Daniisalivenow
Member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2008
- Messages
- 25
I come from a non-religious, live in the world family background, I was saved at 15, through the grace of God, sending me by chance to a Bible Camp for a week.
My family couldn't afford it, and I nearly didn't go because my father (Greek Orthodox) didn't know these people that had invited me through a friend. He was also worried about brainwashing!
All I knew before I went to this camp was I believed there was a God, and science (I was in high school) confused me, because for some unknown reason I really wanted Creation to be true - not evolution.
Well, didn't I get a shock when I was saved by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ and KNEW now I was going to heaven!!! Amen
That was a wonderous moment!! And I had a great week making friends, who were now saved as well, which in turn made me feel like my life would change dramatically.
My parents and grandparents (on both sides) didn't like what I told them, and certainly didn't want to hear anymore. I spent a couple of days being in their ears about how I was saved and they had to repent for their sins, ask God for forgiveness to go to heaven. Being 15 and less than a babe in the woods, I didn't handle it very well.
But the Holy Spirit must have been working hard, because not only did they allow my brother to go to this same camp a few months later, at the age of 10, but let me go to Church and Sunday School! Praise the Lord!!
I was young and stupid though, in the next couple of months, I had too many questions and not enough trust, I thought all the knowledge and answers would be easy to obtain if you believed.
NOT TRUE obviously, but I was disillusioned and turned away from God, the thing was I only troubled by was the words of man and the world itself. It was all the different christian churches, the different bibles, the sex scandals in churches, the coruption, and probably a few other things, that I thought important at the time. I wasn't angry at God. I felt guilty, but I kept burying that feeling.
So for many years, during which I had an abusive relationship, which I got away from, then met my partner of 13 years had 3 children, I just didn't think about God much, it was to be thought about later when I'm older, never NOW.
When Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses came to my door, I was polite but firm, I had a set answer everytime. "I believe in God (actually didn't consider myself saved and going to heaven anymore) but I don't like the church or religion in general" they then left me stuff, but didn't like all the information I read, I didn't think it was correct according to God.
Then within a few months of each other, 2 big events happened in my life that changed me for good! A Jehovah Witness came to my door, I was polite as usual, but I kept talking to her, I told her something was missing from my life and I think it is God. She was also quite commited to her cause, and a lovely lady, so I made a decision to start praying, at least, then see what happens!
I didn't have much to base this feeling on but it was a strong feeling! Now I consider it was the Holy Spirit working on me! Praise the Lord!!
I felt humbled, loving, joyful and relieved as I asked forgiveness again, with a promise to find the truth with help from Jesus.
But it was stop/start with me, no church to go to, my family would think I lost the plot, I was using my children as an excuse. It has been a slow process for me, but so rewarding.
The other big event that happened only a month or so later was my Grandmother died, she had been sick, but it wasn't expected until the last 2 days in hospital.
I found this extremely hard to come to terms with, she wasn't saved (as far as I know) a Greek Orthodox who went to mass at Christmas and Easter! I cried to God on more than one occasion!
That's when I felt the answer pop into my head,
I can't say sorry to Jesus, when I haven't shared Jesus with my family or friends, or even starting to live as Jesus would, as an example to my loved ones!
So that is where I am, struggling, with a much lighter heart, knowing I'm finally heading in the right direction.
I'm praying for the courage to talk to my family again, find a church, and get baptised, then married.
In the meantime, I have TJ, which I feel truely blessed to have found, I know I was led to this site (I had looked at many, for months and needed more) the fellowship here is awesome! Not to mention all I have learned.
So, sorry about the long post, but even if no-one reads it all, I feel so much better for being able to put it into words, and if it helps anyone at all, there is so much to praise the Lord for, for there is always faith and hope in Jesus. :singing:
My family couldn't afford it, and I nearly didn't go because my father (Greek Orthodox) didn't know these people that had invited me through a friend. He was also worried about brainwashing!
All I knew before I went to this camp was I believed there was a God, and science (I was in high school) confused me, because for some unknown reason I really wanted Creation to be true - not evolution.
Well, didn't I get a shock when I was saved by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ and KNEW now I was going to heaven!!! Amen
That was a wonderous moment!! And I had a great week making friends, who were now saved as well, which in turn made me feel like my life would change dramatically.
My parents and grandparents (on both sides) didn't like what I told them, and certainly didn't want to hear anymore. I spent a couple of days being in their ears about how I was saved and they had to repent for their sins, ask God for forgiveness to go to heaven. Being 15 and less than a babe in the woods, I didn't handle it very well.
But the Holy Spirit must have been working hard, because not only did they allow my brother to go to this same camp a few months later, at the age of 10, but let me go to Church and Sunday School! Praise the Lord!!
I was young and stupid though, in the next couple of months, I had too many questions and not enough trust, I thought all the knowledge and answers would be easy to obtain if you believed.
NOT TRUE obviously, but I was disillusioned and turned away from God, the thing was I only troubled by was the words of man and the world itself. It was all the different christian churches, the different bibles, the sex scandals in churches, the coruption, and probably a few other things, that I thought important at the time. I wasn't angry at God. I felt guilty, but I kept burying that feeling.
So for many years, during which I had an abusive relationship, which I got away from, then met my partner of 13 years had 3 children, I just didn't think about God much, it was to be thought about later when I'm older, never NOW.
When Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses came to my door, I was polite but firm, I had a set answer everytime. "I believe in God (actually didn't consider myself saved and going to heaven anymore) but I don't like the church or religion in general" they then left me stuff, but didn't like all the information I read, I didn't think it was correct according to God.
Then within a few months of each other, 2 big events happened in my life that changed me for good! A Jehovah Witness came to my door, I was polite as usual, but I kept talking to her, I told her something was missing from my life and I think it is God. She was also quite commited to her cause, and a lovely lady, so I made a decision to start praying, at least, then see what happens!
I didn't have much to base this feeling on but it was a strong feeling! Now I consider it was the Holy Spirit working on me! Praise the Lord!!
I felt humbled, loving, joyful and relieved as I asked forgiveness again, with a promise to find the truth with help from Jesus.
But it was stop/start with me, no church to go to, my family would think I lost the plot, I was using my children as an excuse. It has been a slow process for me, but so rewarding.
The other big event that happened only a month or so later was my Grandmother died, she had been sick, but it wasn't expected until the last 2 days in hospital.
I found this extremely hard to come to terms with, she wasn't saved (as far as I know) a Greek Orthodox who went to mass at Christmas and Easter! I cried to God on more than one occasion!
That's when I felt the answer pop into my head,
I can't say sorry to Jesus, when I haven't shared Jesus with my family or friends, or even starting to live as Jesus would, as an example to my loved ones!
So that is where I am, struggling, with a much lighter heart, knowing I'm finally heading in the right direction.
I'm praying for the courage to talk to my family again, find a church, and get baptised, then married.
In the meantime, I have TJ, which I feel truely blessed to have found, I know I was led to this site (I had looked at many, for months and needed more) the fellowship here is awesome! Not to mention all I have learned.
So, sorry about the long post, but even if no-one reads it all, I feel so much better for being able to put it into words, and if it helps anyone at all, there is so much to praise the Lord for, for there is always faith and hope in Jesus. :singing:
