Prior to becoming a Christian, I was normally very hostile towards those who wanted to share Christian beliefs with me. Unless, of course, they could show me how those beliefs would give me immediate and personal benefit. I could not understand people who said they had found peace, fulfillment, and (this one always got me) that they had found forgiveness. This forgiveness was supposed to give them eternal life in the presence of a man named Jesus Christ. Their peace came from their knowing without a doubt, that He was their Savior and that He died on the Cross for them. They claimed a personal relationship, something which I always tried to avoid with anyone other than a few people. The excitement they displayed in sharing the gospel would sometimes be so fervent and yes, even irritating, that I would allow my ears to close to the words being shared. I could not understand why they felt it so important to share this information with me. Though my world had no peace or fulfillment, and was full of conscious sins, I was comfortable in knowing that with the exception of a few good days, life pretty much sucked. Then one evening, one exciting and glorious evening as I tried to convince myself that I had done fine without Jesus Christ as my friend and Savior, He showed me the truth. The words that so many had shared with me came back in the form of reality. I felt true peace in my heart and was shown what a personal relationship with the Lord would do for me. I was also shown what I would have if I chose to ignore His knocking on my heart. I do not know how many people prayed for that night, or how many strangers witnessed to me before the seeds finally took root, but it was many. Now, after being forgiven, saved, and having my eyes opened and my ears hearing, I understand the reason why others shared their words with me and prayed for mebecause the Bible is the truth in life, and the Words divinely written by God are the map for a life of peace, fulfillment, and eternal life with our King, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is beyond my comprehension and yet, I am filled with joy in knowing that He now uses my prayers, my voice and my personality to share the news. I am now the one that others do not understand. I am now the person who cannot stop talking about the peace I have found. It seems that once the seed took root, it exploded and is growing beyond anything I could have imagined. The bible says we will be new and made whole. It is true. The Bible says we shall see and understand the words if we allow the Spirit to work within us. It is true. In fact, in the past year, I can honestly say that I have yet to find an untruth in the Bible. The exciting thing is, I have only seen a glimmer of the truths that are written. I now understand the reason why some people cannot seem to shut-up about Jesus Christ. I can now understand why people are literally willing to die just so that they can share the Gospel of our Savior. What a blessing to be asked to carry the Cross and go forth to share. In fact, in the past year I have now become the person who is called the fanatic and nut. Of course, its true. What is interesting is that the Bible said it would happen even before I was born. How wonderful to have a map in life that leads me on the path to eternal salvation and a personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. How wonderful to have found peace and fulfillment. What a humbling experience to know that Jesus called me even as He was nailed to the cross and dying for my sins. I pray that He will continue to open my eyes and ears and that He will guide my steps to others so that I can be a witness to His Word and Truths. I pray that He will not allow me to hide my salvation but to go forth and shout it from the tops of mountains if that is where He leads me. I pray that He will continue to allow me to be fervent and unashamed of what He can and will do if we let Him. I pray that He will lead me to others that need to hear the truth, and though the seed is small, He will grow those seeds and open their eyes and ears to all that He was, is, and will be. I pray that all glory and honor be given to Him who sits on the throne and is our King. Amen Kevin B. Thompson Jericho Riders