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Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Symposium Spotlight - Michael Leiss

                             Michael Leiss
Preferred Name to be Listed as and State or Country you live in
ANSWER:  Michael, Indiana

Age
ANSWER:  62

When you accepted Christ as your Savior:
ANSWER:  19


Years in and areas of active ministry, past and present
ANSWER:  I have been involved in Christian music since I was 19, participating in a worship team since I was 20, and I still do.


Favorite scripture and why?
ANSWER:  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  I am so blessed to have a wife who shares my love for the Lord.  A divided house cannot stand, a united house cannot be defeated.  Serving the Lord entails serving others, too.  This relationship has given me a peace that has helped me through many situations that could have been devastating, but I know that I can TRUST the Lord!


Your Wake Up Call to your Generation:
ANSWER:  My generation is starting to move into retirement.  With huge life changes pending, it is critical to maintain a close relationship with the Lord.  Life can pull you away from the Lord.  A serving life will be a fulfilled life.


Three things we’d be surprised to know about you
ANSWER:  I moved from Florida to Indiana- and LOVE it! 
I became unemployed twice in two years.
Since I gave my heart to the Lord, I have never doubted or turned back from Him.

What are your hobbies outside of ministry?
ANSWER:  I enjoy home repair and improvement.
Love my dogs!
I have very little interest in sports.


List some of your past achievements and current projects that you are working on: 
ANSWER:  I have been in the music ministry since 1972- several groups and I have served on worship teams continually through the present.  I occasionally lead worship at a nursing home and a boys home. 

Share your experience in marriage, as the head of your home:
ANSWER:  We celebrated our 40th anniversary this year.  Since we both committed our lives to the Lord before we were married, we bypassed many of the pitfalls common to marriages.  The most significant hurdle we faced was when I misinterpreted my role as “head of the home”.  After I realized that the scripture did not make me my wife’s boss, things were good again.  Love your wife and she will give the respect that you need.  Show her your love- don’t assume that it is a given.  If there are in-law conflicts, support your wife- the bible admonishes us to leave our parents and cleave to our spouse. 


What do you hope to accomplish by participating in this MMofV Symposium?
ANSWER:  I hope that others will learn from those who have gone the distance and avoid problems that we learned to overcome.  Being a man of God is a lifestyle, not just a Sunday thing.


What does your relationship with Jesus mean to you? 
ANSWER:  Jesus literally changed my life’s direction and he has given me a peace that others will never know.  Being able to trust Him gives me the assurance that although I can be concerned about events in my life, the events don’t control me- my destiny is God’s hand. 
I remember how surprised I was when I realized that fear had left me.  Very comforting…
What bad things happen- health, financial, employment, relationships- the peace can kick in because I know that before the event happened, Jesus knew about it.  He cares about me and will help me get through anything.  Sometimes even the tough times are used to shape me.  No matter what, I can know that things will be OK. 
Decisions need to be made before we are challenged.  For example- we do not go to “R” rated movies (a few exceptions like Schindler’s List).  I will NOT participate in pornography.  I refuse to use foul language.  I will not entertain ANY advances from any woman.  When you lock these kind of decisions in your heart (because they are the RGHT thing to do), when the temptation comes, it is not an issue- you already know that it is out of bounds.

What area have your struggled with most in your walk with Christ?
ANSWER:  My biggest ongoing struggle is my prayer life.  I know that I don’t pray enough and have always wrestled with it.  I read the Word daily, but my prayer life is lacking.  Still working on this…


What message of hope would you like to share with our reader
ANSWER:  NOTHING is more important than your relationship with the Lord!  When you are in proper relationship with Him, everything else seems to fall into place.  Outside of him, there is only chaos. 

If you had a theme life motto, what would it be and why?
ANSWER:  It is so important to make Jesus LORD of your life, not just your savior.  Allow the Holy Spirit to help lead you in all of your day to day activities. 


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