I had a very difficult childhood. My stepfather was quite abusive and my mother was a bit naieve. I was surrounded by drugs, alchohol and pornography. Music was my only escape. Yet it wasn't enough. I knew I was missing something. I just didn't know what it was.

I had been to church some and had heard churchy phrases like "born again" and "ask Jesus into your heart". I just never understood them. Then one day, the one and only decent friend my step-father had came over for dinner. He was telling the most amazing stories and I suddenly realized that what I was missing was God. Later that night, my mother helped me to talk to God. I asked him to forgive me for all the bad things I had done. I told him that I believed his son Jesus had died for me and rose again.

I have never felt such incredible love and peace as I did that night. Jesus really did come into "my heart". I know what it means now. Your heart doesn't mean your blood pumping muscle. It means the place where your emotions are. The place that contains all that makes you who you are. I can feel his presence in my daily life. He has helped me change so many things and gives me guidance and peace through life's difficult times. He has given me the most wonderful church family. They are my friends, my helpers, my voice of reason.

For the first several years of our marriage, my husband was not a Christian. It was tough, but I stayed firm in my faith. Then my mother died. I will never forget the look on his face on the day of mother's funeral. It made him face death. Less than one year later, I was standing in the choir loft. I looked up to see John standing with the pastor. He had asked Jesus to come into his heart. I now know for sure I will spend eternity with him in Heaven. John has changed so much. He has a deep faith in God and now serves as a deacon in our church.

So now, I sing a new song, a song about love, peace...and HOPE!



For ALL Have Sinned...

Romans 3:23 says, "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Now some might say "I don't steal and I've tried to live a good life" but that doesn't mean that you don't sin. You see, anything that goes against God's will is a sin. Excepting too much change back at the grocery store, telling white lies, disobeying your parents. Those are all sins and in Gods eyes, ALL sins are equal. Romans 6:23 says the the penalty for "sin is death."

However, because God loves us beyond understanding, He made a way for us to get to Heaven. He sent his son Jesus Christ to die in our place. (Remember, the penalty for sin is death--that means eternal death in Hell). 1Peter 3:18 says, "Christ died once for our sins. An innocent person died for those who are guilty. Christ did this to bring you to God, when his body was put to death and his spirit was made alive." Because Jesus was sinless and perfect, his death and resurection on the cross was enough to pay our debt to God. All you have to do is accept the gift. Sound simple? It is!

If you have come to the place that you know you are a sinner and you would like to accept Jesus into your heart, you can pray on your own or use the prayer that follows. God knows what is in your heart and if you truly mean what you say, you will go to Heaven.

Dear Lord: I know that I am a sinner and that I have done a lot of bad things. I know that you died on a cross for my sins. I ask you now to forgive me come into my heart and change my life. I accept you as my Savior and my Lord. Thank you Jesus for saving me. Amen.