Angie's Story:
I grew up in a very loving, sheltered and happy home in southern Missouri. My sisters and I all lived with my parents, and went to church weekly. As a child I realized that even though I had great parents and wonderful sisters, something was missing in my life. I came to understand that my problem was I needed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ....I realized that He was the solution. He was what I really needed in my life. As a teenager I came to figure out that my relationship with Jesus should impact the way I live my life.....the way I processed things. I really tried to use the Bible as a guideline for the decisions I made and the relationships that I built. Rick and I married right out of high school and early in our marriage we fell away from the Lord and the church. We had some rough years in our marriage early on and decided that for our marriage and family to thrive we needed to recommit and put the Lord Jesus Christ back in our life and have Him as a priority. We really worked to that end. Through hard times in marriage and family and tough times in jobs....the Lord Jesus Christ has remained faithful. I know He loves me and wants what is best or me. I can honestly say that if I hadn't decided many years ago to accept Jesus as my personal Savior I have no doubt in my mind I would not be what I am today. My personal relationship with Him provides me hope and peace that nothing in this world can provide. I am convinced that He has a solution to any problem that I may ever encounter. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 |
Rick's story:
I grew up in a very similar situation as Angie. We went to church each Sunday and I thought everything was fine as long as I did the church thing. But, one Sunday morning I was asked by my pastor if I would be willing to share my story in front of the congregation that evening. I committed without really thinking about it. That afternoon God started dealing with my heart and I realized I didn't have a story to tell. I was sweating bullets all that day up until it was time for me to get up in front of those people. Well, that didn't work out. I ran out the back door just before it was time to share. As I was running out the back door I grabbed a friend to go with me. He asked me what was going on and I told him I couldn't share my story because I really didn't have a story to tell. He asked me if I wanted that to change. I was ready. So, while the service was going on, my friend took me through some verses in the Bible which helped me to understand my need for the forgiveness of my sins. He helped me through God's Word to understand that trusting in Jesus was the answer for my life. So during that moment I believed that God loved me and Jesus died on the cross for me. I simply prayed and asked Jesus to take over my life form that point on. It was the best decision I have ever made. Life has not been totally easy I might add, but I do know Jesus lives within me and is going to be my guide in this life. Because I trusted Him as my Savior and Lord, Jesus promises that He will be with me always and that there is a special place for me in His heaven. He said: "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also." John 14:1-3 |
Do you have a story similar to ours? Does your story include a relationship with Jesus? If not, we would love to visit with you about how you can have the same hope that we have. Please, call us at 402.718.0049 or e-mail at [email protected]