Dealing with the Past

I have come to realize that many of the behaviors I have struggled with in my life are directly related to not properly dealing with past experiences. These past experiences held me prisoner in a life far from what God intended. I was already a young man with an appetite for life when I came to know Jesus Christ. At that time I dedicated my life to Him, earned a degree in Biblical Psychology and went into full time ministry. I believed (and still do) that God called me to reach Christians who have a sincere desire to live a victorious life, yet struggle deeply with past and present problems.

After fourteen years in the ministry, I reverted to my "past life." I turned my back on God and pursued a career in the financial industry. I sought contentment in things (money, houses, and cars) and made every human effort to gain them. I achieved monetarily what few ever do. However, at the pinnacle of my "success," I was ashamed to call myself a Christian. I knew my sin, I was constantly aware of my compromise, and my conscience was never clear. I was never able to hold my head high and a deep darkness of heart and soul consumed me.

Although I left God, He never forgot me and through several events He regained my heart. I set out on a journey to return. I read every book I could find and studied scripture daily. I even went so far as to isolate myself completely to figure out how to regain what I lost and what had gone wrong. It was during this time I developed what I called "PageTwo." It began with two sheets of paper. Page One was what I had become when I turned my back on God. Page One was what I wanted to put in the past. Page Two was what I wanted to be; the new man described by the apostle Paul. I used those two pages to reprogram myself to believe and live my PageTwo life in Christ. The results have changed my life forever. This journey has led to the program called 'BiblicalMind'.

The Bible teaches there is a new life for those who believe in Christ. The sad truth is there is little difference between many who find Jesus and those who do not. I do not believe you have to accept this! If Jesus is who He said He is, and if there is a reality to the so-called daily Christian walk, then Christians should be different. "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being LIKEMINDED." Part of the trouble is we have been led astray and forgotten to take responsibility for what we put into our own minds! Romans 12: 2 says "and be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND!" Paul was telling us a very important thing here - and it requires action on our part.