"To Hell with it " would sum up the avalanche of emotions that pounded in my head the muggy August evening that I discovered my Dad's lifeless body. The only thing lonelier than the country road where I found him was my empty heart. As I screamed obscenities, into the   darkness, my life already spinning out of control, took a drastic downward spiral. The next few years would be a blur of alcoholism, drug addiction and degradation.

The American Dream had turned into a nightmare. My parents, both World War II veterans, worked long hours to move from public housing to an upscale neighborhood. They were determined their children would have a "better life" than they had experienced. Financial success did not bring happiness. It brought pressure and eventually a broken family. (The Bible says, "there is a way that seemeth right to a man but the end thereof is death").

My high school graduation marked a passage. My four-year-old drug habit was full-blown. More devastation was right around the corner. Less than two years later,  I  would  keep watch  as my mother slowly slipped into eternity, the  result of many years of alcohol abuse. (God's Word states, "the wages of sin is death").

Alcohol and other drugs were my chief companions. My hellish, no care view of life and fast lane mentality echoed the only truth I had ever known: there is no hope and no way out! The drug use was constant; a vicious, numbing cycle to take away the pain, life had dealt me. Yet, there was still some small trace of the positive values that my parents had left me. A strong work ethic was at the top of the list. One of my jobs took me across the path of a kind, Christian lady who saw through the rough facade. She lovingly shared the TRUTH.

"Linnie, you don't have a drug problem, you have a "heart" problem. You need Jesus."

All I had ever known of Jesus, was that the people that claimed to know Him, told their kids to stay away from me. I had seen so much hypocrisy and I knew I did not want any part of it. She was quick to tell me, I did not need religion, but instead a RELATIONSHIP, a personal relationship with  Jesus Christ, the God-man.

This confrontation meant I needed a personal relationship with God! How could I be good enough to please God?
 
The Scriptures say, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God". "All?" Everyone, not just people like me. She went on to share how Jesus had left Heaven, came to earth, died a cruel death on a cross and rose to life again. (For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.)

The Bible also says: "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

The reason for my rebellion, bitterness and outward sin was inward UNBELIEF. Finally, I understood that JESUS IS GOD. He died for me and defeated death. Only Jesus could rescue me from my empty existence. My fate of eternal damnation was sealed by my rejection of His gift.

For the first time in my life, I saw the possibility of a meaningful life and a  secured eternity in Heaven. The choice was clear. Turning from my unbelief, I completely changed my way of thinking and living. My faith and TRUST was placed in Jesus by personally inviting Him to live in my heart. His Holy Word, The Bible says, "to as many as receive Him, to them gave he power to   become children of God." My earthly parents were gone but, my Heavenly Father would never leave me. Life took a total turn. The emptiness was replaced with joy and my heartache with peace.

Perhaps you are just existing. You do not have to be a drug addict, to be confused about the future. You do not have to live in poverty to feel lonely and destitute. We live in a cruel world.

You may appear to have everything in order but, you know in your heart of hearts that something is missing. That "something" is Jesus.

Please do not delay. Tomorrow may never come. Ask Jesus to forgive your sin, your UNBELIEF and the choices that follow that unbelief. Turn to the Saviour. To enhance your walk with Jesus, pray and read the scriptures daily. Find a Bible believing Church. Make your decision public (confess Jesus before men) and join a church family. They will encourage you in your new found life.

We want to rejoice with you in your decision.

JESUS IS THE WAY,
THE TRUTH AND
THE LIFE.