Long before I knew Him, I begrudged having to go to church. One night as I was sitting in church, back on the back row, I felt His voice and I heard the Minister say, "If you want to go to this lovely place called Heaven, this is the way."

I bowed to the Master, asking Him to come into my heart, because never in my life did I want this feeling departing from me. I saw, in my heart, the old rugged cross He bore up a hill that day. And, I cried, "Lord, I give my life to you and I will ever stay.

So, He crowned me with glory and His cross became my crown. Because I want to be with my Savior in Heaven and hear the angels sound. I asked for His mercy and, upon my heart, He very lovingly did He give. A crown of glory born of a Cross He carried, as upon a hill He did go.

My crown was paid for by Jesus, as He hung on that Cross and for our sins died. When I really realized this, my heart bled and I hung my head and cried, "Lord Jesus, forgive me. Though, naught did I do, way back then." However, since I received my Crown. I know Jesus died for all my sins.

He will show us the way to glory, every step and every prayer of the way. He will lead us to victory, again, every time we err and go astray. The old rugged cross was the burden that we all thank Jesus for every day. For, He took our punishment. He earned, for all of us, an eternal stay in Heaven.

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Dr. Charles M. Wood, II is an accomplished instructor of psychology and religion at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. He is a Christian counselor in Logan — serving, ministering, and donating his time to people from all denominations.

If you would like to contact Dr. Wood, please write: The Logan Banner, c/o The Good Life With Dr. Wood, P.O. Box 720, Logan, WV 25601; or call (304) 752-4658. All letters addressed to Dr. Wood will be forwarded to his office.