You've been taught, encouraged, & mentored - you've grown in ways you couldn't even imagine.  You've been bold, it has been one of your strengths, and everyone has confidence that if the going got difficult you'd be in the middle of it.  It was Jesus who first saw something beyond the surface, beneath the gruff exterior there was more and he was bringing it out.  There were tests and struggles but you've been growing and the crew around you noticed the difference - you were becoming a leader.  Then during one occasion it all collapsed, I melted away and denied knowing and in any way even being associated with Jesus. We were friends and I made sure everyone there knew I wasn't a part of that group.  But, I became that individual that disassociated, denied and turned my back on Jesus but he came to invite me to be a part again!  Maybe you can relate to some of my story . . .