Anniversaries to Remember

Anniversaries tell a story. An anniversary year ending with a zero or a 5 seems to denote a special time block. Last year Jeanne and I celebrated 50 years of marriage. Looking forward to January, I saw that 2017 had some interesting milestones attached.

• 1962 – 55 Years Graduated from WSU
• 1972 – 45 years — Jesus Christ became Lord of my life
• 1982 –35 years –New career direction-consulting
• 1982 – 35 years –Received IRS approval for Living Perspectives
• 1992- 25 years Career/Life Institute & self employment began

Here is a quiz. Which picture is me in 1962 and which is 2017?

The blessing in these anniversaries is seeing God’s hand in all the moves and developments. As the first Tomlinson to graduate from college (yes-WSU counts) many doors opened. Fabulous people entered my life (Jeanne being No. 1) between’62 & ’72 sharing God’s love, grace and purpose, leading to dramatic changes.

Seeking a new career path in 1982, God directed a man my way to hire and teach me a whole new career that has been the basis of my passion, income and God’s service for the last 35 years. Dr. Humberger and his successor, Bill Levings, brought great blessing to my life.

That same year, our non-profit, Living Perspectives, was granted 501(c)(3) status which eventually led to to ministry in Europe and Ethiopia. In the US, Jeanne and I were able to share the good news of Jesus and biblical principles applied to career, relationships, finances, marriage and transition to hundreds of men, women and couples. God has been the author of ministry, funding and results through His power, love, and grace.

Ten years later, the for-profit Career Life Institute was born. Leaving a secure six-figure income, with a non-compete and no business, brought a new level trust in the Lord and a bazillion phone calls to potential clients. Two sons were in college and a daughter soon to be.  We experienced God directing us through the shoals and rough water and out to the open sea. Along the way, business came in ways that had to be the Lord’s blessing, for there was no clear explanation.  Corporate consulting and life coaching led to a myriad of opportunities to share biblical principles in many different venues.

In the weeks ahead, I plan to celebrate the 35 years of Living Perspectives with blog postings of 35 life changing stories and principles. I trust we might walk along together as I share the information, perhaps to increase your faith walk or to be a blessing to others as you share.   May God bless you this day and in the future.