So How Did a Nice, Non-Christian Alcoholic/Addict Like Me Come to Believe that the Bible is True? What Difference Did It Make in my Life? Would it Make a Difference in Yours?

I could never have imagined that I would even read the Bible, much less believe it. But I've found it to be one long love story, inspired by the God of the Universe and passed down through generations so we would know Him and understand His love for us. I've found the power to survive some of life's toughest times by clinging to the Word. Everything I need for understanding myself, others, the world around me, eternity, God, and love I found in the Bible. Visit my blog at http://blog.friendshipwithjesus.com to read how I'm learning more about this amazing friendship day by day.

So Here's What Happened:

I grew up not knowing God. I did know how to duck and hide when my dad was angry. The only real authority figure in my life was a very sick man who was never happy with me or my actions. If my earthly father couldn't stand me, I figured there was no chance that the God would approve of me either. So I did my best to keep the peace, take care of my younger brothers, and stay out of trouble.

Then one day when I was fifteen, a friend and I smoked a joint at a rock concert, and I got high for the first time. I felt as though someone had removed my brain from my body and wrapped it in a soft, warm blanket. The emotional pain was gone. My only question was, "where can I get more of this?"

Someday, this long story will be published in book form. Suffice it to say, I spent many years hiding from the God I was sure hated me, puffing the pain away and drowning my sorrows. I wasn't looking for good news, and wouldn't have believed it anyway. But I went to work for a woman who had faith in God. Even now, she believes God can heal anyone. She started praying for me. It was five years before I darkened the doorway of a church, seven before I dared believe Jesus might love me, and nine years before I learned the power of Scripture.

James, who was the half-brother of Jesus Christ (you know, same mom) said this: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you." (James 4:7b-8 NIV).

When I finally got sober, I was a young mother with a three-year-old daughter. I couldn't go to treatment because I couldn't leave her. So in addition to attending many twelve-step meetings, I would run this verse through my head every time I wanted to go to the liquor store (every fifteen minutes or so). And it worked. That was the first time I learned that there is power in the Bible.

Despite the implausibility of this ancient book being true, I have twenty-plus years of experience in coming to believe. It's how I've learned who God is, that He does love me. Through prayer, living in community with other believers, and reading His Word, I've learned Jesus is big enough and strong enough to tackle all my problems and win. He's just the kind of friend I need.

The Bible Teaches:

That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God and without error in the original writings; they are of supreme and final authority in faith and in life.

There is one God, the Creator; eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He came in human flesh as a man, remaining true God. He remains true God today and forever.

God created Adam and Eve in the divine image. They sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death but spiritual death, which is separation from God. As a result of Adam's sin, all human beings are now born with a sinful nature and stand guilty before God.

The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and a substitute sacrifice; all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood.

I believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, and His ascension into Heaven, and that in His present life, Jesus is there for us as High Priest and Advocate.

I believe that Jesus Christ will return any minute now, as He promised.

All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God.

The Holy Spirit indwells and gives spiritual life to all believers, enables them to accept spiritual truth, empowers them for godly living, and equips them for service and living.

I believe in the resurrection of all human souls, both lost and found: that those who confessed with their mouths and believed with their hearts will be saved and spend eternity with God; that those who reject Jesus as the risen Lord and Savior of the world will spend eternity separated from God.