Before I invited Jesus Christ into my heart to become my Lord and Savior, my religion was based on God being God and me doing my duty as I had been taught.  Because I was loved and cherished by my family and my church, I did not have too much trouble believing in the love of God.  The church was always a part of my life from the very beginning. Because of corporal punishment at home and school, I was frightened of punishment. When I was punished by my father I reasoned I deserved it for things I had done and not been caught, even if not for the things of which I was accused.  After I received Jesus as my Savior and Lord, the assurance of my salvation wavered at first because my feelings would change and I would fail to live up to the standards of Christ. I would often go to the altar on Sunday nights seeking forgiveness and assurance.  After I went forward at the Billy Graham Crusade I did the follow-up Bible Study and came to understand that my salvation was based on what Christ had done for me and upon God’s promise in His Word and not my feelings or my perfection. This gave me more confidence in my relationship with God.

- Dan Casselberry