I grew up in a Christian home in St. Charles, Mo. As a kid my parents were good about making sure our family attended church and Sunday school on a weekly basis. We always prayed before our meals and before bedtime. I was even blessed with the opportunity to attend a Christian school where I learned about the Bible and about God’s Son Jesus. However, as a youth even though I knew about Jesus, I didn’t really know Jesus. I tell people I knew Jesus like I knew Michael Jordan, the superstar basketball player. I read about Michael Jordan in the newspaper, I heard about Michael Jordan on the radio and TV, I even saw his picture in magazines and on posters, but I did not know Michael Jordan. I didn’t have any kind of a relationship or friendship with him. I was the same way with Jesus growing up. I would read about Jesus in the Bible, I would hear about Him at church and I had His picture hanging on my bedroom wall, but back then I didn’t know Jesus. One thing I share with others is there is a big difference between knowing about Jesus (being religious) and having a relationship with Jesus. As a kid my religion was just a boring routine that I followed which meant very little to me and as a result it didn’t affect how I chose to live my life. That boring routine changed into an exciting life-changing relationship with Jesus in 1985.

I was attending a Fellowship of Christian Athletes weekend conference in St. Louis, Mo. At this conference, after reading God’s Word, I began to realize just how much God loved me (John 3:16, Romans 8: 38-39). God’s amazing love is what changed my life that weekend. The conference speaker spoke about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He said that we are all sinners and as a result are separated from God because of our sin. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:2). He then explained that because of God’s great love for us He sent His son Jesus as a substitute to die in our place to pay the penalty for our sins (Romans 5:8). He then shared the most exciting news of all, that by placing my faith in Jesus Christ, I would not only receive forgiveness of sins but I could also enjoy a relationship with Jesus both now and throughout eternity. (John 5:24, Romans 10: 9-10)

I responded by praying a simple prayer asking God to forgive my sins (1 John 1:9) and inviting Him to come into my life. That prayer has changed my life. My faith is no longer a boring routine that I follow but an exciting relationship with a God who loves me very much. My life is filled with the love, joy and peace that can only be found through a relationship with Jesus. That relationship is available to anyone who asks (Revelation 3: 20). Many people might think that the joy in my life comes from being a professional mascot in the NFL, however the real joy in my life comes from my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

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