For me, the last 14 years have been truly remarkable.  In April 1998, I met someone who changed my life—and I’ve watched my fears blow away (including fear of death and loss of youth), found absolute freedom to be who I am, and learned how to enjoy life even when circumstances stink.  Because of this man, I went to my 20^th high school reunion even more excited about my future than I was at age 17.  Amazingly, he loved me before I ever knew him.  And the best news of all is that he wants to do this for everyone.  What a guy, huh?  Some of you already know him ...

This stunningly compassionate, strong, joyful Man named Jesus loves absolutely all of us so much that 2,000 years ago, He did something absolutely amazing to come get us and to give us real life.  Have you ever thought of the "Jesus story" as the greatest love story ever told?  I heard someone say recently, "I've finally discovered God's only weakness ... His only weakness is me."  He'd give absolutely anything to have us, to love us—including giving His own life.  And He did just that, and did it with joy—for every human who's ever breathed on this planet.  He places infinite, ultimate, unconditional value on you ... and loves you with extravagant, lavish love.

That's why I'm calling this site "Love Lavished" ... because I've lived it for 14 years now.  But that's absolutely not what I thought before April 1998.  I really doubted whether Jesus or God were real, and I surely didn't see Them as good or loving ...

Instead, I only saw God the Policeman, Who could punish me—and be thoroughly disappointed in me—even for my bad thoughts.  And look at what I did to that poor Jesus—He had to hang on that cross because my badness put Him there.  That poor, sad, frail, martyred Jesus.  How could I kill such a nice Guy?  (I should love Him out of guilt, right?  I’m sorry—I just couldn’t love someone out of guilt.)  And what does that say about God—killing His own Son?  Why didn’t God have the guts to do His own dirty work instead of forcing His Child to do it?  What kind of Father is that?  No thank you—I wanted to stay pretty far away from that kind of Father.

Have you ever said—or even thought—anything like that?  If so, come inside this site for the rest of the story ... and possibly the best surprise of your life ...

Let's just start with "My Story."