2nd grade homeschool. :) Bible classes were taught as the first subject, and it appealed to me so much that I talked to my parents about it (age 7), and I prayed the salvation prayer with them. Praise God for whoever prayed for me. Better than wasting years and years of my life before finding Jesus!
Testimony
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3rd csade,prayed for salvation and He has been there at lowest as well as highest points in my live.
My own story is a very long one but will try and sum it up very briefly.
I was bought up with Christian parents and after being told to 'ask Jesus into my heart' I tried it, but nothing seemed to happen. After trying this quite a few times, and still without Christ in my life, I thought I knew that God was just an illusion of a deranged mind. I became a hardened athiest who enjoyed trying to make Christians look stupid by getting them to try and prove beyond doubt the existence of God.
What changed?
(Trying to keep this brief) The more I hassled Christians, the more they would pray for me. God, being a loving, merciful God, who answers prayers; used several people to plant seeds and others to water them, and then one day brought me to a point where I was unable to deny the existence of God any longer: I knew He existed and I knew I could not live any longer without Christ. That was December the 16th, 1999. From that day on, I know that He is my Lord and saviour, and that I am His.
I grew up in a good home with Godly parents. They took me to church almost every Sunday during my young years. My dad grew up in Philadelphia Church of Christ in Lebanon. My mom's parents did not attend a church regularly, but I know that my maternal grandmother was raised Presbyterian and my maternal grandfather was raised Methodist.
Curlee Church of Christ in Bradyville was the first church I remember well. It is still there on Lassiter Road within 3 miles of two of the houses I remember growing up in and within 5 miles of the other. I was so young I only remember the gravestones I used to play around after church and the old outhouses I had to use when I needed to use the bathroom. I remember I misbehaved once during the church service. I was very young and did not know how to sit still and be quiet. I remember that afternoon being so scared when my dad whipped me with a belt or a paddle or maybe his hand. I know he whipped with switches and belts when I got older. I remember, before that, I would get a paddle. I bet it was with his hand because I was so little. I think it was Curlee, but it may have been a different one that we went to in Lebanon. I was so young that all I remember is the whipping. It is the first whipping I remember, but not the last whipping I remember. I know I wasn't over 5 at the time, because I remember lots of things that are less traumatic when I was five. I think it was mostly because I made too much noise and not because I couldn't sit still, because I remember my parents would let me draw on little notepaper as long as I sat in the pew and was quiet. I think that my bus driver went to this church for a while and then later switched to the Bradyville Church of Christ in Bradyville proper (a crossroad with a stop sign). I think that my neighbors also went to Curlee and did not switch. Three of the five houses on my road were kin and all went to this same church.
Then I remember New Hope Church of Christ in Readyville. It is still there on the old section of US 70 South. You can see it from the new US 70 South. I was older and I remember some of my friends and their names from that church. Marshall was one of my best friends. Larry was another. I wasn't very interested in church and did not pay much attention.
Then in 1974, my dad was born again. I do not remember the details because I would have been 6 or 7 at the time and I just didn't pay much attention to it because I did not understand it. I learned it from finding a letter in 2003 that he had written to his aunt in 1980. He expressed the gospel and filled the letter with Bible references. It was a blessing to read him witness to my Church of Christ great aunt stressing the free gift and comfort of permanent salvation. Anyway, we began going to Dillon Street Baptist in Woodbury. I remember the Wilmington’s. They had goats and we visited their home. Ms Wilmington was one of my favorite Sunday school teachers. Ms. Nichols, the preacher’s wife, was another. I remember Bryan Hayes was a good friend. There were two other boys that were my friends. One was Tommy. He was about 1 year older than me and Bryan. He had a younger brother that was a few years younger and about as old as Bryan's little brother. I do not remember either of their younger boy’s names. I remember my best friend Paul from that church. He was a good friend because his dad taught Sunday school and my dad had much respect for him and we visited them often. But I had to lie for Paul more than once to protect him when he had done wrong. It is wrong to lie, but at the time I was shocked that my friend would disobey his parents so badly. I knew I would get the whipping of my life if I had done what Paul did and I did not want to see that happen while I was visiting. So I lied. I would never do what Paul did. Once he threw ice at his little brother instead of a snowball. I guess Paul and I were about 9 or 10 and Jamie was about 5 or 6. It split Jamie's lip. I lied about it being an accident, but I was shocked that Paul could be so mean-it looked like he did it on purpose to me. Another time Paul lit a match in his bathroom. I would never play with matches. I lied to his mother that I did not see him light a match when she smelled the smoke and questioned us about it.
The preacher used to always ask the questions at the end of service. There are verses in the Bible that say we can know for sure that we are saved. It is not a hope so, but a know so. ‘Heads down, eyes closed,’ preacher Nichols would say. Then he would follow that, “With no one looking will you answer this question honestly: 'If you are not sure you are saved, then will you raise your hand so I can pray for you.' I will not embarrass you, I will just pray for you." Then he would ask us to come forward where he or someone would show us some verses where we could get saved and know we were. I knew the drill and had heard it many times. Once I got the courage to raise my hand, but I did not follow up by going forward. Well that was that, maybe I will try again some other day. My mom asked me about it later. I was shocked that she knew I raised my hand. Apparently she didn't keep her eyes closed like the preacher told her to do. Maybe I moved too much or too loudly when I raised my hand. I lied my way out of the subject. I told her I only wanted the preacher to pray for me. After all, doesn't everyone need prayers sometimes? Whew, that was close.
I remember my dad would have friendly disagreements with my parental grandparents about things after that. In the small house I could not always avoid overhearing some of the talk. I remember one subject was the death penalty. My dad was for it and his mother was not. Her main point was that the OT and its laws was put away by the NT, The OT death penalty law did not apply anymore. (I did not know at the time, but some teach the OT has nothing in it to learn, so why read it?) I do not remember if they discussed water baptism or whether or not you can lose salvation. I do remember my dad discussing how easy salvation is. I also remember a time when my dad was having a friendly disagreement with his Baptist Sunday School teacher, Doris-his son was my friend Paul. I really do not know what it was about. Again, I was about 10 or 12 or something and such stuff did not interest me. It just meant I could play longer with my friends. I was never impressed with how Paul behaved. I do not know if my dad still had ‘Church of Christ’ baggage or if it was something else and maybe Brother Scott was in the wrong.
I remember we used to visit the preacher: Ray Nichols. I think, but am not sure, that my dad visited the preacher about whatever it was later. Anyway, we stopped going altogether. In hindsight, my dad must have been offended. In a way, I was glad that I got to stay home. In another, I missed my friends. In hindsight I wished we had keep going, because I got into a lot of trouble in my late teens and early twenties. I might have avoided some of the trouble had we stayed in church. I might have gotten saved earlier and I might have learned a little more Godly advice.
My dad would have weekly Bible reading and make us take turns reading. I hated trying to read some of the names in the OT and my dad wasn't always patient with me to pronounce things. I learned a lot despite not being interested.
Then one week in the fall of 1982 many things went wrong all in the same few weeks. School had just started so it was probably August or September and I was almost 15 years old. I felt alone and depressed about friendships and girls. I felt no peace about anything and I felt conviction about my sin and how I was living my life. What was wrong with me, because I had heard the gospel many times? I knew it and believed it to be true. I knew many facts about the Bible because we had read it many times. But something was missing and I did not understand what it was. Christians I knew seemed happier than me. I heard many times that I needed to make a decision to accept the gospel personally, but I never had made it personal before. So at that moment I decided I needed to make it personal. I think I said something in my mind like 'Jesus, come into my heart like the Bible promises if I ask.' I believe I might have said it out loud. I have had peace from that moment on. I am convinced that that was the moment of my second birth. I was so excited, that I stayed up late reading that night and several other nights.
Unchurched I did not know I should make it public right away. Unchurched I did not know I should be baptized right away. It took me 10 years to get baptized. It took me 15 years to get into a church where I could mature. I have made many stupid decisions because I was so immature. I have always felt secure and like I had peace with God. However, I did many many things wrong. Some I did out of ignorance. Most I did because I already learned many bad habits. Many times I did not have the peace of God which comes with right living. I am convinced that some of the most miserable people in this present world are Christians that are saved, but living like the world.
Many times since, the devil has given me doubts. If I was saved would I do this or that? Am I sure it was not just an emotional experience? I have learned two things that help with that. One, I have verses of Jesus’ promises memorized. In Matthew 4 Jesus quoted verses to deal with Satan. I Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:9-13; John 3:16-18; John 3:36; I John 5:11-13 are some good ones. Two, it never hurts to be sure. Many times for my reassurance I will pray something like this: 'I think you saved me when I was a teenager because I remember asking you to. I know you keep your promises, but I doubt myself. If I didn't do it correctly then, then please save me now like you promised you will.' Mark 9:24 comes to mind: ...Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.'
After some trouble in my very late teens, I returned to church without my dad. I tried various Baptists churches and several church of Christ churches that some of single female neighbors my age attended. I even attended a Pentecostal church once for a girl of course. My attendance was spotty. At 24 I got married-19 years now. At 25 I had the first of three children. I was invited, tried, and liked Victory Baptist church in Shelbyville, TN. I guess I have attended over 15 years now. I know it is over 10, anyway.
I believe there are saved in every Christian denomination. I believe even cults have saved, confused, but saved, mixed with them. I believe a Christian is defined by the Bible as having a saving faith and a belief that Jesus is God in the flesh. I believe it is less likely the leaders of the cults are saved in my opinion then the confused members. I do not believe all of any denomination is saved. I believe Baptist doctrine is closest to the Bible-some doctrine more than others. I believe doctrine is important. I believe individual Christians reading and studying their Bible is the primary responsibility and best hope to accomplish anything. I believe the gospel is simple and should be given out to as many people and as much times as possible. I believe the Bible was inspired and I believe God is sovereign enough to preserve it and has in the KJ. I believe Satan is behind attacks on it to cause doubt among Christians, prevent them from memorizing, and giving the word out less purely. I believe Genesis is literal; the virgin birth is literal; the revelation is future; the church will be caught away before the tribulation; the trinity; preaching is more important than teaching; Israel is still important to God; and salvation is by grace and is permanent. I am not Calvinist. I do not say any of this to start any arguments, but just to make sure you know where I stand.
Po218 wrote:
I grew up in a good home with Godly parents. They took me to church almost every Sunday during my young years. My dad grew up in Philadelphia Church of Christ in Lebanon. My mom's parents did not attend a church regularly, but I know that my maternal grandmother was raised Presbyterian and my maternal grandfather was raised Methodist.
Curlee Church of Christ in Bradyville was the first church I remember well. It is still there on Lassiter Road within 3 miles of two of the houses I remember growing up in and within 5 miles of the other. I was so young I only remember the gravestones I used to play around after church and the old outhouses I had to use when I needed to use the bathroom. I remember I misbehaved once during the church service. I was very young and did not know how to sit still and be quiet. I remember that afternoon being so scared when my dad whipped me with a belt or a paddle or maybe his hand. I know he whipped with switches and belts when I got older. I remember, before that, I would get a paddle. I bet it was with his hand because I was so little. I think it was Curlee, but it may have been a different one that we went to in Lebanon. I was so young that all I remember is the whipping. It is the first whipping I remember, but not the last whipping I remember. I know I wasn't over 5 at the time, because I remember lots of things that are less traumatic when I was five. I think it was mostly because I made too much noise and not because I couldn't sit still, because I remember my parents would let me draw on little notepaper as long as I sat in the pew and was quiet. I think that my bus driver went to this church for a while and then later switched to the Bradyville Church of Christ in Bradyville proper (a crossroad with a stop sign). I think that my neighbors also went to Curlee and did not switch. Three of the five houses on my road were kin and all went to this same church.
Then I remember New Hope Church of Christ in Readyville. It is still there on the old section of US 70 South. You can see it from the new US 70 South. I was older and I remember some of my friends and their names from that church. Marshall was one of my best friends. Larry was another. I wasn't very interested in church and did not pay much attention.
Then in 1974, my dad was born again. I do not remember the details because I would have been 6 or 7 at the time and I just didn't pay much attention to it because I did not understand it. I learned it from finding a letter in 2003 that he had written to his aunt in 1980. He expressed the gospel and filled the letter with Bible references. It was a blessing to read him witness to my Church of Christ great aunt stressing the free gift and comfort of permanent salvation. Anyway, we began going to Dillon Street Baptist in Woodbury. I remember the Wilmington’s. They had goats and we visited their home. Ms Wilmington was one of my favorite Sunday school teachers. Ms. Nichols, the preacher’s wife, was another. I remember Bryan Hayes was a good friend. There were two other boys that were my friends. One was Tommy. He was about 1 year older than me and Bryan. He had a younger brother that was a few years younger and about as old as Bryan's little brother. I do not remember either of their younger boy’s names. I remember my best friend Paul from that church. He was a good friend because his dad taught Sunday school and my dad had much respect for him and we visited them often. But I had to lie for Paul more than once to protect him when he had done wrong. It is wrong to lie, but at the time I was shocked that my friend would disobey his parents so badly. I knew I would get the whipping of my life if I had done what Paul did and I did not want to see that happen while I was visiting. So I lied. I would never do what Paul did. Once he threw ice at his little brother instead of a snowball. I guess Paul and I were about 9 or 10 and Jamie was about 5 or 6. It split Jamie's lip. I lied about it being an accident, but I was shocked that Paul could be so mean-it looked like he did it on purpose to me. Another time Paul lit a match in his bathroom. I would never play with matches. I lied to his mother that I did not see him light a match when she smelled the smoke and questioned us about it.
The preacher used to always ask the questions at the end of service. There are verses in the Bible that say we can know for sure that we are saved. It is not a hope so, but a know so. ‘Heads down, eyes closed,’ preacher Nichols would say. Then he would follow that, “With no one looking will you answer this question honestly: 'If you are not sure you are saved, then will you raise your hand so I can pray for you.' I will not embarrass you, I will just pray for you." Then he would ask us to come forward where he or someone would show us some verses where we could get saved and know we were. I knew the drill and had heard it many times. Once I got the courage to raise my hand, but I did not follow up by going forward. Well that was that, maybe I will try again some other day. My mom asked me about it later. I was shocked that she knew I raised my hand. Apparently she didn't keep her eyes closed like the preacher told her to do. Maybe I moved too much or too loudly when I raised my hand. I lied my way out of the subject. I told her I only wanted the preacher to pray for me. After all, doesn't everyone need prayers sometimes? Whew, that was close.
I remember my dad would have friendly disagreements with my parental grandparents about things after that. In the small house I could not always avoid overhearing some of the talk. I remember one subject was the death penalty. My dad was for it and his mother was not. Her main point was that the OT and its laws was put away by the NT, The OT death penalty law did not apply anymore. (I did not know at the time, but some teach the OT has nothing in it to learn, so why read it?) I do not remember if they discussed water baptism or whether or not you can lose salvation. I do remember my dad discussing how easy salvation is. I also remember a time when my dad was having a friendly disagreement with his Baptist Sunday School teacher, Doris-his son was my friend Paul. I really do not know what it was about. Again, I was about 10 or 12 or something and such stuff did not interest me. It just meant I could play longer with my friends. I was never impressed with how Paul behaved. I do not know if my dad still had ‘Church of Christ’ baggage or if it was something else and maybe Brother Scott was in the wrong.
I remember we used to visit the preacher: Ray Nichols. I think, but am not sure, that my dad visited the preacher about whatever it was later. Anyway, we stopped going altogether. In hindsight, my dad must have been offended. In a way, I was glad that I got to stay home. In another, I missed my friends. In hindsight I wished we had keep going, because I got into a lot of trouble in my late teens and early twenties. I might have avoided some of the trouble had we stayed in church. I might have gotten saved earlier and I might have learned a little more Godly advice.
My dad would have weekly Bible reading and make us take turns reading. I hated trying to read some of the names in the OT and my dad wasn't always patient with me to pronounce things. I learned a lot despite not being interested.
Then one week in the fall of 1982 many things went wrong all in the same few weeks. School had just started so it was probably August or September and I was almost 15 years old. I felt alone and depressed about friendships and girls. I felt no peace about anything and I felt conviction about my sin and how I was living my life. What was wrong with me, because I had heard the gospel many times? I knew it and believed it to be true. I knew many facts about the Bible because we had read it many times. But something was missing and I did not understand what it was. Christians I knew seemed happier than me. I heard many times that I needed to make a decision to accept the gospel personally, but I never had made it personal before. So at that moment I decided I needed to make it personal. I think I said something in my mind like 'Jesus, come into my heart like the Bible promises if I ask.' I believe I might have said it out loud. I have had peace from that moment on. I am convinced that that was the moment of my second birth. I was so excited, that I stayed up late reading that night and several other nights.
Unchurched I did not know I should make it public right away. Unchurched I did not know I should be baptized right away. It took me 10 years to get baptized. It took me 15 years to get into a church where I could mature. I have made many stupid decisions because I was so immature. I have always felt secure and like I had peace with God. However, I did many many things wrong. Some I did out of ignorance. Most I did because I already learned many bad habits. Many times I did not have the peace of God which comes with right living. I am convinced that some of the most miserable people in this present world are Christians that are saved, but living like the world.
Many times since, the devil has given me doubts. If I was saved would I do this or that? Am I sure it was not just an emotional experience? I have learned two things that help with that. One, I have verses of Jesus’ promises memorized. In Matthew 4 Jesus quoted verses to deal with Satan. I Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:9-13; John 3:16-18; John 3:36; I John 5:11-13 are some good ones. Two, it never hurts to be sure. Many times for my reassurance I will pray something like this: 'I think you saved me when I was a teenager because I remember asking you to. I know you keep your promises, but I doubt myself. If I didn't do it correctly then, then please save me now like you promised you will.' Mark 9:24 comes to mind: ...Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.'
After some trouble in my very late teens, I returned to church without my dad. I tried various Baptists churches and several church of Christ churches that some of single female neighbors my age attended. I even attended a Pentecostal church once for a girl of course. My attendance was spotty. At 24 I got married-19 years now. At 25 I had the first of three children. I was invited, tried, and liked Victory Baptist church in Shelbyville, TN. I guess I have attended over 15 years now. I know it is over 10, anyway.
I believe there are saved in every Christian denomination. I believe even cults have saved, confused, but saved, mixed with them. I believe a Christian is defined by the Bible as having a saving faith and a belief that Jesus is God in the flesh. I believe it is less likely the leaders of the cults are saved in my opinion then the confused members. I do not believe all of any denomination is saved. I believe Baptist doctrine is closest to the Bible-some doctrine more than others. I believe doctrine is important. I believe individual Christians reading and studying their Bible is the primary responsibility and best hope to accomplish anything. I believe the gospel is simple and should be given out to as many people and as much times as possible. I believe the Bible was inspired and I believe God is sovereign enough to preserve it and has in the KJ. I believe Satan is behind attacks on it to cause doubt among Christians, prevent them from memorizing, and giving the word out less purely. I believe Genesis is literal; the virgin birth is literal; the revelation is future; the church will be caught away before the tribulation; the trinity; preaching is more important than teaching; Israel is still important to God; and salvation is by grace and is permanent. I am not Calvinist. I do not say any of this to start any arguments, but just to make sure you know where I stand.
Wow! Very nice story!
This year my School class starts everyday with Religion ( Bible Study )!
It has change my whole life in Christianaty!
I would like the members of each group to get to know each other. We will start by each person posting how they got saved with any details they see fit to include. This forum will serve as the area for the testimonies to be posted and commented on.