My life didn’t have purpose outside of living a normal life within our culture, trying to keep up with the Joneses, trying to make life comfortable, etc. Then after a divorce I was down and out. I withdrew from life. I hid away at home. I didn’t want to talk to anyone or develop any relationships because my heart was beaten up. I wanted to protect it and not take any chances with it. Then I was downsized by an employer. Anxiety, fear and depression took over. I didn’t know where to turn.

A friend offered me a job at FBNS. It paid 1/3 of what I used to make. I did not realize at the time that I would gain a lot more than money. I saw the everyday happenings of the church. This place was not only smiles and kindness on Sundays; it was that way all the time. I was still cautious with a closed heart to the members of FBNS after what I had been through. I was invited and attended the worship service. I felt like I could have been the only one in the Sanctuary and Pastor Mike was speaking directly to me. I eventually got over the fear surrounding my heart and had the courage to go forward to accept Jesus as my Savior and join the church.

Once I accepted Christ into my heart, started reading the Bible and praying, my life took on new meaning. I had direction, focus, acheivement for the ultimate goal and a purpose. No matter what battles, trials or hardships come my way I have a personal Savior who is always there. There is a peace in my life regardless of what life throws at me.

Growing up, I had a great family! I was the baby of three, I had a brother and a sister, and both parents at home. My relationship with my family has always been great and we didn’t go without any of the normal “stuff”! I guess my family would have been considered middle class as we moved around the southeast. During middle school and high school, I would have been your typical nice guy. I don’t believe I had any enemies, I was active in sports and other school activities. I would have considered myself an overall good person that tried to be friends with most everyone. I grew up attending church quite regularly as my family was quite active there as well. I had no real direction or purpose in my life at the time; and I guess no real hope that my life in the future would be much different or meaningful than it was then.

Growing up in church, I knew who God was. I knew Jesus Christ was the Son of God. I knew Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinnless life, died on a cross as a sacrifice for every person’s sin (including mine), was raised from the dead by God 3 day’s later, and was alive forevermore. I knew and truly believed all these things and more! When I was 18 years old and just out of high school, I went to visit my grandmother in Knoxville, TN. On Sunday we went to Lyon’s Creek Baptist Church where she had been a faithful member for many years. At the end of the service, the pastor explained how in order to have eternal life in heaven, and a real relationship with Jesus Christ, that I had to pray and confess that I was a sinner, ASK Jesus Christ to forgive me of my sin and ASK, YES ASK, Him to come into my life to be my Lord and Savior….. I had never heard that ever before. That I had to ASK or invite Jesus into my life. I readily prayed the prayer that the pastor lead me in and I asked Jesus Christ into my life that day.

Since that summer 15 years ago, my life has changed in a great way! There have still been tough times in my life, but God’s Holy Spirit that dwells within me and God’s Holy Bible have helped guide me through the trials and hardships. Since accepting Christ into my life, I have realized the purpose for my life that God has had for me all along. Christ has brought meaning to the things that I do in my life. And, I have hope of a future that is better for myself and for others because of the work that Jesus does through me every day. God has given me direction on how to handle different situations in my life. I know what action my creator would have me take in most any situation because God speaks to me as I study the Bible, and read His very words. I speak with God and He to me through prayer. I am encouraged by God’s great love for me when I am struggleing with something. I am humbled by God’s Spirit when things are going well for me. Since asking Jesus Christ into my life, I have never been without hope, without help, without direction, or without someone who loves me. Jesus has filled that role in my life that, until I prayed and ASKED Him to come in, was empty. God desires that for all mankind, and that is an amazing love and an amazing future if we just ASK!