[joeNM]

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. --Paul (1 Tim. 1:15-16)
Jesus Christ transforms lives. Just as He dramatically redirected the life of the apostle Paul, the Lord continues to change the lives of men and women today. Bill Fay, the author of this booklet, is one of those people. He was pursuing his own goals when the Lord brought him crashing to his knees.
Early in life Bill had determined that he was going to be number one in whatever he did--no matter what it took. In college he discovered ways to cheat to reach his goals. But more important, he learned how to gamble. In fact, his exceptional talents as a card shark helped pay his way through college.

After college he landed a sales job and rapidly moved up the corporate ladder. But his life took on a new dimension when he visited Las Vegas, the gambler's mecca. Because of his card skills he was noticed, and he made connections with prominent people in the underworld. While keeping his corporate job intact, he began to be a channel for mafia money around the country.

Bill moved from city to city, job to job, wife to wife, pursuing his self-centered goals. He thought he had it made when he became the president and chief executive officer of a large heart pacemaker company. He had limousines, big expense accounts, recognition, Rolexes, diamond rings, and gold on his hands and around his neck. But amid all the money, power, and glamour, life was lonely and empty.

In addition to his regular corporate job, Bill then decided to get involved in another enterprise that would make use of his marketing skills. He built one of the larger houses of prostitution in the United States. This business, however, got him into trouble. He was arrested on charges relating to his new venture, and his corporation fired him. But Bill started an executive search business and began making money again.



As a relaxing diversion during his high-rolling, high-stress life, Bill would escape to a vacation spot in Colorado called Lost Valley Ranch. He didn't know it at first, but the place was staffed by believers in Christ. He did notice, however, that there was something different about the place.

Bill could out-argue any believer who dared to take him on, but one Easter morning he heard something that would eat away at him until he gave his life to Christ. During a service in an open field, a young man about 22 years old talked about the difference between happiness and inner peace. Bill listened intently because he knew he didn't have inner peace. But when the young man said that peace comes only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Bill got on his horse and muttered, "I don't need that kind of junk in my life." And he rode out of the meadow.

Some time later, Bill walked into a racketball facility and met a man who would play a key role in his coming to faith in Christ. Dr. Paul Grant had gone to play racketball that day after asking the Lord for an opportunity to share his faith. The two men met, and Paul lovingly told Bill about Christ.

Paul invited Bill and his wife, Peggy, to church. After the service he invited them to his home. Paul and his wife, Kathie, radiated a personal relationship with Jesus. Although moved by their testimonies, Bill was not ready to give his life to Christ.

Still on probation from his previous arrest, Bill was caught in a police sting. After a weekend in jail with a bond of $250,000, his life came to a crisis point. Bill sat around his house for 2 days in tears. The pain in his life was surfacing. He considered escaping through drugs, alcohol, and even suicide. By God's grace he didn't take any of those options.

Bill's wife suggested that he call the pastor who had married them. After some initial reluctance, he picked up the phone. What he had heard 7 years before at the ranch was on his mind. He told the pastor he wanted inner peace. The next day hedrove 85 miles to a little country church. Kneeling on the dusty floor, he came to know Jesus Christ in a personal way. That was on March 4, 1981. He left that church a different man.

He returned home and stood trial, but the case was dismissed. As he left the courthouse he determined never to go near a jail or prison again. But the Lord had other plans. For the next several years he visited prisoners to tell them about Jesus.



Since then, Bill has shared his faith with people from all walks of life and has taught many others to do the same. But in Bill's own words, "The greatest miracle of all is not the change in what I do but in what I have become. The pursuit of power, money, and women has been replaced by the pursuit of the virtues I had once scorned: love, honesty, loyalty, self-sacrifice, self-discipline, humility, faith, patience, and endurance. And because I know that the only life worth living is through Christ, I have made it my life's work to share Him with others."

In the pages that follow, Bill will explain how he shares his faith with confidence, and how you can too.

[Volina]

Wow! What a powerful message.

Personally, i don't think one can share their faith without an arguement, simply because it is like teaching a kid Stoichemistry.

Even Jesus shared with the people in his time, but the pharises did argue with him. He didnot just let them go but drew them in love and fed them the word. You will come along philosophers and theologians. Imagine someone confusing you that Catholism is better than Adventism, you will accept his or her invite to catholism without a fight.

We should share with love and ask God for help to show love the greatest of all to our friends and neighbors in order to draw them to Christ. Remember no one can do it alone but with the love of God, we will conquer. Keep heart.

The world is still beautiful.

[wakili-express]

>
>We should share with love and ask God for help to show love
>the greatest of all to our friends and neighbors in order to
>draw them to Christ. Remember no one can do it alone but with
>the love of God, we will conquer. Keep heart.

-now this is what gets me upset! Why do you have to conquer??? Can't you just be happy that you have found god and let the rest of us be?? You don't hear non-believers running around claiming how they shall conquer all, now do you?

What is it about religion and god that is so lonely, selfish and self-centered that you have to inflict it upon the masses -why are non-believers such a threat that you think in terms of "conquer" and "convert" ...??

[Volina]

mmm. Wakili, We are more than Conquerors in him. It is not about converting, no one has the power to convert anyone. Only God can draw you to him if you just believe and accept him as your personal savior and master.

There is something about the love of Jesus. Once you are in Christ, you won't stop about talking the peace and love that you have found in him. It is like an arrow being forced from your throat, you have to coz then the arrow will kill you.


The world is still beautiful.

[jarabuon]

>you have found in him. It is like an arrow being forced from
>your throat, you have to coz then the arrow will kill you.
>

Volina, what do you mean by this statement? please shed some light on it

[wakili-express]

>
>>you have found in him. It is like an arrow being forced from
>>your throat, you have to coz then the arrow will kill you.
>>
>
>Volina, what do you mean by this statement? please shed some
>light on it

I think she means that that pal who shot 5/6 pals of his congregation did not open his mdomo wide enough to let the arrows out!!

[Volina]

ok, Wakili bury the sarcasm somewhere before u make entrance to this section.

Let me come again. When you really know Jesus. When you've been set free. There is this thing that you just can't hide down the bed because pple will know. it is like the light shine. what u take in is what comes out and out of you will come wonderful , heart palpitating, homebound words is what i mean.
The world is still beautiful.

[nyawera_1]

>Let me come again. When you really know Jesus. When you've
>been set free. There is this thing that you just can't hide
>down the bed because pple will know. it is like the light
>shine. what u take in is what comes out and out of you will
>come wonderful , heart palpitating, homebound words is what i
>mean.
>The world is still beautiful.

I think that is only the glow of self-righteousness..don't mistake it for anything other than that sister! With some of your posts here, I hope to Jesus...that is not the light that you are talking about.

[wakili-express]

>ok, Wakili bury the sarcasm somewhere before u make entrance
>to this section.

-only if you promise to put down the Jesus torch when you exit this section ...

>Let me come again.

-please, be my guest ...

[Volina]

>>ok, Wakili bury the sarcasm somewhere before u make
>entrance
>>to this section.
>
>-only if you promise to put down the Jesus torch when you exit
>this section ...
>
>>Let me come again.
>
>-please, be my guest ...

MMm...that i will try, but rememember the original is better than the copy. So aint gonna change my persona , just being me.


The world is still beautiful.