Altar Call

This book is my personal contribution to the Great Commission, chronicling my spiritual journey that began in my early adolescence. As a curious child, I often wondered about God and the origins of the world, seeking answers as I grew older. My early beliefs were shaped by the deep respect I had for my mother, whose guidance, rooted in Proverbs 22:6, set me on a path toward spiritual enlightenment.

When I agreed to be baptized in my youth, I thought I had achieved spiritual fulfillment and that my journey with God was complete. However, my growth stagnated, as I depended solely on church services and Sunday school for religious education, neglecting personal Bible study.

It wasn't until I began attending the Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) with my cousin that my perspective shifted. Drawn in by the lively music and the chance to play my horn in church, I attended for the music rather than for spiritual enlightenment.

My time at a Jesuit university, where I had to take religion courses as part of the curriculum, reignited my curiosity about spiritual matters. However, as I studied deeper, I found that answers to my more complex spiritual questions remained elusive, causing me to temporarily step back from my search for truth.

Despite the uncertainty, I was continually drawn back to the pursuit of spiritual understanding. Along the way, I wrestled with profound questions involving science, philosophy, and theology—questions about the origin of God, the Holy Trinity, evolution versus creationism, the age of the Earth, and the canopy theory, among other topics.

As I moved forward in life, spiritual matters gained new importance, particularly as my relationships grew, friendships evolved, and family became central. My youthful baptism now intersects with a more profound understanding of salvation and the journey to attain it. This renewed faith in God has led me to express my beliefs through the writing of Christian music, using it as a way to witness to others.

Though I never found definitive answers to my deeper questions, I formed faith-based opinions that guided me through life's challenges, ultimately leading to my spiritual salvation. As a Christian, my salvation is rooted in faith in Jesus Christ, who offers redemption and eternal life. Key teachings of the New Testament, such as grace and redemption, form the foundation of this belief, requiring repentance, acceptance of Christ's sacrifice, and a personal relationship with God. This faith, along with regular Bible study, has strengthened my Christian walk and deepened my understanding.

The idea that "not making a decision is a decision" taught me that inaction still leads to outcomes, often beyond my control. Recognizing that God knows even the number of hairs on my head led me to surrender to His wisdom, even if some aspects remained beyond my understanding. I chose to focus on the parts of faith I could grasp.