A Full Life Through Christ

I’m thankful I have the assurance that God is with me through life’s ups and downs, loves me without ceasing, and has given me the promise of eternal life with Him.

I grew up in a Christian family. Mom and Dad were active in church music ministry and taught Sunday School. But their salvation and church involvement could not save me. I knew I needed to be the one to ask Christ in my life. I, not my parents, needed to make that decision. In my early teens I began feeling God’s conviction. I recall an Easter morning service at age 12 hearing my mom read Scripture verses. I got so sick to my stomach, I could hardly breathe! God was working on me. But I was expecting a lightning and claps of thunder Salvation experience. I was making it much harder than it needed to be. It wasn’t until two years later, at age 14, while attending a revival service, that God spoke to my heart. I don’t recall a single word the evangelist said that evening. While sitting in my church’s pew, God quietly spoke to my heart. That’s all I could hear, even with others seated around me and preaching and singing taking place. He called my name! I listened and accepted Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior. Even though I wasn’t a bad kid or did bad things, I, like all, knew I needed Christ to take residence in my heart. I needed to take up my cross and follow Him. As soon as I accepted Jesus I felt the weight of the world lifted from me! I was transformed forever! I was eternally forgiven. Indescribable peace and joy flooded my soul that revival night, and have remained with me throughout my life. God’s Grace is real! His Promises never fail no matter the struggle, trial, challenge, or heartache you or I may face. And the blessings He has given me along the way are beyond imagination — a beautiful, godly wife, three children, four grandchildren (and counting), Spirit-filled parents, a wonderful church and church family, a blessing-filled career, a life filled with making music, and so much more! But there have been heartaches along the way, too - a loss of a child at birth, a girl - Sarah, and the untimely death of my only sibling, my brother Bob, at age 25, who succumbed to a rare cancer. God was there with me, too. He carried me through these dark, lonely times and on that journey, strengthened my faith in Him. I am so grateful He saved me, accepts me for who I am - faults and all - and loves me without ceasing, even on days when I may be unloveable. That same God loves you, too! Will you make Him Lord of your life and accept His gift of Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness, and Eternal Life? Read Revelation 3:20. He has a special invitation for you at this very moment.

My testimony doesn’t begin or end when I accepted Christ at age 14. That testimony continues into my senior adult years and will do so until my faith becomes sight. I stand firmly on God’s Word and believe without any doubt in His virgin birth, ministry on Earth, death, burial, and resurrection. And He’s coming back one day! Are you ready? It’s real. It’s genuine. It’s not based on a momentary feeling, but knowing without any doubt that Jesus resides in my heart!