MY JOURNEY THUS FAR!!!
I grew up in a Christian home. When I say that it reminds me of the beginning line from the movie Out of Africa “I had a home in Africa”. What does it mean to grow up in a Christian home? It means many different things to many different people, but to me it means I was taught the fundamentals of faith all my life. We attended church twice on Sunday, and once during the week. I had an earthly father who lived the verses in Duet 6: 5,7 & 9 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind; Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up; Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates”, most of the time he did this to his 9th child’s resentment. I would often say to him, “Why can’t you just talk like a normal person? Why must you always use scripture when I’m just trying to talk to you?
Now I understand. I am now beginning to see my father’s passion for Christ. He couldn't compartmentalize his Christianity and neither can I. My six-year-old son asked me the same questions I asked my dad many years ago. Of course I was a rebellious teenager at the time, not six, but that’s another story. When asked to give my testimony I thought, I couldn’t do that I don’t even know where to begin, there is so much to tell of how God has brought me to this point. The Christian life is a journey of sanctification, growing, making decisions that affect our relationship with Him for the good and the bad. My life has been like that, but what I want to talk about is my life since starting to attend 1st Reformed Church of Allendale.
I believe that God put Steve and I here to bless us, just like Pastor Paul talked about on Sunday March 2, 2003. He wanted us here at 1st Reformed so we could grow in knowledge and faith, and that has happened. I am just amazed at how my outlook on everything has changed for the better since coming here. It all started under the teaching of Pastor Vic, continued with Pastor Kurt Anderson, and is being added to every week by Pastor Paul. Not to forget the wonderful teaching by word and Godly example of Pastor John! I have learned so much about the Lord in the past 5 years here. I so desire to know Him more, to worship him more fully, and to raise my children to “get it” faster then their mother did! There are so many ways of thinking that have been changed and made right by the power of the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God. One of those things is my better understanding of the Holy Spirits roll in my life. What he was sent here to do, and the power we have through him to do the things that God would have for us to do for Him. My eyes have been opened, to a profound freedom that I cannot believe, and I wish that all Christians could/would experience it. My worship has been changed because I no longer look at church as being for my needs, and me but for God, and the worship of Him, and the reaching the lost for Christ. I never before have felt the desire to reach lost souls as I do now, and not only reaching the lost, but continuing to grow with my fellow sisters and brothers in Christ, and experiencing the Joy of letting go of what I want or desire, and seeking God’s will for my life.
I don’t know if I have communicated all that Christ means to me, there is just so much more I could say, but this is a small snap shot. My desire is also to guide OUR children into a more meaningful relationship with Christ, so if the parents of our smallest worshippers read this, please know that I love your children and with the Lord’s help will work along side them in raising up strong disciples for him!
I grew up in a Christian home. When I say that it reminds me of the beginning line from the movie Out of Africa “I had a home in Africa”. What does it mean to grow up in a Christian home? It means many different things to many different people, but to me it means I was taught the fundamentals of faith all my life. We attended church twice on Sunday, and once during the week. I had an earthly father who lived the verses in Duet 6: 5,7 & 9 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind; Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up; Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates”, most of the time he did this to his 9th child’s resentment. I would often say to him, “Why can’t you just talk like a normal person? Why must you always use scripture when I’m just trying to talk to you?
Now I understand. I am now beginning to see my father’s passion for Christ. He couldn't compartmentalize his Christianity and neither can I. My six-year-old son asked me the same questions I asked my dad many years ago. Of course I was a rebellious teenager at the time, not six, but that’s another story. When asked to give my testimony I thought, I couldn’t do that I don’t even know where to begin, there is so much to tell of how God has brought me to this point. The Christian life is a journey of sanctification, growing, making decisions that affect our relationship with Him for the good and the bad. My life has been like that, but what I want to talk about is my life since starting to attend 1st Reformed Church of Allendale.
I believe that God put Steve and I here to bless us, just like Pastor Paul talked about on Sunday March 2, 2003. He wanted us here at 1st Reformed so we could grow in knowledge and faith, and that has happened. I am just amazed at how my outlook on everything has changed for the better since coming here. It all started under the teaching of Pastor Vic, continued with Pastor Kurt Anderson, and is being added to every week by Pastor Paul. Not to forget the wonderful teaching by word and Godly example of Pastor John! I have learned so much about the Lord in the past 5 years here. I so desire to know Him more, to worship him more fully, and to raise my children to “get it” faster then their mother did! There are so many ways of thinking that have been changed and made right by the power of the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God. One of those things is my better understanding of the Holy Spirits roll in my life. What he was sent here to do, and the power we have through him to do the things that God would have for us to do for Him. My eyes have been opened, to a profound freedom that I cannot believe, and I wish that all Christians could/would experience it. My worship has been changed because I no longer look at church as being for my needs, and me but for God, and the worship of Him, and the reaching the lost for Christ. I never before have felt the desire to reach lost souls as I do now, and not only reaching the lost, but continuing to grow with my fellow sisters and brothers in Christ, and experiencing the Joy of letting go of what I want or desire, and seeking God’s will for my life.
I don’t know if I have communicated all that Christ means to me, there is just so much more I could say, but this is a small snap shot. My desire is also to guide OUR children into a more meaningful relationship with Christ, so if the parents of our smallest worshippers read this, please know that I love your children and with the Lord’s help will work along side them in raising up strong disciples for him!
4 comments:
I remember reading this before - was it in the Lighthouse? Anyway, it was good to read again. Thanks for sharing your testimony.
Wow, very awesome my friend.
Did you give this testimony in front of church because I think I remember this. You are such an awesome daughter of God! You strive each day to grow in Him and follow the path He's laid out before you! You are so precious in His sight and He is using you in so many ways for His purpose! I count it such a privilege to be your friend. I love the times when God has our paths join together so we can walk side by side - together for Him. Thank you for sharing your testimony once again - you are truly a very special gift of God!
That was just beautiful! Yes I pray too that my children will get it a whole lot sooner than their momma did.
Christ is life and breath to us and you let it be known in all things girl!!! He's beautiful through you.
Hope you have a great day!
Blessings,
Fran
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