My name is Paul Miller and I've been coming to Door Creek Church for just over a year now. I grew up in a Lutheran family - Sunday School every Sunday, church after Sunday School with the family. So, you know, quite a foundation there.
As I went on my own, going off to college, I probably didn't go to church as often, but when I went home I would be sure to go. I kind of drifted a little bit in those years.
I got married to my wife Deb in 1995. I attended church a little more often – I kind of came back around, but the thing was, the procedure of church was there but the connection that I needed to have wasn't there. Looking back on it, I can tell that I needed a better connection - a relationship with God, with Christ.
In 2005, my life started getting turned upside down. Within a three year period, I lost three very influential men in my life. But instead of turning to Christ, I turned 180 degrees away and turned completely into myself. But my wife stuck with me and she had - she has - amazing faith.
When I was in church, I almost sat there in defiance of God saying, "I'm here," but I was like a wall. And then, right around Easter, I think the song was Amazing Grace and I really listened. I just broke down right there and I was moved by something. I opened my heart a little bit and I turned a little bit back toward Jesus.
I actually started opening a Bible and reading some scripture and started having conversations with my wife and my son about their love of Christ. And then, low and behold, my wife and son were baptized. It was a powerful moment for them and for us - for me - to see.
Eventually, I don't know how it happened, I just felt Christ's forgiveness and I thought about the guilt that I had and I needed to give it up. And I did. I gave it to God and I said, "Just please take it."
From that day forward, my world is bright - so much. I'm getting baptized this weekend because I want to I want to let the Lord know that I am His. I am truly His. And I'm going to do my very best to follow His word and let His will work through me.