I was raised in a devout Catholic family that attended church every Sunday. My parents taught strong moral and ethical values that were reinforced at the Catholic grade school I attended. One day after school when I was 12 years old I slipped into the back of the church when no one else was around. I knelt in prayer and asked God to help me live for Him. From that point on I tried to be good but it always seemed like I was not good enough. I felt guilty because I kept slipping up. I struggled with this into my college years.

While I was dating my wife, I started attending the small Baptist church where she and her family worshipped. I heard the message of salvation preached each Sunday. I started reading books and studying the Bible to search and test if what I was hearing was true. Then one evening in the summer of my junior year, I came to the realization that I could never be good enough…That’s why Jesus died for me. Alone in my room, I prayed and asked Jesus to forgive me and to take over my life.

From that moment, I’ve felt mercy and peace that I find hard to express. I no longer feel anxious about whether I’m being good enough to earn my way into spending eternity with God. Now I have His love and seek His direction every day of my life.

God has given me a wonderful, loving wife and two great sons. He surrounds me with people who accept me for who I am. Each day He gives me optimism and fresh hope for the future. My favorite verses are Philippians 4:4-7 and Romans 8:28 because they remind me each day I can rejoice…I am His and He is in control!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:4-7

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28