Charles Coston

Charles Coston

Honor Guard Service; Tahoma National Cemetery; Kent, WA

1:15 PM PST on Thursday, October 24, 2013

At his 90th birthday party, Charles delivered his life story…

Coston2I come from a dysfunctional family. My father abandoned his family and I was raised by my mother. Shortly after I graduated from high school, my mother suffered a severe stroke. I had little exposure to religion, but I remembered that there was supposed to be a God to whom one could pray to in times of distress, so I prayed desperately asking God to heal my mother. God never answered my prayers, so I decided if there really was a God, He was an impersonal God, who didn’t care about people and I turned my back on Him. I enlisted in the Navy, served 21 years, married, no children, retired, had a successful career in business, and then my wife died. Outwardly, during those adult years, I seemed to be a man, who had his life pretty much together.I had the material things that spell success, but inwardly there was an emptiness that nothing seemed to fill.My achievements, material things and pleasures gave me no lasting satisfaction. I was searching for something, I knew not what, but something that would give meaning and purpose to my life. My conscious was burdened by the wrong things I had done, and there were many. I tried rationalizing that as long as I only hurt myself and no one else it was OK. I could take a bath, put on a clean shirt and I was alright, but the guilt was still there and I was helpless to change my life.

I remarried and my wife presented me with a beautiful son. I had often thought that perhaps a child would fill the void in my life and give it meaning, but I soon discovered that a child was not the answer.Then, one day, a friend invited my wife to church where she began attending regularlycc29 and she became a Christian by accepting Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord. The next two months were pure agony. We had nothing in common; it was as if we lived in two different worlds. My wife told me that God loved me so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for me. If I would only trust Him as my Savior and Lord, He would not only give me a life after death, but He would change my life now. He would take away the guilt of my sins, fill the void in my life, and give it meaning and purpose. I was a very proud man, taking pride in that I was a self-made man. So I wrestled with God for two months until one morning lying on my bed after a sleepless night, I came face to face with the truth. My life and marriage were a shambles and I was helpless to do anything about it.My stubborn will and pride crumbled and I prayed this simple prayer. “Jesus, I surrender.I don’t know what it is all about yet, but I will trust you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for dying for me so that my sins may be forgiven. Please come into my heart and life and change it from what it is now. There was no great emotional experience, but I was filled with an inner peace unlike anything I had ever known. Since then, Jesus has proved Himself to me in many ways. He healed our marriage and enabled me to truly love my wife and son. He freed me from the guilt of sin and changed my life. He filled my life with a joy and peace that nothing or no one can ever take away. I am now a child of God and my future is assured; my life has meaning and purpose. My life isn’t problem free, but I don’t have to face the trials and temptations alone for Jesus is my constant companion, who gives me His strength to face the problems of each day.

Another is “I came that they might have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10).

415F9463If there is someone here who is as I once was, lost, hopeless and helpless, I urge you to consider the claims of Christ, that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He alone can bring you to God and free you from the bondage of sin. He alone can make something beautiful of your life and give you a glorious forever. I urge you to sincerely pray this prayer…

“Heavenly Father, I have sinned against you. I want forgiveness for all my sins. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again. Further, I give you my life to do with as you wish. I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and into my heart. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, please call Crossroads Bible Church 425-747-6750, tell someone what you did, and ask how you can grow in your faith. May you sense the peace, presence, and protection of Christ, because He Lives!

11 Responses to “Charles Coston”

  • Carl Hung says:

    We are forever grateful for how The Lord used Charles and you, Nola, in our lives. I have a Bible that Charles gave me and commentaries from Dr. McGee, that you and Chatles shared with me.

    Charles was a humble man, that was used by God.

    I have wonderful memory’s of sitting at your table having breakfast with Charles while he shared wisdom from God’s word.

    I am thankful for you and Charles.

    Carl and Annabelle Hung

  • Zip Trower says:

    There was never a time when talking with Charles that I did not get a piece of biblical wisdom. He had a unique way of encouraging you, while imparting portions of God’s truth that you could benefit from. A unique man for sure. I regret I didn’t meet him earlier in my life.

  • Jim Price says:

    Charles and Nola have been my neighbors for a number of years. They have been an important part of our neighborhood and always have a kind word. I really appreciated Charles helping me with his mole traps although I wasn’t as able as he at trapping.

  • jamie Bohnett says:

    Nola, I am so sorry for your loss. Charles is a man who truly finished well. Though I did not have the privilege to spend much time with him on this earth his quiet godly strength greatly influenced me. What a man of God! What a legacy of faith he has left to so many! Bless you dear sister, Nola. May you sense God’s comfort and peace in the days ahead. Your Friend and Brother, Jamie

  • Vince says:

    You have my deepest sympathies Nola. I am very grateful that I had a chance to meet and get to know you and Charles. God Bless you. You will be in my prayers.

  • Carl Dirks says:

    How can Charles be described when he walked this earth? Humble, yet so confident in Christ. Supportive, loving husband and father. Man of great wisdom as only God can provide. As he approached the time to leave his earthly body, and receive his heavenly body, I was struck by the peace that he expressed. He retained a strong interest in others, even as he struggled with his own pain and limitations. I was awestruck, and continue to remember his looking forward to being with Christ. We all are sad over his departure and leaving us behind; glad that he is with Jesus Christ to rest from his struggles, and leaving a legacy of genuine witness to Christ. Nola, thank you so much for your wonderful care of him. May God comfort you in your loss of Charles from this earth; looking forward to joyful reunion in the future with Christ.

  • Pastor Ron & Dee Arnold says:

    Hi Nola,
    Our love and prayers go out to you, Kia, Leila and your family. Charles was a wonderful man of God. Dee and I remember with fondness our times with you and Charles back in 1979, going through the book of Romans, sharing life and growing together in the Lord.
    Being several years younger than Charles I was impressed when at 57 he was going to begin a landscaping business! I thought of him like a Caleb, ready to take the hill country. He demonstrated that in the Kingdom when he and you went to plant a church in Volcano.
    May The Lord continue to heal your hearts fill you with joy as you anticipate the grand reunion in the presence of Jesus..
    Much Aloha,
    Ron & Dee

  • Karen Butler says:

    Nola! It’s been too long since we were over at your home. Praying for the Lord’s strong arms to sustain you and thanking Him for taking care of Charles now for you. Thank you (again) for standing up for me when Robin and I got married at Kaimuki Christian..too many years ago! I remember being in that apartment that you and Charles managed in Kapahulu! Will see you soon, and Kia. I’ll text Craig in HI, he may remember Kia. Take care, God bless you.
    Love in Jesus,
    Karen

  • Lori Lau says:

    Charles was a gentle and kind man who always smiled when I asked him questions about Jesus. I’m sure my questions were quite “raw” but he still responded with humility & God’s love. Praise God, Charles, that you can completely rest & there are no more sleepless nights for you! Yipppeeee!

  • Aki and Naoko Hirota says:

    Hi Nola!
    What a beautiful and strong testimony this is! We wish we could have had the privilege of knowing him much earlier and deeper. But he always looked peaceful and warm, and we were very happy when he decided to sit with us at the MFUIF campaign dinner table. We miss him, but are happy for his completion of life on earth.

  • Jim Pedersen says:

    God used Charles Coston to minister to my wife Sandy and me in November 1986 following a miraculous event that God used to re-establish our relationship with Him. Our marriage was seriously on the rocks and we both were preparing for divorce. We asked Charles if he could help us figure out what to do. Charles wisely said that he could help us if we could accept the Word of God as the Truth. Having unsuccessfully tried secular counseling, we told Charles: Yes, let’s do it, we tried everything else! 36 years later we remain happily married and in love. And now we are sharing God’s instructions with others via the leading of Bible studies and occasional opportunities to speak at Bible-based churches.

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