I grew up in a home where God was honored. We were very faithful in church attendance and I don’t remember any time when I didn’t want to be a follower of Christ. As a child I was very mischievous and as I grew older I knew I was far from perfect and surely not always following God’s ways. Several times, as I got older, I committed and re-committed my life to God. Some were special times at Bible Camp, then there were the Billy Graham crusades on television, and also once at a  Baptist Church that I visited with a friend. I know, however, that I was “born again” when I was 15 years old.

I was taking my first communion up at the altar with others. While kneeling there at the altar, with my eyes closed, in my heart once again, I  began to sincerely express to God my desire to be a true follower of his. The presence of God became so real I felt like I could have touched him if I had tried. He was so real and so HOLY; So perfectly PURE, and in comparison to him, I recognized  the seriousness of my sin like never before. I knew I was a lost sinner and was so dirty and unacceptable before Him. My sin wasn’t trite or petty but very shameful before our holy God and I was sincerely sorry. Seeing my sinful condition so clearly, my heart knew (as Jesus said in Luke 13:3 & 5) “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”. It was a horrible thought, yet I knew that would be justice and I felt devastated. I knelt there hearing that Jesus’ body and blood were  given for me, yet I knew I didn’t deserve it.

Finally, as we were ready to leave the altar, it “clicked with me”– THAT’S WHY JESUS DIED! – TO PAY THE PENALTY FOR OUR SINS! In an instant I felt SO elated, relieved and grateful to God. I  still marvel at his love and sacrifice for me. You know the song “Jesus Paid it all; All to him I owe. Sin had left a Crimson stain; He washed it white as snow”! And there is the Bible verse in 1 John 1:9 that says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful  and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Isaiah 53:6 says “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

I am still FAR from  sinless, but I know that I am a “child of God” because Jesus has paid the penalty for my sin . I repented (turned around…as I still do when convicted of something) and accepted this priceless gift of salvation.

I feel blessed to have had wonderful opportunities for growth and encouragement over the years. Another time I will never forget was when I was attending a Bible Class. The pastor, in his flamboyant way, was teaching the truth that we are saved by God’s grace and not by our good  works. I can’t tell you which of the verses he used from Romans, but the ones I use to share this same truth now are from Ephesians 2:8-9 “ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any  man should boast.” I’m sure I had heard this preached before, but it never resonated with me and that was such an exciting truth that impacted me. I was anxious to share it when I went home and am still glad to share it when I have the opportunity.

We moved to Grand Forks in 2015 and have become members of Bible Baptist Church. We were baptized by immersion there and I was glad to share my testimony of faith then as I am now.

God has been so good and faithful through the years – through  the ups and downs of life. I am especially thankful for his promise of salvation to me. John 1:12 says “But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Another thing I am  thankful for is the peace I have, through everything, knowing that God is sovereign and I am His!

I think of all you who are dear to me and you dear ones I have never met. If you do not already have a saving relationship with my Lord, Jesus Christ,  know this promise from Jeremiah 29:13. “Ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart”. God is love (John 4:18) and he is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9