I was brought up in a Catholic household so was present in Church most Sundays until my teenage years. It was at this time I started to question what my faith was about - did God really exist? - what was Christianity about? I was asked by a school friend to go and see a film about some gang leaders in the States who had "found God". The film, called The Cross and the Switchblade had a powerful effect on me, and following a short talk by one of the former gang leaders, Nicky Cruz, people were asked to go to the front of the hall if they wanted to follow God's way. It was at this point I prayed my first real prayer. "God, I think you are there, but if you really are, get my friend to ask me to respond to this appeal". No prizes for guessing what happened next! I went down to the front of the hall and discovered God's forgiveness for me personally.

That was nearly thirty years ago - and my faith in God is stronger today than it was then. Some days are harder than others, and being a Christian doesn't shield me from the ups and downs of life, but having God in my life does make a massive difference. I not only have a friend who is close in all situations and circumstances, but a friend who guarantees me a secure eternal future. Amazing!

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