I'm new to this forum, but I'd like to share the experience I've had recently and how it's improved my relationship with God so much - the change in me has already been amazing!
My dad was a Pastor for a few years in Cornwall, where I was born. He had also been to Iran as a missionary (and even had to be airlifted out by the RAF!). My mam had lived a Christian lifestyle and had been on many beach missions. Circumstances required us to move back up north to Newcastle, but I keep thinking how lucky I was to be brought up in a Christian family that loved each other (and more importantly God) so much. We went to the church that my parents had gone to before they went to Cornwall, and where my mam and dad met. It was a happy time, although I was too young to really understand what was going on.
My mum stopped going over what now seems like a petty argument, but she still had (and still has) faith in Christ. Me and my dad kept going. He was the treasurer for the church. It came to light in March that a substantial sum of money was unaccounted for. Dad hadn't done the accounts in a while; partially procrastination and partially feeling far from God I think. He was arrested for theft. This was absolutely crushing for us as a family, and by this point I hadn't really come to know God. Two weeks later my dad moved out because of his bail conditions. He keeps coming to see us as often as he can. I can't comment on the particulars of the case, but save to say that we all have total faith in my father in my family, despite my church being the first to accuse him of being guilty at the first instance.
During this time, I went into what I can only describe as a spiritual void: I couldn't go to church (and still can't, for obvious reasons), but I kept going to the school Christian Union, although I had little faith. I was drifting further and further away from God, as is my father. After some really really low points (one being my dad throwing all of his Christian books away and claiming that he would never preach again - that was really upsetting when I look back), at the start of the new school year I went to the CU again, despite not really feeling anything the previous year. I also went to IXth hour, a Christian concert held at the City Hall. This was totally new to me, but it was the most amazing experience ever.
For the first half of it, I couldn't help thinking 'Why me?' All this stuff had happened with my family, and on top of that I felt as if I had no friends and I was snowed under with work at school. I literally cried - I really felt as if my life was worthless, and I comtemplated leaving the concert. However, after the ministry, we prayed as a group of friends (something which I hadn't really done before), and it was absolutely amazing! For the first time I felt God's Holy Spirit upon me, and I quite literally couldn't stop smiling and singing! For the first time in six months I felt that I was truly happy, and I realised that it was only with God that I could be truly happy.
Since that happened, I have seen a change in me. I've become more aware of God, a more tolerant person. They're pretty major - and if that's only in te first month I can't wait to see what God's got planned for me in the next few! As a group of friends we've also started a prayer group, which looks to be excellent. Despite not being able to go to church, I've been able to become so much closer to God. Before the concert I called myself a Christian: I believed in the God of the Bible, and I prayed half-heartedly every now and again. During this time I was upset, but now that I truly know God I feel OK with my situation, and have commited it to His hands.
My dad says that his beliefs 'are on hold', but he's going for sentencing soon, and I don't know what will happen to him if he does have to go to prison. For me, out of an awful situation has come a magnificent change in me for the right reason, but I really fear for my dad and his faith - my whole family too for that matter.
Really, what this unintentionally long post is getting round to is a request for prayer. The power of prayer is so amazing, and it's only through God that we can get back together as a family and my dad can have his faith in God restored. It's been (and still is) a fantastic spiritual journey (not so much an emotional one), but there is still some way to go for my family. Please pray for us - you don't know me, my family or the particulars of the situation but God does (something which is absolutely awesome in itself).
I'm sorry for how long this is, and it probably doesn't make much sense. I've probably missed loads of important stuff out too, but thanks for reading. I'm sorry if this seems rude as well, my first post being a prayer request and everything.
God bless.
My dad was a Pastor for a few years in Cornwall, where I was born. He had also been to Iran as a missionary (and even had to be airlifted out by the RAF!). My mam had lived a Christian lifestyle and had been on many beach missions. Circumstances required us to move back up north to Newcastle, but I keep thinking how lucky I was to be brought up in a Christian family that loved each other (and more importantly God) so much. We went to the church that my parents had gone to before they went to Cornwall, and where my mam and dad met. It was a happy time, although I was too young to really understand what was going on.
My mum stopped going over what now seems like a petty argument, but she still had (and still has) faith in Christ. Me and my dad kept going. He was the treasurer for the church. It came to light in March that a substantial sum of money was unaccounted for. Dad hadn't done the accounts in a while; partially procrastination and partially feeling far from God I think. He was arrested for theft. This was absolutely crushing for us as a family, and by this point I hadn't really come to know God. Two weeks later my dad moved out because of his bail conditions. He keeps coming to see us as often as he can. I can't comment on the particulars of the case, but save to say that we all have total faith in my father in my family, despite my church being the first to accuse him of being guilty at the first instance.
During this time, I went into what I can only describe as a spiritual void: I couldn't go to church (and still can't, for obvious reasons), but I kept going to the school Christian Union, although I had little faith. I was drifting further and further away from God, as is my father. After some really really low points (one being my dad throwing all of his Christian books away and claiming that he would never preach again - that was really upsetting when I look back), at the start of the new school year I went to the CU again, despite not really feeling anything the previous year. I also went to IXth hour, a Christian concert held at the City Hall. This was totally new to me, but it was the most amazing experience ever.
For the first half of it, I couldn't help thinking 'Why me?' All this stuff had happened with my family, and on top of that I felt as if I had no friends and I was snowed under with work at school. I literally cried - I really felt as if my life was worthless, and I comtemplated leaving the concert. However, after the ministry, we prayed as a group of friends (something which I hadn't really done before), and it was absolutely amazing! For the first time I felt God's Holy Spirit upon me, and I quite literally couldn't stop smiling and singing! For the first time in six months I felt that I was truly happy, and I realised that it was only with God that I could be truly happy.
Since that happened, I have seen a change in me. I've become more aware of God, a more tolerant person. They're pretty major - and if that's only in te first month I can't wait to see what God's got planned for me in the next few! As a group of friends we've also started a prayer group, which looks to be excellent. Despite not being able to go to church, I've been able to become so much closer to God. Before the concert I called myself a Christian: I believed in the God of the Bible, and I prayed half-heartedly every now and again. During this time I was upset, but now that I truly know God I feel OK with my situation, and have commited it to His hands.
My dad says that his beliefs 'are on hold', but he's going for sentencing soon, and I don't know what will happen to him if he does have to go to prison. For me, out of an awful situation has come a magnificent change in me for the right reason, but I really fear for my dad and his faith - my whole family too for that matter.
Really, what this unintentionally long post is getting round to is a request for prayer. The power of prayer is so amazing, and it's only through God that we can get back together as a family and my dad can have his faith in God restored. It's been (and still is) a fantastic spiritual journey (not so much an emotional one), but there is still some way to go for my family. Please pray for us - you don't know me, my family or the particulars of the situation but God does (something which is absolutely awesome in itself).
I'm sorry for how long this is, and it probably doesn't make much sense. I've probably missed loads of important stuff out too, but thanks for reading. I'm sorry if this seems rude as well, my first post being a prayer request and everything.
God bless.
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