Before Jesus Changed My Life

I was blessed to grow up in a family where God was an important part of our lives. We prayed together regularly and attended church every week, so I was taught about God from a young age. Even with that foundation, I still had doubts and needed to come to faith on my own. During my senior year of high school, my grandfather passed away, and watching my grandmother's unwavering faith through that loss had a profound impact on me. It was then that I realized I truly believed in God and wanted my faith to be my own. Later in life, when my first wife was diagnosed with cancer and we walked through that difficult journey, it was made clear to me in a much deeper way that I am not in control of my life. That season exposed how easy it is to rely on my own plans and abilities instead of trusting God. Through those experiences, I came to understand that real peace and purpose are found in surrendering to Him and trusting His will rather than my own. Those challenges strengthened my faith and helped me see my need for God more clearly.

How Jesus Changed My Life

After my first wife passed away, I met Patty a few years later. As our relationship grew, we began attending Veritas together. During that time, I realized that while I believed in God, I had not given as much attention to understanding the fullness of who God is as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Through attending church, listening to the teaching at Veritas, and spending more time in Scripture, my faith began to deepen. One of the things that helped me most was becoming more comfortable reading the Bible. Patty and Veritas both used the ESV translation, which I found easier to read and understand. As I spent more time in God's Word, I became less intimidated by it and more interested in learning what it teaches about Jesus and the gospel. The sermons at Veritas, along with resources such as the Beyond the Message and The Average Pastor podcasts, helped me better understand Scripture and its application to my life. Through this process, I came to more fully embrace Jesus as my Savior and place my trust in Him. I recognized my need for grace and forgiveness and learned that salvation is not something I can earn, but a gift God offers through faith in Jesus Christ. As I continued to grow in my relationship with Him, I became more reliant on God and more aware of His presence in my daily life. After Patty and I lost our daughter, Laura, several Bible passages spoke deeply to me about God's love, comfort, and faithfulness. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV). The losses and blessings I have experienced throughout my life have helped shape my faith and deepen my reliance on Him. Through these experiences, Jesus has become more than someone I believe in; He has become the foundation of my hope, strength, and salvation.

My Life After Jesus Saved Me

I cannot point to a specific moment when I would say that Jesus saved me. Instead, my understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for me has become much clearer over the past several years. Through attending Veritas, worshiping there regularly, listening to biblical teaching, and spending more time reading Scripture, I have come to better understand the gospel and God's plan of salvation. One of the biggest changes in my life has been my understanding of God’s grace. I now recognize more clearly that my salvation is not based on the good works I do or anything I can earn on my own. Rather, it is entirely the result of God's mercy, the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for my sins, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in my life. My hope is found not in my own efforts, but in Jesus Christ and His work on my behalf. In times of need, I turn to God through prayer, Scripture, and the reminders of His faithfulness that I have experienced throughout my life. As I continue to grow in faith, I am learning to trust Him more fully and rely on His grace each day. Because of my faith in Jesus Christ, I know that I have eternal life and will one day be with Him forever. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)