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Post by billbo1970 on Aug 22, 2003 8:17:13 GMT -5
Well, thought a nice new thread may give us someplace to post that will be more productive. Let's share our testimonies here. Even if you've already posted it, maybe others haven't seen it. Don't feel obligated to post, but only post if you would like to. I will start, see the next response.
PIC, Bill[/color]
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Post by billbo1970 on Aug 22, 2003 8:17:47 GMT -5
My testimony
I grew up with just my mother, she had gotten divorced when I was only 2 years old, and to this day I still don’t know what my father looks like. My grandmother would come to visit us for the holidays. She would arrive around Thanksgiving, and leave for Florida sometime in January. My grandmother was/is a Christian, and my mother claimed to be one but didn’t seem to be. I went to Sunday school every week, and I would ride the bus because my mother is a nurse and has to work weekends. In Sunday school, they would frequently talk about salvation, and ask the children to raise their hands if they wanted to accept Jesus into their hearts. I would raise my hand every time, because I never felt that “change” the pastor kept talking about, and thought God had not saved me. One time, I was actually reprimanded for raising my hand every week.
As I got older, I realized that I had been saved, and I even thought I heard from him now and then. I would look at my grandmother and think to myself “I don’t want to end up like her though”. My grandmother was what you’d call devout…if not downright fanatical. She was also contradictory. I believe she has been saved, but like us all, she is not perfect. She would say how she wasn’t prejudiced and how it isn’t Christian-like to be so….but everyone fit into category. “He was a nice black man.” “He was very nice to me…..he was a Spanish fellow though.” Keep in mind she was born in 1908 though. She also spent all of her time reading her Bible. She’d spend hours in her room just reading her Bible and listening to religious programs on the radio. That was definitely not what I wanted to spend my time doing, I wanted to have fun!
So, I spent a lot of time away from God. I spent the latter years of High School & all of College doing my own thing. I used to drive around with my friends knocking over garbage cans and mailboxes. I would shoplift (I even got arrested for it once). I drank heavily, but fortunately did not become an alcoholic. Then one day, things began to change….
One time, while I was out with my best friend, God performed a miracle to save my life. To make a long story short - I had 2 close friends: John & John. I will call the first John, Mac so as not to confuse them. Mac came over to my house one night and picked me up as he always did. Before stopping by he had called me though. We both realized that we didn’t really like John anymore and were only hanging out with him because I thought Mac liked him a lot and vice-versa. Once we discovered this, Mac came over sans John. Well, This guy John was very childish and controlling. If he did not have his way, the night would be ruined…therefore he always got his way. He would never sit in the back, he always had to ride shotgun. So when Mac picked me up, I was in the front instead of my usual place in the back. Later that night, my friend Mac made a left not seeing the Mustang that was screaming towards us after it crested the hill in the road. I was able to look right into the drivers eyes he was so close. He was going to hit us…. he was going to hit ME… squarely! Suddenly, the accident was over. Our car had been hit in the rear and spun several times. There was no longer a rear to the car; it was pushed in clear to the other side! I would have been sitting there if we had picked up John earlier. Now, this might not seem like a miracle to you, so let me point out a couple of things that may not have come across clearly.
#1) I would have been in the back. There is no doubt in Mac’s mind or mine on this. #2) we decided not to see John only hours before this happened. Prior to this night, we had hung out with John every time the two of us got together (which was several times a week for more than a year). #3) that car was going to hit ME, not the rear of the car. I saw the driver clearly…I could have picked him out in a lineup.
Well, after that, I realized even though I had strayed so far from my God, he had not forsaken me. He was still watching out for my ungrateful behind. That was a turning point for me….a wakeup call. I didn’t change overnight, but I began to pay more attention to God, and to straighten up my life. Shortly after that, God put a wonderful woman into my life. She was not religious at all, and I felt the need to tell her about God. It took me quite awhile to screw up my courage, but I slowly began to share my faith with her. In doing so, I also brought myself closer to God. That woman is now my wife, and we both have a strong relationship both with each other, and with God. God wanted me back, and he wants you too if you are willing to accept his gift of salvation.
PIC, Bill [/color][/font]
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Post by Panther on Aug 22, 2003 12:32:13 GMT -5
Oh Bill, that was beautiful! Thank you for sharing that with us. I would like to write out my testimony too, only I can't right now as it will take a little time. I will be coming back here to do so though.
What a wonderful idea to start this thread. Thanks Bill Blessings to you, Lisa
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Post by billbo1970 on Aug 24, 2003 9:25:14 GMT -5
NOBODY else has a testimony they want to share??
PIC, Bill[/color]
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Post by Shirley on Aug 24, 2003 9:27:17 GMT -5
NOBODY else has a testimony they want to share??
PIC, Bill [/color][/quote] No, but I loved yours!
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Post by babysis on Aug 24, 2003 20:59:40 GMT -5
NOBODY else has a testimony they want to share??
PIC, Bill [/color][/quote] As soon as the Left Behind site is up again I can link you to the page where my testimony is the excerpt taken out of the book These Will Not Be Left Behind
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Post by Trusting God with all my being on Aug 26, 2003 3:29:24 GMT -5
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Post by babysis on Aug 26, 2003 8:31:32 GMT -5
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Post by billbo1970 on Sept 3, 2003 14:29:36 GMT -5
Share some more testimonies folks!
PIC, Bill [/color]
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Post by twink* on Sept 3, 2003 15:42:39 GMT -5
I was raised to believe in God and his son Jesus. My parents spoke openly about their "walk in faith" and their close "relationship" with their savior. As I grew up I began to realize I didn't share their feelings of spiritual growth much less their confidence in salvation and God's unconditional love. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I kept studying, praying, worshiping and most of all waiting. I waited for a sign, some great epiphany to hit me, a 'holy moment'--- I just wanted everything to come together and to know that God knew me and had heard my prayers. Yet there was no absolution and I continued to feel lost. Meanwhile my family life was worsening by the day. My Dad is an alcoholic who specializes in verbal and emotional abuse. He's a fighter, he just wants someone to argue with. I remember once he picked a fight with me because I had painted my toes pink and he thought it was childish and stupid. It escalated into him telling me I was a mistake and he should have tried harder to get my Mom to have an abortion. I hated fighting with him but sadly I became good at it. Our goal was to take the attention away from my Mom. She was so "beat down" I really thought she would die of a broken heart if he said one more cruel thing to her. Once my sister left for college I was alone. I knew it would be me, all alone, who would deal with him from then on. It was more difficult than I thought and it took more of a toll than I ever imagined it would. Everyday was a battle and over time I became weak, then strong and finally, hateful. Once I graduated from high school I was so desperate to get away from my father the closest school I considered attending was an 18 hour drive away. I was crushed when I finally faced the reality that my Mom wasn't "free". If I left her I was sure I would loose her completely. I opted for a university about an hour away. I still believed in God but the longer I waited the more angry and worried I became that he had abandoned us. That faith my parents had pressed on us was no longer in our home or hearts. Meanwhile I was a nightmare! I had a fierce temper and a smart mouth that could shoot off at anytime I felt threatened, even if a man simply raised his voice to me. My Mom was a zombie, just going through the motions. My oldest sister had ran away years ago and my other sister was fast becoming a stranger. All the while my Dad was allowed to live this double life, a raging alcoholic/perfect family man. I was so angry for him turning us into the broken people we had become. I couldn't image how God could have such a deep and pure love for us yet allow us to be hurt so badly day in and day out. I took the easiest way out and blamed God for his "absences". Finally I had a break through. I had been away from home for almost a year and things were looking up. I was dealing with my emotions, my Mom seemed a little stronger every time I spoke with her, my sister was engaged and finally it seemed we had a chance to be normal. My father still drank like a fish but we had accepted he will always drink, until he dies--- there is no way "out" for us so we made a way "through". I was talking to God again and asking him to soften my heart. I was such a bitter person it made me sick to even be alone with my own thoughts. But overall things were bearable compared to years before. Not long after I went to a party with a bunch of friends. I had a lot of margaritas's then I remember we decided to go to a bar. There was a guy there who I had been talking to the whole night. Really nice, cute, funny ect... I remember he kept bringing me shots and more drinks. I remember asking someone to call a taxi but was easily talked out of leaving. I remember the bartender pulling me aside and telling me to be careful that the guy seemed like he was trying to get me drunk. I didn't worry at all because I was there with friends, 99% of them guys who I knew would watch me. After that it's vague. I don't remember how much longer I was there or how I got home. The next thing I remember I couldn't breathe because there was someone lying on top of me. I'm in and out of memory after that. I know I said no and for him to stop, get off of me but he didn't listen. I know I cried a lot but couldn't move. That was that. I was confused for a while. I knew I had said 'no' but I also knew that if I hadn't drank so much I wouldn't have been in that situation. I never, ever drank because of my Dad so I felt horrible that I had become like him in some way because I was so drunk and out of control. Later I was angry, so angry at myself. I was a virgin and I was waiting till I was married. I wanted it to be special and romantic and something beautiful I could share with the man I would spend the rest of my life with. But it wasn't meant to be. All it did was push me further away from God. I couldn't even pray because I felt so guilty. I tried to ask for forgiveness but was too proud and felt wrong asking God to forgive a sin against myself. I spent the next few months asking God to leave me alone but to take care of my Mom and sister. I felt nothing but I had decided it was better to feel nothing than to just feel pain. I had started reading the LB books just for entertainment but it got me thinking and I wanted to go over some things in the bible. I had done something with my bible so I had to go get a new one. I headed off to Barnes and Noble for a bible and a LB book. It was pouring rain so once I got there I decided to hang out till the rain let up. I sat down at a table, pushed the bible aside and picked up the LB book. There was this little voice that had been creeping in my mind lately. Every time I thought about praying or God himself I would hear it. Sending me the message that if there was a God he wouldn't allow his people to feel this way so he must not exist. What if you're wrong and he is just a myth? I sat there for a long time then saw this sliver of sunlight run across the table. I glanced over thinking about the rain to see the sun had spotlighted the words "Holy Bible". I looked outside and saw this huge rainbow suspended over the mountains. That voice was gone then replaced with a simple yet strong and confident... 'you are not wrong'. After that it was easy. I went home said the sinner's prayer (again..) and even though I didn't receive a "sign" in the way I had thought I would, I definitely knew God was listening and he always had been. That was one year ago this month and I am such a different person you would not believe it, half the time I want to pinch myself.
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Post by billbo1970 on Sept 3, 2003 16:09:02 GMT -5
I love you Darcy. You are a very special girl, and although you may not physically be a virgin, you're still a 'spiritual virgin' and will be until the day you WILLINGLY make love to the man God brings into your life. That man WILL understand, & not have a problem with your past.
Pray for your father's salvation. Pray that God would soften his heart. Pray that he would heal your family. Pray, pray, pray! And remember.... I'll be praying for/with you too sweetie.
Love 'O Christ, Bill [/color]
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Post by twink* on Sept 3, 2003 16:42:29 GMT -5
I love you Darcy. You are a very special girl, and although you may not physically be a virgin, you're still a 'spiritual virgin' and will be until the day you WILLINGLY make love to the man God brings into your life. That man WILL understand, & not have a problem with your past.
Pray for your father's salvation. Pray that God would soften his heart. Pray that he would heal your family. Pray, pray, pray! And remember.... I'll be praying for/with you too sweetie.
Love 'O Christ, Bill [/color][/quote] Thank-you Bill! That was a tough one, I couldn't even finish proof reading it because I was crying so much. It's surreal to look back at the person I used to be but I know everything has made me who I am and put me where I am. I'm happy, I like myself... big deal, right? Maybe, maybe not but it wasn't ever something I could honestly say, now I can and it's awesome! Thank-you for so many things. I'm amazed, thank-you for your kind words and prayers...they mean the world to me!!! much love, darcy
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