I grew up going to church in a family of professing Christians. I read my Bible every day and prayed every day. Slowly I let the world work itself into my life. The first thing was masturbation. I considered masturbation a “grey area,” not necessarily sin, so I let it slide. I’m here to tell anyone in the same place, it’s SIN! And that sin will eat you like no other that I know of.

Every day it seemed like I was in front of the computer screen pleasuring myself. At some point I stopped reading my Bible and praying. Eventually I started hating church because, in my estimation, it was full of insincere fakers.

I was very bookish and a new trend had hit academia: “The New Atheists”. I read “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins and ate it up. I told my mom, “I don’t believe in God, or heaven, or hell.” And she told me up front that I was serving the devil and was going to hell.

My life just started spiraling downward from this point on. I went to college and did the college things: drugs & alcohol. I was still masturbating almost every day. Two years go by, I start passing out in the shower, while driving, over the stove while I was over the stove cooking.

I go to the doctor and he proscribes a generic version of Zoloft, saying I have “generalized anxiety.” I start taking it and it’s like a miracle drug. I become more outgoing immediately and my mind starts remembering all the things I used to forget. About a month into the regime I run into problems. My mind is on overdrive 24/7. I can’t sleep. I feel like I’m going crazy. One night I returned home, crashed on my bed and thought “if I don’t do something now, I’m checking myself into an institution.”

I called out to God. “I know you’re there and if you save me from this insanity, I’ll follow you.” That night I felt a peace wash over my mind. From that day forward I’ve followed Jesus Christ. Because of what He did for me, I can never again doubt His existence. I owe a lot of what happened to me, to my mother and father’s continued prayers. If you’re praying for someone who’s lost or prodigal, remember God answers prayers!

By: Anonymous

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In every life there is a storm or two; a storm that really stands out from the rest; a storm that once survived, comes to define you some how.

For me one such storm, and there have been many, came as just that, a devastating treacherous storm system moving through the pan handle of Texas and Oklahoma in the summer months of 1993. Our little family was traveling to visit the grandparents and my husband was contracted to DJ for his 10 year high school reunion in Midwest City.

Weary from the many hours on the road, in two vans, and two tired little boys, we stopped for what we thought would be our last fill-up before reaching Oklahoma City. I was nervous as the am radio weather advisements warned us of high wind and tornado storm warnings in the areas between us and our destination. It was gusty as we got and paid for our gas and we needed to make good time to avoid the worst of what could come.

Not long after our stop, my van began to have a problem. It began to choke and sputter, especially during acceleration. My husband, thinking all was well, took the lead. An ever increasing distance between us, grew. He wasn’t answering his walkie talkie and the winds increased, the skys grew darker and darker and soon it was clear that my little boys and I were soon to be stranded at the side of the road. The clouds took on an ominous green hue and dozens of small funnel clouds were darting down from the clouds above. The entire sky, for as far as I could see, was thick with dark billowy clouds and the wind and rain were crashing against the van. It was dark as night but I thought I could see a bridge up ahead that may shelter us a little.

Feeling abandoned by my husband and left to weather the storm alone, I began to pray. Immediately the van stalled. Pulling to the right lane, my hazard lights on, I struggled to keep the momentum and to restart the engine. I prayed again, and again! My panic grew as the situation became more and more dangerous. I was surrounded on all sides, and a feeling of doom overcame me. I prayed once more, this time asking my little boys to pray with me. I was choking down a feeling of impatience with God,almost angry with him. We prayed. The van immediately stalled. It seemed the only reaction to my prayer was more trouble. I remember calling out angrily, “That’s not the kind of help I am asking for!” Then a small voice whispered… “How will you glorify me in this storm? Your place is not to scold or scoff at me child!”

Immediately humbled, I began to beg for forgiveness. What was I thinking?! I was yelling at God in the middle of tornado alley? So, briefly, almost instantly, I knew. I began to pray again, this time uttering these words through my tears, “Heavenly Father, if for no other reason than to show my little ones the power of prayer…”, and that was all I was able to utter before a piercing beam of light broke through the clouds behind me and over my left shoulder shining on to the road directly ahead of me. My body was surrounded by a skin tingling warmth; my heart and my mind were instantly aware that God heard me and honored my plea. I was overcome! Tears streaming down my face, I felt the most powerful love I have ever ever experienced.

The break in the clouds continued to grow, the light over my shoulder increased. I was going to make it to the bridge and I could see that my husband had stopped there to wait for me. The raindrops falling, now gently, appeared as individual little prisms, casting multiple rainbows around each one. Ahead of me it appeared as a transparent – shimmering veil of intersecting miniature beams of color. A surge of power rushed through me as the van penetrated and passed through this veil. It almost felt that I passed through heaven, quick as a blink. The van, now maintaining some speed reached the bridge.

My husband ran to my window and suggested that we switch vans. He would follow and keep an eye on me. I was nearly speachless and struggled to put into words what I had just experienced. He acknowledged, but focused on our safety, kind of seeming to dismiss my account. But not I. I felt as if was glowing inside to out, my heart was fluttering, tears streaming, goosebumps covered my body, and all I could do was sing praises at the top of my lungs for hours. It was nearly involuntary and only broken by shouts of praise and thanksgiving through the sobs. The break in the clouds had now grown to at least a quater of the sky. A seemingly impenatrable storm just moments earlier, was now dispersing outward from where the light had first pierced it. Every few minutes I could see more and more blue sky behind me and within the hour, the only clouds I could see were many many miles away. I had to even crack the windows and run the air conditioner as the humidity and heat began to steam up the inside of the windows and limpen my hair.

When I could no longer sing, I sat in awe. I marveled that the God of the universe, did know my name, could hear my prayers and did love me afterall. He was real, I knew it, and I also knew that no matter what trials may come to me in my life, or in the lives of my children, I would never be able to doubt or question it. I knew he would continue to keep us and sustain us. He is a God of Love. He is a God of promise. He is our Father and is willing to move heaven and earth for us. But there may be times he sits silently to observe, to survey our motives and to test our fortitude.

My sons are now grown, and there have been many dark storms which have come in and out of our lives. Even now, 17 years later, the memories and the lessons of that day still shine a light on my path and sustain me through it all.

I have been thinking of the storms that had defined me as a wife, mother, friend, Christian, human. I felt it was time to share my story. I don’t know why it happened to me and not to someone else, but I am here to tell you, no matter what, God lives, He loves us, He hears us, He sustains us. Every day we awaken to any number of impending disasters; death and destruction await upon our every step and every breath and every word. But HE, supreme, is over all and is actively protecting and providing for each and every one of us, each and every day. I know it within every fiber of my being. Cast the weight of your faith upon the Rock, the rock of Jesus Christ, prince of peace, everlasting Father.

B. Green
Reno, Nevada

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I am writing to warn you against the very real danger of procrastination, meaning deciding later on to accept Christ as your Savior. In the Bible, Paul writes,For He( God ) says:In an acceptable time I have heard you,And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.[2 Corinthians 6:2]

Please Christians, pass this link on to others so they may in turn pass it on to others. It’s my hope that thousands read this and understand the dangers of procrastination. If you are reading this and are not a Christian, then please read God’s plan of salvation Toward the middle of this message.

I heard the gospel message several times, the message of God’s love for us,however I was not ready to change my lifestyle and give up my sins. The problem with a decision like that is no one knows how long he or she has on Earth. Every day people die from accidents,natural disasters and disease or they die at the hands of others through a criminal act..

This message is about the most important life and death decision you will ever make. If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior, your soul is in great spiritual danger. This decision will determine where you spend eternity.

My name is Stan Cook and I first heard about Jesus when I was in high school. A fellow classmate named Steve told me about God’s plan of salvation. Steve told me of how we are separated from God because of sin. That separation means we spend eternity apart from God in eternal torment. Steve told me about the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, how his blood was shed, about how he died, the just for the unjust. He told me how Jesus rose from the dead on third day and thereby overcame death. He told me about believing these things in my heart.

I believed without a doubt Jesus is the Son of God, He suffered and died on the cross to pay for my sins and was buried and rose from the grave three days later. I skipped the part about believing in my heart. I had not asked Jesus to come into my life and make me a new person.

There is a common saying: “You can miss Heaven by 18 inches.” That is about the distance between you head and your heart. I had an intellectual knowledge but no heart knowledge. That is, I did not make Jesus Lord of my life.

One day I decided to attend church again. At the end of the morning service, the pastor invited those people who wanted to make a decision to accept Christ as the lord over their lives to go forward. This was the second call.

I immediately had a powerful sense of urgency to go forward to give my life to Jesus. I tightly gripped the back of the pew in front of me and fought the urge to go forward. I really don’t have the words to describe how powerful and urgent this invitation was. I finally told God I wasn’t ready to give up my sinful lifestyle.

Again, I chose sin over salvation…what an incredibly stupid choice. I chose temporary pleasures and what I believed to be the benefits sin has to offer over eternal salvation.

God tried so hard that day in church but I resisted and rejected the call. I understand now why the call to salvation was so urgent. We all have a free will though, and I chose to continue living in sin. The Devil did not make me do it as some claim. Satan can tempt us but It’s our choice to give into that temptation or resist.

The third call came several years later, shortly after my sister passed away. I knew she was a born-again Christian and am convinced she spoke to the Lord on my behalf. Because my sister spoke with God, I was assured God was still interested in my salvation despite the way I lived and the choices I was making.

This time I did ask Jesus into my life. Less than a month later, I returned to my sinful lifestyle.

For a while everything went well, but as time passed, everything gradually went bad. I had a business partnership that went bad. I lost a good job. I faced financial ruin. I lost most of my possessions. But, the greatest loss for me was the relationships I had with most of my family. So, you see, Satan has a plan for our lives also. He will use us to bring sorrow and ruin not only to ourselves but also to the people around us.

I began thinking only evil thoughts most of the day, cursing God, and saying vile and evil things to Him. I felt my face contorting into an evil scowl as I made rude gestures toward Him. My thoughts grew dark and evil. I was literally immersed into evil.

July 4th 2006. I was downtown watching the 4th of July fireworks show. After the show I stood up to leave and almost fell over. My left leg was very weak. My left leg had been feeling weak for a few days but I tried to ignore it.

What I didn’t know was that I was developing what’s called an aortic aneurysm. That’s where a balloon develops in the aorta. This “balloon” pressed the blood vessels feeding the nerves to my legs between it and my spine. This cut off the supply of blood to the nerves to my legs and they died.

Normally this is a fatal condition. The aorta is about as big around as a garden hose. Usually the aneurysm will burst and the person would bleed to death in a matter of seconds.

July 4th 2006 was the last day I walked. What followed were several months of rehabilitation; learning how to get by without the use of my legs. I knew right away that this was a wake up call from God. I know to this day this was a “now or never“ situation. Either turn to God or face the consequences. I had accepted Christ as my savior but I chose evil over good. Who God loves he chastens. By now, I would have given up on myself if I were God. It was clear I had no interest in the things of God.

God is not willing that any should perish but that all turn to salvation. I praise God that he gave me this final call.

I am now in assisted living in a wheelchair. It’s highly unlikely that I will ever walk again; at least not in this life. I grieve over the life I have lived. I would like to turn time back and start over. I caused so much hurt to those around me. I lived for the moment and didn’t care about the future or the consequences. Satan has a plan for us and I chose that way instead of God’s way.

Don’t put off this decision like I did. No one has a guarantee that they’ll live another day.

Again, I ask that you pass this on to as many people as you can and they in turn pass it on to many people. I really believe time is short and now more than ever we need to get the gospel to as many as possible.

God’s Plan Of Salvation
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

We all have sin in our hearts. We all were born with sin.
We were born under the power of sin’s control.
- Admit that you are a sinner.

Romans 6:23a “…The wages of sin is death…”

Sin has an ending. It results in death. We all face physical death, which is a result of sin. But a worse death is spiritual death that alienates us from God, and will last for all eternity. The Bible teaches that there is a place called the Lake of Fire where lost people will be in torment forever. It is the place where people who are spiritually dead will remain.
- Understand that you deserve death for your sin.

Romans 6:23b “…But the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Salvation is a free gift from God to you! You can’t
earn this gift, but you must reach out and receive it.
- Ask God to forgive you and save you.

Romans 5:8, “God demonstrates His own love for us, in
that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!”

When Jesus died on the cross He paid sin’s penalty. He paid the price for all sin, and when He took all the sins of the world on Himself on the cross, He bought us out of slavery to sin and death! The only condition is that we believe in Him and what He has done for us, understanding that we are now joined with Him, and that He is our life. He did all this because He loved us and gave Himself for us!

- Give your life to God… His love poured out in Jesus on the cross is your only hope to have forgiveness and change. His love bought you out of being a slave to sin. His love is what saves you — not religion, or church membership. God loves you!

Romans 10:13 “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!”

- Call out to God in the name of Jesus!

Romans 10:9,10 “…If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

- If you know that God is knocking on your heart’s door,ask Him to come into your heart.

Jesus said,Revelation 3:20a “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him…”

- Is Jesus knocking on your heart’s door?
- Believe in Him.
- Ask Him to come in to your heart by faith,
and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
Open the Bible to the Gospel of John and read what God says about Jesus, about you, and about being born again.

This prayer is here only as a guide. I urge you to pour out your heart to Jesus in your own words. It’s important that these aren’t just words, but that they come from the heart.

“Lord, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

God will help you. He loves you!

You need to look for a local church where God’s word is preached. The Bible says that we are to desire God’s word like a newborn baby desires mother’s milk.Aren’t you hungry to know the truth?

Water baptism is one of the ways you first show that you have been joined to Jesus. This is an action, and actions will not save you. However, it is an act of obedience and a symbol of commitment.

The symbolism is this:
When you go down in the water you show that
You have been crucified and buried with Him,

And when you come up out of the water you show that you have been raised to walk with Him in newness of life. (See Romans chapter 6)

You have been born again.
(See John chapter 3)

Your body has become God’s temple.
Your heart is where He lives.

Forgiveness is yours in Jesus.
And you belong to Him.

You were sin’s slave.
But now…

You are a child of GOD!

John 1:12
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name!”

The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
(Song: To God Be The Glory. Fanny J. Cosby and William H. Doanes)

By: Stan Cook

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I am a 48 yr old mother of 3 beautiful children 24,18 & 16 and have been truly blessed with all of them (so far). I gave my life to the Lord at 17 with my best friend and went on to lead a very wild lifestyle. I am born and raised in California, but at 17 my dad moved my family to Oklahoma where he was from and everything went downhill fast.

I was so distraught over leaving my friends and family that I started really having a good time and being defiant because I felt betrayed by my dad who had promised my mom and I so many things before we moved across the country and absolutely none of them came through so was not a happy camper.

My mom and I ended up moving back to California after about a year and got back with my boyfriend and he cheated on my so many times and made me feel like a horrible person over 4 yers (which I know I wasn’t) so I ended up going back to Oklahoma to live with my dad who was drinking every night and very unstable all the way around. Growing up he was a drill sergeant so he was completely different at this point which was cool to me, but later on I suffered.

I started seeing a 26th year old bartender (I was 19) and was intimate with him and he was a very rough character, but I liked the excitement and whenever we spent the night together he had a gun laying next to him which scared me and of course the Lord protected me from any harm. This same man later got me into exotic dancing in a very scary place in a bad part of town where the girls were so rough and could of beat me up anytime, but for some reason they didn’t??

I danced for about a year before I moved to Texas with a friend and got a job dancing and met who I thought was the man of my dreams, but he ended up being a nightmare that wouldn’t end. He was a total physical and mental abuser who threatened my life many times and beat me several times and without the Lord I wouldn’t be here I’m telling you.

One particular night after he had been beating me in the car I got out a couple of times and ran trying to knock on doors, but it was too late and I’m sure people were scared to open the door. He got me and put me in the car and we drove off with him hitting at my face any chance he got.

I remember we were at a stoplight when I saw a van across the way and I thought to myself this is my chance to get out and run across the street to get help and the door opened to the van and there were 2 young guys in there and they let me in and I was terrified and let them know what happened and low and behold they were Christians and took me to a hotel and put me up for the night.

I have so many stories to tell, but I believe the Lord wrapped me in his arms and saved my life many times. To this day my dad hasn’t been in my mine or my deceased brother’s life much for what reason I guess I’ll never know. That’s my story…God Bless You All!

By: Sandra Sluka

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Although I have been growing up in church all my life, I never really personally believed in God until I was entering grade five. The time I first accepted Christ into my life was during a summer bible camp they were doing a play on the prodigal son how the son did so many horrendous things to his father taking all his father’s fortune and leaving home, once he spent all his money he was in the dumps, feeding pigs and as poor as he has ever been. One day after many years he mustered up all his courage to go home back to his father, carrying with him years’ worth of guilt and shame, wishing that his father would forgive him. When his father saw him, they had an emotional reunion, he ran up to his son with open arms with tears and welcomed him home. His father was not angry but was happy that his son finally comes home. At the end of the skit, one of the leaders asked us to whether we wanted to be like the son, and be loved by this father who would forgive us no matter what we have done. I said yes and he invited us to say a prayer on the backstage, and on that day I accepted Christ into my life.

Even to this day, I still remember why I put up my hand, how I felt at that time. Before I met Christ, I was very self-confident of myself, but there were things I was going through which I felt no one really understood. I felt like I was doing a lot of things I was not supposed to but it was going out control, I want to change but I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t know how to love, to respect, or to say even the simplest words like sorry and thank you. I was lost; I felt people don’t understand, or know what they say or do has a very big impact on the kid. Or whether they ever considered what we really knew and felt as a kid. On the way, home back I prayed another prayer; I prayed to the lord to take complete control of my life and he did.

From then on, my life toke a major turn; at school I began to stop fooling around, and do my homework. While I stopped being the person I was, along the way I lost a lot of friends. Over time I became really scared, and afraid of other people. But because of that I placed God even more before me. For five years I spent a very difficult time battling myself a hope to change for the better, and all that time I was holding back a lot of tears and hiding a lot of pain. How every week i can feel tears coming down every time i approached the bridge from the church entrance. How I could never open my mouth to speak. All of this was beyond my control. But even then I knew that God was with me. I was thankful that God showed me what it was like to feel alone, to feel completely dependent on God, so that I was able to see how other people must have felt, the people who were unseen, those who were alone and what they needed most. From then, I started to appreciate even littlest things in life from the gracious meals to the simplest hello from another. I was thankful for all the precious people he has placed in my life, because of them I never once felt alone at school. When I went on walks, and see the trees and the sky I wondered at his creation, silently amazed by it and gave thanks for it. I walked in every part of this church alone, and I am not afraid to walk alone in the dark. I went to places where no one could find me and silently played piano, whatever comes out I played and it gave me a peace that stills my heart at the midst of everything that’s is happening. I am thankful for the gifts he has given that were there to settle my heart. If you wondered what it means for God to speak to you, sometimes it’s the wisdom he gives you, the insights you would have never imagined yourself to understand. All of it comes from God alone, it is never from us. All of this is a part of me that has been kept a secret for all my life only between me and God. It is not something I can verbalize well, just because he has done too much for me.

I remember there was countless times I made prayers to lord; if you were to give me strength, and opportunity to serve, help me so that I can give my best to you. One of the most memorable promises I have made to God is whenever you give me strength, I will give everything to care and love for the people around me so that they will never feel sad or alone.

Here is the turning point in my life, God answered my prayers. He gave me the opportunity to serve in AWANA. I do not know why but the moment I stepped into this place God removed me of all my fear and he gave me strength. Then I knew God wants me to be here. There are children here and every one of them is different, each child have their own worries and needs, and if I could help to know each one of them personally, let them feel loved and know that they are cared for; they could see God’s Love.

This year is my fourth year serving in AWANA; I am blessed and overjoyed each time I am with this great big family where everyone cares for one another. Even now, every little thing still matters; it may be holding the hand of a child, their smiles and their laughter, hearing them call out your name and running up to you with a great big hug. I have come to love everyone in AWANA and everyone in this church. When I see the kind of love that we have for one another; it says that God is with us, and it really encourages me to love one another not just as a friend but as fellow brothers and sisters. Sometimes I even feel that I am over blessed by God on everything he has given me now. I learned the importance of a Church, family and how it can grow if there is love and support for one another. The privilege to serve is a gift from God; whenever I am serving God and working for his purpose, I can truly do all things through Christ. My past is like nothing in comparison to the present and what God has more me in the future, by knowing so it gives me more hope than anything else. I am thankful for the past, for life and the experiences it brings that shape us to be the people you have prepared us to be. All those years were like training years from the lord so that I could prepare myself to serve with the heart I have today.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance

Psalm 30:11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Psalm 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

No matter where we are in life, what we are facing. There is a time for everything; God has a plan for every one of us. So do not worry, if we trust in our heavenly Father, he will protect us, bless us, forgive us and provide for us, because His love is greater than any sadness we will ever face.

By: Shirley

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HI, MY NAME IS JENNIFER I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR THE PAST 4YRS. I HAVE A STRUGGLING LIFE SINCE I WAS BORN AND TILL NOW. I GREW UP IN FOSTER CARE DUE TO MY MOM HAVING SCHIZOPHRENIA SHE TALKS TO HERSELF AND IMAGINES PEOPLE ARE TALKING TO HER EVEN THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY THEIR.

MY HUSBAND IS 25 YRS OLD DIAGNOSED AT 12 WITH DIABETES AND AT 19 OF FIBROMYALGIA. HE USED TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL EVERY 5-7 TIMES OF THE YR. MANY PEOPLE SAY HE GOING TO DIE BUT I PERSONALLY BELIEVE GOD IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN DECIDE AND MAKE CHOICES IN YOUR LIFE ESPECIALLY IN HIS AND MINE.

WHEN HE IS AT THE HOSPITAL BEING TREATED OR AT THE DOCTORS OFFICE THEY DO MANY TESTS ON HIM. WHEN THEY GIVE US THE RESULTS HE IS ALWAYS FINE: HEART, LIVER, KIDNEYS THE RESULTS INDICATE HE HAS NOTHING WRONG THEY NEVER KNOW WHY HE GETS SICK. I THANK GOD FOR NEVER LEAVING MY SIGHT AND CONTINUOUSLY BLESSING MY HUSBANDS LIFE AS WELL.

GOD EXISTS AND DOES MANY THINGS FOR US ONLY WE CANT PHYSICALLY SEE HIM BUT SPIRITUALLY FEEL HE IS HERE AND WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU.

By: JENNIFER LEAL

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My story as a young boy growing up in a Christian home where my dad was even a pastor, I had the perfect background and family to become a strong Christian man.

People would see me and I was the perfect example of a Sunday morning Christian! People think that being a PK (pastor’s kid) then I must be little perfect Christian.

Well truth was I was really good at playing the part for my church and family but outside of there, I was really messed up inside. When I was 12 (I think), everything seemed to be going wrong -Christmas Eve, my dad ended up in the hospital after having a severe heart attack and almost lost his life. A few months later my grandpa died. The worst part of this was that he lived far away and my aunt decided not to tell us until a week after his funeral. This meant I had a lot of anger built up against her.

The next Christmas came around and Christmas day, a man who I had known all my life who was basically a second father to me died of a rare heart disease.

I had so much anger built up inside against God after all of this, I wanted nothing to do with him. I never told anyone this though and I hid all of my feelings inside. I still went to church with my parents and was pretty involved in my youth group but it never really meant anything to me. It was all just a big show. This all went on for a couple years.

My freshman year in high school, I went to a youth conference with a few friends of mine. We didnt go with a youth group or anything just the 4 of us so we got to do as we wanted. That weekend changed my life forever.

While I was there, it basically felt like God took a hammer and wacked me across the head. I experienced God like I never had before! That night I went to the hotel room and I went into the bathroom and collapsed on the floor crying my eyes and and crying out to God. I didnt want to be full of anger and hate anymore. I wanted to be full of Him and that night God’s presence filled me with his Holy Spirit!

Now obviously since then, things have been far from perfect but now that I have God in my life, I know I never have to go through any more trials or problems in my life alone and it has made all the difference!

By: Seth

Related posts:

1. The Light in My Darkness
2. God Sent Me An Angel
3. Do you really know God?

I give all my thanks, praise and worship to our everlasting and everwise God and Creator who is blessed forever and ever in the name of his holy Son Jesus Christ who sits victoriously at his right hand for he is my strength, my song an my salvation.

Last year was a trying one in the workplace. With the reshuffling of staff replacing the nice and peace loving members with opressors, liars, backbiters, proud boisterous boasters and confusion makers; particularly in positions of authority over me.

Once again I stand alone amongst all the gossipers and troublemakers who continuously set snares for me because I try to follow what is good. On numerous occasions the temptation to reward evil for evil was so overwhelming my only course of action was to retreat to a place of solitude so I could beg mercy from my Heavenly Master and put all things in his hands. And he heard my prayers because in the midst of everything that went on around me I had peace in my soul and melodies of praise to our Most High God in my heart; And by his awesome grace I was strengthened to hold my tongue from evil.

Hallelujah! It’s so sweet to trust in Jesus! So I just want to glorify the God of my salvation for helping me through such a distressing period as I look forward to witnessing the magnificent works of his mighty hands going forward the coming weeks. Glory to God in the Highest, through Jesus Christ his holy son through whom all things are possible. Amen.

By: Sim

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That day was Nov.4th 2002, when the doctors declared a name to my mum’s health problem “Ovarian Cancer” Having known the Lord and His ways, it was difficult to react. Not too sure what to tell or ask the Lord. Just painful doubts! Is it transformation through trouble or is it tested faith? But I know that God has a purpose behind every problem.

Mum went through a series of test. Doctors charted out chemotherapys and tons of medicines. Throughout these days God used “ovarian cancer” and “love for my mum ” to draw me closer to himself. I realized that my most profound and intimate experiences of worship was always during my darkest days. It was during suffering that I learnt to pour my heartfelt, honest -to -God prayers, Till then you will never know that God is all that you have, until God is all you’ve got. I found great peace in Him ” The Lord is close to the broken hearted, He rescues those who are crushed in spirit ”

Mum was getting better as days went by. There was every reason for my family to rejoice and be thankful.

Soon came another dark day to remember – Oct.28th 2005, when mum encountered a relapse, and as per medical science there was no hope. This time there was no more painful doubts. Just submitted mum to the Lord and said ” May Thy will be done “. By now my mum was well prepared to meet the Lord. She knew that her identity is in eternity and her homeland is heaven. For me the pain was far too great to let her go, but I also knew that every moment she spent in this earthly body, is time spent away from her eternal home with Jesus.

On Feb. 3rd 2006, on the wee hours of the morning, Jesus came to take her home. Mum smiled at us and left. It was mourning for me and my family on earth, but crowing glory for mum in heaven.

It’s been five year now since mum left us to be with the lord, Mum’s availability, Involvement, Training, Discipline, Modeling with Integrity in my life is an ongoing roll for me towards my children. I Thank You Mum.

I have many a time missed her, cried till I ran out of tears, through it all on his rock I rest, and can feel it firm beneath me. Strength I pray for, It does not always take away the pain, but makes it bearable. His Grace alone has taken me through this far.

I know that I will soon meet her on the other shore. But till then I Miss you Mum.

By: Mini Mohan Abraham

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I will extol my Holy God of all kings; and I will bless his glorious name forever and ever! All praise to our everlasting and ever merciful God in Heaven in the name of his son Jesus Christ’s conquering name for all his wondrous mercies towards my family and me.

The year was probably one of my family’s most trying in history. My brother (who has never stolen a thing in his life) received a letter from the company he has been working with the past almost 20 years with a flawless record, telling him that he was being investigated under suspicion of fraud and further advised that he resign from his position immediately. Failing this, he would be tried by disciplinary tribunal and fired.

Confused and in complete shock and dismay over the sudden bizarre turn of events, he broke the news to all of us in the family and sought advice on how he should proceed.

Over the phone I grabbed my bible and told my distressed brother of how faithful our God is to deliver the innocent in times of trouble; and so the entire family decided to embark on a holy mission of bombarding God’s throne of grace with our prayers for such a calamity to pass over my brother.

Aunts, uncles, cousins, and even some of my brother’s co-workers joined in prayer morning, noon and evening every day; while our family attorneys salivated over suing the company for wrongful my brother’s wrongful dismissal.

However, by our Almighty God’s perfect power, mercy and grace it never even got that far. Miraculously, the very director who issued the letter of bad news to my brother contacted him and admitted that she was mistaken.

Furthermore, she even petitioned the other members of the board and convinced them to give my brother his job back. Hallelujah! What a glorious, awesome God we serve! He restored my brother’s reputation and his integrity! There is none greater, more awesome, more mighty nor more worthy of all praise!! Glory to our God in the Highest! in the name of his son Jesus Christ, through whom all things are possible! Amen and Amen!

By: “JP”

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