Because God made you. He not only made you, He loves you deeply. And He wants you to have a long and fulfilling life. Yes, there is evil in the world and bad things happen to good people...that is a reality in our world. And yet God is available and wants to come into your heart, to nourish you as His child, to affirm His deep and abiding love for you and to fill you with His plan and purpose for your life. In short, He wants you to have life to the full!

You may think God does not love you - will you ask Him to show His deep love for you? You may think that He's an angry God - will you seek Him to find out what He's really like? You may think that He would never accept you - will you knock at His door and receive His invitation to come live in your heart? If you ask, He will answer you. If you seek, you will find Him. And if you knock, He will open a door to knowing Him that will satisfy the deepest parts of your soul.

You may say, "That's too good to be true...there is no god like that." Well, I've got good news...God is NOT of this world. He's not like an earthly father who emotionally or physically abuses. He's not like an uncle or cousin or priest who sexually abuses. He's not like a harsh teacher who demands more effort or a boss who demands higher performance. He's not like the preacher who holds a high religious standard that few can attain to. He's not like a peer who bullies. And He's certainly not like a parent who abandons or rejects.

So who is God? 

What Can God Offer You? 

First, He's a Safe Place. When we don't feel safe in this world...even when we don't feel comfortable in our own skin...we need a place to dwell where it's safe and secure. "The one who will dwell in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalm 91:1)

Second, He's A Good Shepherd. When we feel ravaged by pain, anxiety and oppression, we need some kind of release...we need freedom...and security...and acceptance. We need comfort. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." (Psalm 23)

Third, He's a Close Companion. When we feel lonely or forgotten in our fears and our hurts, we need to know there is someone who will always be there...who will care...who will understand. We need someone to walk with us. "Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord." (Psalm 139:1-4)

Fourth, He's a Faithful Friend. When we feel hurt by life and hurt by those who were supposed to be trustworthy..even when we've been hurt by our own family. We need a true friend. "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  (John 16:33, Hebrews 13:5)  

Fifth, He's a Constant Help. When we feel there's no one there and we just can't seem to find an abiding peace in our hearts...we can't find rest for our minds...we churn with anxiety and feel so broken. We need someone to help us. "In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper." (Psalm 118:5-7)

Sixth, He's a Thirst Quencher. When we've tried everything else in the world to fill our lives with pleasure, possessions and purpose...and only come up empty and wounded. We need something to fill our soul...we need a true and lasting peace. We need our thirst quenched. "Everyone who drinks of the 'waters' of this world will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14)

Seventh, He's a Life Giver. When we feel exhausted and hopeless...maybe even suicidal...we need someone who can rescue us...who can pick us up...who can give us a new chance for hope and a good life. We need a life giver. "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he will eventually die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)    

God Wants You to Know His Love Personally...

Do I believe this? Do you believe this? Can we imagine a God who sounds much more like a gentle, loving Father?

Just Imagine a God like this..."Yeah, I know where you've been. I know what you've done. Yeah, it's a lot of stuff alright. But son, my compassion for you will never die. My love for you is higher than the heavens. I have wiped away your sins as far as the east is from the west. I am your father." (Psalm 103:8-14) 

God is like that...

Just Imagine a God like this..."I've got great plans for you. I'm going to prosper you. I'm going to give you HOPE. I'm going to give you a great future. Come - pray to me. I'll listen to you. Come - seek me. In fact, seek me with your whole heart! And I promise, you will find me! (Jeremiah 29:11-14) 

God is like that....

Just imagine a God like this..."I'm going to give you rest. I will be strong as a stone to protect you. No one will get to you - I will protect you! Just trust me." (Psalm 62:1-2,5-8) 

God is like that...

Just imagine a God like this..."Oh, I know how you've been hurt. I've seen your tears. I am going to comfort you and bring you to Heaven. Oh, by the way, I'm building an awesome place for you in Heaven. I can't wait for you to see it! I know there are many troubles in your life. But trust me...I'm going to come back and get you and bring you to Heaven to live with me forever!" (Matthew 5:3-4, John 14:1-4) 

God is like that...

Just imagine a God like this..."Yes my son. I know there are a lot of rules to follow. But I do not accept you on the basis of how well you follow the rules. Son, you should know this....all your brothers and sisters have really messed up their lives too! Even the ones that think they are so good! Shhh...let's not judge them. I simply want you to know that everyone messes up! We're human. So if you will just trust in my goodness...that I love you and forgive you no matter what you've done...you're going to find a new joy and a new freedom. Why? Because I freely accept you as you are. Trust me on that." (Romans 3:20-25, 8:31-39) 

God is like that...

Will God really accept me just as I am? 

Yes, You Can Come to Him Just as You Are...

There are no four steps. There doesn't have to be a bridge analogy. There are no right words or formulas. And we don't so much find God as we simply "accept being found" by Him. The Bible promises, "If you seek Him, you will find Him." But we are not 'finding' God - rather, we come to a realization that He has found us, He has protected us, He has cared for us, He has provided for us, He has loved us, He has forgiven us...and now, He is present. He is here. And I cannot clean up or prepare a speech - right where I am, He loves me and invades my heart. In His presence, I am aware of my sin that placed Him on the Cross. But I am also so aware of His love for me. 

In this place of sensing His presence, I don't try to put on religion or my own righteousness. I don't deny my sin, but I am no longer fearful of an angry God. He is good. He is love. I can simply surrender into His arms. I can simply invite Him to come take control of my heart, my mind and my life. I can simply bask in the presence of His great love - the love of a Father; the love of a Shepherd; the love of which there is no end. 

I simply listen to Jesus invite me and enable me to come toward the Father. "Behold, I stand at the door of your heart and knock. If you will simply open your heart, I will come in to live with you and dine with you forever." (Revelation 3:20) He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28-30) This is not anything I can manufacture or that anyone can force on me or manipulate me into. This is the living presence of God that has come to find and rescue me: and I accept being found by Him. I accept that He has found me - and I come to Him just as I am.

Do you believe this? Do I believe this? Can we hear His still, small voice calling: Come to me, my beloved.

We would love to hear of your encounter with God. If you have not had that kind of an encounter, we'd be happy to speak with you about any questions or concerns you may have. In either case, we invite you to share your story with us at: 

If you want to speak to Founder Bill Henson directly, you can reach him toll-free at (877) 683-6867.