Just the Beginning

Wow! Im actually going to start blogging. Well, here we go.....

I am a 30 year old male, who grew up in South Florida. Immediately after high school, I left to attend West Virginia State University to play football and go to school. Then, after graduation, I was fortunate enough to land a job back in South Florida. I absolutely love it here. In many ways it's a tribute to God's work. Warm weather, the oceans breeze, palm trees, sunshine, etc. I can't help but to feel blessed to be alive and well.

Two years ago, my life literally changed. It started when my grandfather Kenneth Wright passed away. He was a WWII Veteran and earned the Purple Heart after having shrapnel lodged into his heart. When he passed, it was a very tough time for me! At the funeral, I was asked at the last second to read a written statement about him. It was a hard thing to do and I wasnt prepared for the feelings that went through me. In fact, I teared up and had to gather myself. Also, he left me his Purple Heart, which I was presented with at the funeral. He had three daughters, and I was his only grandson. During the funeral, I couldn't help but wish I would have went to see him more. He knew I loved him, but I could have made a better effort looking back. I now know it's because in many ways everything else in my life was so important and these so called important things consumed me. At his funeral, his priest (he was a catholic) spoke in a way that I never heard anyone speak of someone else before. He forced you to think about LIFE in general. Why did he die? Where did he go? When will I die? Will I ever see him again? Why am I here? How will someone speak of me when I do die? A funeral creates many different thoughts we never thought we would have. In fact, I was living in this bubble, and I actually thought in a way the world revolved around me. I was truly mistaken. I finally woke up!!!!!!!

I was inspired by what the priest had to say! Soon after, someone at the funeral made a remark to me that I should start going to church. At any other time, I probably would have made an excuse not to go. Instead, I remember thinking this is something I did as a kid with my grandfather. Something inside me said this is what he would want me to do, therefore do it for him. Understand, God is closest to you when you are at your lowest point, because he recognizes that this is when you need him the most. For me, I was at my lowest point. I feel God was with me at that exact moment. He grabbed me, shook me, and told me you need to go to church. At your lowest point, he can creep in. You aren't clouded by the 200 things you have to get done that day, your friends are invisible to you for a moment, and your life and thoughts are on pause. It is at this time, when you are not blinded, that you can hear his voice and put your life in his hands. I was at the funeral on saturday, then by sunday at 9am I went to church for the first time in many years.

At first, there were no expectations whatsoever. I grew up in a Catholic Church and had no idea what to expect when going to a more Christian environment. Catholic church is more of a routine, so I would just get bored. That's just me..... So, I didn't know what to expect, except what I remember from college. In West Virginia, the bible belt, many people went to church and openly spoke about it. I was asked and invited several times, but resisted almost everytime. Usually, saturday night was the best night of the week to go out and church was the farthest thing from my mind. I went once and when I walked in everyone was yelling, screaming, and throwing there hands up in the air. At least at the time it appeared to me to be that way, and I was instantly scared away. It just wasn't something that was important to me at that time I guess. However, I cant help but to think what if I died when I was younger? Would I have missed heaven? So, understand!!!!! For me to start going to church was no easy task. Im not coming to you as someone who has been going to church since day one and this is the only thing I know. It's just the opposite. Instead, Im coming to you as someone who was just recently saved and committed his life to Christ. In fact, I was saved and baptized on February 15, 2009. It didn't happen over night. I still went to church and looked around at people putting there hands in the air and openly yelling out in some cases. Still, like in college, I didnt quite get it. Who are they talking to? Is someone listening to them? Why is she crying? Does anyone else see this? You might already be able to tell that I ask alot of questions. If someone tells me something, it doesnt matter I have to go find out for myself anyway. Therefore, immediately I became curious and started asking questions to people in church. If there's a god then why is there evil in the world? Why do people kill other people? How could god let people die at a young age? Is there a heaven? If so, I have sinned so could i still go? The questions didnt stop and the best part about a christian church is that anyone is willing to talk and help answer those questions. Everyone is so nice and caring. Even before I went to church, I realized christians were always so happy-go-lucky. Living without a care in the world, as if they are just content with living. In fact, they are. Time went by and I started to believe in the word. I started to have faith. I let go of everything I thought was important and put god first. Yes, I said FIRST! Before everything........

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through god." John 3:19-21

I had found Christ, my savior and my lord. My spirit is alive. I'M LIVING IN THE LIGHT! Are you? It is an overwhelming feeling. Unless you have felt it, you can't understand it. Finally, I understood what so many before me did. I understood Jesus Christ (the Son of God) was sent to earth to give us a way to be forgiven of our sins. You see, we all have sinned! Every Christian or Catholic who goes to church, as well as anyone running around living life seperate from faith (the blind). We have all SINNED! In fact, I believe when we're born our physical bodies are dead, because we're dying everyday. We just dont know when that inevitable day will be. Instead, we go through life with an opportunity to awaken our spiritual side. That choice is completely up to you. However, you need to understand that this will in fact be the most important decision of your life! You've heard the saying 'This is life or death', well this really is a life or death decision. I choose life, therefore I repented and took Jesus to be my savior. I didn't just one day believe this. I told you earlier I dont believe when someone tells me something, instead I have to go find out for myself. I did! I read..... In doin so, I've come to believe that what I read is true. It's history. Things happened and they are written. We are just living in a time so far seperated from the time of Jesus, that it makes it hard for us to relate. However, it is right there in front of us. The knowledge is in a book and once you come to have the knowledge you to will come to believe. Not because I say so, but because God (Jesus) loves you. He has and is calling you! Do you hear him? Are you listening?

Remember, nothing in life is permanent, it's temporary. Football (sports in general) was everything to me and still is very important. However, I used to put everything into it. It became my life at one point. If I could just win the championship, I really thought I would be fulfilled and be happy . Unfortunately, it's only a part time feeling. In fact, even when you do win, the next season is right around the corner and it starts over. That temporary feeling goes away quickly when the first game starts the following season. Many times, noone even remembers you won. That's why many coaches reflect on the losses more so than the wins, because the winning feeling is temporary. So if you put your whole life into a false god (sports, shoes, purse, etc.) , because you feel it will fulfill you. You are mistaken! It's only temporary! In Christ, his love isn't temporary, it's permanent. When he died, he rose again. He proved there is a ressurection and people witnessed it. Come to Christ!!! Live in the Light!!!

When Jesus appeared to the disciples after his death he said "Peace be with you".
"They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have" Luke 24: 36-39

IM JUST GETTING STARTED!!!! Stay tuned for more in depth blogs........