I grew up in a Christian family. I went to church, read my bible, and even prayed. I was a good person, and wanted people to see that. I was what you could call a Pharisee - outwardly spiritual, but inwardly proud, selfish, and completely cut off from Christ. When I was 6, I had asked Jesus to “come into my heart. I believed that because I had professed a “faith” in Christ as my Savior as a child, that I was saved. Little did I know that there’s more to following Christ than a child’s profession.

At 15, I attended a youth conference entitled TOTALLY HIS. Mornings and evenings were spent looking into God’s word and finding what it meant to belong Totally to God. I discovered that being “Totally His” meant exactly that - and that there could be nothing left for me. I heard for the first time that the God who offers me Salvation also wanted my life for Himself. I learned that He didn’t want part of my devotion, He wanted all of it. For all of my life I had been living a good moral life for my own sake - to keep me out of trouble, so people would trust, love, and respect me, so that I would look good. But I had it all wrong.

My life, being lived for my own sake, was useless. Unless my life was completely submitted to God, it was worthless. For the first time I saw that everything that I had been doing was pointless, because it was done for my own sake. So God brought me to a crossroads. My choice was to go on the way I had been going - proud and selfish, but outwardly good, or to confess my sin of pride and submit my life to HIS lordship - to let Jesus Christ be the one who would reign and rule in every area of my life. This meant letting go - letting go of all my hopes and dreams, my future, my desires, my preferences, and my inclinations. I had to surrender my will to God’s will. But I did! By God’s grace I opened my hand and let go of my life for my sake.

The Apostle Paul said: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me, and the life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” and also “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” I saw that my life was no longer my own. I had been bought with a price - the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus didn’t give his life so that I could live the way I wanted to. He gave His life so that I could have life - abundant life! But what was that Abundant life? I discovered that abundant life is a life of fellowship with Christ. Living in my pride and self-sufficiency, I was completely unable to have fellowship with Christ because He is holy and requires holiness. I needed to repent of my pride, self-sufficiency, and self-rule, and in faith, submit to Jesus Christ as my Lord. I did. Jesus Christ then became a reality in my life.

For the first time I understood the scripture. For the first time I had a hunger and thirst for the things of God. I desired to know Him, to be with Him, and to learn more about Him. I was truly a “new creation”, where the old was gone and all things were made new. Jesus Christ became my life, and now He is the one who lives in me. I know that abundant life of fellowship which overflows with joy and peace, because life with Christ is completely satisfying and full of rest. I no longer need to strive to be somebody, because all that I am and have is because of Christ. He is my Good Shepherd, and I trust Him to lead, guide, protect and provide. I follow and trust, and He teaches me more and more of who He is, and what He has done for me.

2) HOBBIES

Soccer - Started playing at age 7 / Started refereeing at age 15
Music - Playing the piano, singing, attempting to learn guitar
Reading - Anything NON-Fictional (Missionary biographies are a favorite).
Enjoying God’s Creation - Anything outdoors (hiking, camping, horseback riding, boating, swimming)

3) FAVORITE VERSE

Hebrews 13:5 - “Let your conduct be without covetousness. Be content with such things as you have. Because He Himself has said: I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.”

I especially like this verse because it pulls me back to reality. When I’m tempted to want something - whether it’s something physical, or different circumstances - I’m reminded that I already have everything that I need. I have GOD’S PRESENCE! He has promised to NEVER leave me or forsake me. So no matter what I’m lacking, he knows. No matter what I’m going through, He knows and he’s there with me. To want anything more is to covet. I have all that I need in Christ, and the fact of His constant presence allows me to remain contented and full of joy!