This is my first time sharing this testimony online. I could never bring myself to share my testimony online for two reasons. One, for fear of ridicule and having my own true personal testimony reduced to 'so-what'. Two, I was, and still am, scared that someone would belittle my testimony and shatter my faith. Every time I feel like there is a God, I end up at some secular website that shuts down my conviction and crushes my faith in a personal, living Creator. I know my faith should be stronger but it hurts when some rationalist, humanist, atheist, etc claims what I believe to be nothing more than pure fairy tale. I apologize, I just can't get over it. But still I feel like I should share my story. The same story that brings me back to the Christian God whenever I truly hit my plateau of doubts. Here goes everything! *I also would like to apologize for this long-winded introduction. But I had to get this off my chest!'
On one fine Sunday, when I was around 10-12 (age), I decided to go to church for no good reason. I honestly have no idea why I wanted to go to church. Most 10 to 12 year old boys find church to be a very boring place with some cute little girls. But on that day I wanted to go to church. Let me try to recollect my memory. So I left my home in hopes of finding a church. There were 3 churches in my neighborhood and I stopped at the first one I caught my eye on. I walked in and took a seat. I'm not sure what type of church it was but I believe it was a church for 'special' kids. There was nobody around except for 2 kids sitting playing with musical instruments so I left. OK, so on I went to the next church. The only thing I remember about the second church was this huge, hung up rug that had a portrait of Jesus. I looked around, waited, and saw no one. Something inside me said this, this church, doesn't feel right. So on I went to the church, that was located right beside the 2nd church, and this is where I would receive my faith in the Lord.
As soon as I walked in to the 3rd church I met this really nice lady. I don't remember her name but I remember having a conversation with her. We talked a little bit and I told her how I just didn't feel right at the last few churches. I determined then that this was the church I was supposed to be at. I excused myself and ran all the way home to get a Bible and some offering money from my mother. I ran all the way back to the church....(Sorry, my memory is foggy) I know what you are thinking...get to the point man, get to the point. Okay, okay.
To make a long story short
(too late), her husband who was the pastor gave a sermon. We passed the plate, prayed, etc. just like any normal Christian church service. This next part is the part that changed my life. I was a new visitor and this was a small, small church so naturally the pastor told me to stand up to introduce myself and I did. And he asked me and
I remember this...
'
When's the last time you seen your father'?
*How in the....how does he know my father lives in a different state and I haven't seen him in ages. I never told anyone that.*
'In the name of Jesus Christ, you'll see your father real soon'
......yadda, yadda.......*Few months later*
Listen to this. The first day my family moved from the rat-trap roach infested duplex to a nice apartment on the good side of town, I get a call. I answer. Guess who it was? Yea, it was my father. But so what right?
But he was here in Jacksonville, Florida on a business meeting and he wanted to spend time with me and my brother!
(No my father wasn't trying to get back with my mom. My mom was re-married and my father didn't know that we moved or even where we lived. He is not familiar with Jacksonville at all.)
Let me expand on how important this is. My father is a deadbeat. He never calls or anything like that. There's some people shrugging their shoulders right now but I had to explain that this wasn't a regular thing. My dad has never been back to Jacksonville and he rarely bothers to talk to me since that day.
Tell me how I can deny Christ after this? This is my personal testimony. Hopefully, this testimony convinces somebody, anyone that Christ is real. Probably, not. I just want to leave with what I believe to be the truest
(they are all true) line in the Bible....
(Matthew 7)
7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Take care.