Part 1: Created for Relationship
It all begins with an idea.
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
— Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
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Before you were anything else — before you had a title, a struggle, a story — you were made for one thing: relationship with God.
Not religion.
Not rules.
Not performance.
Relationship.
The God who created galaxies and oceans also shaped you, personally and purposefully.
He made you in His image, with a heart designed to beat in rhythm with His own.
Deep inside, you’ve probably felt it — that pull for something more.
It’s not just the need for belonging.
It’s the longing for the One you were made for.
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The Breath of Relationship
When God breathed life into Adam, it wasn’t just to create a living being — it was to spark a living relationship.
From the very beginning, God walked with humanity.
Face to face. Heart to heart.
No separation. No shame.
It was never supposed to be distant.
It was never supposed to be complicated.
It was always meant to be close.
You were created to know Him.
Not to impress Him.
Not to hide from Him.
To walk with Him — freely, openly, forever.
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Why It Matters So Much
Every longing for love, every search for meaning, every hunger for connection — it all points back to this original design.
That’s why no relationship on earth fully satisfies.
That’s why no success, no status, no possession can truly fill you.
You were not made to be fulfilled by things.
You were made to be fulfilled by Someone.
And that Someone has never stopped loving you.
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A Story Like Mine — A Story Like Yours
I know what it’s like to strive to fix my own life — to do better, to keep failing, to try and make it up, and to realize that nothing you do can make a difference.
I know what it’s like to feel too far gone.
I know what it’s like to believe the lies that life is over, that hope is gone.
I was in a place darker than I can describe — ready to deal out punishment to satisfy the need for my hurt.
I intended to take my aggression out on someone else — rising in full grief and rage.
But with the last ounce of my strength, I chose a different path.
I turned the knife I had grabbed toward myself instead — because I had no right to take anyone else’s life out of the pain I was carrying, and the pain I was causing.
In the middle of that moment, I made a desperate plea:
“Lord, if You can take this from me, take it.”
I moved to follow through — but my arms wouldn’t move more than an inch.
It was like something — Someone — restrained me.
And then, the peace.
Thick. Heavy. Real.
Flooding the room, drowning the darkness.
A voice, clear and still, whispered inside:
“Come meet Me.”
I didn’t know what else to do, so I ran into my room and grabbed a Bible.
Not to find a sermon. Not to find a manual.
To meet a Person.
The first words I read:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
It was Jesus.
And the more I read, the more I was meeting Him for the first time.
A few verses later, I read:
“To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
That’s what I had been searching for without even understanding it:
I didn’t want to stay distant.
I didn’t want to stay broken.
I didn’t want to stay apart.
I wanted to know what it meant to be a son.
Maybe that’s what you’ve been searching for too.
There is a way home.
There is a way back.
There is a new beginning for you — just like there was for me.
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Ready to keep going?
Read Part 2: The Rescue You Were Made For →
Part 2: The Rescue You Were Made For
It all begins with an idea.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
— Luke 19:10 (NIV)
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If you’re like me, you didn’t need anyone to convince you that something was broken.
You could feel it.
The ache.
The fracture.
The deep-down sense that no matter how hard you tried, something was missing — something was wrong.
We were made for relationship.
But somewhere along the way, we walked away.
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What Went Wrong
In the beginning, God gave humanity everything:
— A place to belong.
— A purpose to fulfill.
— His very presence to walk with.
But love requires choice.
And when the first humans chose to trust their own way instead of God’s way, sin entered the story.
Sin isn’t just “bad behavior.”
It’s the breaking of relationship.
It’s the declaration that we think we know better — that we can live without the One who made us.
The result?
Separation.
Distance.
Death — spiritual death first, and eventually physical death too.
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A Rescue Plan Written in Blood
God could have left us there — isolated, lost, broken.
But He didn’t.
Love moved first.
Before we ever knew how lost we were, God already had a rescue plan.
Not a plan to fix us with rules.
Not a plan to shame us into obedience.
A plan to bring us back into relationship.
A plan named Jesus.
The Son of God stepped out of glory into our brokenness.
He lived the perfect life we couldn’t live.
He carried the weight of our sin on the cross.
He absorbed the punishment we deserved.
And He rose from the grave to shatter the power of death forever.
Why?
Because He would rather die for you than live without you.
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The Invitation Still Stands
This isn’t a rescue you can earn.
It’s a gift you can only receive.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Right now, the hands of Jesus are extended to you — not with condemnation, but with compassion.
He’s not asking you to clean yourself up first.
He’s not asking you to figure everything out.
He’s asking you to trust Him.
He already did the work.
All that’s left is your response.
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How I Found Rescue
When I heard His whisper — “Come meet Me” — I didn’t understand everything.
I didn’t know all the right prayers.
I didn’t have the answers to every question.
I just knew I needed to meet Him.
I started reading the Gospel of John with that same purpose.
“In Him was the Light of men, and the Light shone through the darkness, and the darkness could not comprehend it.” (John 1:4–5)
I met the Savior who loved me enough to rescue me in a moment.
Instead of letting me die that day, He physically saved me.
But that was only the beginning.
This is the God who doesn’t just rescue you from death —
He calls you into life.
That same Savior is reaching for you right now.
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Are you ready to say yes to the rescue?
Read Part 3: Saying Yes to Jesus →
Part 3: Saying Yes to Jesus
It all begins with an idea.
“Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
— John 1:12 (NIV)
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There comes a moment when hearing about Jesus is no longer enough.
A moment when you realize He’s not just a story — He’s a Savior.
And He’s inviting you to respond.
Not just to believe facts about Him.
But to give your life to Him.
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What Saying Yes Really Means
It’s stepping into a relationship with the living God.
It’s being made alive on the inside — what Jesus called being born again.
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again… born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:3,5)
You were born once into this world.
Now you are invited to be born again into the Kingdom of God.
You don’t achieve it.
You don’t deserve it.
You receive it.
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The Door Is Open
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
There’s no magic formula.
What matters is the heart.
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A Prayer to Begin
If you’re ready, pray something like this:
Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God.
I believe You died and rose again to rescue me.
I turn from my ways, and I surrender to You.
Forgive my sin.
Fill me with Your Spirit.
Make me new.
I receive You as my Lord, my Savior, and my King.
I am Yours — now and forever. Amen.
If you prayed that from your heart, welcome home!
You have personally experienced what it means to be “born again.”
It’s fresh
It’s new
and it’s very real.
Mark this day down for you to remember.
It is just the beginning.
If you still aren’t sure its ok.
This whole website is dedicated to bringing the gospel to you personally, without shame or condemnation.
My final reminder is this:
Don’t try to find yourself.
Try to find Him.
Cause if you can find Him and know Him, He’ll show you who you are.
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How It Turned Out for Me
When I first met Jesus, I didn’t understand everything.
I would hear people quote John 3:16, but it felt distant.
But after meeting Him in the beginning and hearing that I just needed to believe and pass through His sacrifice, I realized I could be born again too.
Here’s what I learned that day:
The wages of sin are most definitely death. I almost had mine. But Jesus gave His life so that I don’t have to pay that wage. Instead, I give my life for Him.
I haven’t gotten it right all the time, and it took years for my need for death to pass.
But almost fifteen years later, I can say with full confidence:
I belong to Jesus.
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Ready to begin walking with Him?
Read: First Steps After Saying Yes to Jesus →
Part 4: First Steps After Saying Yes to Jesus
It all begins with an idea.
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”
— 1 Peter 2:2 (NIV)
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Saying yes to Jesus is the greatest decision you will ever make.
But it’s just the beginning.
Just like a newborn needs food, protection, and care to grow, you need the right things to grow strong in your new life with Him.
Not to earn anything — but to stay close to the One who already called you His.
You’re not starting a religion.
You’re stepping into a real relationship — one that will grow deeper and stronger, one day at a time.
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1. Talk to God Every Day (Prayer)
You don’t need fancy words or a perfect script.
Just speak to Him — honestly, openly, constantly.
Tell Him your fears.
Tell Him your dreams.
Thank Him when you’re grateful.
Cry out when you’re hurting.
Ask Him for help, even when you’re not sure how.
Prayer isn’t a performance. It’s presence.
It’s you being with your Father, heart to heart.
Start simple:
“Good morning, Lord. I’m here. Help me walk with You today.”
He’s listening — even when you feel weak.
He loves hearing your voice.
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2. Feed on His Word (Bible Reading)
The Bible isn’t just a history book — it’s the living, breathing Word of God.
It’s alive — and it speaks.
When you open it, you’re not just learning information.
You’re meeting the Author.
Start simple:
• Begin with the Gospel of John — the same place I started.
• Read a few verses each day.
• Ask, “God, what do You want me to see about You?”
You don’t have to understand it all at once.
Sometimes a single phrase will light something inside you.
Sometimes it’ll feel like a whisper you can barely catch.
That’s okay — His Word will grow in you, seed by seed.
If you are like me and you are real excited and eager to learn more go ahead and read the gospels like I did (cause I read all four Gospels that night before I passed out in the presence of God.) I read in this order and I suggest you do the same:
John, Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
I read the Book of Acts the morning after because it was the next book (since I had already read the Book of John) and it changed my life forever.
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3. Stay Close to Community (God’s People)
You weren’t made to walk this alone.
You weren’t saved into isolation — you were saved into a family.
You’ll need people to walk with you — to pray with you when you’re weak, to celebrate when you’re strong, to call you back when you wander.
Look for a local church where:
• Jesus is loved and worshiped.
• The full Bible is taught.
• People are growing, not just attending.
You won’t find a perfect church — but you can find a faithful one.
Ask God to lead you — He’s good at connecting His sons and daughters.
There are a lot of church strategies out there and a lot of people will tell you to just pick one. Here’s what I did:
I prayed for God to pick one, because I didn’t trust my own choice. I prayed that He would lead me to one and He did! Twice!
The first time He sent my then friend, now wife, Niki to invite me to Easter Sunday service. We stayed at that church for 8 years until we had to move.
When we arrived where we live now, I did the same thing. I asked God to pick one, and He came through again. We have been at this church through multiple seasons of life 4 years and counting.
Neither of our church’s have been perfect.
Our first Pastor used to say it best: Church starts to be imperfect the second it get’s filled with people and I was the first one. That one testimony will save you years of being tied up with drama.
So trust God’s lead and pursue His direction.
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4. Keep Saying Yes
There will be days when you don’t feel strong.
Days when old habits whisper.
Days when you wonder if anything is really changing.
That’s normal.
The Christian life isn’t about being flawless.
It’s about continually saying yes — again and again — to the One who already said yes to you.
Fall seven times? Get up eight.
He’s not counting your stumbles — He’s shaping your heart.
He’s faithful to finish what He started.
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You’re Not Alone
You have a Father who loves you.
A Savior who walks with you.
A Spirit who lives inside you.
Some days it won’t feel dramatic.
Some days it’ll feel slow and small — like nothing’s changing.
But every time you turn your heart back to Him, even in weakness, you’re growing.
You belong.
You are His.
This is just the beginning — and He’s not finished with you yet.
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Ready for your next step?
Read: Next Steps — Finding Family and Walking Strong →
Part 5: Next Steps — Finding Family and Walking Strong
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
— Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)
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You weren’t saved to walk alone.
Jesus calls us into relationship with Him — and into relationship with His people.
The Christian life is not a solo journey. It’s a family story.
Finding your place in that family, learning how to grow strong, and stepping into your purpose are your next steps.
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1. Find a Local Church
Church isn’t a building — it’s a body.
It’s the people of God, gathered together to worship, grow, and live on mission.
Look for a church that:
• Preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Teaches the full Word of God.
• Loves people with truth and grace.
• Believes in the power of the Holy Spirit.
As we’ve said in Part 4,
You don’t need a perfect church — there are none!
You need a place where grace is real, and Jesus is the center.
It might feel awkward at first.
You might not find the right fit immediately.
That’s okay — it’s part of the journey.
Ask God to guide you, and stay willing to follow where He leads.
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2. Get Baptized
Baptism is the public declaration of the new life God has given you.
It’s not about reaching perfection — it’s about planting a flag.
You’re saying:
“My old life is buried. My new life is risen with Christ.”
If you’ve said yes to Jesus but haven’t been baptized yet, that’s your next move.
It’s a step of faith — not to earn God’s love, but to celebrate it.
Talk to a pastor or leader at the church you find.
They’ll walk with you through it.
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3. Keep Growing Strong
Salvation isn’t just a starting line or a finish line.
It is a whole process:
Justified by faith in Jesus
Sanctified by faith under His Lordship
Glorified by faith in His return
God isn’t just saving you from something — He’s building you for something.
He’s forming a warrior, a worshiper, a carrier of hope.
That’s why we created resources like the Tri-Fire series:
• The 12 Flames Bible Plan — to ignite your first love for Jesus.
• The 42-Week Holy Shield Devotional — to anchor your life around His truth.
• The Shield Strategy Protocol — to equip you to live sent, strong, and shielded.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
You were never meant to.
We’re walking this out too — shoulder to shoulder, shield to shield.
(Stay tuned — we’ll show you how to start.)
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4. Live Sent
You were saved for relationship — but also for mission.
God has good works prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10).
Your life carries meaning beyond survival.
You might not always feel ready.
You might wonder if you’re enough.
But God sends real people — not perfect ones.
As you grow, He will send you:
• To love.
• To serve.
• To shine His light into darkness.
The a strong generation for God is rising — not to hide, but to advance the Kingdom of God in love and truth.
And you are part of it.
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You’re Never Alone Again
Jesus is with you.
The Holy Spirit is in you.
And the family of God surrounds you.
You were made for this.
You belong.
You are not walking alone anymore — not now, not ever.
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Ready to begin here?
Start with the Tri-Fire Series →