I was born in a Christian home. My parents were Southern Baptists. I have been in church since the day I left the hospital. I grew up hearing all of the Bible stories -- Adam and Eve, Noah and the Flood, David and Goliath, Daniel in the Lion's Den -- and I knew all of the stories about Jesus by heart -- His birth, His teachings, His miracles, His death, His resurrection. I believed they were all true, But I knew something was missing.

One day, during a summer event for children, the children's minister at my church told us that knowing about Jesus wasn't enough -- I needed to know Jesus personally, to be His friend. I asked the minister about this after we dismissed, and he told me how to ask Jesus to come into my life.

I told Jesus that I knew I'd done wrong (the Bible calls that "sin") and asked for His forgiveness. Then I told Him that I believed He died and rose again, and I now knew that the reason He did that was so I could be forgiven. I told Him I loved Him and asked Him to be in charge of my life. I didn't fully understand what that meant at the time, but I knew something was different.

Through church, Bible studies, Christian friends, and my Christian parents, I learned what being a Christian was all about. It wasn't about going to church, though God wants us to do that. It wasn't about acting a certain way, though if you are a Christian your life should reflect that. But first and foremost, Christianity is a relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Once you have that relationship, God will change you on the inside, and it will show on the outside, in everything you do.

God is continuing to work in my life. He gives me a peace and a love like I've never had before. He helps me through my troubles. That doesn't mean my life is always wonderful. I've been through some really tough times in my life financially, emotionally, Spiritually. But God doesn't always take away all of the hard times, God goes through the hard times with me. God has never let me down, and He never will. When times get tough and I don't think I can make it any more, He is right there. And on top of all of that, I know that one day I will live forever in Heaven with Him.

He is my Best Friend, and He can be yours, too! All you have to do is the same thing I did many years ago ...

1. Admit that you've done wrong and ask Him to forgive you
2. Believe that He died for you and is alive again
3. Believe that His death and resurrection allow you to be forgiven
4. Ask Him to become a part of your life and change you
5. Be prepared for Him to do it!

Jesus wants to be a part of your life and to change your life. Will you let Him?

Page last updated Tuesday, September 27, 2005.