Jesus Christ has Changed My Life.
This is my story.
I grew up in a family that didn't go to church and I had never heard about Jesus as a young girl. While I always knew my mom and dad loved me very much, they had significant struggles as my dad battled with alcoholism since before my sister and I were born. This significantly shaped my early years; at a young age I didn't know exactly what was happening in our home, but I knew something was wasn't right and it filled me with anxiety and a longing for security and peace, especially when I could feel the underlying fear, tension and my mom's sorrow.
There was a little church around the corner from my house. I would ride my bike past it almost every day and I had a real curiosity about what was going on in there behind the beautiful stained glass windows every Sunday morning. When I was ten years old I decided to go there by myself one Sunday, so I put on my best Sunday dress and walked down the hill to see what it was about. I don't remember anything about that day, but later that summer I was invited to go to Vacation Bible School at another church close to our home. It was there that I heard about Jesus for the first time. During those few short days my teachers showed me the Jesus of the Bible in a very understandable and compelling way; that I was loved by the God that created me and knew me by name. I learned about sin and my separation from this holy God because of it and that Jesus had willingly given His own life to pay the price for that sin so I could be forgiven, have a personal relationship with Him along with the promise of eternal life. The truth of all of it was as clear as day and I made the choice to give my life to Him. The words I prayed weren't magic, there was no formula, just the prayer and surrender of a young girl who heard the truth about Jesus: that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
This began a lifetime of learning what it means to walk with Jesus every day and years of growing into the decision I made as an 11 year old girl. Little did I know that within a year my dad would leave my mom and sister and I. God knew I would need a father, and I came to know Him as my good, good Father. He never left me during those difficult growing up years. I was baptized in that little church, and spent many wonderful years in the youth group and youth choir, learning about who Jesus was and how I could be more like Him; more like I wanted to be, but couldn't manage to be on my own.
I haven't always made good choices or represented Jesus well. I have often wished for a 'do-over' as I made poor and willful choices along with the good ones. And yet I have come to know Jesus well on this now decades-long journey of walking with Him, experiencing His grace, mercy, forgiveness and love in every part of my life. Through it all I know there is absolutely nothing can separate me from His love (Romans 8:38-39).
There have been so many ups and downs in my life; something to which I know everyone can relate. There have been times I've wondered if it were possible to feel another ounce of joy and times I've been so low I didn't want to live any longer. It's all part of the story of God's goodness, presence and faithfulness through every season of my life. As I've walked with Jesus for the past many years, I've really come to KNOW Him--through His word (the Bible), through others who have poured His love and Truth into my life, and through the Holy Spirit speaking directly to my heart. The older I get and the more I know and love Him, the more I am in a passionate pursuit to know and love Him more. He has changed my life.
He can change yours.
The Bible says that all of us have sinned against God (sin simply means 'missing the mark') and that our sin separates us from Him (Romans 3:23). In our hearts we've all lied, cheated, hated, lusted--the list is long. As a result we'll be forever separated from a holy God. And as hard as we often try, no amount of good deeds can earn us God's forgiveness and unmerited favor (Ephesians 2:8). The great news of the gospel is that no matter what we have done, because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins, and His resurrection, we can know that our sins are forgiven and we will live forever with Him, even after our life on this earth is done (John 3:16).
Maybe you have found yourself longing for more than what you've known in life, but it has seemed to elude you. At some point, if we're honest, we all find there is a void that isn't filled, no matter how or where we try to fill it. I know first-hand that nothing can fill that void but Jesus. If that is you and you want to have this same kind of personal relationship with Jesus that I have talked about, there is no secret formula--it's as simple as this: Faith alone in Jesus alone by His grace alone. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9). It's not about the specific words you say, just the honesty of your heart asking Jesus to forgive you, and surrendering your life to Him. His word says that He will never leave or forsake those who are His. Are you His? It's the best and most important thing you could ever do because it matters not just for today, but for eternity.
There are so many amazing promises in God's word for those who have surrendered their life to Jesus--a promise for every need and every season of life, a purpose for living today in these uncertain times and the hope of eternal life when our life here is through. If you want to know more about having a personal relationship with the Lord or would like help finding a church where you can learn more about Him and belong and grow in community, please feel free to contact me. I would love to pray for you and encourage you on your journey!
There is no one like Jesus.
"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 grew up in a family that didn't go to church and I had never heard about Jesus as a young girl. While I always knew my mom and dad loved me very much, they had significant struggles as my dad battled with alcoholism since before my sister and I were born. This significantly shaped my early years; at a young age I didn't know exactly what was happening in our home, but I knew something was wasn't right and it filled me with anxiety and a longing for security and peace, especially when I could feel the underlying fear, tension and my mom's sorrow.
There was a little church around the corner from my house. I would ride my bike past it almost every day and I had a real curiosity about what was going on in there behind the beautiful stained glass windows every Sunday morning. When I was ten years old I decided to go there by myself one Sunday, so I put on my best Sunday dress and walked down the hill to see what it was about. I don't remember anything about that day, but later that summer I was invited to go to Vacation Bible School at another church close to our home. It was there that I heard about Jesus for the first time. During those few short days my teachers showed me the Jesus of the Bible in a very understandable and compelling way; that I was loved by the God that created me and knew me by name. I learned about sin and my separation from this holy God because of it and that Jesus had willingly given His own life to pay the price for that sin so I could be forgiven, have a personal relationship with Him along with the promise of eternal life. The truth of all of it was as clear as day and I made the choice to give my life to Him. The words I prayed weren't magic, there was no formula, just the prayer and surrender of a young girl who heard the truth about Jesus: that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
This began a lifetime of learning what it means to walk with Jesus every day and years of growing into the decision I made as an 11 year old girl. Little did I know that within a year my dad would leave my mom and sister and I. God knew I would need a father, and I came to know Him as my good, good Father. He never left me during those difficult growing up years. I was baptized in that little church, and spent many wonderful years in the youth group and youth choir, learning about who Jesus was and how I could be more like Him; more like I wanted to be, but couldn't manage to be on my own.
I haven't always made good choices or represented Jesus well. I have often wished for a 'do-over' as I made poor and willful choices along with the good ones. And yet I have come to know Jesus well on this now decades-long journey of walking with Him, experiencing His grace, mercy, forgiveness and love in every part of my life. Through it all I know there is absolutely nothing can separate me from His love (Romans 8:38-39).
There have been so many ups and downs in my life; something to which I know everyone can relate. There have been times I've wondered if it were possible to feel another ounce of joy and times I've been so low I didn't want to live any longer. It's all part of the story of God's goodness, presence and faithfulness through every season of my life. As I've walked with Jesus for the past many years, I've really come to KNOW Him--through His word (the Bible), through others who have poured His love and Truth into my life, and through the Holy Spirit speaking directly to my heart. The older I get and the more I know and love Him, the more I am in a passionate pursuit to know and love Him more. He has changed my life.
He can change yours.
The Bible says that all of us have sinned against God (sin simply means 'missing the mark') and that our sin separates us from Him (Romans 3:23). In our hearts we've all lied, cheated, hated, lusted--the list is long. As a result we'll be forever separated from a holy God. And as hard as we often try, no amount of good deeds can earn us God's forgiveness and unmerited favor (Ephesians 2:8). The great news of the gospel is that no matter what we have done, because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins, and His resurrection, we can know that our sins are forgiven and we will live forever with Him, even after our life on this earth is done (John 3:16).
Maybe you have found yourself longing for more than what you've known in life, but it has seemed to elude you. At some point, if we're honest, we all find there is a void that isn't filled, no matter how or where we try to fill it. I know first-hand that nothing can fill that void but Jesus. If that is you and you want to have this same kind of personal relationship with Jesus that I have talked about, there is no secret formula--it's as simple as this: Faith alone in Jesus alone by His grace alone. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9). It's not about the specific words you say, just the honesty of your heart asking Jesus to forgive you, and surrendering your life to Him. His word says that He will never leave or forsake those who are His. Are you His? It's the best and most important thing you could ever do because it matters not just for today, but for eternity.
There are so many amazing promises in God's word for those who have surrendered their life to Jesus--a promise for every need and every season of life, a purpose for living today in these uncertain times and the hope of eternal life when our life here is through. If you want to know more about having a personal relationship with the Lord or would like help finding a church where you can learn more about Him and belong and grow in community, please feel free to contact me. I would love to pray for you and encourage you on your journey!
There is no one like Jesus.
"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