I AM NO SAINT! We need to be clear on that.
As youngsters, my brother & I were known throughout our town as "the little bastards". ("what one didn't think of, the other one did")
But as Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians,
"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways."
I did become an adult, (despite the misgivings of many) got married, had three wonderful children, and embarked on my career as a Fire Fighter/Paramedic.
My career path took me to Washington, D.C. to assist in developing an EMT Apprenticeship Program.
Before I left for Washington, a "Born Again" Christian friend advised me to read a book, by author Hal Lindsey, called "The Late Great Planet Earth".
I did. It changed my life. It led me to become a "Born Again" Christian myself. Really hard to believe but it is true.
I tell you this because I want you to know that no matter how bad you are, or were, when you accept Jesus as Lord & Savior, all your sins are forgiven. God will not remember them on "Judgement Day".
How's that for incentive?
