Since the beginning of this trial, we've received an ocean of support and love from so many of our family and friends. We are so grateful for that support -- it means everything to us.

In January 2008, through God's grace, I walked away from a world of sin. Prior to that, through years of duplicity, I had become an expert liar and a master manipulator. Without a twinge of guilt, I would look someone in the eye, speak a heinous lie, and fully expect that person to believe me. Now that I have been crucified with Christ, I don't have to worry about some dark area of my life being exposed to the light -- I'm walking with Him now. Sure, like anyone else I still sin plenty of times, but God has set me free from the besetting sins that defined my bondage. And what a freedom it is.

Currently, at least in the world's eyes, I'm under a cloud of suspicion, but I've had so many brothers and sisters come to me and express their confidence and trust in what God has done in my life. At times I almost feel overwhelmed by the love and support poured out by so many people. If I've learned nothing else the past few weeks, I've at least learned a little bit more of what Paul meant when he said said love "believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

I'm thankful to my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I'm glad I'm not the person I used to be. I'm glad that the man who lived prior to January 14, 2008 is now a dead man.

The glorious thing about talking about my former self, and realizing that my "old man" is six feet under, is that I actually feel happy when sharing about what God's done in my life. The truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17 resonates in my soul: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." I think sometimes, when I'm feeling condemned and inadequate, God probably wants to say, "What part of 'new creation' do you not understand?" Of course, God doesn't have some anthropomorphic snappy side. The reality is the Holy Spirit gently whispers His truth through fellow believers and His written Word, encouraging me in and through His truth.

I'm thankful for the glory of death: Death to self; death to sin; death to unrighteousness. And I'm thankful that through His grace, I won't taste the second death (Revelation 20:6). Through death I've been rescued from death.

"But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death" (Romans 6:21 ESV).