My Story

The main purpose of this blog is for me to share not only what I believe to be the truth, but also to share my testimony. I want to openly and honestly reveal to those I care about how I came to know Jesus. Do I realize that many who read this will think I am nuts? Of course! Because I would have thought the same thing years ago. Plus God's word says that is exactly what happens: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18.

So on to my story. I had a normal childhood, with loving parents and nothing too dramatic in my upbringing. Through my high school years I didn't get into too much trouble and nothing too exciting happened during those years either. I went away to college and lived the average life of any college student. I partied along with the majority of others, but made good grades so felt I was a "good person." If you would have asked me at any point in my first 23 years of life if I were a Christian, I would have said yes. I had heard of Jesus, knew He had died on a cross, and believed all that stuff, so of course I was a Christian! At the same time, I could sit down and argue about the Bible and that not ALL of it was true, just certain parts (the reason being that I had to justify certain things in my life!). I had known in my head about God and Jesus so I thought that in combination with me being a "good person" meant I would go to heaven. I did what so many do and I just made up truth in my head. I had never really read much of the Bible so I just made up who I wanted God to be.

After graduating from college and moving back to my home town, my world fell apart. I will spare you the details, but everything in my life had gone wrong. It was the worst time in my life and, unfortunately, God had to knock me down to make me realize I needed Him. At the time I never knew I would be so thankful for such horrible things happening to me. Looking back, I am so thankful for each awful thing I experienced because it made me desperate for my Creator. God had been knocking on my door for a long time. He had been presenting Himself through different situations and people. I could sense Him speaking to me and I could no longer ignore it. He finally gave me a choice. There was a fork in the road. He gave me the choice of staying where I was, where I was comfortable, where things were familiar, without Him. Or I could leave my life behind, go somewhere where I knew no one, somewhere that was completely unfamiliar, and take a step of faith for a life with Him. I chose to take that step of faith and gave my life to Christ. As the disciples left their lives behind to go with Christ, I left everything I knew to see what He had in store. I accepted Christ as Lord and Savior of my life, to do with me what He wanted. I no longer just knew Christ in my head, but I had come to know him with my heart. I had begun a personal relationship with Jesus. The thing I love so much about God is that He is such a gentleman that He forces Himself on no one. He wants our love to be so real, so genuine that He gives us the choice to come to Him. After making that decision and learning more of scripture, I have become more and more amazed at God's character. He is so creative and loving and awesome! I wish I had the words that could even begin to capture how wonderful He is. I am so thankful that He chose me. That Christ died for me. That the Holy Spirit now indwells in me!!

What scares me the most about looking back at my life is that I was so fooled into believing I knew where I was going. I truly believe the majority of people who believe they will end up in heaven are just as fooled as I was. Jesus said several things stating that very fact:

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:21-23

The fact is there will be many who will face death assuming they will get into heaven because they were either a "good person" or because the were "religious," but the fact, according to Jesus' very words is that there is only one way. That way is by giving your life to Christ:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

I have learned that being a good person won't cut it:

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23

We are all sinners and until we can acknowledge that we are a sinner in need of a Savior, we are bound for an eternity separated from God.

For so long I just assumed I was saved. If you are unsure of your salvation, scripture makes it clear what it requires.

1. You believe Jesus is the Son of God
"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13

2. You OBEY and follow Christ
"We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands." 1 John 2:3

3. I love my brothers and sisters
"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death." 1 John 3:14

If you are uncertain of your salvation, don't go to bed tonight without making certain. There is no sin so bad God won't forgive. I think for me the hardest thing to overcome was pride and stubbornness.

Maybe it isn't that you are uncertain of your salvation, but you KNOW you are not saved. Maybe you have never made that decision. If you have never made that decision and desire to do so, God is available anytime through prayer. What is required to be saved? Let's see what scripture says:

1. Admit that you are a sinner

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

2. Understand that you deserve death for your sin.

Romans 6:23a "...The wages of sin is death..."

3. Ask God to forgive you and save you.

Romans 6:23b "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

4. Give your life to God... His love poured out in Jesus on the cross is your only hope to have forgiveness and change. His love bought you out of being a slave to sin. His love is what saves you -- not religion, or church membership.

Romans 5:8, "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"

5. If you know that God is knocking on your heart's door,ask Him to come into your heart.

Romans 10:9,10 "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

Right now, I am so far from where God wants me to be. I know I am a sinner and continue to sin in many ways. I am thankful for God's endless forgiveness. For it is "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12

My prayer is for whoever may read this to be drawn closer and closer to the Lord. I will continue to post things God lays on my heart. I am also such a work in progress that I hope to post the circumstances that God is using to grow me. I have a very long way to go, so I know I have many trials and tribulations ahead of me. I am thankful I do not have to walk it alone.

Anyone who knows me well at this point in my life, knows that I love talking about God, Jesus, the Bible, religion, etc. I love a good, deep discussion about it, especially one that does not lead to anger or an argument! If you are reading this and would love to get a dialogue going with me, please do! Email me!!

Please know this is written with love and prayer for you reading it!!