Before Jesus Changed My Life

For as long as I can remember, I was taught the truths of God and brought up in the fear and instruction of the Lord Jesus Christ. I was confirmed in my local church as a teenager and didn’t pay much attention to building a relationship with God. On the outside, everything would have appeared to be great with me; a good student, successful in athletics, a strong family, and lots of friends. On the inside, I lacked self-esteem and chose to “stuff” my feelings of inadequacy. Alcohol became my way of release from feeling less than as a 17-year-old and continued for more than 20 years. For many years, I was a functional alcoholic and did not have issues in college or my early adult life. Things deteriorated slowly at first, but a drunk driving and a divorce ensued. I always tried to control things on my own, despite my best friend asking me to seek God. I tried to limit my drinking, and that only worked for awhile. My world continued to spiral downward, and I was about to lose my second marriage when I finally realized I could not do this alone. My wife Jackie and I were in church counseling when the Holy Spirit spoke to me.

How Jesus Changed My Life

Part of my decision to turn to the Lord was blessed by our Pastor asking me to research Recovery Group options for our church. As I researched and continued to “Let Go and Let God”, I saw there was a much easier way to live life. We eventually launched our own Celebrate Recovery group at our church to help deal with life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Little did I know that my Pastor at the time, was using this as a way for me to connect with God personally and to walk along with others who needed God as part of their recovery. The Book of Matthew was inspirational in my recovery efforts and a big part of the Celebrate Recovery curriculum.

My Life After Jesus Saved Me

I am so unbelievably blessed and grateful to be saved by Jesus! I am blown away by the sacrifice he made on the cross for all of our sins. His mercy, grace, and love are more than I deserve! He is whom I turn every day to praise, repent, ask, and yield to, as my Lord and Savior. All of my hope is found in Him and I am so very thankful for Jesus and the gift of eternal life.