Conversions when an adult

[Boomygrrl]

I am interested in hearing from Christians who coverted to Christianity when they were adults. I can completely understand the Christian who was raised in a Christian home and is a life-long Christian.
I find it fascinating the person who was not religious to begin with, perhaps wasn't even raised with parents of any religious persuasion, went all of their childhood and perhaps much of their adult life not being a Christian, and then for whatever reason they convert and become a Christian. So this thread is dedicated to the Christian that converted as an adult.

Some questions for this kind of Christian. Again, please don't respond if you don't fall into this category.

1. What tangible thing led you to become a Christian? I'm asking more about what logical argument (Christian apologetics), what emotional experience, what miracle, what life changing experience, etc led you, rather than the answer "the Holy Spirit." I want to know specifics. If the answer is God or the Holy Spirit, then please tell me how you interpreted this being from God or the Holy Spirit.

2. Briefly, what was your life like before becoming a Christian, and is it different now that you are a Christian?

3. Do you still have close friends or emotionally close relatives who are non-believers? and if so, do you worry about their souls, do you try to convert them? and if so, how do you go about doing that? through prayer, through logical arguments (Christian apologetics), through inviting them to Christian social functions, etc.?

4. Any words of advice to an ex-Christian who was a Christian as a child, still has many friends and family members who are Christian, disbelieves, but a part of me wants to believe?

Thanks,
Boomygrrl

 

[tapero]

1. What tangible thing led you to become a Christian? I'm asking more about what logical argument (Christian apologetics), what emotional experience, what miracle, what life changing experience, etc led you, rather than the answer "the Holy Spirit." I want to know specifics. If the answer is God or the Holy Spirit, then please tell me how you interpreted this being from God or the Holy Spirit.

Hi Boomygrrl, I wasn't raised a Christian and my mom is an athiest.

I can't put my finger on it, but I started noticing spirtual things. I can't describe it, nor recall, but at the time I thought angels were involved in my life. At the time I didn't know it was God.

If you see my profile it has a little testimony, but I cried out to God one day (I had never thought of God before that I recall) and wound up at this funeral where the gospel was preached. This led me to church, and eventually to the pastor, where I asked him questions. He asked me two questions: Did I want to commit my life to Christ, and would I die for Christ. I replied yes. That was the day I was born again. Something happened to me that day and while I can't explain it, I was a new person in Christ. The Holy Spirit indwelled me.

2. Briefly, what was your life like before becoming a Christian, and is it different now that you are a Christian?

Yes, my life is much different now. I was an adulterer, a thief, and many other things. While I was comitting those sins, I didn't think they were wrong or immoral.

When I became a Christian I changed all my outward behaviors right away because even though I hadn't read the bible yet, I somehow knew they were wrong. I believe God was convicting me of those things. My inside needed to change and has drastically. As I read the bible I learned more and more and changed from the inside out. There is still so much to deal with though; what I mean is that there is a lot of things that God will work on in my lifetime.

3. Do you still have close friends or emotionally close relatives who are non-believers? and if so, do you worry about their souls, do you try to convert them? and if so, how do you go about doing that? through prayer, through logical arguments (Christian apologetics), through inviting them to Christian social functions, etc.?

My whole family does not believe. I pray for my family and friends to come to Christ, but I do not try to convert them. They know I am a Christian and I will answer any questions they have, but I believe the Holy Spirit does the work, though people that preach the gospel or witness to their friends and family are doing the right thing in my eyes. I used to do that with my mom, and it wasn't good, so I trust God with her.

4. Any words of advice to an ex-Christian who was a Christian as a child, still has many friends and family members who are Christian, disbelieves, but a part of me wants to believe?

Seek Christ with all your heart. God bless you for the questions. In Christ's love, Tapero

.

 

[TexasGirl06]

Hey Boomygrrl.....

I am in the category.
I was 26 years old when I became a Christian.

I was a good kid.
Was raised in a dysfunctional home.
Went into the Military when I was 17.

Responsible, mature, etc....
Just hitting roadblocks of pain along the way.

Relationships were awful.
Started out good....
....always went down a path of pain.
always.

The way of the world....
just brought pain.
It was a cycle. In pain, out of pain. In pain, out of pain.

Skip ahead a few years....
Married with one child.

Pain still there.
Unsettling.
What is this life all about?
I work, work, work...all day,
and then I do it all over again the next morning.

What am I here for?

Began attending functions at a Baptist school...as my stepdaughter was attending school there.

It was there that God showed me my sin.
I heard about Jesus and my sin.
It took a few times...but I heard it.

What's that all about?
I desired to know more.

Skip ahead a few more years....

Grieving over my sin.
My sin against a Holy God.
My sin against a God who loves me dearly.

The more I wanted to know...
the more He showed me.
It was amazing.

Experienced the death of my 9 year old niece.
Getting closer to God...through that pain.

Spent about 10 years in a certain denomination of church.
Wasn't getting enough "meat" there. (Solid Bible Teaching.)

Presently in a very strong Bible based church.
Presently in my 5th year of a very intense bible study.

How is my life different?
There are not enough hours in this night for me to write them all down for you.
I am crying right now...as I write these words.

God is just so good.
He loves me.
He teaches me.
He guides me.
He disciplines me.
He counsels me.
He warns me.
He delights in me.
He rescues me.

He tells me why I am here.
He tells me what I am to do while I am here.

He is full of promises....and He has NEVER let me down one time.

Is there pain in my life right now.
Just about every day.
I will not sugar coat that for one second.
But, everyday my Lord sustains me.
He carries me through.... and I live a life of Joy because of Him alone.

This life I live today is not about religion.
It is not about the teachings of man.
It is not about the teachings of a church denomination.

It is about a relationship with Jesus Christ.
He is my best friend in the whole world.
I love Him dearly.

And....the relationship issue is a lifelong process. I will always be growing in my relationship with Him. Always.

And.... I have Hope.
I know that the second my eyes close on this earth time...my soul will be with Him.
His Word tells me that.

Eternally, I am secure.

Being with my Mom as she died in the ICU. Not knowing if she went on to Heaven.
My Lord carried me through the halls of the hospital that day. Incredible peace.
It was my God.

My friend, it is so real.
It's the most important thing in this world.

I pray for specific things....and often He answers exactly as I am asking.
I have learned to pray and ask for HIS will.
His answers are amazing.
I have no doubt...that when I talk to Him, that He is listening to me.
No doubt.

I have lots of family that are not saved. I do pray for them. I do speak the Word of God to them, when I sense that God is leading me to do that. I greive that their souls are not eternally saved.
I have been persecuted by one sibling in particular.
But...I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

Well....you asked.
so, there it is.

Be Blessed.
I'm here, if you have any questions.
Be encouraged.
He does Love you.

 

[WashedClean]

I am interested in hearing from Christians who coverted to Christianity when they were adults. I can completely understand the Christian who was raised in a Christian home and is a life-long Christian.
I find it fascinating the person who was not religious to begin with, perhaps wasn't even raised with parents of any religious persuasion, went all of their childhood and perhaps much of their adult life not being a Christian, and then for whatever reason they convert and become a Christian. So this thread is dedicated to the Christian that converted as an adult.

Some questions for this kind of Christian. Again, please don't respond if you don't fall into this category.

1. What tangible thing led you to become a Christian? I'm asking more about what logical argument (Christian apologetics), what emotional experience, what miracle, what life changing experience, etc led you, rather than the answer "the Holy Spirit." I want to know specifics. If the answer is God or the Holy Spirit, then please tell me how you interpreted this being from God or the Holy Spirit.

2. Briefly, what was your life like before becoming a Christian, and is it different now that you are a Christian?

3. Do you still have close friends or emotionally close relatives who are non-believers? and if so, do you worry about their souls, do you try to convert them? and if so, how do you go about doing that? through prayer, through logical arguments (Christian apologetics), through inviting them to Christian social functions, etc.?

4. Any words of advice to an ex-Christian who was a Christian as a child, still has many friends and family members who are Christian, disbelieves, but a part of me wants to believe?

Thanks,
Boomygrrl

1. I know you don't want the answer to be "The Holy Spirit", but for me, that's what happened. The veil was lifted from my eyes in an instant and I believed. God pierced my heart with the truth of who Jesus is and why I needed him.

2. My life was good before becoming a Christian. I was happily married for 10 years to my soulmate. I lived a relatively moral life, but I knew something was missing. Whenever a religious holiday would pass, I felt guilty that I wasn't giving thanks to God or going to church. That's what prompted me to read Power for Living.

3. Yes, my husband is not saved. Five and a half years since I became a Christian, and he still is not one himself. I am concerned for him and in the beginning, I would preach to him. I learned quickly that it's not about me and saying the right thing. The Holy Spirit will convict him in his perfect time. That doesn't mean I'm satisfied with things the way they are, I just try to stay out of God's way!

4. I was raised in a "Christian" home and attended church every week until I was about 15 or 16. But all those years, I still didn't "get it". Then I got married (in the same church by the way) and life was pretty good, even though I wasn't happy inside. The longer I went without God, the more I forgot about Jesus. I simply could not understand why I needed him. Then, once I read Power for Living and the Gospel was explained in plain English, my heart was ready to receive the Good News! In an instant I went from death to life, from darkness to light. Praise God! It had nothing to do with me.

The bottom line is that we need the Holy Spirit to show us how depraved we are without Christ. Until our hearts are pierced with this knowledge and truth, there can be no salvation.

Hope this helps a bit. God bless you on your journey!

Jill/WashedClean

 

[Stinker]

What led me to God was the misery from my growing up. I was in even more misery at 17 when I got out (more like escaped) from the latest town we had moved to. I 'escaped' to the military and the problems of my youth just manifested themselves. I finally broke down and started reading the red-lettered pocket edition of the N.T. that the Gideons give to us in the military. This was very profound that I would even touch a Bible! I grew up without any religious instruction whatsoever. I was taught that all Christians were phonies and morally weak. While I was reading the 4 Gospels, something came over me that was so powerful but unexplainable. I still cannot accurately describe it, but it changed my life completely!

 

[Catholic Wife]

1. What tangible thing led you to become a Christian? I'm asking more about what logical argument (Christian apologetics), what emotional experience, what miracle, what life changing experience, etc led you, rather than the answer "the Holy Spirit." I want to know specifics. If the answer is God or the Holy Spirit, then please tell me how you interpreted this being from God or the Holy Spirit.
I grew up in a home without religion and with limited knowledge of God. For me, there were no earth shaking miracles or life changing miracles, no near-death experiences. The only "tangible" that led me to become a Christian was a gentle nudging from God. He had been calling to me since I was a kid, but because of my upbringing, I couldn't act on God's calling until I was an adult. I did have friends who invited me to church with them, but I didn't go until I was a senior in high school. I didn't decide to accept Jesus until I was 21 (details in entry #9 of my CF blog).


2. Briefly, what was your life like before becoming a Christian, and is it different now that you are a Christian?
Before becoming a Christian, I did whatever I wanted whenever I wanted without much thought about how it would affect others. I drank too much, slept around with total strangers and couldn't hold a job. I had total disregard for authority figures. After becoming a Christian, I have learned to love myself as well as others and have become a much more productive member of society.

3. Do you still have close friends or emotionally close relatives who are non-believers? and if so, do you worry about their souls, do you try to convert them? and if so, how do you go about doing that? through prayer, through logical arguments (Christian apologetics), through inviting them to Christian social functions, etc.?
I am still close to my parents and brother, who are all still non-believers. I worry about them constantly, and pray for them all the time. We have agreed that I will respect their right to not be preached to and I won't actively try to "convert" them anymore, but I feel that the way I live my life is testimony enough. I do invite them to mass and other Church-related events when they come to visit or when I visit them.

4. Any words of advice to an ex-Christian who was a Christian as a child, still has many friends and family members who are Christian, disbelieves, but a part of me wants to believe?
I would advise you to confront what it is that leads you away from believing and work through those issues with a lot of prayer and through talking with a trusted Christian friend or member of the clergy. Keep asking questions here on CF. Stay involved with other Christians and limit you interactions that take you away from Christ. And once you decide to return to being a Christian, get involved with a good church where you can fellowship with others who will continue to build you up in Christ.


Praying for you...

 

[Adstar]

I am interested in hearing from Christians who coverted to Christianity when they were adults. I can completely understand the Christian who was raised in a Christian home and is a life-long Christian.

I find it fascinating the person who was not religious to begin with, perhaps wasn't even raised with parents of any religious persuasion, went all of their childhood and perhaps much of their adult life not being a Christian, and then for whatever reason they convert and become a Christian. So this thread is dedicated to the Christian that converted as an adult.

Some questions for this kind of Christian. Again, please don't respond if you don't fall into this category.

1. What tangible thing led you to become a Christian? I'm asking more about what logical argument (Christian apologetics), what emotional experience, what miracle, what life changing experience, etc led you, rather than the answer "the Holy Spirit." I want to know specifics. If the answer is God or the Holy Spirit, then please tell me how you interpreted this being from God or the Holy Spirit.

I was talking to a friend at work about religion and he later gave me a gift of a nice bible. So i started to read it and kept on reading it until i finished it. The Bible message as a whole was what caused me to believe in the Messiah Jesus. So it was not some emotional experience Not some high like a drug addict gets. It was just the majesty of the awesome message.

2. Briefly, what was your life like before becoming a Christian, and is it different now that you are a Christian?

It wasn't a bad life. It was boringly ordinary looking back at it. I did not grow up in an abusive family, I had friends at school and was an average student, I left school and got a apprenticeship with good prospects, So all in all i have nothing to complain about from my former life. I did feel however that there was something more to this existence then just protons neutrons and electrons arranged in different ways. My life is different now because my world outlook has totally changed. Things that where important to me then are very much secondary to me now. I no longer fear death or other men. I know that whatever happens in this world I have eternity with God. Nothing that happens in this world can now shake my peace of mind. Everything is put into its proper perspective. This life is very short compared to eternity but this short time is of crucial importance to our existence in eternity. So I still live a very similar life to my former existence but my mind has been totally changed.

3. Do you still have close friends or emotionally close relatives who are non-believers? and if so, do you worry about their souls, do you try to convert them? and if so, how do you go about doing that? through prayer, through logical arguments (Christian apologetics), through inviting them to Christian social functions, etc.?

I have friends and relatives who are non-believers. My relationship with them is still strong. I do not go out to push my beliefs; i wait for them to talk about it, for the opportunity. Like what we are doing here. You came here to talk about God with us. That’s the way i operate. Because once you try to aggressively push your beliefs people automatically resist and try to get away from you. I find that i get plenty of opportunity to talk about God because many non-believers are curious about people who believe in God. Some of them have a deep feeling that there is something important they are missing out on.

4. Any words of advice to an ex-Christian who was a Christian as a child, still has many friends and family members who are Christian, disbelieves, but a part of me wants to believe?

Thanks,
Boomygrrl

Pick up a good bible and search for the truth yourself. Try to empty your brain of all the preconceived ideas in your head, start again from scratch.

Each time before you read ask God to help you understand. Now if you are open to the possibility that God exists then you can talk to Him, You do not have to be absolutely sure that God exists to call out to Him for help. You must understand that if God exists He has the power to give you wisdom to help you understand. If you do not understand what you are reading continue to read on attentively. Because often something you do not understand in one part of the bible will be revealed to you in a later part. The bible that was given to me was called a New King James Version. Or NKJV for short. I recommend it to you.


Anyway whatever you do i hope that you come to know the Love of the Truth and embrace the Messiah Jesus. May The God of Abraham guide you to the Way.



All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[0145xyz]

1. What tangible thing led you to become a Christian? I'm asking more about what logical argument (Christian apologetics), what emotional experience, what miracle, what life changing experience, etc led you, rather than the answer "the Holy Spirit." I want to know specifics. If the answer is God or the Holy Spirit, then please tell me how you interpreted this being from God or the Holy Spirit.

I had to become sober for a job. I used to do drugs or drink alcohol everyday. Becoming sober makes you think about a lot of things, including the meaning of life, purpose, what is beyond this earth, etc. I'd heard about christianity and had generally believed it to be true but had never followed it or looked into it because I know of the strict rules. So why look into something that you would have to change who you are (a sinfull person)? Doesn't make much sense. I pulled out a dusty Bible and read it. I realised that the only thing that could take away my depression and make my life truly worth living, give me meaning, fill the whole in my heart, was God. I believed in God, but just then did I finally decide God was worth sacrificing my life/my wants/my sins for. And I did. To me being a Christian and feeling that peace in your heart, the love of God, the presence of God is so much better than any high I could ever have.

2. Briefly, what was your life like before becoming a Christian, and is it different now that you are a Christian?

yes, lots different, all mentioned above

3. Do you still have close friends or emotionally close relatives who are non-believers? and if so, do you worry about their souls, do you try to convert them? and if so, how do you go about doing that? through prayer, through logical arguments (Christian apologetics), through inviting them to Christian social functions, etc.?

yes still have them. I love them. I don't try and convert them unless they bring the subject up. I'm not going to push it down their throats but if they ask for it and are seriously wondering about christianity-yes i am gonna share with them.

4. Any words of advice to an ex-Christian who was a Christian as a child, still has many friends and family members who are Christian, disbelieves, but a part of me wants to believe?

listen to your heart, don't believe just for your family or friends, you need to do it for you and for God. That's what it should be is a relationship between you and God.

 

[Boomygrrl]

Wow! I really didn't think I would get much of a response. Thanks to all that replied, as well as those who PM'ed me.
For others out there, feel free to reply as well. The more the merrier.


For those of you that felt called by God or the Holy Spirit, how did you know it was God or the H.S.? Just wondering.
Also, does everybody get called by God or Holy Spirit or just a select few?

I've read apologetic work (books), to include (but not limited to) CSLewis, Strobel, McDowell. Those are the names I remember now. I've read apologetic websites as well. The logic side of me doesn't believe this, to be honest. That's what led to my deconversion. When I was 17, I wanted to witness to my then boyfriend, who was atheist. The more I studied apologetics, the more I started having questions that could not be answered. One thing led to another, and voila, I slowly started to disbelieve. Now, I'm 35, so over half my life I've been studying this, and I feel like I am get further and further away. I have prayed a lot and continue to do so. I've read the bible, all of it, and continue to read the New Testament several times, especially the gospels. And still...perhaps the Holy Spirit hasn't called me yet, so I just cannot understand...that's what some Christians have told me. That's hard for me to stomach, as if that's the case then God has turned his back on me. If there is a God, I would hope he isn't that petty.
I used to post on this website a lot, but took a sabbatical from it, I'm back but not full force. I don't seem to get a lot from it, but I am optimistic and keep thinking something will eventually click inside of me...you know that "oh yeah" or that "aha" experience. Just hasn't happened yet.

I'm tempted to talk to my preacher. Yes, I have a preacher and am a member of a church...a United Methodist Church. Years back I became a member, partially due to peer pressure from my then boyfriend (not the atheist one, of course). I wanted to believe back then and convinced myself that eventually I would believe, so I justified lying to the preacher that I was a Christian, so I could be a member. Bad, I know.

Anyways, perhaps I need to 'fess up and talk to him. I'm a little nervous, but he's a nice guy and not intimidating one bit. It's more me...I just get nervous talking face-to-face about all this.

Boomygrrl

 

[WashedClean]

I'm tempted to talk to my preacher. Yes, I have a preacher and am a member of a church...a United Methodist Church.

Boomygrrl

I was raised in the UMC. When I accepted Christ, I went back to that church because I was comfortable there and knew many of the members from my childhood. After about a year, I had to leave. I just felt that the faith was weak there and people just went through the motions. I'm not saying this is true of all Methodist churches and I can't judge another person's heart. But when I started going to a non-denom. church, the worship alone was totally different.

I would encourage you to try another church, preferably non-denom., and see if you notice anything different. I've been to many churches, and some of them were so friendly, I really felt the love of Christ there.

Just a thought... don't give up. I remember you from before and I always felt you were a sincere seeker. Yes, I do feel like God calls everyone at some point in their life. I know that you can't force yourself to believe. My husband is in the same situation as you.

Praying for you Boomygrrl!!

 

[TexasGirl06]

Boomygrrl....

Have you thought about the issue of sin in your life?

Before God will forgive us....
we have to know that we need to be forgiven.

Sin is anything that is against a Holy God.

One little lie told to Momma.
One stolen candy bar from the convenience store.
Adultery.

It's a sin.

And...it only takes one sin, to receive the eternal consequences for sin.
Eternal separation from God when we die.
This is Hell.

All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.
That's me.
That's you.

But...Boomygrrl,
God loves you too much to see you spend eternity in Hell.
He will provide a way for you to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

He will send His Son, Jesus.

Well, that's a cute little Bible story, but what is that all about?

Jesus was with God (the Father) in Heaven, before he came to earth as a Baby.
Jesus is part of the Trinity.
Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
Three in One.
All are God.

Jesus is perfect.
Born perfect.
Without sin.
How? Because He is God.

He was born to be the perfect sacrificial Lamb...for all mankind.
Although innocent, He will shed His blood for your sin.

Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.

So, there He was on the cross that day.
Blood (life) running out of Him.
He did that for you, Boomygrrl.
That is how much He loves you.

But, it is not automatic.
We must acknowledge before a Holy God, that we have sinned against Him.
We must turn from our sin. (repent)
We must acknowledge that Jesus died for us.

It is a free gift from God.
You only have to accept it.

You can add nothing to it.
You can not do good works to help out the process.

This is the Good News.
This is the Gospel.

I think that we can try to figure everything out....
and perhaps in time.
But, the place to start is with our sin.

Be Blessed,
TexasGirl06

 

[Boomygrrl]

I was raised in the UMC. When I accepted Christ, I went back to that church because I was comfortable there and knew many of the members from my childhood. After about a year, I had to leave. I just felt that the faith was weak there and people just went through the motions. I'm not saying this is true of all Methodist churches and I can't judge another person's heart. But when I started going to a non-denom. church, the worship alone was totally different.

I would encourage you to try another church, preferably non-denom., and see if you notice anything different. I've been to many churches, and some of them were so friendly, I really felt the love of Christ there.

Just a thought... don't give up. I remember you from before and I always felt you were a sincere seeker. Yes, I do feel like God calls everyone at some point in their life. I know that you can't force yourself to believe. My husband is in the same situation as you.

Praying for you Boomygrrl!!

Thanks

 

[YourChild]

1. What tangible thing led you to become a Christian? I'm asking more about what logical argument (Christian apologetics), what emotional experience, what miracle, what life changing experience, etc led you, rather than the answer "the Holy Spirit." I want to know specifics. If the answer is God or the Holy Spirit, then please tell me how you interpreted this being from God or the Holy Spirit.

2. Briefly, what was your life like before becoming a Christian, and is it different now that you are a Christian?

3. Do you still have close friends or emotionally close relatives who are non-believers? and if so, do you worry about their souls, do you try to convert them? and if so, how do you go about doing that? through prayer, through logical arguments (Christian apologetics), through inviting them to Christian social functions, etc.?

4. Any words of advice to an ex-Christian who was a Christian as a child, still has many friends and family members who are Christian, disbelieves, but a part of me wants to believe?

Thanks,
Boomygrrl

I've always believed in God ever since I was a child but as I was growing up I drifted away from Him. The older I got the worst I was getting. I was heavily involved with the use of drugs, smoking, gambling, and sexual conducts with myself and others. I was a hateful and judgemental person who was always assuming things for the worse. I could never forgive others and when I was angry, my anger would turn into this raging anger mixed with deep hatred. Inside I knew my heart was full of darkness but I couldnt help it continuing my life the way it was. One day I sat there and watched Passion of the Christ and I saw the pain and torture Christ was going through. He was literally torn apart by the hands of the ones He created. I bursted into tears and cried my eyes out. At the time I didn't understand why Christ had to be tortured and killed but I felt the shame and guilt for the way I had chose to live my life and I knew that my sins were somehow connected to Christ's death... and at that point, the darkness of my heart left and the evilness in my life vanished. I kept crying and crying and when I finally lifted my face up I felt this peace and love. The wall that kept me away from God was broken and after 28 years of being lost, I was finally back in the arms of my Creator. After reconciling with Him, I notice that my relationships with others, those that do no have a relationship with Christ, was starting to tumble. People suddenly started acting meaner towards me. Even my own family people were not liking me. I can totally see the difference in their attitude. Its just like the Bible says, children of God will be persecuted because we are not of this world. thats exactly what was happening to me.

aside from this, I no longer smoke, do drugs, drink, gamble, or defile my body through sexual conducts. I dont lust. My sexual urges went away. i dont feel the need to have sex. I dont even have to fight it. the urges just went away.

I try to bring everyone close to Christ. I love it when an individual disregards all other factors that causes them to doubt God and just go straight to Him with a sincere heart ..then later come back and tells me, "I'm saved!!" you can see the joy in their face..you can see the total change in them. and I almost wanna tell them "see? I told you so!" Its pretty sad that some atheist are too busy sitting there complaining and whining about the way God does things while they dont realize that their eternal destiny is riding on this life here on earth.
No matter what you tell these people, they will always try to come back with an argument..atter being so caught up on countering a Christian's arugment, they take the stance of doing their best to continue countering...and what they dont realize is that..the more they do this...the harder their hearts become...
they're too busy letting the devil shove thoughts into their head because they wont for once, take into consideration what we tell them.

anyways my advice to you is go to a church encounter.
check out your local church and see if they have encounters for you to attend. its a great event where you will encounter God..you will witness the supernatural right before your eye.

 

[Alcamo]

Hi Boomy!

I don’t have too much time, but I’ll try to answer a bit. I was raised with Christian influence, but it was inconsistent and I was not a Chrsitian growing up. I dabbled in the occult for some years and eventually dove into it with both feet. I can remember specific moments when God spoke to my heart telling me I needed him, but I ignored him. Those experiences drifted from memory and I began questioning what truth was and how I could even know for sure, etc. One day, out of great frustration and personal desperation, I simply cried out in my heart “Jesus, if you’re there, I need you!”. I had prayed “the prayer” many times before and nothing happened, but this time was different because in my heart I was willing to give up the occult and anything else I had to if he was real. In Christian terms, I repented. As long as I ‘prayed the prayer’ before but was never really willing to let my idols go, he never came.

The experience differs for everyone, but for me it was a definite lightening bolt. I had an immediate confirmation in my heart that I was his now. Later, when I started reading the Bible, I found that it described that very experience! (Romans 8:16)

I began studying Christian apologetics and found amazing things I had never been told in school and had never heard. When I researched the same information from a secular perspective, I found that the information in support of Christianity was indeed correct. I also saw how people (including myself before becoming a Christian) judge Christianity with a complete double-standard compared to anything secular without even realizing it, not to mention the outright lies that are told about it.

Life since knowing God is completely different. In truth, I don’t believe I’d be alive today if I hadn’t become a Christian, just because of what was going on at the time I came to Christ.

Hope to write more soon.

 

[Boomygrrl]

Again, thanks everyone for responding.

Boomygrrl