The picture you see of Hank Williams Jr. and myself was taken at Skull’s Rainbow Club on Printer’s Alley, a row of honkytonks and bars near the original Grand Ole Opry in downtown Nashville, TN. I had come from North Carolina, forsaking all to fulfill my dream of becoming a star. 

After years of performing on the club circuit and opening shows for Sawyer Brown, the Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels and others, I was unable to escape the nagging feeling that something was missing in my life. I had grown up going to church, and when I was thirteen I professed faith in the Lord, was baptized and became a church member, but my life didn’t change. I went right back to being the same boy, with the same dreams. I believed my musical talent was from God, but I planned to use it to become rich and famous. The Bible says when you are truly born again, your life will change,

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I was not a new person; there was no real change in my life. The Bible also says a true Christian will have a love for the Word of God. The Psalmist wrote,

“O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)

I did not have that love.

I continued to travel and perform, and along with my lifestyle came drug and alcohol use. As a result, I began to find myself in places and situations that had taken me a long way from the things I had been taught as a boy.

In January, 1998 my friend Skull was murdered in his own club. During his funeral and in the days following, I began to wonder, “Where will I go when I die?” Little did I know my brother, his family, his home church and others around the country had been praying for me for many years. In response to their prayers, the Lord helped me find the answer. As I began to study the Bible, I learned that it clearly teaches what I already knew to be true; I was a sinner.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) 

I read that because of my sin, I deserved to go to hell,

“For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)

The wages (payment) for sin is death, which means separation from God forever. I found out that my good deeds were useless to save me, 

 "....and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6)

The only way to heaven was to turn from my sins and repent, 

“The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2Peter 3:9)

I really struggled with this because I realized it would mean giving up my dream.  Not only did I have to
repent, I had to believe.  The Bible says,

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31)

I realized there was nothing I could do to save myself and Jesus Christ was my only hope, for He said,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) 

On March 10, 1998 at 12:30 a.m., I knelt in my apartment, broken before God, and asked His forgiveness for my sins as I placed my trust in Jesus Christ as my Saviour. At that moment I became a child of God!

Born Again! I had a change of address! I was traveling a new road! From Printer’s Alley to the King’s Highway! 

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1: 12)

What a joy and peace I have, knowing without a doubt that if I died today, I would spend eternity in heaven.  It’s not because of anything I have done, but because of what Christ did for me on the cross.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

How about you? Which road are you on? Do you see yourself as I saw myself, a sinner in need of a Saviour? Is there any reason you couldn’t trust Christ right now?

“...now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

You can call on the name of the Lord by praying something like this:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I need to be saved. I believe Jesus died and rose again for me. Lord, I turn from my sin and turn to you. In the best way I know how, I do trust your death on the cross as payment for my sins. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Did you pray to receive Christ? Did you mean it with all your heart? If your answer is yes, welcome into the family of God. There is rejoicing in heaven right now for the Bible says,

“...there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:10)

If you have made a decision for Christ please let me know so I can rejoice with you. I also urge you to find a good, Bible believing church and begin attending faithfully, so that you might grow in your new walk with God.

Bruce Frye P.O. Box 1227 Carthage, NC 28327 (910) 639-4005 email - bruce@brucefrye.org