Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[Albertan mom]

Wow, I had to go all the way to page 10 to find this thread!!

How is everyone? What is God doing in your life right now?

 

[Aidensmom]

Wow, I had to go all the way to page 10 to find this thread!!

How is everyone? What is God doing in your life right now?

Not sure how much change I have seen in my life, but in my 4 year old son's life it has been tremendous. A couple weeks ago we went to a Devil Ray's game where Steven Curtis Chapman did a concert beforehand, and Aiden has fallen in love with his music, and has been asking me stuff about the lyrics. That means a lot to me, because Steven Curtis Chapman songs are actually what helped me a lot in my spiritual walk when I was a baby Christian. He has also been wanting me to read him Bible stories from his children's bible. The one thing that really touched me is this: He is very afraid of storms as last year we had a tree come down through the roof into my bedroom during storm. Rain and/or wind terrifies him. When Katrina was in the gulf and we experienced some bad weather, when he was at school he had a bad anxiety attack and was crying and refused to go outside at play time because it was too windy. I have been reading him the story of Jesus sleeping in the boat during the storm, and explaining that God can protect him from things and take away his fear. We had some more bad weather last week, and his teacher reported he acted very brave, and told her that God would make sure he was OK, and if he needed to, would stop the wind. He played outside without a problem. I am crying even writing this. I feel so blessed that my son is feeling God's comfort.

 

[Albertan mom]

Awwwww! What a cute little witness he is to his teacher!

I am also scared of thunderstorms. I don't know why. I don't live in an area that gets alot of them, but I am scared of tornadoes. This summer I have really been alot braver-even my kids noticed!!
I think it all comes from: One day I was looking up our names on the internet. My name means valley or something boring like that. Then I found another site, and it said my name means "God will protect from the storm"!!!!!
I said to myself--how can I be scared anymore after reading that!

 

[ead79]

Hello everyone. Things have been really busy at work, so I haven’t had as much time to post.

Today I find myself a little worried that I haven’t thought about the tragic events of 9/11 as much as I have in previous years. I know it’s a sign of healing, but it worries me because I don’t want to forget the good things from that day. The way our nation pulled together and turned to God. We truly united. I think I will try to focus on the good parts as the terrible sadness of the event eases with time. My prayers are with the victims’ families and friends as I know their wounds are still so fresh. *edited to add: I just looked over some of the tribute posts on this board, and the emotions came flooding back. While the events of the day may not dominate my thoughts as much as in past years, the pain is still so fresh.* God bless America!

Cristy, I will remember your teen ministry in my prayers. My middle school and high school years in church were certainly a large part of the person I am today. Those years are really when the foundation is laid for so many people. I will also pray for the Lord’s guidance in your job situation.

Talking Hands, I will pray for Victor. He sounds like a brave person indeed. May the Lord heal him and give comfort and peace to him and his family. Also, I will remember the deaf and deaf/blind victims of the hurricane.

Tasha, what an amazing procedure to have done! I will remember your brother in my prayers as well.

luvthatduke, thank you for sharing your testimony. It reminds me of the phrase “come just as you are.” So many people think they need to clean up their lives before coming to Christ, but He loves us and wants us to come to Him just as we are. God is good all the time!

Aidensmom, what a wonderful story. Faith like a child indeed. I have a similar story from my childhood. As a child I had strep throat all the time (they think my dad was a carrier—he never had it, but he almost constantly carried it and passed it on to me). Basically I would go on antibiotics and be well for about 3 weeks to a month, then I would get strep again. I was 6 at the time. I remember my doctor telling my mom that if I got strep throat again within the next few weeks that I would have to have my tonsils taken out. I remember being very afraid of this, so I prayed. I told the Lord that I didn’t want to have my tonsils taken out because I was afraid of it. I then gave it to him, fear and all, and didn’t worry about it any more. I did not have strep throat again for another 6 years. Unfortunately as an adult I have a much harder time leaving my problems with the Lord. I tend to try to worry about them as though that will help solve them. I try to remember my childlike faith and focus on that when I struggle with worry. Your son’s story is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing it.

 

[Grandma Bear]

reading all the testimonies are a great blessing. It is good that we can pray and lift each other up.

 

[live4christp1]

Hello everyone! Hope you all are doing well! Was just listening to Family Life today on the radio, yesterday and today they had Clay Crosse and his wife Renna on, talking about Clay's struggle with pornography. Wow! What a powerful testimony and witness. I just went to the website and re-read the transcripts. They are also offering a free book called "Pursueing God" you just have to call and request it.

Here is the link if anyone would like to read the transcripts or listen to the broadcast. http://www.fltoday.org/fltoday/default.asp?id=8169&past=1

More Like You - Clay Crosse

Lyrics:
Everywhere I go
Let me be a servant
Let my hope be known
And my prayer be fervent
That is rising to Your ear
So that from my heart you'll hear

CHORUS:
You are perfect, You are holy
You are faithful, You are true
And I long to live in Your glory
Oh Lord make me more like You
Oh Lord make me more like You

Silver and gold
All the world's attractions
These things I hold
They are just distractions
From the truth that sets me free
'Cause when I look at You I see

Repeat CHORUS

When my time is through
And my days are ending
I'll trust in You
For a new beginning
In Your presence everyday
In my final breath I'll say

Repeat CHORUS

 

[luvthatduke]

Thanks for the link, Cristy,
I'm interested in reading it.
I read recently that just like Christian marriages
having the highest divorce rates,
pornography also is a prominent struggle with many.
We are not immune to the temptations of the world,
but praise God we have a Spirit living in us that is willing and able
to help us in our weakness.
I, myself, will admit that no matter what the temptation
it is sometimes very difficult to resist the devil to make him flee!
God bless Clay for his public confession...

 

[Grandma Bear]

I'm glad to see activity here again. In these times we all need all the love and support we can get.

 

[Albertan mom]

We are looking for a video series for our small group. Anybody done a great one lately?
It is for 4 married couples and a single mom.
We have already done Bringing up Boys (It was fabulous-recommend it for all parents of boys!)
Thanks!

 

[luvthatduke]

I'm glad to see activity here again. In these times we all need all the love and support we can get.

You are a blessing, Grandma Bear!


Albertan mom, I'm trying hard to remember an excellent
video series on marriage we participated in,
but my brain's not cooperating.
I'll post it if I remember it...

 

[pogopossum]

albertan mom,

i would look for a series by gary smalley, not sure what his latest is, i had him for a sunday school teacher in college and he is great. his teachings are wonderful for couples as well as families.

 

[live4christp1]

albertanmom

Philip Yancey has some good studies.....two I would recommend would be "What's So Amazing About Grace" and "The Jesus I Never Knew".

There are some other excellent video studies we've been through but I can't pull the titles out of my head right now. Will look in the church video library tonight and get back to you.

BTW - Christian Book Distributors has most of these resources at a lower price.

What's So Amazing About Grace?, Small Group DVD
By: Philip Yancey

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Description: In this ten-session small group DVD curriculum, award winning author Philip Yancey takes you and your study group for interactive, gut-level encounters with radical, life-changing grace.

 

[2gether]

albertanmom

Philip Yancey has some good studies.....two I would recommend would be "What's So Amazing About Grace" and "The Jesus I Never Knew".

The Jesus I Never Knew" was an amazing, life changing book!

Aidensmom, I love hearing those stories.....

Since everyone has been so open about sharing, and was inspired by Clay Crosse, I guess I could give my testimony. My parents divorced when I was 12, and it really messed me up. I switched schools about the same time...and had basically no one with whom to share my time. I got more and more depressed thoughout my teens, and began to dabble in pornography. Although iw as basically a good kid, I had a very dark side. Finally, my senior year in high school, I began to make some friends, one of whom was an amazing Christian girl whose family witnessed to me over the course of a year.

When I went to college, I fell deeply into the bottle (a lot of kids do). Plus I was going to a really liberal school so I basically lost all my inhibitions (accept drugs...never did those). I was enormously lonely all the time, and contantly looking for female companionship.

After school I joined the Navy. I was a good sailor, but I was still into porn and alcohol way to much, and I'd begun sleeping around. Nothing helped, and I was getting mroe and more helpless and angry all the time.

Finally, after a three day drinking binge, I woke up behind the wheel of my car, running, in my driveway, with no idea how I got home. I was stone cold sober when I woke up. I knew, right then, I needed a change. So I went to a Christian Bookstore, and literally told the lady that if I did not find a good church, I would burn in hell. After taking a moment, she directed me to a church, where I got saved.

Three months later, I was clean of alcohol and living a much purer life. 6 months later I was married to a beautiful girl to whom I can happily say I am still delightedly married (I met her the week after I got saved), and now we have a little girl, after many tries and prayers, who is the absolute apple of my eye.

I don't know why I find myself sharing like this, but I hope it blesses someone. God bless you all.....

 

[ead79]

2gether, thank you for sharing your testimony. It's wonderful to hear how others came to Christ. As I posted nearer the beginning of this thread, I myself have more of a "Timothy Testimony" having grown up in church and with wonderful Christian parents. As silly as it probably sounds to you, I used to be envious of people with amazing conversion stories. I somehow felt that my own decision to accept Christ when I was a child was inadequate in some way because I had not lived a horrible life before accepting Christ (since I was 6 I hadn't had much time to get into much trouble). Then I came to understand that God calls each of us in a unique way and at different points in our lives. It enables us to relate to others, especially non-believers, in a unique way. I'm so thankful for the different ways believers have found our Lord. God is Good!

 

[luvthatduke]

2gether, thank you for sharing your testimony,
and yes I was enormously blessed by it!
God is amazing...

 

[jimmiej]

The Jesus I Never Knew" was an amazing, life changing book!

IA! I read that book this summer. It was eye-opening!

 

[Albertan mom]

2Gether--thanks for sharing, you got me teary-eyed!
God is good.

 

[Grandma Bear]

2Gether--thanks for sharing, you got me teary-eyed!
God is good.

AMEN! I believe that more and more God's Goodness, Grace and Mercy will
shine through, helping all of us to draw closer to him and each other. As we
reach out to those who are hurting, Giod's light shinning through us will draw
many to him glorifying God.

 

[live4christp1]

2gether, thanks so much for sharing.....I'm sitting here at my desk fighting back tears, what a wonderful testimony of God's grace and mercy. He is so wonderful!

 

[2gether]

As I posted nearer the beginning of this thread, I myself have more of a "Timothy Testimony" having grown up in church and with wonderful Christian parents. As silly as it probably sounds to you, I used to be envious of people with amazing conversion stories.

Certainly don't feel that way. I admit, sometimes my past gives me understanding of those who've been through similar circumstances in life, but like the family that witnessed to me when I was in High School, God needs Christian youth to serve as an example of His love to those who are searching.

One of the neatest things I ever had the chance to do was introduce my DW to that wonderful family. Their example, and more specifically their daughter's example, had stayed with my all through my years of apostate living, and I know they prayed for me for many years. Letting them see who God had allowed me to come was one of the great joys of coming to know the Lord.

Now I am training for the ministry. I hope some day to have a bunch of youth who've always known Christ like you to be examples for my church! And to take them all to Night of Joy sometime....I just got the new Switchfoot album today. LOVE IT!