I grew up in a religious home. I always went to church even when I didn’t want to. I was an alter boy and a squire in the knights of Columbus and I thought I had it all. If people had asked me if I was going to heaven I would have said because I’m a good person or catholic. Neither of which was true. I was living for myself. For the vast majority of my adult life I was seeking self-satisfaction. If it felt good, I did it. I played with drugs, alcohol and illicit affairs, but I was never satisfied. I always wanted more but would never admit it.

Nine years ago God allowed circumstances in my life to hit me like a brick wall. Somebody asked me if I was a Christian and I said yes. I knew this was a lie. I started attending First North because of the Twin Living Christmas Trees. We had seen them several times and God would use this in my life to lead me to Him. Through the next month I began to realize I was a sinner in need of a savior and I would not go to heaven if I had died. One Sunday at church I went down front and the pastor and I talked, he would later come to my house and would lead me to the Lord. I admitted I was a sinner and that I needed Jesus to be king of my life. I asked Him into my heart and forgive me of my sins and committed my life to following Him.

How has Jesus changed my life? I think differently and act differently now. I don’t hang out at the same places I used to or do the same things I used to. Sometimes I am strong and sometimes I fall. But God loves me, forgives me and encourages me know because of his son Jesus. He is always faithful to me and my family. I wish I had trusted him earlier in my life.