For all of us who are just like Nicodemus

I found this story and thought about the Journey of Faith. I am so thankful for God's patience.

"After six years given to the impartial investigation of Christianity as to its truth or falsity, I have come to the deliberate conclusion that Jesus Christ is the Messiah of the Jews, the Savior of the world, and my personal Savior."
These were the words of Lew Wallace, Governor of New Mexico, over a century ago. He had started out to write a book against Jesus Christ and in the process was converted to Christianity. He told a friend how it happened.
I had always been an agnostic and denied Christianity. Robert C. Ingersoll, a famous agnostic, was one of my most intimate friends. He once suggested, "See here, Wallace, you are a learned man and a thinker. Why don't you gather material and write a book to prove the falsity concerning Jesus Christ, that no such man has ever lived, much less the author of the teachings found in the New Testament. Such a book would make you famous. It would be a masterpiece, and a way of putting an end to the foolishness about the so-called Christ."
The thought made a deep impression on me, and we discussed the possibility of such a book. I went to Indianapolis, my home, and told my wife what I intended. She was a member of the Methodist Church and naturally did not like my plan. But I decided to do it and began to collect material in libraries here and in the old world. I gathered everything over that period in which Jesus Christ, according to legend, should have lived.
Several years were spent in this work. I had written nearly four chapters when it became clear to me that Jesus Christ was just as real a personality as Socrates, Plato, or Caesar. The conviction became a certainty. I knew that Jesus Christ had lived because of the facts connected with the period in which he lived.
I was in an uncomfortable position. I had begun to write a book to prove that Jesus Christ had never lived on earth. Now I was face to face with the fact that he was just as historic a personage as Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Virgil, Dante, and a host of other men who had lived in olden days. I asked myself candidly, "If he was a real person (and there was no doubt), was he not then also the Son of God and the Savior of the world?" Gradually the consciousness grew that, since Jesus Christ was a real person, he probably was the one he claimed to be.
I fell on my knees to pray for the first time in my life, and I asked God to reveal himself to me, forgive my sins, and help me to become a follower of Christ. Towards morning the light broke into my soul. I went into my bedroom, woke my wife, and told her that I had received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
"O Lew," she said, "I have prayed for this ever since you told me of your purpose to write this book, that you would find him while you wrote it!"
Lew Wallace did write a very famous book. It was a masterpiece and the crowning glory of his life's work. He changed the book he was originally writing and used all his research to write another book.
Now every time I watch the epic film made from that book and see Charlton Heston racing those four magnificent white horses in that amazing chariot race, I wonder how many who have seen Ben Hur, with its moving references to Jesus, know it was written by a man who wanted to disprove that Jesus ever existed, and instead became convinced that he was the greatest man who ever lived!

Band Gets Better Every Week!

When Roane Church started January 18 of 2009, I honestly had no idea how a band was going to form. No one had a lead or an idea. We simply needed to pray. Well we did and Wow - God has provided! Each week gets better and better and now we are trying to mix things up. It was really cool going from electric guitars and drums to acoustic guitars and percussion. The most important part is a a group of people who want to praise God. Each week I can see the love for God and this is encouraging. Thanks guys.

I also have really enjoyed teaching through the book of John. In talking about Nicodemus and his struggles I truly can relate with him. I know in this week God is making Himself known to you and I am praying that as He gives you and opportunity to acknowledge Him as God that you will. Have a good week.

Great Sunday

It is so good to see all of the students at Roane Church. Roane County has a lot of teanagers and it is great to have the opportunity to create a cool enviroment and worship together. We will continue to find out about Jesus as we study the book of John. This is way to much fun and I am glad to call it church. Thanks Kyle for leading the band. It really was great Sunday.

Michael Dunn Prom

Everyone could not stop talking about how much fun it was to be a part of the Michale Dunn Center Prom. Thank you to everyone who served, opened doors, danced, helped do hair and make up. This was a great time.

Life Change

Wow it has been fun meeting so many people coming to Roane Church. The greatest aspect is how many people have not been in a church before. We are giving out Bibles, seeing people start to understand who God is and what He wants with them. It is really great. I appreciate so many people praying for Roane Church and can't wait to see what happens each and every Sunday.

We are going through the book of John and it is great. This is a tremendous book and has something for everyone. Grab your Bible and come join us this Sunday at 10am. For those of you who are with us then invite someone to connect to hope in Jesus.

This is getting fun!

Over the last several weeks we have seen many people open the Bible for the first time. It has been so encouraging to hear stories of people who have lived to this point and have never owned a Bible. People are telling stories about how this book is changing them. It is great!

This Sunday is going to be really cool. We will be baptizing at the Michael Dunn Center. This is the first time that we have done this on Sunday AM and the first time that anyone has ever been baptized at MDC. The greatest thing is that the first person who will be baptized is a service recipient from MDC who truly understands and has wanted to be baptized for a good while. A total of 5 people will be baptized on this Sunday and we are thrilled. Come and join us - Everyone is invited.

Baptism @ Kingston City Pool

Around 40 people gathered Sunday as we celebrated 7 people go through bapism at the Kingston City Pool. This was a great time to hear the stories of these 6 ladies and 1 young man. Each of them coming to the point of their life where they have asked God for that incredible rescue through Jesus. To tell there stories, they came and were baptized in the City Pool. According to the Parks and Rec department, this was the first baptism known in the history of Kingston to be held in the city pool. This made it even more cool!