Billy have his opinion, "Don't throw that religious garbage at me."
Paul stared, "I am not talking about religion. You said to me several times that you had always noticed something different about me. Remember that night in Detroit when we talked in your room until 2 AM?"
"Sure."
"Well, then, did I ever ram religion down your throat?"
"No, now that I think about it, you did not."
I decided to add my opinion: "Do you want to know something interesting?"
Paul turned to me and asked, "Sure."
"I noticed how joyful Cindy was the night that I stayed over at your house. She seemed so at peace with life."
Cindy decided to join the discussion - "People automatically think of 'religion' whenever anyone mentions the word 'Christ.' But it is a relationship. Paul and I are 'Chritians.' After Paul hung up his skates, retiring from the Leafs, the found life quite different. He had no purpose in his life. He tired different things to try and fine happiness - alcohol, transcendental meditation, different Eastern cults. Then he ran into a friend with whom he grew up with in Ottawa. This fellow was a Christian, and when Paul talked to him about his life, this guy made him realise that that only Jesus could satisfy his searching."
"That is right," Paul agreed. "Over the next few weeks, the friend and I were able to share a lot of things. Finally, I could see that the only thing that would satisfy my cravings was Christ living in my life. So with this friend's help, I asked Jesus in my heart. And I don't regret that decision, even now."
Billy, who had been listening to the whole thing, asked, "How does one go about becoming a Christian?"
"Billy, that is a very good question. I brought a booklet with me, that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association publishes, entitled STEPS TO PEACE WITH GOD. It explains Christianity in simple language. " He reached into his pocket and brought it out.
Billy and I sat on the couch on either side of him. Everyone else sat down on the other chairs in the living room and dining room. Liz started to get the stuff out of the fridge for the reception while she listened to the conversation. Estelle and Cindy and Derek started to help her also.
Paul explained to us that there is a void in everyone's life. put there purposely by God. It was His intention that we should have fellowship with HIm. However, he also gave us freewell. That means that we can either reject or accept God. He does not force us to accept Him
"I know, " Paul said, "Sherri, that you used drugs. Be honest with me, did they really satisfy you? Were you really happy when you did them?"
"No."
"Well, I felt the same way when I tried alcohol. I may have felt better when I was drunk. However, when I has hungover, the emptiness was still there.
I finally aked, "You know that I really would like to be free from drugs. But I don't want to have to go to rehab in order to finally to be free."
"Several places in the Bible," Paul answered as he opened his Bible - in the Gospel written by Mathew, chapter 17, verse 20, Matthew 19:26: Mark 10:27: Luke 1:37: Luke 17:1; Luke 18:27; and Paul's letter to the Hebrews 6:18 - it says that anything impossible with man, is possible with God. I have heard different testimonies from people who have been instantly delivered from the desire of cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, lust, etc. When I became a Christian, I was also delivered instantly from alcohol. You know, I have not had a drink for about five years. I really don't miss it and don't even crave it."
"So, what can I do?"
"Well, if you are sincere, all you have to do is pray to God for forgiveness of sin, that you are sorry for your sins and that you renounce and promise to try to turn away from the way you used to live. Are you ready?"
Both Billy and I practically at the same time, without hesitation, said, "Yes."
"Okay," Paul said. "I can sense that you are both sincere. Then repeat after me - Dear Lord Jesus - say it loud enough, with meaning, because I know you do mean it."
"Dear Lord Jesus.............I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness................I believe that You died for my sins....................I want to turn away from my sins...........I now invite You to come into My heart and life.............I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Saviour.............And now in front of this company, according to your word in the book of Romans, chapter 10, verse 9.............that states if you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead..................and you confess it with your mouth..............Then you are saved............."
After we had prayed the prayer, Paul said, "And because Billy and Sherri have confessed their sin and believe that they have said to be the truth, then they are saved. So, Lord Jesus, we ask you to write their names in the Lamb's Book of Life We thank You, Lord, and we praise You for everything You have done and everything you are going to do."
