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I was raised in what many would consider to be a typical family environment. My dad was a steel worker and my mom was a homemaker. My dad was a very worldly person, but a very successful one. He was constantly chasing after the things of the world like cars, trucks, snow mobiles, campers, vacations, and other things that money could buy. My mom was a very devout bible reading praying Christian that had the responsibility of taking me and my 3 siblings to church.
At a very young age I was exposed to a few boys molesting each other. They lived just down the road from my house. They tried to pressure me into doing what they were doing, but I was scared and confused. So instead of giving in I ran away and told my parents what happened. Even though I said NO and ran away it was still a very traumatic experience for me and could very well have been the start of my biggest enemy, LUST OF THE FLESH!! When I was in elementary school I was at a friend’s house and I accidently came across adult magazines and videos. I briefly looked through them and then went on my way. I never told anyone what I saw and thought it was innocent and that it was no big deal. As I was getting older I remember being up late watching TV on many different occasions and seeing phone numbers for phone sex flash across the screen. That was pretty intense and eye opening for me. I remember calling the phone numbers that I saw more times than I can count. The lust of the flesh and sexual sin started to get a hold of me. So now I was into my teenage years and I discovered girls for the first time. In other words I started to show an interest in them. I would look at girls in a very selfish and lustful way. I remembered for quite some time what I saw in those magazines, videos, and phone sex line commercials. I could not get rid of all those images. I wanted to do many inappropriate things with girls based on what I saw in those magazines and videos. I had sex for the first time when I was in high school. At the time I thought sex was the best thing ever. Little did I know that was it was the beginning of something I couldn’t control. It was like a runaway freight train. It was all about sex, magazines, videos, phone sex lines over and over and over again. It was bad and out of control. The lust of the flesh and sexual sin had a massive hold on me. While all this was going on I still had a life and still wanted to keep my lusting and sexual sin a secret. My siblings and I were always involved in sports. My brothers and I loved baseball. It was always about baseball. We lived and died baseball. We even had a baseball field in our back yard. I was a very strong left handed power hitting first basemen and pitcher. I had a very promising baseball career leading up to my senior year in high school. I was All Conference, All State, and an All American baseball player my senior year. I was drafted by the San Diego Padres organization my senior year. From there I went to play baseball at college for 1 year where I had more and more success. With all the success and popularity I dived into more sexual sin chasing after the lust of the flesh. I thought because of my popularity nothing could touch me. So now it was about girls and baseball. I even decided to start drinking to make myself more popular so I thought. This lifestyle was all going on while falling further and further into sexual sin. I knew it was wrong but never knew what to do or how to truly come to terms with it. From college I went into the minor leagues to start living my dream of playing major league baseball one day. Just 2 months into my career with the San Diego Padres organization I blew out my pitching arm and that ended my career and life as I wanted it to be. During this time I got married, but not even marriage could stop my desire for sexual sin. Marriage could not and would not cure or free me from the sexual sin and the constant lusting. I struggled for a while with not being able to play baseball and even a few times tried to make a comeback, but nothing ever came of it. I worked a few jobs that I never liked. I was really stressed out with trying to provide for my wife all while being depressed from not playing baseball any longer along with chasing sexual sin. After not getting anywhere working at a few dead end jobs I decided to go into business for myself. I started a lawn care, landscaping, and snow removal business that prospered almost instantly giving me way too much free time and giving me more opportunities to dive into all kinds of sin especially sexual sin. Meanwhile my wife and I had hopes of having children and starting a family. We struggled at first to get pregnant and then after 8 months my wife finally did get pregnant. Unfortunately, early on in the pregnancy my wife miscarried. It was at this point my wife and I saw a fertility specialist because we were unable to get pregnant after a year of trying. Then we quickly found out that according to the doctors that getting pregnant was never going happen. So because of that I poured myself into my business and more lusting and sexual sin. A few years after the doctors told us we couldn’t have kids we decided to adopt 2 children internationally. I remember thinking that this journey of adopting kids and having kids would cure my lust and desire for sexual sin, but I was wrong. After bringing our 2 children home from the other side of the world almost immediately my lusting and inappropriate sexual sin skyrocketed. I was out of control as I did my best to keep it hidden from family, friends, and clients. Just a few years after adopting my wife miraculously got pregnant. Then after that pregnancy she got pregnant 3 more times. It was wonderful and inspiring to see our many prayers answered. I was so happy for her and for us, but all those miracles, blessings, and answered prayer didn’t keep me from diving deeper and deeper into more lusting and sexual sin. At this point even though on the surface my business was great, had a wonderful family, and many other things I knew if I died I would go to hell. I knew I would be lost forever. I was certain that I had gone too far and hell is where I was going to spend eternity. I was always in church and was raised to pray and read the bible. I asked Jesus Christ into my life at a young age but turned my back on Him countless times. I always did enough just to get by. I would put on a show for everyone all while dying inside with absolutely NO hope. What ultimately turned me around and shook me was my amazing wife. Even more than that it was an AMAZING GOD!! He sent His Son Jesus Christ to save me completely from the inside out! My wife earnestly and faithfully prayed for me for years that I would stop the lusting and sexual sin and truly seeks repentance. She prayed I would truly find FREEDOM IN CHRIST!! When I finally came around and really gave Jesus Christ my whole life it was utterly amazing. I can’t even begin to put into words what He did for me. For the first time in my life I felt transformed and complete in Him. I am so thankful for a strong and faithful praying wife. I am thankful God put us back together again and never stopped loving me and my family. Right now as I look at my awesome wife of more than 16 years, our 6 miracle children, and a business going into its 14th season, I am completely undone by how much God loves me and my family. I am free. I am blessed beyond measure. I know my future is in God’s hands. I am safe and walking victoriously because God sent His son Jesus Christ to save me. I am a wholly transformed son of God. The cares of this world, lust, and sexual sin do not have a hold of me because I am saved, set free, and complete in Him. My wife and 6 children are also saved and set free, serving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It doesn’t get any better than that!! To God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit I give all the praise and glory!!! Get Powerful Christian Testimonies of REAL LIFE STORIES ,When you are in pain and feel helpless in life, don't be depressed. 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If you have already confessed your sins and cried out to God, you are saved. If you have not, it’s time that you do. Pray this right now:
Dear God, I acknowledge You as the Creator of all things. I admit that I am a sinner, and I deserve the Fires of Hell. I kneel at your feet and ask for your mercy and forgiveness of my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ is your son. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, and I believe that you raised Him from the dead. Jesus, please come into my heart and fill that place in my heart that belongs only to You. Jesus, I declare You Lord of my whole life today. I ask you to show me my life purpose, plan, and destiny for which I was born. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and with all the gifts you have for me. I will confirm my salvation by telling others what you have done for me. Thank You for saving me and giving me abundant life! Now that you are a child of God, pray this prayer to your Father Daily! My Father in Heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give me this day my daily bread. And forgive me my trespasses, As I forgive those who trespass against me. And lead me not into temptation, But deliver me from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. For more “Real Life Stories ” Visit : http://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com . The Bible says: “When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Say this: I am a new person. I have a new life, a God centered life. The Bible says: “Real Life Stories - All these new things are from God, who brought us back to Himself through what Christ Jesus did. And God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into His favor and be reconciled to Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:18 “ God bridged the gap of sin between you and Him by Jesus dying on the cross. He now has given you the honor and privilege of telling people how to find that same favor with God through what Jesus has done for them. The Bible says: “He died for all so that all who live --- having received eternal life from Him --- might live no longer for themselves, to please themselves, but to spend their lives pleasing Evangelism Training who died and rose again for them.” 2 Corinthians 5:15 . Jesus died so you could have eternal life with Him in Heaven. Jesus is calling you to now live I grew up in a Christian home. We went to church every Sunday morning and evening, plus on Wednesday. I lived with my mom in Memphis, Tennessee until I was 15. I accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized around the age of 9 or 10. I believe I was sincere about my decision at the time.
As I got into Middle School, I started hanging with the wrong crowd. I started drinking, smoking, and experimenting with drugs. When my mom found out, she sent me to my dad’s in Wisconsin. I still drank and smoked with my dad’s permission, but I didn’t do drugs. After High School, I joined the Navy and got married. During this time, I had walked away from God. I got into porn and committed adultery on my first wife. She was doing it to me, so I figured I would do it to her. After the service, I started Christian Truck Drivers. I fell further from God. I became addicted to porn and got married to my second wife. I kept drinking and watching porn, which kept me from showing my wife the affection she deserved. It damaged me, and I ended up getting married again before I met my current wife. In 2010, we went back on the road and came across a Rig CD entitled “Dominoes” by James Payne. That CD lit a fire in our soul. We started searching truck stops for more CD’s. We got the “Free in Christ” CD, which God used to bring me back to him. I believe whole heartedly in media ministries. God is using CD’s to bring people to Him. I still struggle with things, but I now can call on Jesus, and He will give me strength to get through the day. Friend, you can call on Jesus too! Go ahead and call out to Him right now! Phone 219-762-7589 Country United States Website : reallifestoriesbooks.com Email :[email protected] I was born and raised in Illinois. I’m from a middle class family. My upbringing was less than perfect. There was a lot of fighting and strife in my home. I love my family, and my parents did the best they could, so that’s all I’m going to say about that and Christian Testimonies
As a young girl and into womanhood, I was always looking for love. I wanted that fairy tale white knight that would come rescue me from all that was wrong with the world and save me from myself. This mindset directly led to the addictions I developed: alcohol, pot, cocaine/crack, prescription drugs, and eventually heroin. My search for love and my need to fill a void led to very unhealthy relationships. When I was 15, I lost my virginity to a 25 year old married man. I was this family’s babysitter from the time I was 13. I guess by the time I turned 15, this man thought I was woman enough to do as he pleased. I thought I was mature. I was for my age, but not mature enough for that, emotionally or any in other way. I thought I was in love with him, and he told me he was in love with me. To make a long story short, his wife found out. My whole world was turned upside down. I lost him, her (who was at one time my best friend), and their kids that I had grown to love like they were my own. I was more than just the babysitter. I was their friend. I hung out there every weekend, they were kind of… my life. So it was a pretty devastating time. That whole situation pretty much set the tone for my future relationships with men. From here on, it was a life of bad relationships, drugs, and alcohol. It seemed that with every new man came a new drug and a new demon for me to inherit. Later that year when I was still 15, I met my first real boyfriend. He was 20 years old. He turned out to be physically abusive and very controlling. During that relationship, I dropped out of high school and had my first child at the age of 18. I ended up leaving him when my son was 5 months old. I got a fake I.D. and starting hitting the bars. It wasn’t long before I had a serious drinking problem and started using cocaine due to meeting abuser #2. He was 10 years older than me and was going through a divorce. He supplied me with plenty of cocaine. He was nice and sympathetic to my situation, but he soon turned abusive too. The beatings were far worse than the first boyfriend. The drugs were out of control, and so was the abuse. With him I suffered physical, mental, and emotional abuse and even rape. I had two more children with him. In my mind, there was no way out. So I stayed and suffered for 10 years. During those years he and I both picked up a bad habit with hydrocodone. This was on top of the daily cocaine use. I was arrested for my first felony, picking up a fraudulent prescription in Illinois. While out on bond for that charge, I was arrested in Indiana for the same thing. I was 28. I was so dependent on the drug that the physical withdrawals made me want to die. When you are in bondage to a drug that you are physically sick without, you’ll do whatever you can to ease the pain. At the time I was taking forty 10mg pills a day. That is about 8 times the maximum amount prescribed to take in a day. I lost 50 pounds because it made me so sick I usually threw up about 5 times a day. I am very fortunate to be alive. I finally got away from him because he went to prison. However, I was lost without him. I know that sounds crazy, but when you are controlled by an abuser for so long you end up losing any existence of your own. I was with him from age 19 to age 29, so it was like he practically raised me. It’s pretty sick thinking, I know. I was left with three kids. I was evicted, had lost my job, and had no car. I was on probation for my two felonies. After about two weeks of a horrible detox, I had finally kicked the pills. However, as any addict does, I just traded one addiction for another. I was living from place to place, drinking heavily, and just continued to be lost. I had to eventually give my kids to their father’s family. I wasn’t fit to take care of them, and I didn’t have a stable home for them to live in. I still saw my kids here and there, but eventually my selfishness led me far from them. I was too focused on my path to self-destruction to care about anything else. There were brief spaces of time where I really tried to get my act together and had a game plan to make things better. I even put myself in rehab several times. It never took. I always fell again and always worse than the time before. Then entered Brad, who is now my husband. I know what you’re thinking, “Oh, he must be that knight in shining armor she was looking for all her life.” That’s not even close… Brad and I met in a bar and started seeing each other. Very soon, we fell madly in love. He was different from the others. He never hit me or called me names. He was peaceful and mellow. We had big dreams. We talked about getting married and having a home and babies. The devil had other plans for us first. Bars were our thing for the most part. He had told me about his addiction to heroin, but he was clean from it at that point, as far as I knew. Before long, his demon became my demon, and we starting using heroin together. Our lives very quickly fell to pieces, not that they were ever really together. We were drenched in sin. We stole from family and friends. We burned every bridge we had. My family completely let me go and would have nothing to do with me. I was shooting $200 worth of heroin a day. My daily life was a vicious circle of stealing, pawn shops, and getting to the west side of Chicago to get my drug. Every day was a race against the withdrawals, a panic to get my drug before I got sick. Nothing else mattered. We were homeless, hopeless, and soulless. It was a sick existence. We slept in hallways of roach infested slums on the west side. We begged for money on the street and stole from anyone we could. Heroin is pure concentrated evil. You become a slave to it. Nothing else matters, and it is the closest I will ever come to being demon possessed. I think back to the end of these days and remember how I just wanted to die. I was utterly hopeless and without purpose. I remember shooting up and praying it would be the shot that killed me. I desperately wanted to end my suffering. I wanted to end the monster I was and end the pain I was inflicting on others. I was empty and broken down so deep I couldn’t see any glimpse of light. I ended up violating my probation in both states and went to jail. After another horrible detox and 6 months in county jails, I was sentenced to a work release program. This was the turning point in my life. I have to express the sheer genius of God’s perfect plan. The program had just opened up for women. Had it worked out any other way, I would have gone to prison and would not have met the people I did. God worked through every one of them. They were perfectly placed in my life to help me grow into the person I am today. Now let me tell you about the people God used the most, to show me a way out of the darkness and into His glorious light. While in the program, I met Pastor Michael. He worked there teaching a couple different classes I attended. He is my shepherd and has been there for me through so much. I’m surprised he didn’t fire me from the church last year. I was very needy and called him as much as 20 times a day during a time my husband went thru a very hard time. I also met Adele, who was the praise and worship leader at the church. She came into the program and taught bible studies every week. Almost immediately, I felt a pull toward her. I know now that the pull I felt was actually toward Jesus that lives in her. During one of her bible studies, I accepted Jesus into my life. At another bible study after that, I was telling her some of my concerns and I was being released soon. I had nowhere to go, no money, and no one who cared anymore. I didn’t even have anyone to pick me up when I got out. Adele said “Well, I’ll pick you up. We will find somewhere for you to go, don’t worry.” To most people this probably seems trivial, but it was this small act of kindness that won my heart to the Lord. In that moment Jesus revealed to me that I was never again going to be alone. Adele saw me through God’s eyes. Through my eyes, I saw God in her. By the time I was released, I had arranged for another ride. After I was picked up, I was literally left out on the street. The person who picked me up lied about the fact that he arranged somewhere for me to stay. Once that fell through, he just left me there. I called Adele. She picked me up, and our church put me up at a motel. Adele took me, got me some food, and provided me with the things I needed. To make a long story short, I ended up going to live in a bad situation. I was reading my bible every day and going to church. I was seeing my kids every day and doing my best to block out the evil around me, but it was starting to slither back into my life. That’s what the enemy does. But God!!!! Like God does, He pressed my life once again to repentance. One day after a violent, abusive situation with the person I was living with, God said, “Enough!” I called Adele and cried out to her that I needed help. She and her husband came to pick me up and took me into their home. Keep in mind, I was pretty much a stranger. I was an acquaintance at best. They both knew that I had been a junkie, a thief, and a liar for the greater part of my life. Because God spoke and told them, “Take her, raise her up in Me, and I will do great and mighty things in her,” I am here today. All glory to God, but I also have to thank Paul and Adele for their total obedience and for heeding the voice of the Lord rather than listening to their own fears. They’ve never expressed any fears to me, but I’m positive they must have had them. During my time with them, I was immersed in the word of God and the things of God. It was because God had given me a thirst for Him. It was never forced upon me. We became family. They call me daughter, and I call them mom and dad. They taught me, counseled me, scolded me, corrected me, loved me, and never gave up on me through thick and thin. I know I can be stubborn and rebellious, but God has done a mighty work in me and He is not done yet. Now, it is clear to me that Paul and Adele were pre-destined to be my spiritual parents and me their spiritual daughter. I started writing to Brad as soon as I moved into Adele’s house. He was in prison at the time. I wrote him in one letter “Hey, ya know that thing we have been looking for all our lives? I found it!” I starting telling him about a man named Jesus. He wrote back saying, “You’re gonna be a Bible thumper now? Seriously?” Well, Brad ended up getting saved and baptized by the Holy Spirit with evidence of tongues in Prison Ministry Resources. Over the last 4 years that I’ve been saved, God has done miraculous things in my life. First of all, He saved my life and my soul. He has delivered me from drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. I mean delivered! There is absolutely nothing inside of me that desires any of that anymore. That part of me is dead and gone. Who the Son sets free, is free indeed! He gave me a job and then a better job. All my relationships with my family have been restored. My kids are back with me and are being raised up in the Lord. We’ve gone from a one bedroom apartment to a three bedroom house and from one vehicle to two. The Lord also restored and strengthened my marriage, after a brief separation when my husband first got home from prison. The devil tried to tear our marriage apart... but God!!! My life now is to serve the Lord, Adele passed the torch, and I now teach bible studies at the program, where I got saved. I have earned my G.E.D and am now attending college to earn my bachelor’s degree in the science of criminal justice with a concentration in human services. My goal is to become a substance abuse counselor. Who better to understand addiction than a former junkie, right? Doors are being opened all the time for me to reach the unreachable. I thank God and just pray He uses me for His glory more and more every day. These are by far the best years of my life, and it’s only just begun. I have faith, not to mention proof that God can do exceedingly, abundantly, far beyond all I could imagine. He has made me the head and not the tail. He has set me above and not beneath. His plan for me is for good and not for evil, to give me a hope and a future! It’s all for His glory! And the best part of it is, if He will do it for me, He will do it for anyone who calls on his Holy name! Friend, are you searching for love like I was? Are you looking for love in all the wrong places? Has your search left you addicted to drugs or alcohol? Has your search caused you to do things you never thought you would do? Do you want the white knight that rescued me to rescue to rescue you? He will if you ask Him! Call out to Him right now! Christian testimony is the description of the journey of someone's life that how he converted to Christianity and how Jesus influence his life. Testimony includes the lesson of life that helps a person to believe in God. It may be a miracle that happens in the life of a person and all of his problems are solved. Testimonies are very influential for new believers and non-believers due to the changing of life after believing Jesus. Christian testimony includes the problems in life and their solution after believing and praying to Jesus.
You should tell your testimony by telling the problems you were facing before meeting Jesus. What were that problems and how many times you fail to solve these problems? Then you will tell that how you get closer to Jesus. What is the reason that you decided to consider Jesus for your help? At last, you should share the part of life after meeting Jesus that how Jesus change your life. You should share that how is your living going now. Evangelism is the process of campaigning faith in Christianity. In evangelism, people share the gospel for preaching the impact of Jesus on life. There are a lot of evangelism strategies that include evangelism by spreading the bibles and gospel by media or road evangelism. If you want to preach Christianity then chooses the best evangelism methods. Evangelism is the best way to describe your love and affection with god and if you want to be an evangelist then Follow these evangelism ideas:
Are Christians doing other forms of ministry, such as; deacons, elders, worship team, ushers, childcare, day care ministry, youth ministry, senior ministry, women’s ministry, men’s ministry, audio video and sound ministry, parking lot ministry, maintenance ministry, janitor and security exempt (excused) from being a witness for Jesus?
Are apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers exempt (excused) from being a witness for Jesus? 2nd Corinthians 5:17-18. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. To reconcile means to put something that was once one, that was torn apart back together again. Man was created to be with God. Man sinned and his relationship with God was torn apart, severed or split. But God had a plan, that sinful man could be reconnected to Him, that their relationship could be restored or put back together by Jesus Christ.Once a man’s relationship is restored, the man is then given the ministry of helping other men connect to God by telling them what Jesus Christ has done for them.The ministry of reconciliation belongs to everyone that has been reconciled to God.At the moment a person is born again or saved the ministry of reconciliation, telling man how to connect to God through Jesus Christ belongs to that new believer. So, the first calling the first responsibility of every Christian is to the ministry of reconciliation. (Being involved in other forms of ministry does not change or stop your first calling!)The first calling of an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher is also to the ministry of reconciliation!!This calling, this responsibility started the moment they were born again and this responsibility stays with them in their callings of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher!!! This first calling to the ministry of reconciliation never changes or ends!!Obedience to this first calling will enhance and help make their 5 fold ministry calling more fruitful!! Selah Something to Prayerfully ponder or think on. If you would like to know more about answering the call to be an active witness for Jesus. You can Freely watch our 12 part video series at this link: http://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/free-videos.html#/ Please pass tell all your email, Text and Facebook friends about this Free Video Series!! These Videos can help people you know!! Coach, Jim and Carla 219 -762-7589 Www.reallifestoriesbooks.com Christian testimony is the description of the journey of someone's life that how he converted to Christianity and how Jesus influence his life. Testimony includes the lesson of life that helps a person to believe in God. It may be a miracle that happens in the life of a person and all of his problems are solved. Testimonies are very influential for new believers and non-believers due to the changing of life after believing Jesus. Christian testimony includes the problems in life and their solution after believing and praying to Jesus.
You should tell your testimony by telling the problems you were facing before meeting Jesus. What was that problems and how many time you fail to solve these problems? Then you will tell that how you get closer to Jesus. What is the reason that you decided to consider Jesus for your help? At last, you should share the part of life after meeting Jesus that how Jesus change your life. You should share that how is your living going now. Evangelism is the process of campaigning faith in Christianity. In evangelism, people share the gospel for preaching the impact of Jesus on life. There are a lot of evangelism strategies that include evangelism by spreading the bibles and gospel by media or road evangelism. If you want to preach Christianity then choose the best evangelism methods. Evangelism is the best way to describe your love and affection with god and if you want to be an evangelist then follow these evangelism ideas:
The resources on this page will show you how to meet men and women behind jails at their point of need Ministry Basics. General Prison Safety Guidelines for self motivations. What to expect while visiting a prison, including dress codes and basic best practices to make the experience safe and beneficial for you and those you’ll meet. What the Bible Says About Prison Ministry.
When I was three, my parents split up, very hateful toward each other. My mom, older sister, and I lived in an apartment on welfare, and my mom babysat "under the table" to survive. My dad and older brother lived on a dairy farm five miles out of town, but we hardly ever saw them. Growing up, the kids who didn't know me teased and bullied me 'cuz I didn't have no father. My mom worked long hours "for peanuts," so my sister and I raised ourselves the best we could. When we moved to a house, we had no hot running water, no bathroom toilet or tub, no refrigerator for a long time, no phone or TV, and no car. I always wanted to feel loved and be a part of a family. So I started carelessly dating. I got a girl pregnant at 16 and we married and had our first child two months after I turned 17. I went to work immediately at my father's farm who smoked and was very sick with cancer. It was a very promising time of my life to be in love with my new wife and to be close with my dad! Too soon, I found myself even praying that he would die and be out of his misery. My older brother took over the farm, so we were out of a job and had to move back in with my mom in town. The Vietnam War was firing up, and finally seeing my need to get an education, I tried to join the Army when I turned 18. I was a big strong guy, but I was disqualified because I had a wife and Page 31 child. Another rejection! It was probably really a blessing because many of my friends who were drafted went and were killed or disable and messed up real bad on drugs and alcohol from the horrible things they experienced, and they were rejected, mocked, and called "baby-killers" after they got back! Sad! A very sick time! We struggled for the next several years, farming and truck driving, moving and three more babies, bills and hard work and no hope in sight. The only thing that had kept me going was feeling the responsibility and commitment to provide for my family, but at 24 years old, struggling to make ends meet, I was at the end of my rope! I had left New York State defeated, heading to Florida, packing up my family to follow a "successful friend" to find a "successful job" driving tractor-trailer double. It was a continuous breaking down where it seemed nothing was working. The job fell through--NO WORK! The car was in bad shape, little food, a run-down shack for a home. I took what work I could find as a farm-hand. My depression and discouragement increased. I was failing! Even on top of all that, I was happy-go-lucky...on the outside. One day, a co-worker was moving, so I volunteered to help. Having cold lemonade together afterward, one of the others made a statement about a Protestant friend who died and went to hell! I jumped quickly to defend this person because I was brought up Protestant and thought everybody went to heaven, but I had no Bible knowledge. Soon while in sharp debate, a religiously-dressed lady was walking by and they called out for her to come in. She opened the Bible and as she started to read, something warm like liquid LOVE flowed into my being and knocked me right down to the floor where a vision of the many good things from my whole life flashed before me! When I came to my senses about 45 minutes later, I had been face-down in a puddle of tears and spit and slop from squalling, but now I felt free with the burden lifted off me, like a new person! The first thing they said was that the Holy Spirit was ON me, but the debate starts, again! I am truly experiencing something internal in my very being. They said, "No it's just ON you" but I know what I'm feeling inside! My joints felt like they were on fire throughout my whole body--like being electrified! What came directly to my mind was a little red Bible my kids had from Sunday School. So I rudely left the debate and ran full-steam a mile or so back to my house! As I came flying through the door, my startled wife asked what had happened to me, saying there was a glow around me. I had no idea what had happened, but I knew I had to find that little red Bible, and began desperately ransacking the place. I found it and began to study it. I had never really read one before. I realized I had experienced God and was baptized in His Spirit, and was never the same, again! I could hear His voice and sense his direction! I was set free from my old way of thinking! Hallelu Yah! I was so changed, that the people on the job wanted to know what had happened to me! My cussing had stopped and I would share what God had done for me. After a while, even the boss got upset, warning me that if I kept talking about the Lord, he'd have to let me go. I was just answering their questions but it got me fired as the Lord began to do amazing things to move us, teach us, and use us...even years later, seeing miracles and healings during mission trips in Africa and India! My life of 77 years has been filled with many Christian Testimonies of His great love and works, though in recent years I kind of lost some of that fire. Hearing about these other testimonies helped me write one myself for the first time! It's getting me all fired up again, and I'm "coming out of the closet!" The importance of our Testimony Books is written in Rev. 12:11 where God says "They overcame (the Accuser/Devil) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death." In Mark 5:19, the man who Jesus had cast a legion of demons out was told to go to his friends and tell them the great compassion God had and the great things He had done for him", and "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in Him" (1 John 4:15). So keep telling the wonderful things He has done which preserves His presence and power to overcome in you! Hallelu Yah! |
AuthorReal Life Stories Christian Testimony Books, Prints and Supplies Born Again Christians with a product (Books) that they can use to reach lost souls in their cities. The Books contain the testimonies of born again Christians , with the Word of God, placed on pages between the testimonies. Archives
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