This is my testimony: the story of my life.  The road I've walked may be close to your own in some ways.  I hope this story is a blessing & encouragement to you.  I'm sharing this out of concern & love hoping it will help & bless you.

Which way to love?

It was the best of times & the worst of times - high school.  Lots of friends, loads of fun, plenty of parties - who could ask for more?  Honor roll, outstanding music student, National Honor Society - the scholastic awards kept rolling in.  But, I was searching.

Always the class clown, it was easy to win friends.  Even the teachers would laugh at some of the outrageous comments & wisecracks.  Everyone laughed & smiled.  But, I was searching.

For satisfaction, I turned to making money.  Cutting grass & delivering papers (became my two youthful businesses).  I quickly amassed a "teenage fortune."  With the earnings, I bought a new Schwinn bicycle, an elaborate stamp collection, and I soon turned my bedroom into a music lover's paradise - complete with hi-fi audio, mega-speakers & all the latest.  But something was missing.

"What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his own soul."  (Mark 8:36)

Chasing after the wind

For excitement, I turned to many things.  No matter what I tried.  It wasn't enough.  I was searching.

Senior year in high school was filled with football, pizzas, movies, music & Putt-putt (recreation golf).  We were having fun!  But, I was searching.

Finally graduation came & now it was off to college...big Ball State!

Ball State University became my new playground.  Just graduated from high school, now I felt like I was SOMEBODY! (a high school GRADUATE).  But, it wasn't long until I discovered that 17,999 other "somebody's" were here on the college campus.  And I felt lost.

To be real honest with you - beneath all the honors & achievements, activities, hobbies, fun & foolishness:

SOMETHING WAS ALWAYS MISSING!

There was an emptiness inside - a frustration that wouldn't go away.  And I was searching.

"I denied myself nothing my eyes desired.  I refused my heart no pleasure.  My heart took delight in all my work.  And this was the reward for my labor.  When I surveyed all that my hands had done & what I had toiled to achieve - everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind."  (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11)

The first year in college takes a lot of adjustment - new places, new faces, new classes & new ideas.  That freshman year, I became acquainted with some students on campus who seemed different somehow.  They were happier, at peace with themselves.  They knew how to laugh & have fun.  And had a sense of purpose about them.  They talked about LIVING for Jesus, not just halfheartedly believing in God.

I saw that Jesus is the answer!
to my inner frustration & emptiness.  To know Jesus personally makes life different.  The best!

I began to read scholarly books that showed beyond a shadow of a doubt:  That the Bible IS the Word of God, that Jesus Christ DID RISE from the dead, that the theory of evolution remains full of missing links & empty assumptions.  And that science, rightly approached & understood, actually points to creative design & a Creator, Who - in His infinite wisdom & power created us & our world.  I knew these things were true.  I read in Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God!

It was time to face the facts.

God began & created your life.  Genesis 1:1
Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth & the life.  No one comes to (God) the Father except through Me."  John 14:6
"I have come that they may have LIFE more abundantly" John 10:10

Over the time following, it was evident that people truly following Jesus had brighter avenues to joy, peace & access to power to live a life of purpose.  Real Christians are not just "religious" or simply churchgoers, but people who KNOW & WALK WITH GOD.  That was the difference.  They were enthusiastic & excited about life.  That year - and each year which followed - I became convinced that I needed to COMPLETELY & WHOLEHEARTEDLY turn my life over to Christ - and so I DID!

That became
the most beautiful turning point in my life.

It's been quite a few years now since I decided to give my life to the Lord, but it's the best thing I ever did!  And...

My life has changed!

In Jesus, God in the flesh, I found the source of: joy beyond description, peace beyond understanding, inner strength & power beyond comprehension.  I don't yet fully understand HOW Jesus' sacrifice on the cross works - but I know it DOES WORK! 

Life sometimes poses times of trouble & pain.  But Someone walks with me through all the trials.  Jesus is Faithful & True!  God has befriended me on earth, snatched me from hell & leads me toward Heaven.  Forever.  Jesus: what a Friend!

Now, what about you?

More than anything, I want you also to know the love, joy & peace that WILL fill your life when you decide to live for Jesus!  Live in obedience to His commands & wholehearted faith in His promises.  Read the Bible & learn Who God is.  Discover the plan He has for you.  I want you to meet Jesus!  He changed my life.  And Jesus wants to be your Best Friend.  Forever!

We need to know that on this earth: "there is a way that SEEMS right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (eternal separation from God)." Proverbs 14:12.  And "unless we repent (turn away from sin & discard unloving, unkind, selfish & evil things which displease God), we too will all perish." Luke 13:5  "The wages (or payday results) of sin is (spiritual & eternal) death (separation from God forever), but the GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 6:23 

Consider that "God SO LOVED the (people of the) world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), that whosoever BELIEVES in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  Whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned, but whoever does NOT believe stands condemned already because he has not believed."  John 3:16, 18  

God loves you!  Jesus is eternal LIFE, the one provided Way to Heaven!

It's our choice!

"The wages (or payday results) of sin is (spiritual & eternal) death (separation from God forever), but the GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 6:23 

Believe in Jesus & follow Him for a lifetime.  "Repent & be baptized everyone of you - in the name of Jesus Christ - so that your sins may be forgiven."  Acts 2:38

Love waits from the eternal heavens for those who believe. HEAVEN is ETERNAL JOY!

Get yourself a Bible & read it.  Go straight to the best source for more information.  Check it out!  In the pages of God's eternal Word, you'll find the truest & best love & friendship of all!

I discovered a better life.  I found LOVE.  And His Name is JESUS!

God has given us fair warning:  Eternal death begins with physical death & a grave, but also more:  permanent, eternal separation from God - exclusion from heaven forever.  This is what mankind's sin deserves.  To find eternal life, we need to know that heaven is not earned by monumental efforts trying to be good, performing humanitarian deeds, prim & proper religious affiliation, frequent church attendance or anything we do. Christianity is not a religion, but KNOWING A PERSON, Jesus Christ.