M
MISFIT
Guest
Great stories everyone! If you want to read mine I posted it on my blog a while ago,http://www.lostinthoughtwithnowayout.blogspot.com it's the one titled, "Inspired by my buddy Andy."
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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
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Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
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[ Testimony ] How did you get saved?
- Thread starter Caroline H
- Start date
P
playtromboneforgod
Guest
When I was a kid, I loved going to Vacation Bible School. I always had Baptist Hymnals in my head and I was bullied terribly in 6th grade. I was a coward till my 9th grade year, at 15. My mom started to tell me to start trusting God in everything, from what I do to what would come. (Hence the username) Now I play for God when I play in the Marching Band with tears in my eyes, thankful for what God blessed me with, or on the Concert stage, playing my part with the Holy Spirit in mind. :amen
E
Entropic_Prodigy
Guest
playtromboneforgod said:
That's one of the shortest, but most sweet and beautiful testimonies I've ever heard!!!!!
Nick
Member
I was rasied in a Christian family, so I have sort of known about God all my life but it wasn't until about age 11 that a scripture teacher in school said something, I'm still not sure what but he must have said something good becasue it was that day that I committed my life to Christ. It's been a more gradual thing, rather than some where it's very sudden.
handy
Member
I can't remember if I've ever shared my testimony of how I was saved here or not. So, here goes:
My parents were Christian, but something happened before I was born that caused them to leave the church and to seriously backslide. So, I was not raised in a Christian home and was more or less on my own as far as religion was concerned. I did have "Miriam's Big Book of Bible Stories" though. I loved reading it and was convicted of God's realness even as a very young child.
I do remember being convicted about sin when I was, gee...probably about 5 or so, definitely before I entered school. I had read in "Miriams" that Cain's sacrifice of veggies wasn't acceptable to God, only Abel's sacrifice of a lamb. Well, we didn't have a lamb, and the only thing that I could think of that would be any kind of acceptable sacrifice was the family cat. I knew that I would be in BIG trouble if I sacrificed the family cat, and besides I loved Kitty-Cat so much I couldn't bear the idea of sacrificing him, so I gathered some rocks together and made an altar, then gathered the most beautiful wild flowers I could think of and "sacrificed" them to the Lord. I prayed to Him that I really was sorry for my sins, and that I didn't have a lamb, but would take care of it when I was big enough to get one. Also, I told Him that I knew that I was supposed to burn the "sacrifice" of flowers, but that I wasn't allowed to play with matches, but that they were for Him anyway.
I do believe that the Lord heard that prayer, because that was right before I started being systematically sexually abused for the next 6 years by a family member. I know that the Lord brought me through that and even while the abuse was happening was guarding my little spirit in ways that I was only able to understand years later. And, even though my little body was being violated, I do believe that the Lord kept certain things from happening as well. As to why did God "allow" it to happen in the first place? Well, when all is said and done, I don't know. I do know that even though it did happen, God never forsook me, and that in many ways, I'm a stronger person now. Besides, if it hadn't of happened, I do believe that I could have had children naturally and you know, I cannot even imagine not having my beautiful daughter and wonderful son by adoption. God never promised that bad things won't happen in this world, even to innocent little kids. But, He did promise to cause all things to work together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes and in my case, He certainly fulfilled that promise.
Fast forward to the time I was 13. By that time, I had become a very introverted "nerdy" kind of kid. I didn't have many friends, so I read. A lot. Part of my readings were the comparative religions and I studied Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, and the Koran. Through the studies, I was quite seriously considering adopting Confucianism as a way of life when a friend of mine invited me to a revival. Since she was my friend, I said sure.
This was an Assemblies of God revival. Yep, a good old, tongues speaking, holy rolling revival.
Scared me half out of my wits! A group of folks encircled me and laid hands on me and exhorted me to let the Spirit in. I heard all the tongues, so I "faked" tongues, just to satisfy them and get them to leave me alone. I left when this one older woman, who I had a respect for, was rolling on the floor with her dress hitching up so that I could see her panties. I left with the intention of never returning to a Christian church in my life.
However, later that night, something the minister said was niggling at me. I remembered that he had preached out of the book of John, and wanted to look up what he said. I couldn't remember the chapter or the verse, so I started with John 1:1 and started reading. The words became living waters. By the time I finished the gospel, (I read the entire gospel in one sitting) tears were rolling down my face as I realized for the first time that God actually became man and was sacrificed for ME.
I did go back to the Assemblies of God church for awhile, but only for a while. Don't get me wrong, I love my AofG brothers and sisters, but it's not for me. I drifted on my own and then when I got into college, because of my lack of knowledge, I wound up in a cult. This cult wasn't one of the well known ones, but there was a leader who effectively cut us off from all other Christians and used the Bible as a means of control by taking texts out of context. I remember being on my knees in tears, begging for forgiveness because I went to church with my mom on Mother's Day.
Because it was during this period that a Christian aunt of mine died. My dad went to his sister's funeral and came back totally changed. He and mom immediately went back to church and within a year my entire family including my brothers-in-law became Christian.
A kind of murky time took place which ended when my mom and dad led me out of the cult. I left all the friends I had, and struggled with depression for a while, but God was faithful to lead me through that as well.
Since then, I've been through a variety of churches and experiences (I went on a mission trip to Ireland, how cool was that!), met my hubby, got my kids and have been amazed at God's faithfulness throughout it all.
That's it for now!
My parents were Christian, but something happened before I was born that caused them to leave the church and to seriously backslide. So, I was not raised in a Christian home and was more or less on my own as far as religion was concerned. I did have "Miriam's Big Book of Bible Stories" though. I loved reading it and was convicted of God's realness even as a very young child.
I do remember being convicted about sin when I was, gee...probably about 5 or so, definitely before I entered school. I had read in "Miriams" that Cain's sacrifice of veggies wasn't acceptable to God, only Abel's sacrifice of a lamb. Well, we didn't have a lamb, and the only thing that I could think of that would be any kind of acceptable sacrifice was the family cat. I knew that I would be in BIG trouble if I sacrificed the family cat, and besides I loved Kitty-Cat so much I couldn't bear the idea of sacrificing him, so I gathered some rocks together and made an altar, then gathered the most beautiful wild flowers I could think of and "sacrificed" them to the Lord. I prayed to Him that I really was sorry for my sins, and that I didn't have a lamb, but would take care of it when I was big enough to get one. Also, I told Him that I knew that I was supposed to burn the "sacrifice" of flowers, but that I wasn't allowed to play with matches, but that they were for Him anyway.
I do believe that the Lord heard that prayer, because that was right before I started being systematically sexually abused for the next 6 years by a family member. I know that the Lord brought me through that and even while the abuse was happening was guarding my little spirit in ways that I was only able to understand years later. And, even though my little body was being violated, I do believe that the Lord kept certain things from happening as well. As to why did God "allow" it to happen in the first place? Well, when all is said and done, I don't know. I do know that even though it did happen, God never forsook me, and that in many ways, I'm a stronger person now. Besides, if it hadn't of happened, I do believe that I could have had children naturally and you know, I cannot even imagine not having my beautiful daughter and wonderful son by adoption. God never promised that bad things won't happen in this world, even to innocent little kids. But, He did promise to cause all things to work together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes and in my case, He certainly fulfilled that promise.
Fast forward to the time I was 13. By that time, I had become a very introverted "nerdy" kind of kid. I didn't have many friends, so I read. A lot. Part of my readings were the comparative religions and I studied Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, and the Koran. Through the studies, I was quite seriously considering adopting Confucianism as a way of life when a friend of mine invited me to a revival. Since she was my friend, I said sure.
This was an Assemblies of God revival. Yep, a good old, tongues speaking, holy rolling revival.
Scared me half out of my wits! A group of folks encircled me and laid hands on me and exhorted me to let the Spirit in. I heard all the tongues, so I "faked" tongues, just to satisfy them and get them to leave me alone. I left when this one older woman, who I had a respect for, was rolling on the floor with her dress hitching up so that I could see her panties. I left with the intention of never returning to a Christian church in my life.
However, later that night, something the minister said was niggling at me. I remembered that he had preached out of the book of John, and wanted to look up what he said. I couldn't remember the chapter or the verse, so I started with John 1:1 and started reading. The words became living waters. By the time I finished the gospel, (I read the entire gospel in one sitting) tears were rolling down my face as I realized for the first time that God actually became man and was sacrificed for ME.
I did go back to the Assemblies of God church for awhile, but only for a while. Don't get me wrong, I love my AofG brothers and sisters, but it's not for me. I drifted on my own and then when I got into college, because of my lack of knowledge, I wound up in a cult. This cult wasn't one of the well known ones, but there was a leader who effectively cut us off from all other Christians and used the Bible as a means of control by taking texts out of context. I remember being on my knees in tears, begging for forgiveness because I went to church with my mom on Mother's Day.
Because it was during this period that a Christian aunt of mine died. My dad went to his sister's funeral and came back totally changed. He and mom immediately went back to church and within a year my entire family including my brothers-in-law became Christian.
A kind of murky time took place which ended when my mom and dad led me out of the cult. I left all the friends I had, and struggled with depression for a while, but God was faithful to lead me through that as well.
Since then, I've been through a variety of churches and experiences (I went on a mission trip to Ireland, how cool was that!), met my hubby, got my kids and have been amazed at God's faithfulness throughout it all.
That's it for now!
jasoncran
Member
i repented in my apartment and when i feel into the deciept of the gay life i repented at the reading of romans 1 and really made sure at at small church, a brother asked me if i was saved and even though i repented i felt the need to prayer for jesus to come in again, when i felt a finger form heaven pointing to my heart and saying to me you need to repent
jason
jason
G
Grams
Guest
Hello, my name is Marlene - Grams
I was a Catholic for about 50 years...............
Went to the church and school 1-6 grade.
Mass 6 day's a week.
Did not learn much passed from grade to grade on E's and F's . Yes I did !
Each year when it was time for me to go back and re-do the same grade a nun would call me and
ask me aren't you going to thank me ?
I would say Thank You and not know why . [ which was not the thing to do The sister would tell me now I can go to the next grade!
[I am to this day lacking in things, I cant make up. The mind just wont go there ?]
I had missed a lot of school being sick with ear aches and tooth aches. "never went to a doctor or dentist in all those years. "
7Th. grade they told me I would not be put in the 7Th. grade they would hold me back this year. So
my mother told me I will be going to public school.
OK, the time on from there I just went to mass on Sunday.
Got married there, had our children Baptized there, all that stuff.
When our children got into there teens, they started to go to other churches.
I did not mind , since they at least believed in God.
The Catholic churches over here all seemed not to us the bible, I never read one or had one ! Or my parents...... [ prayer books and rosaries]
Well some thing happened to our younger son, and he wanted to find a church to go to that would help.
So in the phone book we found a bible church.
And that is were he went. I later went along and after a while so did my husband.
One day 2 of the men [from the bible church] came for a visit ! As they explained the death of Jesus on the cross, I got saved ! All those years it was not clear.
I came from a family that said you are a child and you do as I say ! And that was that ! The same thing
at the Catholic Church.
Well how wonderful it was to know I was saved and how easy that was !
I was afraid of death all those years knowing I was a sinner and could not save myself and was going to confession all the time and still felt lost .
Any way now we , our children 3 of them, and there children , all but one are saved.
So I know I will see them again. And am not afraid of death, in fact I want to go home !
[Am not afraid of death any more, just the pain .]
I know that's up to God.
I was a Catholic for about 50 years...............
Went to the church and school 1-6 grade.
Mass 6 day's a week.
Did not learn much passed from grade to grade on E's and F's . Yes I did !
Each year when it was time for me to go back and re-do the same grade a nun would call me and
ask me aren't you going to thank me ?
I would say Thank You and not know why . [ which was not the thing to do The sister would tell me now I can go to the next grade!
[I am to this day lacking in things, I cant make up. The mind just wont go there ?]
I had missed a lot of school being sick with ear aches and tooth aches. "never went to a doctor or dentist in all those years. "
7Th. grade they told me I would not be put in the 7Th. grade they would hold me back this year. So
my mother told me I will be going to public school.
OK, the time on from there I just went to mass on Sunday.
Got married there, had our children Baptized there, all that stuff.
When our children got into there teens, they started to go to other churches.
I did not mind , since they at least believed in God.
The Catholic churches over here all seemed not to us the bible, I never read one or had one ! Or my parents...... [ prayer books and rosaries]
Well some thing happened to our younger son, and he wanted to find a church to go to that would help.
So in the phone book we found a bible church.
And that is were he went. I later went along and after a while so did my husband.
One day 2 of the men [from the bible church] came for a visit ! As they explained the death of Jesus on the cross, I got saved ! All those years it was not clear.
I came from a family that said you are a child and you do as I say ! And that was that ! The same thing
at the Catholic Church.
Well how wonderful it was to know I was saved and how easy that was !
I was afraid of death all those years knowing I was a sinner and could not save myself and was going to confession all the time and still felt lost .
Any way now we , our children 3 of them, and there children , all but one are saved.
So I know I will see them again. And am not afraid of death, in fact I want to go home !
[Am not afraid of death any more, just the pain .]
I know that's up to God.
G
Grams
Guest
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
G
Grams
Guest
We agree Nick ? :waving :yes :amen
StaceyS_ox
Member
hey.
i did the wee quiz at the top put i have put the wrong thing. I meant to put other.
I started going to the church when I was 8, not because of my parents or anyone else but I started going because i had asked my mum if i could start going. & now my all my family go, so if i didn't want to go i wouldn't know much about God or about his teachings. And because i have learned soo much, i don't know where i would be or what i would be like if i wasn't a Christian
i did the wee quiz at the top put i have put the wrong thing. I meant to put other.
I started going to the church when I was 8, not because of my parents or anyone else but I started going because i had asked my mum if i could start going. & now my all my family go, so if i didn't want to go i wouldn't know much about God or about his teachings. And because i have learned soo much, i don't know where i would be or what i would be like if i wasn't a Christian
Reconnected
Member
I'd say a friend led me to the Lord, not a complete stranger. I was going through some difficulties, and I spoke to these people, and how I felt useless etc, but they told me that I wasn't and we just had a general chat about God etc. They invited me to come along to this Alpha Course, and gradually, through this, I started to come to accept Jesus into my heart, and started to attend Church. Earlier this year I stopped going though, but I've now started to go to a smaller, but just as nice, Church. I really enjoy being back in the Church.
Nick_29 said:
Ah, but let's not forget James Chapter 2:
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
nyc christian
Member
I got saved when I was 3yrs old. My grandfather was the pastor of a small church, he told me about God and how he sent his son to die for me. My mom told me that I cried when I prayed the sinners prayer, I dont recall crying but I do remember letting God into my heart. Being born In a Christian home we always went to church and had family prayer time. My mom bought us christian videos and comic books etc. Although I was born in a Christian home, when I got older I questioned my faith, if I truly loved God, and even questioned God's existence. I said to myself what if my family werent Christian would I still believe in God? I did a lot of soul searching and research, as a result I got closer to God.
I liked all the testimonies on here especially the one the man with the white beard wrote. My mother read me that book "a divine revelation of hell" by my girl katherine baxter when I was like 7yrs old - someone mentioned that book on here and it brought back memories. We also watched a "a thief in the night" they dont make movies like those anymore. That movie really makes you thing about getting right with God.
I liked all the testimonies on here especially the one the man with the white beard wrote. My mother read me that book "a divine revelation of hell" by my girl katherine baxter when I was like 7yrs old - someone mentioned that book on here and it brought back memories. We also watched a "a thief in the night" they dont make movies like those anymore. That movie really makes you thing about getting right with God.
As long as i could remember I had this 'feeling' that one day I would be 'transformed'. Something like getting struck with a bolt of lightening and then having to try and relate the changes it resulted in to my friends. It wasn't scary or anything other than a 'feeling'.
I also envisaged a change in my life when I turned 40 or there abouts - again - just a 'feeling'
When I was 39 I went into hospital for an operation on a cyst on my neck. I had to go in the night before as it was 4 hours away from home.
I woke in a room of my own next morning and suddenly the whole room was filled with a blaze of light and i looked out to see a window across the street lit up by the reflected sun (solar sun) in the form of a cross. (Thats how light reflects so we don't need any scientific explanations on what it was. )
That moment I knew I was His and He was mine.
Nothing was said and no words were spoken - it was a transformation from within.
That began an interesting and at times frustrating experience as I tussled with the past rubbish I had been led to believe was a Christian way through my upbringing and by observing others who professed Christianity.
I have since had many 'encounters' on a one on one with God and boy have they been good.
He is a fantastic friend (I'm talking about Jesus here).
I could go on for ages but that's how I came to be a Christian in 1987.
I also envisaged a change in my life when I turned 40 or there abouts - again - just a 'feeling'
When I was 39 I went into hospital for an operation on a cyst on my neck. I had to go in the night before as it was 4 hours away from home.
I woke in a room of my own next morning and suddenly the whole room was filled with a blaze of light and i looked out to see a window across the street lit up by the reflected sun (solar sun) in the form of a cross. (Thats how light reflects so we don't need any scientific explanations on what it was. )
That moment I knew I was His and He was mine.
Nothing was said and no words were spoken - it was a transformation from within.
That began an interesting and at times frustrating experience as I tussled with the past rubbish I had been led to believe was a Christian way through my upbringing and by observing others who professed Christianity.
I have since had many 'encounters' on a one on one with God and boy have they been good.
He is a fantastic friend (I'm talking about Jesus here).
I could go on for ages but that's how I came to be a Christian in 1987.