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Tom Eisenman dropped out of high school at 15, went on the road with a rock-and-roll band, and never lived at home again. He became a high school teacher and then a pastor. A self-described NFL nut, Tom and his wife, Judie, have led Bible studies for the San Francisco 49ers. Tom's books include Temptations Men Face, and The Accountable Man. He pastors the College Center Church in San Diego, California. And to relax, he builds fine furniture.

A car ran a stop sign and hit me nearly head-on while I was on my motorcycle. My injuries were extensive.

I remember the nurse who was working on my torn-up right leg, trying to clean it with a sponge. The leg was opened up with a number of large lacerations, and sand, dirt, and small bits of blacktop were embedded in the wounds. The sponge wasn't getting it all out, so the nurse warned me she would have to use the stiff brush. She said simply, "It has to be clean for it to heal."

Getting clean can be a painful experience. It was for me that day. But I've always remembered the nurse's little phrase and have thought how true it is in the spiritual realm. All healing requires cleansing. Confession is painful. But when we confess our sin, we open the door for God's love to rush in. The open wound is cleaned up through forgiveness and treated with the love and grace of God.

Adapted from The Accountable Man (InterVarsity, 2004) by permission.

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Thank you, Lord, that my standing with You has nothing to do with deserving, and everything to do with receiving the forgiveness You've offered.

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