It’s a pretty plain story, no huge life altering events, but here it is:

I grew up in a Christian home and made the decision to invite Jesus into my heart at age 4. At age 7 I decided to be baptized. Around age 15, my passion for Christ grew at a rapid pace. I wanted to be in God’s presence non-stop; school, work, home & church.

I moved to Nebraska 8 years ago and the flame was doused to nearly nothing after not being able to find a church home. Once I started attending CCC, about a month ago, my fire has begun to roar again and it couldn’t feel better!

Tiffany
Sent from my iPod

I have always believed in God. As a senior in high school a friend asked me if I knew for sure I was going to Heaven. I answered yes but when I thought about it, I wasn’t so sure. A boyfriend’s parents told me about a relationship with Christ and gave me a booklet. I hung on to the booklet for years but didn’t do much with it.

One night when I was feeling very alone, I got it out. I prayed the prayer and felt instant peace. It still took other people in my life to help me understand what “having a relationship with Christ” means but in 2000 I finally got it. I was baptized and have had a relationship since. I am still a work in progress but I can honestly say I know where I am going when I die!

I grew up in a fairly normal, loving church-going environment…until I was in the fifth grade. Then my little world started to fall apart because my parents’ marriage started to feel scary and tense. I lived my teen years feeling scared and insecure about my safe world.

When I was a senior in high school I became very interested in my relationship with God and the decision I had made to trust Jesus to be my Savior. That fall I went away to college, knew no one, and God, through Jesus Christ, became my best friend, my source of security, and to this day know that He loves me unconditionally.

Life before Christ to me was like being in limbo. Becoming a Christian was like a U-turn in the road ahead. Good things happening, meeting wonderful people, peace at heart, and wanting to do good in everything. Keeping in the word, speaking to God each day keeps your heart right. I face life in a good way where some people are always unhappy. The Holy Spirit has been with me on many occasions that I felt peace instead of turmoil. My faith in God is strong. I remember each day that I am not perfect and he died for my sins. Until going home to be with him I will do well and study the word so people know whom I am and what I stand for in life.

As I think back on my past, I wonder why it took me so long to get my life together. I was raised in a good Christian home. I accepted Christ at a young age, old enough to understand, but decided that life was not exciting enough, so I went off in the ways of the world. Many years went by in my worldly life before I realized that God had always been pursuing me, never giving up on me. I now know how exciting my life can be as I seek to live for the Lord each day and sharing my faith with others.

Roger

Hi Tim,

Nothing astounding here, but it’s an introduction to my life. See you Tuesday evening! Kathy and I really appreciate the class!

For me, becoming a believer in Christ wasn’t an outward transformation, but an inward one. Since I came from a family of believers, I attended church almost from birth, and heard the message of salvation from my childhood. I learned that God doesn’t have any grandchildren, so my relationship with God was dependent on my faith, not that of my parents. As a child of about 7 or 8 I accepted Christ’s sacrifice for me and prayed to be a follower of his. Though I haven’t always been faithful to him, he has remained faithful to me, and I’ve continued to seek his path in my life ever since.

Mark

From an early age, around 9, when my father died suddenly, I began to wonder about the meaning of life and death, God, truth. Being raised in a traditional Catholic home, I did and said what I was instructed to do in order to stay “close” to God, but never got to know Him personally.

My journey let me to investigate many other so called “truths,” none of which led me to assurance of heaven or if I was right with God. It was April, 1974 in Mexico where I was doing my student teaching that I met a girl who had gone to the same girls’ Catholic college in Kansas. I hadn’t seen her for a couple of years since I transferred to another college my junior year. She “happened” to be at the same bus station our group was at. She told me she had become a Christian and was on a missions trip. Initially, I took offense to her statement, since I thought all Catholics were Christians. However, after hanging out with her group for a couple of days I began to ask questions.

I had been waiting for an answer to the hole in my heart. Jesus was a perfect fit, the answer to all my fears, doubts and questions, the lover of my soul and the Father I had longed to know. He is everything to me!!!

As far back as I can remember, I recall believing the pastor when he explained the importance of accepting Christ and the salvation message. I prayed to receive Christ many times before I understood that once was enough. I finally understood the need for baptism at age 16 and was baptized in my church.

God has clearly guided my life from this young age and protected and guarded me. I can clearly see God at work in my life, past and present, and enjoy sharing specific examples with others, including the time God clearly told me to catch a football.

I grew up learning about God and as a teenager came to understand that God wanted me to be part of His family. I believed that His son, Jesus, died for my sins and I accepted His free gift of salvation. I began to know God as a father who loved and forgave me, and desired to know me.

Years ago I lost something and asked God to show me where to look. The answer popped into my mind and even though it seemed illogical, I found my lost item in that place. It is amazing to me that the God who created and maintains the universe is also concerned about everything in my life and desires to speak to me and know me intimately. I now know God as my personal friend and love the conversations we share.

I thought I was doing okay, and thought I knew what I believed. But after my boyfriend and I broke up, I felt completely alone, and began to fall into a depression. I began to ask myself, “What do I really believe?”, because if there was a God, I didn’t know him. When it came down to it, I knew I was either an atheist or a Christian …I just didn’t know which. Being unable to sleep at nights, I walked for hours, and began to talk to God like I never have before …

City background, churched but not connected/committed to God. USAF, married, no church/God. Rome, NY -> wife a true Christian. Doing well, comfortable -> sensed an unmet need plus unequally yoked (she had something I didn’t) -> friction.

Pastor offered Christ to meet needs. Taught gospel of salvation: All are disobedient to God, penalties of disobedience, Christ paid penalty, all need to accept Christ. My pride wouldn’t let me take last step. Vacation to Disney World -> anger at wife trying to “change” me. Not really her but God -> He was calling, I didn’t want to answer.

May 92 -> finally answered. Now, I see God’s calling to me & how He’s worked/working. Still ongoing, I still disobey but now I know God forgives thru Jesus. My deep need met by knowing my future’s safe in Jesus & I have eternal life – a free gift everyone can have.