Let me start by telling you a little about myself. In 1978 I became sober with the help of a Twelve Step Group. I had been drinking alcoholically from the time I was sixteen until I was almost twenty-one. I did many things that I have been ashamed of, things that went along with drinking. I hurt all those who loved me. It took time to rebuild those relationships. Although I was brought up in a church, I lived a life that was on the broad road and gave very little credence to what I had learned there.
Since becoming sober I have enjoyed helping others. I have worked with other alcoholics, helping them to find sobriety. I have worked with developmentally challenged children and loved getting to know and love them. I have conducted child abuse investigations to help protect vulnerable children. I have also worked as a substance abuse counselor. My intentions were always good and I have always wanted to help others. I believed in God, but I certainly didn’t always follow his commands or even understand him.
In March of 2004 I began looking for a closer relationship with God. As I evaluated some of the things I had done in my life I believed God was going to send me to Hell. I began talking with God. I told him that I knew I was going to Hell, because that is what I deserved and I understood why he would have to send me there. I also told God I was willing to go to Hell, but I now wanted to live my life for Him and follow his commands.
I began attending a church near my home; it was the Church of Christ. One afternoon I spoke with one of the Elders from that church, Pat. I told Pat what I have just told you, only in more detail. He explained to me that he could not forgive me, but he knew someone who could. Regarding what I considered unforgiveable sins, Pat said the most amazing words, “let’s see what the Bible says.” I confessed my sins to God; I understood the reason Jesus died for me, and I was baptized for the remission of my sins that evening.
I have found the Bible to be the way God truly communicates with me. I have found the Bible to be a love story, a plan for living, directions to live, and I have found a friend and savior, Jesus. My life has not been the same since. When I read Bible stories I always think of something in my own life to compare it to. I have taken Bible stories and brought them together with events in my own life. I have taken stories from life and also shared their similarity to the Bible.
This is what you will find within the pages of this book. You will find conversations with God through the Bible. You will find a prodigal who has come home and receives God’s grace daily through Jesus. The stories you will read are from the Bible and my heart. They are about me and they are about you. This is a very personal book based on a grateful heart for the grace given me. Enjoy the stories as I take real stories from life and combine them with Bible stories.
Like my first book, “A Prodigal Return: Reflections from a Grateful Heart,” this book
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www.aprodigalreturn.com
