reblog: My Story, well the beginning anyway…
- Originally posted June 6, 2008 -
I’m just a regular guy that realized there was more to life than what we see or experience on a daily basis. When I was 23 years old I decided to place my trust in Jesus Christ and on that day accepted the gift of forgiveness He purchased for me on the cross. I also decided to make Him the Lord of my life and to dedicate the rest of my life to serving Him. I set out to discover the plan He had for my life.
This single decision changed the entire course of my life (and I believe, my eternity.) Since making that decision I have had the opportunity to travel 38 states speaking and teaching about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve spoken in many churches, youth gatherings, schools and prisons. I also do corporate motivational speaking. I’ve traveled to England, across Mexico and even spent a week traveling across Cuba with a group of pastors speaking and teaching as we went.
Why am I saying this? To brag? No, to illustrate that a person can only realize their full potential when they choose to place themselves in the hands of The Lord. I’m just a kid from Fort Lupton, CO. I graduated High School at the bottom of my class and was confused about what I wanted out of life. For about 5 years I worked my way up into the corporate world. I started working for a company in Longmont running a table saw. Within a couple of years I was able to work up to a sales job, traveling the country and making a lot of money. But there was a yearning in my heart. It was like I was thirsty and I could never be satisfied. I tried buying things: I bought a brand new house, I drove a new car, had a lot of nice stuff, traveled all over, but I was still empty inside.
I heard a song once that said: “There’s a God shaped hole in all of us” and I think that singer is right. There was a hunger in my heart that only a relationship with my creator could satisfy. There was also an aimlessness in my life that was only calmed when I discovered my purpose in life and that involved serving God.
Well, that’s my story (the beginning anyway) and most of you that know me know I’m not a long-winded guy but let me end with this.
Each of us, one day will stand before God and be judged on some basis. Whether you believe this or not, just humor me for a second and hear me out: When we stand before God, I think it would stand to reason that there must be some benchmark, some standard that God could use to measure us and determine whether we should enter heaven. I think the 10 commandments would arguably serve as a good standard to judge people by. When I honestly measured myself against those 10 commandments, I realized I fell short on almost every one. Here they are, as you read them, honestly appraise your life and see where you line up.
1. I am the Lord Your God, you are to have no other gods before me. (This means: don’t put anything ahead of a relationship with God. Have you ever done that? I had.)
2. You are not to make for yourselves any idols. (I had never worshipped an idol so I thought I passed this one o.k.)
3. Do not take the name of The Lord in vain. (This means: don’t use God’s name as a cussword. Have you ever done that, even once? I had.)
4. Remember the Sabbath Day, keep it holy. (This means: always take 1 day a week to rest and relax. Have you ever gone into the workaholic mode and worked 7 days straight? I had. I remember working 47 days straight once without a day off. This isn’t good for you.)
5. Honor your father and mother. (I was always pretty decent about this but if the standard was whether I had ever broken this rule, even once, then I was in trouble.)
6. Do not murder. (I’ve never done this, but I’ve murdered a few people in my heart in anger and while driving on the highway and according to the Bible this is the same thing. So by now, I’m in trouble.)
7. Do not commit adultery. (The bible says: If you look upon a woman with lust in your heart, even if you never commit the act, it’s like you commited adultery with her already. By now I was in big trouble)
I’m not going to go through the rest of the commandments, you get the picture.. I could never live by all these rules, but see God understood that. See, when one of these rules was broken, blood was supposed to be shed so that man could receive forgiveness.
God recognized that this system wasn’t working so He sent His Son Jesus, to die on our behalf so that you and I could receive forgiveness for our mistakes and spend eternity in heaven with Him. This is God’s plan for the redemption of mankind. Consider accepting the gift of eternal life that Jesus purchased for you. Talk to a local pastor or you can e-mail me and we can talk about it.
If you totally disagree with me, that’s cool, I can take it. If you want to blast me, blast away my comments are open. God’s Word and God’s plan is solid, I’d be glad to talk this over with you.
I know this is a lot to take in in one shot, but it’s true and it’s my story.
Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.
