How I found my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Something was missing in my life before I received eternal life. I would go to confession at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Brooklyn, New York. I knew I was a sinner, but could not find forgiveness. I believed I was a Christian because I was raised Catholic, but the peace never came. Each time I returned to the confessional, nothing changed. I wanted to change, but did not have the power to change. I would continue doing the same stuff. I was very frustrated. There seemed there was no way to get rid of guilt. I knew Jesus was God, but did not know him personally. I was an unworthy sinner with no future. I thought God created everything but left me on my own.

My brother Charlie was fourteen years old when he drown off the New Jersey coast of Keansburg, New Jersey. We realized we lost an oar while falling asleep in a row boat that should never been rented to us. Charlie jumped overboard and tried to bring the oak back. He must have hit his head on the oar and went under. My Father was in Greenland building Tule Air Force Base. When he got the news that one of his sons drowned. He thought it was me, the younger ten-year old who had recently learned to swim. I was the fat little brother. Charlie was the good swimmer. His body was recovered a couple of days later. It was a closed casket service. Charlie was my Father's favorite. I did not know what I could do to take away my parent's grief. He wanted to become a priest, but our parents thought he was too young to make this decision. I think they thought God took him because God wanted him inspite of how they felt. So much for the guilt we think we have in our young lives.

I prayed to God to help me. I received eternal life.

The peace, forgiveness and hope resulting from my receiving eternal life were miraculous, amazing and more than I ever anticipated.

In 1968 I graduated from college so my deferment from military service ended. But God had a new life for me. On my way to retrieve my glasses from my barracks I asked God to take over my life. When I went to the Army eye doctor to verify I could qualify for Basic training, he found my induction was void. I could start a new life with. Christ.

I found the peace that passes understanding after I turned my life over to the Lord. No guilt remained. His grace made me a new creation filled with hope.