Ep 155 A Legacy and Lifetime of Discipleship with Cal Samuels

I taught high school with the wonderful and exuberant pastor, teacher Cal Samuels back in the day, and today he continues to teach, disciple and pour into young people with his whole heart and soul. A fellow Marine who had been saved a whole 5 days took it upon himself to read the verse, John 3:16 to Cal after a night on the town, and at that moment he believed and began a life steeped into and led by the Word of God. His legacy is one we all want to live. Enjoy my friend, Cal, who daily desires to imitate his Master, Jesus Christ in the 3 C's and teach, show and "let them go", growing deeper in faith and strength.

Cal, in his own words:

l was born in Fredericksburg, VA,  the youngest of four kids. Growing up in a small town was absolutely wonderful.

I spent four years in the Marines right after high school and became a Christian in the Marines while stationed in Japan in 1970. After getting out of the Marines in 1971, I stayed in California to work with The Navigators in a lay capacity doing military and collegiate ministries.

I married Pam while I was still in college, and later earned a Bachelors in English from Cal State Fullerton.

After graduation I taught at Whittier Christian High School for three years.

We moved to San Diego and I taught three years at Christian High in El Cajon.

Pam also was a teacher in the public schools.I left teaching and went to work in the corporate world as a training administrator and Human Resources manager.When I was 45 the Lord called me into ministry, so I stopped working and went to seminary to earn a Master of Divinity degree.

 

I pastored in San Diego and later relocated to Temecula to pastor Filipino-American churches.

I retired and served at our church doing discipleship and men's ministry for five years.

I had some friends who taught at Linfield Chritian High School and they encouraged me to do substitute teaching.I started subbing in September 2018, and after two weeks one of the Bible teachers suddenly moved to Texas. The school offered me the position, and I am finishing up my fourth year there. Linfield has been thrilling!

 

Pam and I have been married 46 years. We have three sons and three grandchildren.

Our youngest son went to be with the Lord two years ago.

 

You can follow Cal on Facebook where he continues to teach and disciple through posts and commentary. 

 

His heart's desire on a daily basis is to commit himself to the words in Isaiah 58:10 and 11—

 

AND IF YOU OFFER YOURSELF TO THE HUNGRY

AND SATISFY THE NEED OF THE AFFLICTED,

THEN YOUR LIGHT WILL RISE IN DARKNESS,

AND YOUR GLOOM WILL BECOME LIKE MIDDAY.

AND THE LORD WILL CONTINUALLY GUIDE YOU,

AND SATISFY YOUR DESIRE IN SCORCHED PLACES,

AND GIVE STRENGTH TO YOUR BONES;

AND YOU WILL BE LIKE A WATERED GARDEN,

AND LIKE A SPRING OF WATER WHOSE WATERS DO NOT FAIL.

Isaiah 58:10,11

 

 

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When asked, "What's the greatest commandment?" Jesus replied simply: "Love God, love your neighbor." I imagine He was thinking,"It's not rocket science" or "What's not to like?" or  "It's not complicated."

He was right, it's not complicated.

I make it complicated. I need to pray daily to uncomplicate what He says is best for me and best for others. So I wrote 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers, and once I pray them through, I start over again. 

You can too.

Sign up HERE to receive 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers to take the "complicated" out of the simple commands of Jesus. Love God. Love your neighbor. It's not complicated.