My Life Prior To My Salvation

I would say I was a typical 20 year old. I drank a lot and just did a lot of dumb things. Went to college and partied the whole time. Did I have fun? Of course I did. Did I know it was wrong? Again, of course I did. The question that kills me is did I do anything about it? No. I don’t think I would change that either. I think there is a reason in every chapter of our life. I wouldn’t change a thing. I commend my parents for every step they guided me growing up.

The Circumstances Leading Up To My Salvation

I was tired of my “life” and knew something was missing. Through a friend of a friend I met Ben who I would say has been my guide through this amazing journey. We went through a great book, “The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus” and that book slowly but surely got me into the Word.

The biggest struggle for me was finding a church that I actually wanted to attend and through a friend of a friend I found Lakeside which is a huge blessing to me. Just going there for the first time I could tell that this wasn’t a church. It was a family of God. It is just an amazing thing to feel if you have never felt it. I honestly don’t remember the name of the song, but I will never forget it. I couldn’t even read the lyrics because I had tears pouring out of my eyes. I had a feeling that I never have felt before, and after that, for the first time in my life I felt like I was HOME in a church. (Forever Grateful)

So that Thursday I met with Dave and Josh and honestly I thought it was just going to be like a “hi and bye” session. Wow, I was way off. Dave asked if I have ever thought about committing to Christ. The answer was “yes” (but like so many of us, I thought I was going to have to change my life, which I knew wasn’t true). He then asked if I would like to commit to Christ now.

Again I thought if I would ever come to that point in my life that it would just be God and me in my room. As I was thinking that, the same feeling that hit me that Sunday overwhelmed me again. So I said, “Let’s do it” (the best decision of my LIFE). So Josh, Dave and I all hit our knees and we prayed. I put my pride aside and asked God to guide me and said that I was forever grateful for Jesus and asked for forgiveness. Talk about a weight being lifted off your shoulder. Again I just want to thank Dave and Josh for everything. Not for just being amazing pastors, or friends, but for being my brothers in Christ. Even better, I know we will always be together even if hen we aren’t in the same place.

My Salvation Experience

My experience has just been awesome. It’s been never ending. I feel like I’m growing every day. Don’t get me wrong…I slack (I’m human). What just blows me away is that the same God I was introduced to as a kid had open and loving arms even after rejection. He pulled me back, and much to my surprise, His arms were wide open just waiting for me. Sometimes I wonder why the Bible never fell out of the sky and hit me sooner. But other than that, I couldn’t be happier.

My biggest change that I have noticed is that I look forward to Wednesdays and Sundays instead of Fridays and Saturdays to drink and get drunk. When I committed to Christ, I didn’t say I was going to change anything and I didn’t, but let me just say God is so powerful, He blasted the spirit in me and is just transforming inside and out and it’s so awesome. Instead of beer and bars it’s my Bible and music. Let me tell you, those things actually make you feel good inside.

Proof is in the pudding. Exodus 34:6 – The Lord, the God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and rich in love, again twenty odd years later Christ never rejected me but he still has endless love for me. Ephesians 6:10-20 – I mean what an honor to be strong in the Lord and to be able to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil. If that’s not an everyday full time job. And our weapon of choice is so awesome – the Word of God.

Evidence Of New Life Since My Salvation

First of all, it’s been a whole new outlook. Having the Spirit working in me is so great. I think I’m much closer to some of my friends and some of my family members, but also further away from both. I want everyone that I meet to have the chance to feel the way I feel and the people that don’t, I guess all I can do is pray. For the first time in my life it’s not about me. It’s about God. I’m so hungry for His Word. And I love to share it too. I feel like I have an even bigger heart that I already had. I just can’t wait to see what God has in store for me.

Growing up I was raised with Sunday religion.
I was a normal kid that made horrible decisions.
For 18 years I was hell on wheels.
Never once was I concerned how my parents might feel.
I moved out went to college; I was an “adult” and on my own.
I partied every night, had the best of friends, but I couldn’t have been more alone.
Put in a couple of years and now college was done.
Again another journey starting, here I go back on the run.
Thought I was just a normal 21 year old drunk kid.
Now when I look back, I couldn’t have been more stupid.
My life was slowly slipping away.
For an unknown reason God’s love didn’t want me to stray.
Met Ben who started asking me spiritual questions
I was lost so I answered with hesitations.
Relationship with God to me was very mysterious.
So around Ben, I asked questions and was very curious.
We talked and talked and talked some more.
The more I listened I saw what God’s love had in store.
Again a new journey starting that was far from complete.
Along this journey Lakesider’s pastors I was gracious enough to meet.
We then met all 3 of us right before dinner.
That night we all 3 hit our knees and I confessed to Christ Jesus that I was a sinner.
And for the first time it was plain to see,
That Jesus died on that cross for me.
On that night it felt like God lifted a lot of guilt and shame.
From that day I put my trust and heart to God and asked Him to guide my reigns