40 Years with Jesus

March 18, 1973. First Christian Church, Sapulpa, OK. About 11:50am. Age 8 years, 8 months, 4 days. Salvation given to me through Jesus Christ.

A few other particulars I remember are: just before stepping into the baptistry, Bro Casey said, "Now Ricky, you need to understand something. You can go down into the water a dry sinner and come up a wet sinner; Jesus has to change your heart." I remember one of the church women, as they came by to greet me afterwards said, "Happy Birthday!" I said, "It's not my birthday." She said, "Oh yes it is! It's your 'spiritual birthday'!"

As an 8 year old boy, I didn't understand much about following Jesus. I knew that I loved Him. I knew that I was willing to do whatever it took to be counted among God's children.

I'm not that little boy anymore. Now, at 48 years, 8 months, and 4 days old, I've come a LONG way with Jesus. I haven't been a "good Christian" certainly by my own estimation. In fact, I am dreadfully ashamed to say that I've done my worse sinning since being saved.

However, I've done ALL of my growing since then, too! In my lack of fidelity to God, He has been faithful to me. In my lack of faith, He never changed. I all my weakness, He has been strong.

I don't understand everything there is to know about my salvation, but I know I'm saved. About 10 or 11 years after my salvation, I finally KNEW I was saved. For me, it was the second-most important spiritual event, as I began to realize that my name was written in God's Book of Life and that He didn't use an eraser.

I left the Christian Church denomination while in college over some theological issues that I wasn't able to resolve. However, I spent 18 years of my life in that church and still have wonderful memories and even still some friends who attend there.

The past 40 years have been a wonderfully blessed journey that is simply preparation for the rest of eternity. I don't know how many more years I have on planet Earth, but I know Who will guide me through it.

Thank you, Jesus, for your saving grace!

If you would like to know more information about being saved, please contact me though this blog.