Today is my second birthday.

John 3:3  KJV  “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

It was a small Foursquare Church in Redmond, Ore. 

I had been used to elaborate churches, this was not one of them.

I noted that it had a water spot, where the roof had once leaked directly above the pulpit. 

The platform was small with low benches for an altar. 

But it wasn’t the building that brought me there, it was the relationships I had formed with Carla, her family and her friends.

I first attended an evening service when the youth group had returned from a Spring Break tour of several churches where they sang and gave their testimonies. 

One young lady had come forward and accept Christ as her Savior.

It was as if they had come down from a mountain top, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and their demeanor, singing and testimonies reflected that.

The service started out with congregational singing, my church only had choirs from balcony, no congregational singing.

Over the next few weeks I had several questions I needed answered and the Pastor, Cook, was very helpful.

The fourth week, April 25^th, I attended the Youth meeting.  Pud Earp was finishing a series of lessons on the Book of Revelation.  His last comment was, I used to attend services and listen to the message, then go home at night and tremble in my bed because I was afraid of what would happen to me without Jesus as my Savior.

Finally, I submitted and have had the reassurance ever since.

I don’t recall the sermon that night, only that I knew that I needed Jesus as my Savior.

It wasn’t that easy, I spent many minutes – I have no idea how many – kneeling and praying and trying to figure it all out at the altar.

Pud came up and talked with me, prayed with me, others did the same.

Finally the weight of my sin was lifted as I finally understood that all I had to do was admit I was a sinner and ask God’s forgiveness through the sacrifice and blood of His Son, Jesus.

That was 53 years ago tonight; about the time that I am now finishing this text. 

While I wish I could say I never let Him down; I can’t.

But, I can say, He has never let me down.

Today is may born again birthday, my 53^rd!

And I still thank Him for that blessing 53 years ago.

Later, Art (-: