While serving in the Navy, I was assigned to a destroyer, the USS Saufley (EDDE 465). Our home port was Key West, Fla.

One Saturday night, right after payday, a group of shipmates and I decided to go into town and have a so-called good time. A good time for us was to see how many bars we could visit.

Needless to say, we all drank too much, got drunk and went back to the ship.

The next morning, I was not feeling good, but since it was Sunday, I wanted to attend Mass as I was taught while growing up in Reserve.

Even though it’s been 60 plus years ago, I remember that day like it was yesterday.

As I was leaving the ship to go to church, Joe (one of the guys I was with the night before) hollered from the ship, “Hap,” where are you going?”

When I said church, he laughed and said, “After what we did last night, you’ve got the nerve to go to church?”

He didn’t say I was a hypocrite, but I realized later in life, that’s what I was.

Today, I realize many people are in the same situation I was, thinking that going to church, regardless of your lifestyle, will get you to Heaven.

After my release from the Navy and married with a family, I continued my religious duties of going to church, but did not really have a heart change.

I was thinking religion was my way to God, but had no relationship with His Son, Jesus.

Today, many people are seeking God through religion, not realizing that Christianity is God’s way of reaching us through His Son, Jesus.

During my years of attending church, I’ve heard about being born-again.

It wasn’t until October of 1980, that this simple command from Jesus was revealed to me in John, Chapter 3, which is about a religious leader named Nicodemus who asked Jesus how to be sure he would go to Heaven. Jesus’ answer is found in Verse 3:  “… ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

Being born-again is so simple, it confuses people who are in bondage to religion.

After asking God to forgive you for your sins, just say the following prayer:

Lord Jesus, I invite You into my life.

I believe You died for me and that Your blood pays for my sins and provides me with the gift of eternal life.

By faith I receive that gift, and I acknowledge You as my Lord and Savior, Amen.

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477 or email hkeller@comcast.net.