cross that includes the often quoted Matthew 5:24 “first be reconciled to your brother”. Before one of us takes our last breath, are you willing to obey the Lord with a brother who is willing to reconcile with you? Please don’t again add additional terms, but use the Scripture alone. It is reconciliation without precondition. And please tell you daughter, my wife, the truth of Scripture, specifically that she and I are NOT free, but as we seen in Romans 7, Mark 10 and elsewhere, including the photo above, we are one this day and will be until our last breath. Are you willing to love her in that way?

When ErikaLeigh writes “Speaking the truth, may leave you feeling lonely” it is very true. Do you know what it does to a man to not see his family for almost seven years? Do you know what it is like for a man whose wife refuses dialog with him, let alone Ephesians 5:33. Do you know what kind of pain in the heart it is to leave 630 voicemails? Do you see a model in me of one who endures to the end? (Mark 13:13) Does that remind you of ErikaLeigh’s words “Don’t be surprise by those who hate you”?

Do you want evidence of the Lord’s grace toward me? Consider that I am seeking reconciliation and not revenge. Consider that when asked, I answer. Consider following that model.

To my wife, my kids, my grandkids, and even Jim Cross, Render Caines, and Chris Bitterman, I remain available and desirous for dialog and reconciliation. Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ are commanded to do so. I am willing.

Dorothy-Jane, I so very much love you!