Episode 78: When the Shepherd finds the one with Mike Lockwood
Many of us as Christians are familiar with the parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18, where the shepherd leaves the 99 just to find the one. This is a story that resonates deeply with today's guest on The Stories Collective, Mike Lockwood. Mike was born and raised in the small town of Newfield, NY and his parents were divorced before he could even remember them being together. Growing up in a small town provided lots of opportunities to get in trouble (as Mike describes) and by the time he was in high school he felt like his reputation preceded him. He didn't have much of a faith background but after high school he and his friends began questioning what the purpose of life was. This led to Mike starting to attend church though it took a while for him to place his trust in Jesus. There was a girl at the church named Mindy who would sing special music and he felt almost immediately that this would be the woman he would marry. Mike and Mindy married in 2001 and moved to Iowa for Mike to start Bible college - they also found out they were pregnant with their daughter quickly into their marriage. Life was moving fast, and though they had developed Christian community Mike began to struggle in his faith. He felt that he didn't fit the mold and began to doubt that God could really work in his life. This led to a years long time of rebellion being in and out of his home and struggling to walk with the Lord. Years of some poor choices and alcohol addiction culminated in the fall of 2005. Mike experienced two instances where he could've and almost died. One experience being an accident and the other being a result of choices he had made. He had truly reached the bottom, and this is where God began to pick him up. Mike finally realized that God had never left him. The Shepherd had come to find the one that had left the 99. Though it was not an overnight change, Mike's life began to turn around. Listen in and be amazed as Mike walks us through how he came back to the Lord, how his marriage and family life was restored and so much more. The incredible and miraculous change that Jesus worked in Mike's life is undeniable. God never gives up on us and that is certainly evident in Mike's story.
Mike's interview on The Now Life podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zLkPqiTaKumOfiplrsoRZ?si=ea37bef2da114c7f
Reckless Love by Cory Asbury: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc6SSHuZvQE
Men's Summit October 2023: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1780506
Harvest Compassion Center: https://harvestcompassioncenter.org
Resident Strangers podcast: https://www.dscchurch.com/resident-strangers
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