- Oct 10, 2002
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For me it all started with God's sovereign choice to make me a clean and holy child of God before He even created this world. (Ephesians 1:4&5)
Although I had no knowledge of this and had no desire to seek Him, He sent a kindly Baptist children's pastor to my apartment complex in Pontiac, Michigan (I was in first grade) to round up as many as would go and bring us to Sunday School. As I sat week after week ignoring salvation and alter calls, my heart of stone deflected the God that sought me. Then, one Sunday, God replaced my heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Until that day, I was dead in my trespasses, unable to respond to His call. But, as Christ raised Lazurus from the dead, God made me alive (Ephesians 2:4-6) and caused in me a desire for Him. I accepted Christ that day. We moved back to Florida about 6 months later.
I continued my walk, attending church and leading a prayerful life right up until the age of 13 when my hormones kicked in. I became the prodigal son. Turning from my Father and seeking the excitement of the world. I continued that life of temporary pleasure and constant discontent until the age of 24 when my daughter was born. Sending her to Christian daycare and school was a big priority to me as was setting an example for her. God used her to bring me home.
As I was raised Baptist, I sought Baptist churches. I was never quite comfortable with how the Word sometimes contradicted what I was hearing.
As Kimmy grew older and she began to attend a Baptist school, she accepted Christ as her Savior. We made it a habit to attend together. (Her mother and I had split up by then and Kimmy lives with me).
While at work about 3 1/2 years ago, God sent me into the office of a woman who changed my life. She introduced me to a beautiful, single Christian girl who became my wife about 10 months later. God used this woman to draw me to a Prebyterian (P.C.A.) church and revealed to me the truth of Reformed doctrine, something I had struggled with in the past churches I had attended, but never had a name for.
Praise God for how my life has changed! I have two wonderful daughters and a gorgeous wife. All of whom are members of the Body of Christ. I am now an Elder in the PCA, Associate Staff in Missions to the World, I teach youth, Sunday school and lead Wed. night prayer. God has blessed me with a great opportunity in a now thriving business, which I came across in the start up phase and am now a partner, and we just built our first house!
I have a shalom that I never had before. My biggest blessing is my family and friends. What a joy it is to look around me during a birthday party, wedding, etc. and know that God made these people my family and that I will spend eternity with them all.
Although I had no knowledge of this and had no desire to seek Him, He sent a kindly Baptist children's pastor to my apartment complex in Pontiac, Michigan (I was in first grade) to round up as many as would go and bring us to Sunday School. As I sat week after week ignoring salvation and alter calls, my heart of stone deflected the God that sought me. Then, one Sunday, God replaced my heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Until that day, I was dead in my trespasses, unable to respond to His call. But, as Christ raised Lazurus from the dead, God made me alive (Ephesians 2:4-6) and caused in me a desire for Him. I accepted Christ that day. We moved back to Florida about 6 months later.
I continued my walk, attending church and leading a prayerful life right up until the age of 13 when my hormones kicked in. I became the prodigal son. Turning from my Father and seeking the excitement of the world. I continued that life of temporary pleasure and constant discontent until the age of 24 when my daughter was born. Sending her to Christian daycare and school was a big priority to me as was setting an example for her. God used her to bring me home.
As I was raised Baptist, I sought Baptist churches. I was never quite comfortable with how the Word sometimes contradicted what I was hearing.
As Kimmy grew older and she began to attend a Baptist school, she accepted Christ as her Savior. We made it a habit to attend together. (Her mother and I had split up by then and Kimmy lives with me).
While at work about 3 1/2 years ago, God sent me into the office of a woman who changed my life. She introduced me to a beautiful, single Christian girl who became my wife about 10 months later. God used this woman to draw me to a Prebyterian (P.C.A.) church and revealed to me the truth of Reformed doctrine, something I had struggled with in the past churches I had attended, but never had a name for.
Praise God for how my life has changed! I have two wonderful daughters and a gorgeous wife. All of whom are members of the Body of Christ. I am now an Elder in the PCA, Associate Staff in Missions to the World, I teach youth, Sunday school and lead Wed. night prayer. God has blessed me with a great opportunity in a now thriving business, which I came across in the start up phase and am now a partner, and we just built our first house!
I have a shalom that I never had before. My biggest blessing is my family and friends. What a joy it is to look around me during a birthday party, wedding, etc. and know that God made these people my family and that I will spend eternity with them all.