By Darren Winder

I was as far away from God as anyone can get. I used various drugs and I also sold them! I was a very unsavoury character to say the least. I would think nothing of robbing houses or stealing other peoples money using it for buying drugs, drink or to go out to clubs. I would use blatant lies & con people to get what I wanted. I was a good manipulator and wasn't to be trusted, I didn't even trust myself! Crime was my nature, I had a criminal mind and I thought it was cool. I had a low self esteem and I lacked love. I just did'nt care, my conscience was pushed deep deep down inside me kept quiet by drink, drugs and self denial. Friends had rejected me because knowing me was trouble! No one knew what I would do next.

One day two of my friends became Christians I just laughed and thought they had done too many drugs! Then they started going to Church! I thought they really had lost it, but I understand now they hadn't! They hadn't lost it they had found it! The thing all of us are looking for - they had found God!

All of us are searching for God because thats how He created us. That empty feeling you feel, that unsatisfied feeling, that longing for something better, dont you know it's the search for your creator. It's an inbuilt desire for truth! We're desperate for it. like fish for water and birds for flight Were longing for it - we're made for it. We desire peace on the inside.

Though we might have a front on for the rest of the world only we know how far away from having peace we really are. But now there's one thing I know without a shadow of doubt - MY SEARCH IS OVER! I've found it! I'm no longer relying on drugs to get to sleep, I dont have to sleep with a chainsaw in the cupboard or a bread knife under my pillow in fear of an attack.

I found the way, I found the truth, I found the life and I found it in a person named JESUS CHRIST that's the name and I'm not ashamed to say it. My life has never been the same since.

Has it all been exciting and fun, do I ever experience problems? I can honestly say its one of the wildest adventures I've ever been on but God isn't a quick fix for our problems. His way's if we follow them do answer many of our problems but there is also a power He can give us to overcome things we think are impossible. Power to overcome issues we have wrestled with throughout our lives. It's His power. It's His life.

Jesus Christ is the answer to the BIG question your asking yourself every day - WHY?
Why am I here?
What's it all about?
What happens when I die?
Why do I want to die?
Why am I afraid to die?
Why can't I find a purpose?
Why do I keep doing things I don't want to do?
Why can't I find real love?
Why can't I succeed in life?
Why do I have to be dishonest to be successful?
Why am I poor?
Why am I sick?
Why do I hate my self?
Why was I abused?
Why wasn't I loved...
...Why why why why why why.....?????????

Surely if God does exist, if He does love me then things would be different for me and the rest of the world - wouldn't they?

It's ok to ask! Don't stop! But make sure you're asking the right person. It's time for you to find out for yourself. Just as I and many others before me have done.

Get yourself alone somewhere and ask this question out loud - "God! If Jesus is your son sent to the earth to save me and give me life then i dont want to miss out! I want to know the truth! please reveal it to me - thankyou" Believe me God is waiting for you to ask!

NOW JUST WAIT AND SEE!!!!! YOUR ADVENTURE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!