Your Stories -- Looking for Testimonies & Answered Prayers

Hey Guys

I have a favor to ask.

For those of you who don't know, I'm working on a website called Let There Be Praise (www.lettherebepraise.com). It's focussed on promoting praise by making people think about all of the blessings that God gives us on a daily/weekly basis. It's still in the contruction phase, but it's coming along really well so far. I'm very excited.

One of the features on the website is a collection of personal testimonies and praise-worthy stories of events that people have had in their lives. I'm hoping to create quite an archive of stories for people to read with the idea that it will not only glorify our Lord, but also uplift others as they read of these encouraging outcomes.

Here's where you come in:

I currently have no stories for the collection and would absolutely love to have at least a couple before I launch the website. Kinda looks better than having "coming soon" plastered all over the site, right?

So, whatya say? I wanted to put the offer out to my friends to get first dibs on having their stories featured. I don't need it immediately, as there's probably still a couple weeks before the site will be ready to launch, but I'd really appreciate knowing if you're interested.

Here's what I'm looking for:

a) Your personal testimony of how you became a Christian (how God lead you to it, what you overcame, etc.).

or

b) A true story of something God has done for you at some point in your life. It could be a answered prayer, a miracluous event, or anything else similar.

Note: Preferably keep it as short as possible, without losing effect. Between 1-4 paragraphs is best, but I'm not gonna be picky. I'm just grateful for any inspiring story I can share on the site.

Anyone interested? You can be credited with your real name, a nickname, or even anonymous if you want. Either reply to me here or send me an email at contact@lettherebepraise.com.

Thanks guys and God bless. Hope someone's got something to share! I appreciate the help.

Love and Blessings.
Sarah

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Is it OK if I just post here? Note that for many of these things, my atheist or doubting friends would just say that it was in my head. And I agree that it isn't scientific, these are personal experiences and that only.

I often pray for safety on long trips. And I pray in general. Probably short trips would be a good idea as well, as most people get in accidents close to home. In any case, I use to drive between the lab and UMD late at night, when I was very tired. One time I 'heard' "Jon, wake up" when I had basically fallen asleep on the road. At least my eyes had been closed for a bit.

I use to be obese, I felt sick, and realised that I needed to correct this. I exercised, and got into better shape and lost a lot of weight. However, I had been on blood pressure medication, and the doctor kept me on blood pressure medication. I was feeling really ill, like I was going to die (very weak?) and my heart rate was way down. My doctor at first wasn't going to do anything, but then decided to switch medications. I felt much better instantaneously. Over the next few months I still didn't feel great though, and after ~3 months I fainted after lifting weights (I had given blood the day before). I went to a new doctor, who took me off the blood pressure medication. I felt much better... but there were a few times afterwards that I tried coffee and then I felt very sick. Also, another time I was lifting and I felt very sick (sat down for a bit, then my body calmed down, my new doctor gave me a lot of tests but they didn't find anything). Needless to say I was praying during the whole period. Also, obviously, I am still here. God be praised for that!

I have at various times prayed God to lead me to the right woman. Several times I have met girls, and felt urged to stay away. Other times girls have suddenly became interested in someone else. Despite me not finding a girl yet, I still feel that God is in this because I am very naive, horny, and trusting. I am sure that if I had been dating a girl who wanted to have sex, that I would have had sex by now. I am also sure that if a girl I had a crush on returned it that I would have fallen in love and many of these girls were not Christian and would not have supported me in my decision to follow Christ. I need to become stronger and find a girl who is also following Christ and who will be right for me.

There are more.

JM
(Right now I am struggling with pornography again. I really need to pray about it.)

Hey Jon! Been awhile. Good to see ya (in a strange, internet sort of way. *lol*)

Thank you so much for sharing. It's easy to shrug off things like that, like you said some of your friends do, but I think it's wonderful when we can be so in tune to God's workings in our lives that we actually give Him credit for that kinda stuff. Which is really what the whole site's about.

Couple questions:

Do you want me to credit you with your full name or initials?

Would you prefer those stories to be combined into one entry (as they are now, which I think is probably the best), or seperate?

Also, any particular title?

Thanks again for contributing. Can't wait to show you guys the site when it's done.

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Jon is fine (leave off last name), don't include the note about my current struggles (I put that there just to remind people that I am not some perfect virgin), ... I sort of want to come up with a better word then 'horny', 'focused on sex'?

JM

Sounds good. I figured you didn't want the last part included, anyway.

Hmm. I'll have to think about alternate words, too. Probably is something that would be a bit more "fitting", I guess. No rush, anyway.

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I have plenty of testimonies the Lord blessed me with. Are you looking for stuff from Adventists, or any regular Christians?

Any Christians. The site's aimed at all believers. I only asked here because several of the people who come here know me, so I thought I'd put the offer out here first.

Please feel free to share! Any story of God's blessings is much appreciated.

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Hey Sarah

First off, I'd like to share a testimony that dates back 32 years, that changed my life and lead me to Christ.

I was 5 years old, living with my parents and one brother. Life was so simple and carefree. Then, one night, a powerful jolt woke me - it felt like something yanking on my leg. After waking up, I was completely paralyzed. That was bad enough, but the most horrible fear came over me. It was so terrifying, that the burning smell that hung around me was just a secondary thing. This started happening each and every single night. I couldn't tell my parents or anyone else, because there was no way for me to even explain what was happening. I knew my parents would think that I'm just a silly child that had a nightmare. Well, the cold sweats, chest pains and breathing trouble that went with it was real enough. Since I had no-one who would believe me, I suffered in silence. Life became unbearable. I became tired of living - and that at age 5. I knew nothing about demons, or anything about the Lord either.

Finally, on the first day of school, I heard about Jesus, and how He knows and understands everything. Also, that He is always able to help us. Then it came to me. That night, I'll ask Him to help. He'll understand. He won't reject and ridicule me. So, that night, the attack came. Being paralyzed, I quietly prayed to Him - more or less like so "Jesus. My teacher told me about you. She says you know everything, and that you understand all things. I'm just 5 years old, and my vocabulary is too limited to explain to the adults what's happening to me. You are my only help. You know what is happening to me. Please help."

The next moment, powerful waves started coarsing through me. It came with the most intense joy imaginable. Back then, I had no idea that I just received the Holy Spirit. Moments later, I wasn't in my room, lying down on my bed anymore. I found myself standing up straight, in a dark place. In front of me, I saw a figure, radiating pure white light. The light was so intense, but I could stare into it without getting my eyes hurt. I felt the light shine through me, and warm me up on the inside. The most wonderful sense of pure love and perfect peace came over me. I stood there, in a state of euphoria. Moments later, I felt a tug, pulling me away at tremendous speed. Then, I was in my bedroom again. I heard a sound like trumpets, slowly fading away. Then a thought came to me, "Rest my child. It's over." I fell into a deep sleep. It took me 12 days to realise that the attacks stopped. I thanked the Lord and apologised for taking so long to thank Him. It's now 32 years later, and they never happened again.

There are so few people I ever shared this with. I pray that whoever reads this, receives confirmation of it's truth by the Holy Spirit.

Regards
Andre

Here's another one:

I was about 6 years old, just started going to school. I was in bed, listening to my parents arguing, screaming at each other. This scared me so badly, I started crying and trembling with fear. I asked Jesus to give me parents that love me. Then, I heard a voice that spoke to me, with so much love and gentleness: "My child, relax. They do love you, very much. They are just disagreeing on something, that's all. They are not angry with you. Rest now my child." The fear and sadness departed and I fell asleep instantly. Never did this bother me again. Glory to God.

Here's a third, more recent one.

A few years back, while driving to work on the freeway at about 80 miles/hour - or 130 Kilometres/hour, my mind was occupied with the Lord. Specifically how He always kept me safe and sound. Completely lost in thought, I failed to notice that all the traffic on the freeway came to a complete standstill. My car was heading towards the stationary vehicles, still at full speed. It must have been seconds before impact, when the Lord spoke, saying "My child, it's time to start applying brakes." Still lost in thought, I just agreed, replying back "O, ok" - without actually doing anything - still blissfully unaware of what was happening. The next moment, my leg moved, and stamped on the brakes. I knew it wasn't me doing it, because my whole body felt relaxed. It wasn't my muscles doing it. What was also awesome was how control was being handed back to me, gradually. As I came to a halt, it felt like my leg muscles applying the force. If God didn't intervene with such might, I would have died, along with others. I will never forget this as long as I live. Glory be to God, the Almighty.