In the mid-seventies I was living in the small town of Madrid, New Mexico. It was a community of ex-hippies and “outlaws”. At that time, I was searching for a way to make my life have meaning, to feel good about myself; who I was, what I was doing, and where I was going. I pursued different activities and beliefs, but each on led me further down the spiral of hopelessness and loss of self-worth.

One winter my mother asked me to return to Baltimore to house sit for her for two weeks while she went on vacation. I was a fan of science fiction, and had read many science fiction books about how the earth and our present civilization would come to an end. At my mother’s I read King’s “The Stand”, a tale of the final struggle between good and evil. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I became very tired of reading fictionalized renditions of “The End” and decided to go right to the source. I called the girl next door who was a childhood friend and a Christian. I asked her if I could borrow a Bible. In her delight at my request, she brought me several different translations. I read the Book of Revelations in most of them. While this was not the time of my conversion, it was the time I began looking into God’s word for answers.

When I returned to Madrid, I began attending a local Bible study and started going to church in Santa Fe. I finally found the answer I had been looking for and gave my life to Jesus. Since that time I have only looked back with joy and praise for the way in which my God has guided in my life. He has shown me that I am loved. He has made me feel worthwhile and useful. He has given me peace and joy. He has given me a wife to share my life. This does not mean I no longer have hard times, it does mean I know that my God will not forsake me, and that no matter what the circumstance, He will have it work for my good.

My life has been turned around. I went from despair to joy and peace. God has done this for me because He loves me. But the great thing is He loves you too. He will work the same changes in your life. All that you need do is confess your need. Ask God to forgive your sins. Repent and ask Jesus to be the Lord and savior of your life! He will.