I thought my pain before Christ was bad, but after reading the testimony of realjesusfreak I was proven wrong. If you haven't read his post, please do!
As for me, I'm 39 and found Christ through a long path that only now is becoming a little more clear. My first real remembrance of actually letting Jesus into my heart started about 3 years ago when I began my present job and became friends with a Christian named Chuck. He didn't witness to me which I found strange at the time. I thought that's what Christians did, they preached at you. Constantly. He didn't and I now believe that God knew that I would have responded negatively to him so moved him to lead by example. He got onto me for my cussing and really let me know that taking the Lords name in vain was unacceptable. I stopped cussing around him which was weird for me though I didn't notice it at the time.
Next up was a another new friend named H.D. who talked about God but wasn't preachy. Again, God knew I wasn't ready. Then one night we were together with some of my family and my cousin Kim's husband was talking to H.D.'s wife about contemporary gospel music and suggested that I could copy some of his cds for her. I agreed. Now when I rip a cd, I tend to burn me a copy if I like what I hear. I listened to a group called Third Day (I'm a proud Gomer!) and burned a copy to play in my car ( I have a excellent and highly amplified sound system in my CRX si) and commenced to jam. I was addicted and still am, it's all I listen to now. I gave up Nickeback, ac/dc, metallica and the rest. My wife really noticed the changes in me. From foul mouthed and foul tempered to being nice and calm. From spending all my time in my office on the comp to spending time with her. From saying 'I love you' like it was task to saying "I love you" like, well, I really love her. She was, in a word, astounded.What I only told my wife afterwards was that up until the day of my salvation, I had contemplated suicide on a daily basis and had made a pact with myself that I wouldn't live to see my 40th birthday. I had even planned out how I would do it. I had hit rock bottom so hard I didn't even realize it at the time. The truly sad part is that my life wasn't a 10th as hard as the one described by realjesusfreak in his post.
The next thing I know, H.D. starts to witness to me. I wasn't put off....much. God had softened my heart. Then on July the 8th at about 6 o'clock pm I was talking to H.D. and he asked me to wait on him. He's a trucker and I unload trucks all day. He was gonna hit the yard about 6:30 and wanted me to wait for him. My wife called and wanted me to meet her and some friends for supper so I said I would and called H.D. back to tell him. He said no, wait, it's important. I've been praying all the way for God to help you. Please, just wait. Now at the time I'm heading toward the parking lot, which is about a 6 minute walk and I walk fast and I was half-way there when he called. I was saying no but I noticed that I had stopped and was just walking in little circles. I just stopped and said ok, let me call my wife. Now, I NEVER bow out of good food, especially at my favorite restaurant but that night I did. Praise God!!
When H.D. arrived we talked about the usual guy stuff for a few minutes and then he said "Take my hands." My first response was a wise crack, as usual but he said "I'm serious. I've been praying about this all day. Please, take my hands." After a moments hesitation I did and he asked "Are you ready to accept Jesus. It's your choice to make. I can't pressure you, but from the way you talked today I think you might be ready." I looked him in the eyes and just said yes. He led me in prayer and at 6:30 on July the 8th, 2007 I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal lord and savior. It felt like the world rolled off my shoulders, like I had come home from an incredibly long journey and found peace at last. I can never thank Chuck and H.D. enough for being there for me and helping lead me to Christ.
I'm sorry for the long post but figured that since it's about my testimony I might as well testify! Besides, I love to talk
!
God bless all of you!
BoNe
As for me, I'm 39 and found Christ through a long path that only now is becoming a little more clear. My first real remembrance of actually letting Jesus into my heart started about 3 years ago when I began my present job and became friends with a Christian named Chuck. He didn't witness to me which I found strange at the time. I thought that's what Christians did, they preached at you. Constantly. He didn't and I now believe that God knew that I would have responded negatively to him so moved him to lead by example. He got onto me for my cussing and really let me know that taking the Lords name in vain was unacceptable. I stopped cussing around him which was weird for me though I didn't notice it at the time.
Next up was a another new friend named H.D. who talked about God but wasn't preachy. Again, God knew I wasn't ready. Then one night we were together with some of my family and my cousin Kim's husband was talking to H.D.'s wife about contemporary gospel music and suggested that I could copy some of his cds for her. I agreed. Now when I rip a cd, I tend to burn me a copy if I like what I hear. I listened to a group called Third Day (I'm a proud Gomer!) and burned a copy to play in my car ( I have a excellent and highly amplified sound system in my CRX si) and commenced to jam. I was addicted and still am, it's all I listen to now. I gave up Nickeback, ac/dc, metallica and the rest. My wife really noticed the changes in me. From foul mouthed and foul tempered to being nice and calm. From spending all my time in my office on the comp to spending time with her. From saying 'I love you' like it was task to saying "I love you" like, well, I really love her. She was, in a word, astounded.What I only told my wife afterwards was that up until the day of my salvation, I had contemplated suicide on a daily basis and had made a pact with myself that I wouldn't live to see my 40th birthday. I had even planned out how I would do it. I had hit rock bottom so hard I didn't even realize it at the time. The truly sad part is that my life wasn't a 10th as hard as the one described by realjesusfreak in his post.
The next thing I know, H.D. starts to witness to me. I wasn't put off....much. God had softened my heart. Then on July the 8th at about 6 o'clock pm I was talking to H.D. and he asked me to wait on him. He's a trucker and I unload trucks all day. He was gonna hit the yard about 6:30 and wanted me to wait for him. My wife called and wanted me to meet her and some friends for supper so I said I would and called H.D. back to tell him. He said no, wait, it's important. I've been praying all the way for God to help you. Please, just wait. Now at the time I'm heading toward the parking lot, which is about a 6 minute walk and I walk fast and I was half-way there when he called. I was saying no but I noticed that I had stopped and was just walking in little circles. I just stopped and said ok, let me call my wife. Now, I NEVER bow out of good food, especially at my favorite restaurant but that night I did. Praise God!!
When H.D. arrived we talked about the usual guy stuff for a few minutes and then he said "Take my hands." My first response was a wise crack, as usual but he said "I'm serious. I've been praying about this all day. Please, take my hands." After a moments hesitation I did and he asked "Are you ready to accept Jesus. It's your choice to make. I can't pressure you, but from the way you talked today I think you might be ready." I looked him in the eyes and just said yes. He led me in prayer and at 6:30 on July the 8th, 2007 I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal lord and savior. It felt like the world rolled off my shoulders, like I had come home from an incredibly long journey and found peace at last. I can never thank Chuck and H.D. enough for being there for me and helping lead me to Christ.
I'm sorry for the long post but figured that since it's about my testimony I might as well testify! Besides, I love to talk
!God bless all of you!
BoNe
