Testimony Thread

[Sophia7]

Cliff2 had a great idea of making a place where we can post our testimonies about what God has done for us. I am starting this thread so that you can share your spiritual experiences: how you became a Christian, how God led you to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, or any other examples of how God has worked in your life to bring you to where you are now.

 

[drgibson]

Cool I'll write mine up... Again

 

[Sophia7]

I'll post mine here eventually, too. I've been pretty busy lately and am going on a family vacation in a couple of days.

 

[Dasdream]

Well for me it began before I was even born, doctors said my mother may not live to give birth and naturally her baby would die also, but thanks to my mothers faith and prayers.....well I'm here arent I? from the minute my mother told me that i knew God had somethign special for me and that I would be used in some way. God saved my life, is it to much to dedicate it to him?

 

[Windmill]

I had these bureuokos on my foot (they're like, in grown warts) and the doctor couldn't get rid of them and they were starting to spreak to my other foot, and they hurt. One day, after going to the doctor about them, I came back, went to sleep then when I woke up, they'd all gone! The docotor had chipped away at some of them, but not all of them, and only one one foot, yet the other foot was healed too! In fact, brand new skin was there, it was like they had never existed. A mircale, IMHO.

Praise God I was stoaked, at the ripe age of 11.

 

[Sophia7]

...

 

[Dasdream]

I am sad at the fact that not much people have testified on what God has done for them! Every day you live is a blessing, every step you take is a blessing, every breathe you take is a blessing. The place you live is a blessing, car you drive is a blessing. The fact that God even gave you life is a blessing!

Ok well here is another from me. When I was younger, I had dizzy spells and such, the doctors told us that I could have cancer, because my blood wasn't looking to good, I don't remember to well, the details, to make a long story short. Thanks to God, I did not have cancer. For the second time God has saved me from death.....there are times however, that I don't feel as if I deserved it. I just hope God can forgive me and continue to use me and protect me.

 

[Dathen]

It's amazing how God finds us. My story isn't anything special. I'll try to write mine out though.

 

[Jimlarmore]

I had a long story with the Lord in many ways. When I was 9 I was baptized in the Baptist church but that didn't last too long. Later my mother joined the Adventist church after an evangelistic series came to our town. I was rebaptized in the Adventist church a couple of years laterr when I was 12 and later went to Ozark Academy in Gentry Arkansas for three of my 4 years of High school. The last year I came back home and went to public which was the start of my downfall.

I don't want to bore you with the slippery slope I went sliding down after this but it was fast and furious and shows just how fast the devil can bring you down if you don't make the Lord a constant part of your life. Hes our only true defense against the enemy of our souls. After I graduated I was drafted into the Army. Had I been a practicing christian I would have went in on a consciensous (ms) objector or non-combatant status. However, my reasoning was that doing that would be hypocritical since I was not living right so I just went into the Army as a regular troop or 1A.

The worst happened after that, instead of getting a good job in the Army like in supply or quatermaster, I was trained in the infantry and sent to Viet Nam as a grunt. I spent an entire year trying desparately to stay alive, living with 24X7 fear in triple canopy jungle and killing a lot of people. I don't even want to go there about what all of that involved but suffice it to say it's the kind of stuff nite mares are made of. However, I had a mother at home praying for me every single day and I know that I was certainly protected many times when I should have gotten shot or blown up. I used to promise the Lord if He got me out of there alive I would serve Him the rest of my life, but I let Him down when I got back home. After Viet Nam I drank heavily and eventually became an alcoholic.

The next several years I'm not very proud of at all but basically I kept my back turned on the Lord and lived a life that was despicable. About 6 years ago things started to change with my life. I can't really explain it but I had this overwhelming urge to get my life straightened back out again. I'm sure now that this was the Holy Spirit working on my soul to turn it back around and change paths. I like to think this was because of my now dead mother's prayers that were still working before the throne of God.

I thought I knew the truth but I had become more or less an agnostic which is essentially an atheist that is chicken. Looking back on it now it's amazing just how far I had gone in the wrong direction. Anyway, I started to search out the truth and looked at several religions and denominational faiths but the truth in the Bible led me back to my roots in the SDA church. If I could have found a church that stays closer to the Bible than the SDA church I would have gone there, but I couldn't. I got rebaptized again about 5 years ago into the SDA church.

I am now an elder in my very small church and the Lord has worked wonders in my life ever since.

 

[Sophia7]

I had a long story with the Lord in many ways. When I was 9 I was baptized in the Baptist church but that didn't last too long. Later my mother joined the Adventist church after an evangelistic series came to our town. I was rebaptized in the Adventist church a couple of years laterr when I was 12 and later went to Ozark Academy in Gentry Arkansas for three of my 4 years of High school. The last year I came back home and went to public which was the start of my downfall.

I don't want to bore you with the slippery slope I went sliding down after this but it was fast and furious and shows just how fast the devil can bring you down if you don't make the Lord a constant part of your life. Hes our only true defense against the enemy of our souls. After I graduated I was drafted into the Army. Had I been a practicing christian I would have went in on a consciensous (ms) objector or non-combatant status. However, my reasoning was that doing that would be hypocritical since I was not living right so I just went into the Army as a regular troop or 1A.

The worst happened after that, instead of getting a good job in the Army like in supply or quatermaster, I was trained in the infantry and sent to Viet Nam as a grunt. I spent an entire year trying desparately to stay alive, living with 24X7 fear in triple canopy jungle and killing a lot of people. I don't even want to go there about what all of that involved but suffice it to say it's the kind of stuff nite mares are made of. However, I had a mother at home praying for me every single day and I know that I was certainly protected many times when I should have gotten shot or blown up. I used to promise the Lord if He got me out of there alive I would serve Him the rest of my life, but I let Him down when I got back home. After Viet Nam I drank heavily and eventually became an alcoholic.

The next several years I'm not very proud of at all but basically I kept my back turned on the Lord and lived a life that was despicable. About 6 years ago things started to change with my life. I can't really explain it but I had this overwhelming urge to get my life straightened back out again. I'm sure now that this was the Holy Spirit working on my soul to turn it back around and change paths. I like to think this was because of my now dead mother's prayers that were still working before the throne of God.

I thought I knew the truth but I had become more or less an agnostic which is essentially an atheist that is chicken. Looking back on it now it's amazing just how far I had gone in the wrong direction. Anyway, I started to search out the truth and looked at several religions and denominational faiths but the truth in the Bible led me back to my roots in the SDA church. If I could have found a church that stays closer to the Bible than the SDA church I would have gone there, but I couldn't. I got rebaptized again about 5 years ago into the SDA church.

I am now an elder in my very small church and the Lord has worked wonders in my life ever since.

Welcome, and thanks for sharing your story!

 

[Hischild7]

I was born a SDA.Out of rebellion against my mother who was very strict,I went and married an unbeliever.He isolated me from family and friends,who could have exerted a good influence on my life.But the Lord didn't give up on me,as my family was praying for me.When I was pregnant with my first child,God sent an "angel" to me in the person of a friend of the family.He encouraged me to go back to church,and I did.I got rebaptized,and ever since have been walking with the Lord.My greatest praise to Him is that my children were all born and raised in the church.

Even though,I have lost my husband due to the decision I've made to follow my Lord,I am forever grateful that He loves me so,that He wouldn't give up on me.

 

[Sophia7]

I was born a SDA.Out of rebellion against my mother who was very strict,I went and married an unbeliever.He isolated me from family and friends,who could have exerted a good influence on my life.But the Lord didn't give up on me,as my family was praying for me.When I was pregnant with my first child,God sent an "angel" to me in the person of a friend of the family.He encouraged me to go back to church,and I did.I got rebaptized,and ever since have been walking with the Lord.My greatest praise to Him is that my children were all born and raised in the church.

Even though,I have lost my husband due to the decision I've made to follow my Lord,I am forever grateful that He loves me so,that He wouldn't give up on me.

 

[BonnieBee]

My Testimony that I read out in the morning:

My Testimony:

My favourite scripture is Ephesians 3:16-19.
Every time I read this scripture it gives me another glimpse of God’s awesome love and grace. To me, it really captures the essence of what the Lord is: …glory, strength, spirit, deepness, love, fullness…Paul was praying very earnestly when he wrote those words…

We sung one of my favourite hymns earlier – number 186. – I’ve Found a Friend. Jesus is my best friend. He loved me before I new Him, he bound me to him with the cords of love. Those ties are still around my heart, and always will be; for I am His, and He is mine, forever and forever…

As I was growing up – first at W-, and then in this area – my parents would go to church every Sunday, and I would go to Sunday school. I learnt about Jesus and all the bible stories, but it didn’t make much of an impact in me then. I knew Christ died for me, but I couldn’t comprehend the size of that sacrifice.

About two years ago, when two friends of mine were baptised, I suddenly realised that my own spiritual walk was really non-existent. I would pray occasionally, when I felt I needed something, or I would read my bible every couple of days, but a walk with the Lord was not something I could cherish at that time.

So, about this time last year I decided I wanted to be baptised! I made a promise to myself and God that I would read my bible every day, and pray, and making that a routine has been something that has kept me going through tough times: and there have been tough times. Sometimes I’ve almost given up on God. I’ve cried out to Him, wondering where on earth he was when I was feeling scared to death and bewildered at what was going on in my family…

Doing the bible studies with my Pastor has been wonderful. I’ve never learnt so much from the bible in my life!! Every study has been fascinating, and I am so happy that I can stand here and say that I know this is what the Lord wants me to do. He wants me to be baptised into Him, and to live every day for Him, to surrender all my hopes and dreams to his care, and I’m going to do that with my whole heart.

_______________________________________


Well, this is a short summary of yesterday!
On Friday, the weather had been cold, wet, and windy, so there were many praying for a sunny day! Well, we had an answer to prayer! The day was lovely and sunny, and stayed like that until just after everyone left the river!

In the morning the four of us all had a chance to share our testimony with the church folk. It was a good experience getting up there and sharing, and I was glad to be able to let everyone know why I had decided to make a stand for Jesus.

After lunch, a lot of people (about 80+) drove to the river where we were going to be baptised. We ended up being a bit late because I had to get changed etc, but the Pastor didn’t get there on time either, so that was ok

After we sung some hymns and a prayer, the Pastor explained what was going to happen, and then the four candidates stepped forward and we went through the baptismal vows. After that we walked into the water, as the congregation sang another hymn. (The river setting was beautiful. The water was nice and clear, and the bank was nice and cleared so everyone could sit or stand and get a clear view.)

We stood and waited for the singing to finish. My brother was going first. Then it was my turn… It was so amazing to be standing there, ready to be baptised, and knowing that it would be something I would remember for the rest of my life!!
The Pastor commented on my ‘Berean’ searching of the scriptures and about the hard questions I had asked him, and on my commitment to Jesus. Then I was baptised! (I got some water up my nose, but that was alright, hehe).

It was great having friends there to support me, and to hold my towel. The water was a bit cold when we were standing around, as there was a slight wind blowing too. My other two friends had their turn too, and we all stood around feeling so happy!

We then walked back to the riverbank, and the girls and boys headed off in different directions to get changed. After that we had the presentation and a special prayer, and then we were absolutely swamped with well-wishers!! It was very nice though, and it was encouraging to know that all these people had come to share and witness our commitment!

So yes, there was some of my day, and the most important part! It is hard to describe how I felt after being baptised. I guess it was just an awesome peace and thankfulness that I could have the privilege of being baptised into Him.

Sorry I don't have any photos of me being baptised at the moment. I'll have to wait till some friends of mine give me their photos.

 

[Cliff2]

BonnieBee

We are all so pleased and happy for you.

All of heaven were just as happy if not more happy than your friends were on the day of your baptism.

Thanks for sharing this day with us and we will continue to pray for and your friends. Good to see that your brother was able to join with you in baptism.

 

[BonnieBee]

Thankyou Cliff!
Yes, I'm sure it was!
It was such a special day, I'll never forget it!
Thankyou for your prayers!

 

[Dathen]

Firstly to start I'd like to clear up, for those who don't know. In Australia Geoff Youlden is our famous speaker, like Doug Batchelor or Mark Finely is to America.

At the start of the year 2005, the church I'm now a member at, kept an all night vigil praying for the Life after Life seminar that Geoff Youlden would be holding soon. My dad found the add in a newspaper and registered for the program. He invited me and my mum, but we reused saying "What relgious stuff has sucked you in?" But in those days I'm sure curse words would of been used. My dad also invited my sister and she accepted going to get driving lessons as she was a learner, but not to do the program. They really injoyed the program and enrolled for a prophecy seminar.

Meanwhile as I was in year 7, Gideons Australia came to distribute little New Testaments, Psalms and Proverbs. I never having read the Bible took one. I read it and I was moved. I then remembered that my sister and dad were doing a prophecy seminar. I enrolled for that, and caught up to the lesson they were studying. I soon enrolled to do many correspondense corses such as:
Try Jesus
Heath
Take charge of your Life
The Light of the World (About Jesus' life)

That seminar finished and we enrolled into the revelation seminar. Mum came along to this as well, because my sister had told her all the stuff she'd learnt. We crused though those seminars, recieving award books and Bibles. Soon all of us were attending church. But then we couldn't go, unfortunately because my dad chose to play cricket on Saturdays. We came storming back to church after the cricket season, and havn't left. Soon we were well known at church, with respected positions. Mum is treasurers assitent, my sister sets up the notice board and table and I control the PA system for the band. My dad has gone astray and dosn't believe as much. We excepted the Sabbath and have been keeping it for 60 weeks. July 1st this year me, my mum and my sister stepped into the waters of baptism, with a blessed day.

Now my mum and I are training Bible Workers and are giving my dad bible lessons.

I now have heaps of christian books and CD's. Including 3 and a half Bibles. My aim in life is to becaom a minister. My Church is Northpoint, in the north-west suburbs of Melbourne Victoria, Australia. I'm completey changed and have God to thank. For all he's done. It brings tears to my eyes, thinking of what he's done!!

By the way in Australia mom is spelt MUM!!

 

[Sophia7]

 

[Tishri1]

I posted this in another forum in a thread of adoption testimonies so I think I'll post it here too if y'all dont mind, that way you can get to know me even alittle bit better...

Here is my story, I have lots of things I could say that happened before and after this, as I actually have 3 miracles from God , my 3 beautiful children …This is my middle son’s story….

A few weeks before Christmas 1994, I sent out a Christmas card to all our family and friends that went something like this..."...We are not through with the fertility treatments, just putting the whole thing on hold for a while, and we may even consider adoption too, it would be my dream to find a young girl out there who was in trouble and desperately needed us...." We had just been thru a year and a half of experimental fertility treatments with one of the best Fertility Dr.s in So.CA……with no results….

We put our dreams on hold because in January there would be no time anyway to think about a baby for that next year we were going to move from California to Washington and life was getting busy.

I was a teacher of ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance ....and a choreographer AND a student and member of my college dance company working and taking classes 7 hours a day!(boy was I in shape back then) I also ran a worship dance company at our church, and was home schooling my first little miracle (my oldest, now 19)... so when Dh got this new exciting job offer and had to leave for Washington right away I was "OK, honey I'll stay here a few months and sell the house, and finish teaching my classes, my recitals, home schooling, and get ready for our final concert at the college ect ect..." I expected to be joining him in a month…

I got a call from my best friend 3 days after Dh left for Washington..."To bad your moving to Washington now cuz I just got a call from a friend of mine and it seems her son has gotten his girlfriend pregnant and they are looking for a family to adopt the baby.....

EXIT stage right: everything I THOUGHT was keeping me there in California....ENTER stage left: A precious gift to our Family from ABBA...

Well it was a crazy time adopting our son ... We still had to be picked by the birth mom (the birth dad already knew we were the ones for him) and she had 5 couples to choose from...but I was the only one who wanted an open adoption, so in the long run she picked us...and then we just had to wait...but not for long.

BM (birth Mom) moved in and we became friends (she was still reserved as she was only 16 and very teenagerish, needing her space, but she knew I was there for her). We had to look for an adoption agency as we had found each other before she ever signed up anywhere...And we figured we still had up to 3 1/2 months to go... I got to know the BD too (only 15 years old) as he would come by alot to show support to his girlfriend...I found out his dad and I were in a few church plays together...who would 'a known.....

As the days went by and I realized that we had about a month and a half left , my first son (my first miracle) and I decided to go to "Magic Mountain." for one last date before baby brother came....we had a lot of fun...He was your typical 8 year old and just wanted to go on the BIG rides over and over....when we got home there was a note on the table "Meet us at the hospital...we think it is time..." I rushed over as fast as I could, a nurse threw one of those green overall things at me and said “hurry up she is almost ready” and as soon as I was done putting on the last booty I heard "to late the baby's out , you'll have to wait out here"....not more than 3 minutes later out rolled an incubator with a baby inside and it went right by me... was that MY baby?...I was thinking ....WOW …there he is, my GIFT from ABBA was here...I wanted to run after him but I couldn’t…

The night my Son was born was like a dream, I only got a glimps of him, then I went to be with BM and she was extremely excited and wanted to talk...so we talked for hours...I couldn't go see the baby yet without some ok by someone in charge, as the adoption wasn't final yet. And so being close to BM was like being close to him...she had been my only link to him these last few weeks and so I was ready to wait it out till morning with her...I wanted to know so many details but didn’t want to hurt her feelings so I just let her talk, to my surprise she wanted to tell me everything!

The next day we both got to see him, it was weird, I felt like she was his mom and I was ...I don't know... we couldn't hold him much cuz his lungs were weak (5 weeks premature) and so we just changed diapers and fed him and touched him...I shared him with her for his first two weeks of his life, and felt fine about it ...you know that old saying that Children belong to God and we are only privileged to care for them for a time...well I really felt that way with this baby... this baby seemed to belong to the whole world and I was the blessed one picked to be his mom...

I remember the first time we were alone together...it was late at night, 2 days after he was born and the nurse let me hold him while I fed him his bottle....I was just letting him snuggle up close to me and receive comfort from having me for his mom...it seemed like he needed so much at that moment, and everything he needed I had, but did he know that? I believe when you carry a baby 9 months, they know you... your strengths and your weaknesses .... He grew for 9 months in an environment of fear and uncertainly, he didn’t know yet that I would be the person whom he could lean on all his life.... Yes security..... that's what I felt he needed...Since his conception, his life had been filled with so much fear and dread, even death had been an option at one point before she agreed to adoption ..... I realized he was needing and receiving for the first time, a sense of security.... I think he was finally sensing that this stranger would bring certainty and security to his tiny life (all 5 pounds and 18 inches of him)...

As I sat there rocking him I began to make up a special lullaby for him ... (I had a special song for son #1 at his birth and this baby needed a special song too...)

"_ _ _ _ (insert his name) is my baby boy,
He brings mommy so much joy.
Jesus loves you, yes he does...
You came to us from heaven above,
You came to us from Heaven above."

I must have sang that song for a hour...rocking him and snuggling him....I think I was singing it to him to let him know who I was, and who he was, like an introduction...(hello I'm your mommy, your my son, and ABBA sent you here to me...)I would exchange the word "mommy" and put in Daddy and his big brother's name and just kept singing it till I felt his little spirit (and my spirit) receive a peace that we were going to be a family ..and that everything was all right now.....

The next day when I visited him...he was my baby, I really felt it ...and oh how I was so thankful to ABBA for this incredible gift..


We left Ca. when he was two weeks old, we left friends, family, and his Birth Parents behind, it was the hardest thing I had ever done...

When we got to Washington DH had been there 2 months already (he had only come home to visit on the weekends) and so our new life in Wash. had started without me....there were friends there to greet me, and a new church, neighbors, relatives...A new life was all set up for me and I felt like I was being adopted as well!

My DH‘s boss handed me a card and said he saved it from last Christmas…I had totally forgotten about ever writting these words...As I read the part about thinking about adopting and wanting to be there for a special girl in trouble who may need us, I realized... I had been the one in trouble (wanting the pain of my past and the infertility to be over) and how much I had needed her! She was an angel then and has been one for the past 11 years as we have all been close throughout the years…


ABBA saved us and even the extended family by what he did for this baby, as 2 years later there was a tragic accident and my son’s Birth dad was dead…

[FONT=&quot]At his funeral while I watched my now 2 year old Son run around and greet all his Birth family, bringing joy and healing to them all, I realized that I was created for such a time as this, that my pain and struggles in life, and my joy in receiving my adopted son was for this moment in time, to ease the pain of these good people who had lost everything in one day…..That day as tragic as it was made me realize that nothing is by chance, that everything is part of ABBA’s plan to shower love on all of us….As I looked around I quietly let it all sink in….That wonderful moment of healing was being etched in my heart and added to all the miraculous moments from the past both good and bad...

then just as quickly that quiet peaceful moment was interrupted by a soft loving cry coming from my 2 year old's new baby sister telling me ..."it's time to nurse again mommy…."

[/FONT]

 

[Sophia7]

What a beautiful story of God's blessings in your life! It made me cry. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[Tishri1]

We have wanted a new place to live for 7 years....We lived in Washington at the time and I was depressed there...


We finally moved back to Ca for a respit and said we'll stay for 6 mos to a year and thats all because it may be a nice place to stop and visit friends and family , but our dream has been this whole time to live in Colorado ...well that was almost 5 years ago.....

We kept wondering why no jobs were available for DH out there, lots of time goes by and we kept waiting and waiting......Don't move away friends would say, ABBA has something for you to do here everyone would say, well we're here and nothing much is happening...


We waited and waited watched our kids grow up some, and made some friends but still always felt like this was our pit stop on the way to Colorado.....then

Last weekend after a cheer competion when we were all so happy (and tired as it was a long day) for DD's team getting 1st place and advancing to Nationals....I got a phone call from my son's Birth Mom (he's adopted and we have a close relationship with her)....she has a cousin who is pregnant and putting her baby up for adoption, do I know anyone?

Yes!!!!!!!!! DD's cheer coach was telling me less than a month ago how hard it is to adopt now a days and how sad and hopeless that made her...

Well it's been a long and exciting week and definately a Spirit moving week as we watched ABBA move in these hearts uniting both DS's BM's Cousin, and DD's Cheer Coach and two days ago the Cousin said Yes to the Coach "I want you to adopt my baby....."


...and yesterday My Dear Husband got a call for a job transfer to Denver Colorado
Thank you ABBA,

Thank-you for making us wait, for keeping us strong, for helping everytime we got frustraited and wondered what's wrong with us, thanks for keeping us here...

...so I would hear the heart cry of a young woman who wanted a baby and be here to deliver the news that there was a baby who needed her too

Thank-you for not answering our prayer for seven years.....it was an awesome wait