"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condem the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17 NIV
"AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME. I ONCE WAS LOST BUT NOW I'M FOUND...WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE."
October 16, 1985---I was a Sophamore in High School and attending the Church of God of Prophecy, when at our fall revival the Lord pulled me in my spirit to go forward and confess him and be saved....well I fought a good fight the first nite and stayed RIGHT where I was...but decided to come back the next night anyway just to see what would happen. Well Altar call the next night...the pull of God was even stronger and was so sweet and comforting I couldn't help but go forward and fall on my face confessing my sins and asking God to forgive me...even as bad as I was...I KNEW right then and there I was forgiven and that I would NEVER be the same again.
"I GO TO THE ROCK OF MY SALVATION, I GO TO THE STONE THAT THE BUILDER REJECTED, I RUN TO THE MOUNTAIN AND THE MOUNTAIN STANDS BY ME. THE EARTH ALL AROUND ME IS SINKING SAND, BUT ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND. WHEN I NEED A SHELTER, WHEN I NEED A FRIEND I GO TO THE ROCK."
Now granted, as any Christian will tell you, my life was not all peaches and cream just because I got saved....things still happened to me and I had to work hard to keep from slipping back into my old self. I still had all the same old temptations and friends that I had always had but the Lord took the "want to" away....I didn't "want to" be mouthy anymore, I didn't "want to" hang around with the same people I did before...so you see it was still all right there but I just no longer had the urge. Being a Christian in High School is tough...there is so much peer pressure and just plain stress associated with being that age. But I did manage to get in with a few of the Christian kids at school so that helped greatly. We did things together and were able to fellowship with each other so I think that helped all of us remain strong and to grow.
"OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD, HE REIGNS IN HEAVEN ABOVE, WITH WISDOM, POWER AND LOVE. OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD."
I attend Bethel Christian Church with Pastor John Waring..this is an INCREDIBLE teacher and leader. It has been a LONG time since I have truly enjoyed church and had the opportunity to learn so much under a Pastor. We have a great Praise and Worship team too...really brings us all into the throne room of God. If you are ever in the Graham Washington area and need a church to attend...stop on by we would LOVE to have you join us!!! =o)
"HE IS ABLE, MORE THAN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT CONCERNS ME TODAY...HE IS ABLE, MORE THAN ABLE TO HANDLE ANYTHING THAT COMES MY WAY...HE IS ABLE, MORE THAN ABLE TO DO MUCH MORE THAN I COULD EVER DREAM...HE IS ABLE, MORE THAN ABLE TO MAKE ME WHAT HE WANTS ME TO BE...
There have been several people that have greatly influenced my life, and this gives me a small opportunity to thank them...=)
Rev. Thomas Solomon---The first real pastor I had. A wonderful man of God who is just such a joy and light in my life...I miss you Bro Tom!!!
My Mom---She has stood by me when no one else would...she is my mother, my friend and my own personal fan club all rolled into one...Thanks Mom!
My Brother---He is a pain in the tushy most times but I wouldn't trade him for the world...(a '63 Stingray MAYBE)...Thanks for always being there for me David!!
Hugh---God blesses us ABUNDANTLY out of His goodness and mercy... and I thank Him CONTINUALLY for the AWESOME friendship we share =) You are such a blessing in my life, you have made me see things I didn't want to see..in myself and others. You have made me realize that no matter what ANYONE says that God loves me and thinks I am worth something. I love you yesterday, today and forever my precious friend!!!
Cinn-A-Buddy---We are so much alike my sweet friend. You make me see that I can do ALL things through Christ and that I am NEVER alone...Thanks for caring Elgina!!
CJ---My darling sister. God couldn't have picked a better person to be my sis if he put us in the same family. You are what I dreamed an older sister would be...loving, caring, warm, bossy (HEY where did that come from =)) Cj I love you so very much sis, you are my bright shining gift from God!!
Anna---My precious sis from New Zealand...NEVER have I felt such a strong bond of love and friendship with a person I just recently met...you are a joy to be around and the light of my day...I am sooo thankful that God brought you into my life. ~~Friends forever, through thick and thin...so look out world let the BADNESS begin!!!!! =o)~~ Thank you Anna for just being you and for putting up with ME!! LOL Love ya AngelSis!!!!!
Shawn~~~One of my newest friends, but one dear to my heart...you make work soo much fun!! You are a great person and I look forward to getting to know you better...Thank you for ALWAYS keeping my in stitches!! You are a real joy!!!!!! =o)
But mostly I want to thank JESUS...without Him I would be NOTHING. He brought all these wonderful people (and others)into my life to help and bless me. He is the lifter of my head and I am unworthy to be called His child but He cares enough to love me the way I am, but loves me too much to let me stay that way.
Thank you for taking time to read this...May the glory of God and all His goodness abound to you and yours ALWAYS!!!
