I was born into the traditional American family of the 40s and 50s.  I had no personal relationship with God nor did I understand the need for such a relationship.  At that time in history it was not unusual for people to attend church several times a month.  To be a person of honor and integrity was the way people conducted their lives. 

Doing well in athletics and academics was my goal, a goal which would cause you to be acceptable to all.  College brought more of the same.  While in college I formed a “Rock & Roll” band which caused my studies to slide, because the draft was in place, Uncle Sam said, “Give me that Guitar boy, here take this rifle”, so off to the Navy Seabees I went.

I had the opportunity to go to flight school where I became a bachelor jet fighter pilot.  Once again my situation remained the same as it was in high school and college except my toys had become bigger.  I went on to become an Airline pilot where I met my wife to be, a stewardess.

In 1973 Dana and I were married and in 1975 I started my own company, building, selling, and developing real estate.  April of 1980 Dana and I had our first child Lea. Why did we wait so long for our first child?  We (read I) were having the "good life".  My building firm was doing great, the money was rolling in, and I was on top of the world.  I was on the way up and at this point I had no KNOWN problems and was shifting into overdrive.

The fall of 1980 brought a debilitating accident, in which I was paralyzed. I did not feel sorry for myself I just saw the situation as another obstacle to overcome.  It was during the recovering phase of my accident that my wife developed a personal relationship with the God of the Universe.  This event caused me to reflect and consider my own spiritual situation.

The friends that were relating the facts of this personal relationship with the God of the Universe to my wife indicated that the Bible tells us in Isaiah 53:6, "we all like sheep have gone astray each of us has gone his own way", that is-we want to do our own thing.  It was further pointed out that the Bible tells us that the wages (results) of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  Sin is another word for doing things against God's will, while death can be rendered separation.  An example would be when we die our soul is separated from our body.

We were also shown in the book of the Bible called Romans that "all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  Several books later (Hebrews 9:27) it is pointed out that all are going to face death and then judgment.

This caused me to consider my situation.  According to what I had just heard I was headed for an eternity that did not seem the place to be.  If the Bible was true, even though I had been raised as one of the “good people” I had not always done what God had wanted, this was sin, and the earnings of sin was separation from God forever and ever.  However, it was then pointed out the “GOOD NEWS”.  Jesus says in John 5:24, “he who hears my words and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment but has passed out of death into life”.  This seemed like too good a deal to pass up and it only required me to appropriate for myself the things Jesus had already done.

Over the next several days I focused on the fact that Jesus died and suffered judgment for me so that I would not have to undergo that experience of death and eternal separation from God.  Soon I realized it was more than the head knowledge of the facts concerning a relationship with Christ, it was the heart knowledge of that personal relationship.  It was heart knowledge that the love of Christ for me was so great that if I were the only person on the earth Jesus would have still substituted His life for mine so that I could spend eternity in heaven

When I accepted that personal relationship with Christ nothing dramatic seemed to happen.  That is, I didn't see any bright lights, or voice, however, I KNEW a change had taken place in my very being.  The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "If any man is in Christ old things are gone, behold the new has come."

God worked on me over the next months and years; in fact He is still working on me.  My wife can tell you that if it were not for Christ our marriage would have gone by the wayside long ago.  It is a tremendous comfort to know for certain that if I were to die at this moment I would be in the presence of Jesus for all eternity.  On a day by day basis the strength that Jesus gives me is unmeasurable.  When I received Christ into my life, situations did not become a bed of roses, but God through His eternal Grace, in a way I don't understand, provides me with the power to more than cope with any possible circumstance.

My wife, friends, and family can speak of the changes that I have gone through.  At one time I was a very demanding perfectionist, I was always in a hurry, I put myself first in all things, and I was not a compassionate person.  At this point in my life it can be truthfully said Jesus stepped in and cleaned house.

Although I am far from my old ways there are still times that I revert to some of the old patterns; I am thankfully that God has provided a method to keep me on the path of righteousness.  The better we know His Instruction Manual the better we can obey His commands.

How can a young man keep his way pure?  By hiding Thy Word in his heart.  With all of my heart I have sought Thee, do not let me wander from Thy commands.  Thy Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.                                                                          Psalms 119:9-11

All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.                                                                                                           2 Timothy 3:16-17

This I say to you, "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh".    Galatians 5:16

If we confess our sins He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness.                                                                                                   1 Corinthians 1:9

The most thankful part of my relationship to Christ is that it is on going, a relationship that gets better by the day - mainly because He is working on me on a continuing basis.