From the Author
Trying to explain God to someone in just
thirty minutes or with a twelve page pamphlet or over an email
just doesn't seem right.
The idea of a God desiring a relationship
with me is something I can't completely wrap my mind around today
and I've been a Christian nearly half my life.
I wrestled with God all through high school,
college and when I moved to Los Angeles to work in Hollywood.
I wanted to find fame and fortune in the City of Angels, instead
I found eternal life and salvation. It wasn't my intention for
moving there, but it far exceeded any screenplay, job or career
move I ever made. (I also met my beautiful wife and two of our
three boys were born there too).
All along, my friend Jeff Holder tried
to explain God to me. He was very patient, but I was a mess.
I picked up some nasty drinking habits
from college and dabbled in drugs, mostly marijuana and some cocaine.
I woke up with people I didn't know.
I received a DUI in October, 1984 and
felt I had really hit rock bottom. I couldn't sleep, cried often,
felt suicidal. This wasn't what my life was supposed to be like.
I didn't seem to be in control. I felt I had failed. Somehow.
Some way. Some one…
I began exploring God in desperation to
make me feel better and I found going to church helped my depression,
at least on Sundays. I started going on Wednesday nights too.
That helped.
I listened to the sermons and to people
explaining this whole Christian life. It sounded interesting,
but I had lots of questions.
It took time. Nearly a year. Finally I
understood enough. One night in August, 1985, on my knees in a
one room efficiency apartment on Kittridge Street, Van Nuys California,
everything changed. I took the step I felt my questions and the
subsequent answers were leading me.
Salvation.
I wrote this book to try to explain what
I needed to hear during those times when I couldn't understand
what it meant to be saved-that year of struggling, questioning,
debating, arguing, wrestling, searching.
People talked about salvation, getting
saved, giving my life to Christ, becoming a Christian, asking
Jesus into my heart…what did all that mean?
I pray this book answers some of your
questions. I guarantee it won't answer all your questions. Nothing
will. Even scholars of the Bible scratch their heads at stuff.
But I think it will help you know enough
to grab on to God and allow him to pull you into His arms.
Safe and sound.
Troy Schmidt
June, 2009
Windermere, Florida
© Troy Schmidt, 2009