When I was a teen, I looked at the world differently. I felt that I
could do ANYTHING I wanted, all I had to do was want it badly enough.
No obstacle was too high, absolutely NOTHING could stand in the way of
what I wanted. Boy, was I deluded!!! Then, during my last couple of
years of High School, I spent a total of 18 months on crutches and
things looked different to me. For one thing, my girlfriend, who
carried my books between classes, had become my steady and soon my life
just wasn't about ME anymore!!! I had to improve; to be a better
person- for her!!! Years later, we were married and along came three
daughters and very quickly we understood that life was no longer about
US, but rather THEM!!! So, I (we) did the best we could and worked hard
at being parents!!! But, I was still looking for something, but had no
idea of what it might be. Then, I started reading a Bible, given to me
by a co-worker. Then, I really started to change. I began to realize
that my standards of "GOOD" were not what God had in mind. Eventually, I
became a Christian and in the late seventies, and began looking for a
way to serve the Almighty. The rest is history- but, it began with a
question: Can I really change? And the above picture reminded me of
that question and its relation to the following Scripture...
1 Timothy, Chapter 1
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully, 9 as
knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the
lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy
and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man
slayers, 10 for
the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars,
for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine; 11 according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12 And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service; 13 although
I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I
obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 However,
for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might
display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to
believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
We all have faults, but its what we strive to do about them that really
matters!!! If you think you are too bad to change your life- look at
the list in the picture!!! Even someone like Paul (who murdered and/or
imprisoned Christians) could change. Really takes away excuses, doesn't
it??? I remember my neighbors in Valley Falls laughing at me when I
announced that I wanted to serve the God of the Heavens, but that was
long ago and far from here. No one is laughing about this now. Why?
Because I am not the same man I was in my twenties- I have changed for
the better. OK, I still have things to work on, but, God will help me
with those. Searching? Looking for a change? The Bible has the answers
all through it. Next step is up to you... "Can I really change"?
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