Testimonies ...

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)

Short Testimonies

Name: Markesha Guinn
Country: USA
Suggested Title: Too Many SIgnes That Show He Is Real
Received: 28 June 2008:

In the name is Jesus is how many things have come to fruition in my life. Too many signs too many wonders to doubt him at all. When I pray and believe it comes to past! When I was baptised in the holy ghost and was blessed with the evidence of apeaking in other tounges. The goosebumps I get when his presence is made known! Jesus is soooo real. I love him, Glory to God!!!

Name: Robert
Country: USA
Suggested Title: Receiving Jesus
Received: 19 March 2008:

I love jesus and have recently accepted him into my heart I believe ur right praise him!

Name: Sebastian
Country: India
Suggested Title: Crazy About Jesus!
Received: 4 February 2008:

I am crazy about Our LORD. I love Jesus so much that I can not stop jumping with joy for he has put out his soldiers to make unbelievers believe in HIS Word through your efforts in this site. May god bless you all and may the whole world simply fall in love with Jesus The Christ, who walked the earth and is still walking in our spirits.

Name: Johnice Pertacorta
Country: Asia
Suggested Title: God is Real in my Life
Received: 10 August 2007:

I became very frustrated in my life, last two years when I stopped in my study, I thought I'm losing hope. I dont know what to do, but God knock in the door of my heart and there's a soft small voice deep within. It's keep me felt guilty to all the mistakes I done, but truly GOD is real coz He forgive me and deliver me from the bondage of sin. So I thank GOD above all for HIS love and sincerity...for without HIM I can say I am nothing. GLORY TO GOD forever.

Name: Srinivas
Country: India
Suggested Title: The Touch of the Lord Jesus
Received: 14 June 2007:

My Name is Srinivas and I am a resident of Bangalore India. We were the idol worshippers from decades as it is the practice of Hindu religion. My mother was sick from past 15 years. She had joint pain & anemia, also the whole family was suffering from witchcraft. Doctors had told nothing can be done to my mother and she has to take rest for the rest of her life. We had hired a house maid whom had two holes in her heart and she was healed by the Lord Jesus. When she had visits to the sabbath preachings several weeks to the church, GRACE GOSPEL CHURCH, Yeshwantpur, Bangalore, she shared her testimony with my mother and my mother decided to visit the church on a sunday during February 2004, and she just said that if you cure me from my disease and my pains, I will follow you to the end of my life, and the same day she was healed. To date she never consulted the doctor, as the Lord Jesus himself is a universal surgeon, who can operate with his wounded hands, and he can heal any one who goes to him and asks to be healed. I had ulsers and acidity burns, from the day I stepped into the church the pain is gone. My grand mother had liver problem, she is also healed now and she is still alive, Lord Jesus has given me peace, happinness, health, wealth, wisdom, job, protection, and many things in my life.

Name: Anthony
Country: USA
Suggested Title: Deliverance From Drugs
Received: 28 May 2007:

I was a drug addict and God delivered me. I went thru the Teen Challenge program and God saved me from the streets. I was involved in cocaine and meth use. I shot up drugs for over 12 years and drank alcohol. In 1995 I had my last bit of drugs and a pastor prayed for me. I have never since done drugs again. I am not the same person that I used to be. I work in full time ministry helping other men stay off drugs and we have a 24 hour a day live in program.

Name: Paul
Country: Australia
Suggested Title: Healed of Cancer
Received: 24 April 2007:

My father was a minister (now in heaven), who had real faith in God. From a young age I have seen sick people healed, overwhelming bills paid, mental, emotional and relationship problems healed through faith in Jesus. But it was all too serious for me to follow - I wanted to have fun instead. I have a good job. I'm flight crew with Australia's overseas airline. I have a beautiful wife, a harmonious marriage, house near the beach, and enough money. Three years ago my wife found she had breast cancer. Some people prayed for her in the Name of Jesus, and she was healed miraculously. The oncologist surgeon (arguably Australia's best) sewed up her breast straight after preparing for a full mastectomy, and called me to tell me "she's clear of cancer - it's wonderful news." With this Divine demonstraion of power and love, my wife and I had to follow Jesus - with all our heart and mind and energy! And we endeavour to honour Him with everything. I have seen amazing miracles happen to other crew on my flights through the Name of Jesus. Everywhere I go I am led to needy people to help. I have started to live in heaven. Jesus is real, He is Reality. As with yesterday, I'm looking forward to today, to once again prove Him in the happenings of this day and night!

Name: Samson
Country: India
Suggested Title: My Testimony
Received: 28 March 2007:

Praise the Lord, My name is SAMSON, I was born in a Christian Family, I used to go to the Church regularly, but I dont have Experience in Salvation. I mean I lived in a nominal christain life. Smoking, used to take alcohal, watching movies, womenization, like all sins. One day on 7th of August in 1993, God spoke to me in my church by II Thimothi 2:22. At that moment only I bended my knees in the presence of Almighty God, and I confess about my sins, asked for forgiveness, He forgave me,. Now HE is protecting me from every simple temptations, HE is guiding me like a GOOD FRIEND, I am getting rejoyce in HIM.

Name: Joe Timm
Country: USA
Suggested Title: He Is Real!
Received: 20 March 2007:

I work in a NICU at a hospital as a respiratory therapist. I know Jesus is real. I will make this short. A 2 year old under my care had a very bad cough, her kidneys were shutting down, and she required large amounts of oxygen. I came to give her a breathing treatment.While i did that, I also laid my hand on her and asked God to heal her. She had been here for 5 days and coughed constantly. Immediately after praying she stopped coughing. The following day the doctors lowerd her oxygen amount. The next day she was breathing room air and was sent home. The doctors did not know what was wrong with her or why she got better. I know why she got better. Jesus is real.

Name: Meghan
Country: USA
Suggested Title: "Let the Little Children Come"
Received: 28 January 2007:

I am being raised in a Christan family and I am only 9 years old! (I love In God We Still Trust 3:36 Diamond Rio Greatest Hits II Country) its such a great song...maybe look it up or something! Bye, Meghan Elisabeth Anderson

Name: Gail Hampton
Country: Mississippi, USA
Suggested Title: Guided to Your Site
Received: 26 January 2007:

I was just browsing the internet and typed in Jesus Is Real and to my amazement and delight discovered your website. I was blessed beyond measure and I plan to visit your site often. I personally had an experience about 27 years ago when my first child was born and have been a Christian ever since (Editor: See longer testimonies). Jesus is so good and thank you for giving others hope and thanks to all of the wonderful people that have shared their testimonies with us. Sincerely, Gail Hampton.

Name: Wayne
Country: N/A
Suggested Title: The Other Side
Received: 6 August 2006

I just wanted to say Jesus is real, and things on the other side are not like here. There is no more pain, all bad memories are taken away. Love joy and peace abound in the presence of Jesus. No matter what problems you have on this side, they will no longer exist in heaven if you know Jesus as savior. I had a visit from Jesus, and when you die the human psyche is no longer needed but you have the mind of Christ. All things will be known, and life as we know it is changed. Jesus is real and life after death is certain if you know Christ.

Name: Kristin
Country: USA
Suggested Title: Jesus Showed Me Proof
Received: 2 August 2006

One night me and my friend were bored so we decided to just drive anywhere just for fun. It was around midnight and we were an hour away from home in the country and there was noone around. It was winter then, so snow was covering the ground. I decided to turn around and head back. I saw some tire tracks in the snow and thought it was a road and I thought I could turn around. When I turned, however, it wasn't a road, but a ditch. My car fell down it and me and my friend were stuck. It was cold and scary and we could not contact anyone on our cell phone. We decided to pray. About 5-10 minutes later, a truck comes down the road and the man gets out and says he can help. He had chains in the back of his truck that he used to tow cars with. He towed our car out of that ditch and we went home.

Name: Kyle
Country: Canada
Suggested Title: Our Saviour's Hand on the Wheel
Received: 26 July 2006

One day, my mother was driving to work and she went into a slide. The road she was travelling on ran beside a shoreline. the car began to slide so, in fear, she covered her face and geld up her arms. Suddenly, the wheel was straightend out and the car came to a halt, without touching the brakes or wheel. my mother and I both know that the only reason she was not in an accident was because of our saviour taking the wheel and saving her.

Name: Shane Fairhead
Country: UK
Suggested Title: My Request to God Fufilled
Received: 30 June 2006

i have been a christian all my life now im 14 i started to not believe but jesus came to me in a vision he kept saying to me i am the way the truth and the life that day changed my life forever

Name: Joanne Streightiff
Country: USA
Suggested Title: Witnessing The Power
Received: 28 June 2006

God puts us in particular places for a reason. It may be for a day, month or a season. I was blessed to be a nurse at a nursing home. There I met a lady who liked to roam. She had an open trach so she couldn't talk back, but I always knew when she came to me she wanted a snack. Months later her health started to fail. She struggled with every inhale. Lined with family around her bed, one came to get me for they feared what was ahead. I sat by her side and took her frail little hand. I told her it was ok to let go, for where she would go would be grand. She looked at me and I found peace in her eyes. She took her last breath, then she was gone and it left me mesmerized. As her family wept uncontrollably, I sat there in complete harmony. With her hand still in mine, I knew I just witnessed the power of the divine. She held on to my comforting words as she passed away, and though she couldn't speak I heard everything her heart had to say.

In Memory of Elizabeth Glascock

Name: Colleen
Country: France
Suggested Title: Finding Jesus In My Life
Received: 16 March 2006

I lived a life of sin for the first 21 years of my life. I had two children without getting married and was not making enough money working in Kmart. I was thinking of becoming a striper. My cousin found Jesus and I spoke to her because I felt that with a four year old and a six months old baby I shouldnt be a striper but the money was good. She took me to a church and I was saved. I dont know how it happened but Jesus spoke to me and said Colleen you need to except me as the lord and I will lead you from the life of tempation. That was 6 years ago and now I have a GED and I am going to college part time to be a dental hygienist and I met a wonderful man in the church who was a former homosexual and he excepted my former sinful lifestyle and even adopted my two children and we hope to have more chidlren some day. And I never did become a stripper.

Name: Andy
Country: Australia
Suggested Title: Luv Ur Website
Received: 17 February 2006

hay i luv ur website i think its the best website eva jesus rox my world my church group praises ur website peace out homie up wif jesus down wif apocolypse

Name: Justin
Country: USA
Suggested Title: Complete Release From Evil Spirit
Received: 13 January 2006

Whoever tells you that there is no god, and that Jesus especially isn't God, or that he's based on buddhism, or that he's based on the greek god dionysis, is a fool. Do not give in to the devil's mass deception. Jesus is King, and you know it.

Name: Regina
Country: India
Suggested Title: Complete Release From Evil Spirit
Received: 28 December 2005

I was suffering with evil spirit for past 30 years One day I prayed to Jesus with complete heart and in crying and I have received a light on my face, since that day onwards no more evil fear in my heart. Halleluia Halleluia praise the Lord praise the Lord. This is my testimony.

Name: Shannon Mayo
Country: USA
Suggested Title: My Friend Found Jesus Through Your Site
Received: 17 June 2004

This site is really awesome. I have only been a Christian since February. I continue to strive to know Jesus better and this site explains Jesus' message in a very organized, profound way. I was recommended to this site by a good friend of mine. We both had been talking a lot about religion and Jesus in the last couple months since I became a Christian. He found this site at work yesterday... and after a lot of contemplation, he accepted Jesus into his heart. Last night we went to a bible study together and I will just say... God is really awesome! Thank you for your hard work on this site and may God bless you.

Name: Carmen Chaney
Country: USA
Suggested Title: Angel @ My Side
Received: 2 May 2004

In 1972 I was in a fatal car accident with my sister, mother, grandmother. I was 13, now I am 45. I have a husband, and two children. Almost gone and yet I survived, I called out to God and I know he brought me back with another chance at life. He sent an Angel that day and I somehow found my way. I lost my Mother and Grandmother but he gave me a daughter who who shares a likeness to both of them. She has been blessed with so much tallent and goes after what God gave her with great enthusiasm and speed. My son is equally blessed and learning every day. When I feel sad or lonely I just pray to Jesus, and in a quick moment he comforts me, I just ask in prayer, just like I did that day in August of 1972. He's been my true Father and by my side and keeps on blessing our family each day. What more in this life on earth could one want knowing Jesus is a prayer away.

Name: Beta
Country: USA
Suggested Title: I Know He Is Real, I See Him
Received: 2 May 2004

Hello everyone, i was born in Communist country Albania Europe, i was raised up with out knowing Are God Jesus,I know that my grendparents where Muslim,that we were ton a law to marrit a Christian,Kathlic.On october/1/ 1990 ,i escape from Albania,from The communist sistem,for 12 hrs,thru mounten,no food or water to drink.anyway,when i come to US,on March/21/1991 ,on decemder 1991,i got bor agen Christian,that knight,i see Jesus in my vision,i start seek for God,but i still don't understand so much,i start going to church,,i was so thursty to find the truth,& i am thursty,And i fill so happy,& fild with joy,now i know ,my Savior Jesus Christ,,i See His vision agen & agen,so i know hi is real,i am so happy & blessd to se him,2 years ago,i pray for new house,i know it,God have house for me by christmas, guess what on this year 2 days befor christmas i got my new home.GOD is so good,hi keep his promis,,if you Belive with your Hart on God, and have Faith,God will help you, so keep your faith strong & your belive in Jesus Christ who die in christ for as,for me and you.God bless you.

Name: Justin Noble
Country: USA
Suggested Title: First Testimony
Received: 21 January 2004

Jesus has changed my life because when i wasn't a christian i felt like something was missing, but now i feel hole and i don't need anything else except for god. God has also changed my family's lives. Before my oolder sister and use to always fight and now you cold never know that we wanted to tear each others throats outand my parents and i are even closer now then ever before and i have to think Jesus for that.

I think that this site is awesome. Today was the first time I ever gave a testimony over the internet.

Name: Prabhu
Country: India
Suggested Title: Jesus Freak
Received: 1 October 2003

before accepting him as a personal saviour i use to indulge in many bad things but after accepting him i feel as if was born again. i also add that we can enter into heaven only accepting him as ur personal saviour.think in mind that he has shed his life for us

Name: Casi Mabry
Country: USA
Suggested Title: 180 Degrees
Received: 1 October 2003

I was living my life in sin, before i came to have a understanding and ful realtionship with God i was an athesist. one day my friend Stephanie invited me to her church and i thought it would be boring but i went anyways just to see people. So i went and my youth pastor said something that would make me come back agian and agian "god will always be with you, even if everyone else leaves he will still be there" which is extally what i needed. So as i went back i started to come and know God better and better. He has done so many good things in my life i couldn't even count to tell you how many. He helped me to quit drinking, he helped me to stop cutting my slef, he helped me and my mother get along, and he helped me to understand that not everything will be perfect. He was the missing link in my life and he will be in yours too if you let him.


Longer Testimonies

Name: Grant Hoyle
Country: Australia
Suggested Title: Only GOD Could Have Changed Me, And He Did!
Received: 29 June 2008:

Once i was unsure if there was a GOD and didnt believe as such that would soon change on the 3/2/07.At 19 i was in the royal autralian navy and was heavily involed in drugs ,heavy drinking ,smoking,sex and all sorts of violence. outwardly looking at my life it looked like i had it all young,money,nice car ,apartment,women and the whole party night life scene but in inwardly i was wasting away i would go in my room and just sit there and think this cant be it i hate all this im fake i pretend that i love all this driniking ,drugs and women and all the violence but this is not really what i want to do. leading up to my meeting the glorious JESUS i experinced a few out of the normal things ,one night i had taken drugs with mates just like any other friday night when i was extremely intoxicated by the drugs we were all just siting around when suddenly i felt sober and felt terrible for doing what we were doing i looked at my mate and cried and said i have forsaken the lord ,he just laughed and i began to cry really loud and then said you didnt do anything its just the drugs , but i knew it wasnt it was my heart saying this not the drugs.but i hadnt even been to a church or knew noting about GOD.another night i had a girl over and we about to have sexaul relations when the same feeling came over me and i said i cant do this so i said to the girl please dont touch me she became angry and said whats wrong i didnt know what it was i just didnt want her to be near me . 2 weeks after this i was invited to church i had never been before and didnt know what it was so i agreed and off we went,we arrived and it looked like a rock show smoke and lights and people rasing there hands to the roof speaking in langugues i had never heard before ,soon as we got there i felt this feeling like eletricity all over my body and i said to my friend can you feel that he said it was GODs presence ,the time came when they prayed to invite JESUS in heart so i closed my eyes and just sat there the preacher kept praying and said anyone who wants to know JESUS raise your hand and i looked up and my hand was up i was a bit freaked out and i put it down then with no control over my hand it went up and didnt go down even the preacher said ok put it down now and it still didnt go down ,then i just felt the presence of GOD and i heard JESUS just tell my heart every question i ever had answered and i just knew that he was the only way and all my life he had been there waiting for the time i would come into relationship with the living GOD, every time i would think of something in my life i didnt understand he told me the reason and the purpose ,i left church and from that night i havent touched drink, drugs ,smoking and was prepared to wait for marriage for sex, i cant not explain how great our GOD is JESUS he saved my life ,im now married to the most gorgeous girl ever and im going to bible college next year to become a pastor i love my life now and for me it wasnt a case of now i believe in GOD it was the case of i found out how real he is . GOD bless have faith in JESUS he will never forsake those that are his.

Name: Carlos
Country: USA
Suggested Title: Living Proof
Received: 12 May 2008:

I remember when I was six years old. It was the first time I said my first,real,heart filled prayer. For me it took me needing, and hurting to reach out. We grew up in a life where my father would beat on my mother, and to make it worse he was the type of man that though he could find some kind of power, or guidance by praying to the devil. No joke, he seriously did do this. So to make a very long story short, my mom moved us around a lot. We ran but he would always find us. Well, after some time she felt like it would be a good idea to put us in foster homes. I was six. Years latter us kids got to come back home, only to see a new monster. Drugs. Growing up around people that used felt normal, but at the same time it didn't. I mean I would see other families doing things, going out and just living life. It wasn't like that for us. So grown up more I got to see a lot of different points of life. I remember always thinking to myself that I'm never, never, going to let myself get hooked on drugs. Well as time passed, and I started to get older I started to drink, and do a little bit of parting on the weekends. I also always remember feeling like I didn't fit in, like I was in some kind of a way different from everyone else. After I came back from foster homes I felt like I was still alone. I didn't know at the time but I was forming this wall, this protective shell, that would keep me safe from ever being hurt again. In some way I thought that if I could keep everyone away then nobody could get close enough to me to hurt me again. I mean my father was out of the picture at a early age, then the foster homes, then lots of other stuff. I felt like the world had made me this way, a scared, angry, lonely, person. So the way I saw it was like this, this is the way the world made me, so this is what the world gets. I lived as a very unhappy person for a long time, a very long time. Along the way I got hooked on pain pills, and anything else I could take that would make me not feel the feelings that I felt. Also I turned my back on my family and even worse,on God. I blamed everything and everyone I could for the way my life was. Then just like when I was six I found myself in a state of so much pain that I couldn't stand it, I needed help. I didn't even know it at the time but I was exactly where I was spouse to be. See, even though I turned my back on God, he was right there the whole time waiting on me to ask him for forgiveness, for help, for life. As soon as I reached out for help he was there. I couldn't even see it at the time but he was there. God has been so good to me that he has given me a new life, not the one I had, one thats greater than I could of ever imagined. It's been almost eighteen months now without any drugs at all, and the thing is is that I don't even want them. Also I haven't had a need to smoke a cigarette in six months. The joy I feel inside is worth more to me than anything. Everyday isn't a easy, happy day, but I got Jesus in my life today, and I know that with him all things are working together for the good. Its like having the bast insurance plan ever. It's like now that I got Jesus on my side I cant lose. I mean even when I die it's going to be my birthday. God is great, and to have a relationship with him is something that everyone should experience. Theirs no words to explain the way it feels. Today I'm more happier than iv ever been in my life. I'm living on my own, I have my own car, I have real friends and today I experience real feelings. God has given me a life that goes past anything I would of ever thought.

Name: Coty
Country: USA
Suggested Title: Repentance
Received: 31 December 2007:

I had a dream not to long ago and wanting to share it also. In this dream I had Jesus was in front of me and behind him was a group of people. These people were blurry and I could not make out any facial features or recognize who they were. They were all saying “Come On, Come On” and I could tell they wanting me to go where they were. In front of me was pure white that was everywhere with Jesus and the blurry people and behind me was pure darkness. I could feel there was something in the darkness, but I could not see anything for the black. All I knew was that I did not want to be anywhere near the darkness. The darkness was frightening. Then all of a sudden I felt the urge to say “ I Repent.” Once I said “I Repent” there was a door that appeared and was wide open and I felt a relief and I forgot about the pitch-black darkness that was behind me. The blurry people went through the open door and then Jesus went through. I just stood there frozen. Then I thought “ Can I Come or is it to Late.” Then a hand went through the opening of the door and motioned me to come. I got excited and went towards the open door. When I did I noticed the darkness from behind me start to come closer towards me. I started to panic and when I turned around the door was right in front of me but it was shut and had locks on it. The locks were on my side of the door, so in a panic I unlocked all the locks and opened the door. When I finally got the door unlocked and went through the door I woke up. I am not sure what this dream meant, but I cannot stress enough the importance of REPENTING for your sins. Jesus takes it very seriously and you do not want to be anywhere near the darkness. No matter what you have done in your life Confess it to Jesus and REPENT with your whole heart and be sincere because Jesus knows if you are lying. Jesus and God are very forgiving and merciful. They have heard and seen it all before so don’t be afraid. Jesus is very real and so is the darkness. Jesus died on the cross to forgive us of our sins make sure you take advantage of that, because the darkness is horrifying and I did not even go in there.

Name: Coty
Country: USA
Suggested Title: Testimony for Jesus
Received: 28 December 2007:

When I was younger my family did not go to church often. I did not know much about Jesus or religion. If the question of "What religion are you" came up I never knew what to say. As I got older I began to wonder about Jesus and God. I had a lot of questions about life and no one really had any good answers. I started to think a lot of things were pointless and I began to get hopeless. I began to think about God and Jesus and wondered if it was real. One night I asked Jesus into my life because I remember hearing someone say that Jesus is always knocking waiting for you to open the door. I did not know the right prayer so I think I told him to kick the door down and help me or something like that.

Shortly after I asked Jesus into my life, Jesus came to me in one of my dreams. One night I was extremely depressed and I had never been that depressed before. I really felt worthless and hopeless. Jesus came in my dream and told me to put my hands in the air and I did not know why, but I did it anyway. It felt so great that I even did the dance called walking like a Egyptian, it was a dance when I was a kid. I started to burst out laughing and I had not laughed like that in years it was great. Jesus still comes to me in my dreams and it is always unexpected. That is his style. I think it is cool because it gets real reactions and answers from you.

Since I have known Jesus life has felt like a new reality. I don't depend on the things I used to for happiness. All I need is Jesus. Jesus sends the right people into your life and you are always provided for. All you have to do is trust Jesus and have Faith. I have learned a lot from Jesus he is a great teacher, because he teaches you with your own life. I know everything in the bible is true and I enjoy reading the bible as often as I can. I think a lot of it is very interesting and cool to read. It is better than the books we read in school.

I remember my life before I knew Jesus and I am never going back to that. Nothing in this world means anything with out Jesus with you. I could be homeless living under a bridge and it would not matter as long as Jesus is with me. I am sure I'd whine a little but Jesus would cheer me up. If people are feeling hopeless they should ask Jesus into their life and I guarantee they won't be let down. I am a Christian forever. Jesus is my best friend.

Name: Phil
Country: USA
Suggested Title: My Testimony About Jesus
Received: 14 June 2007:

My testimony is about a kid that tries to fit in but instead ends up in a lonely state. It started when I was around 13, I remember wanting inner power to control to be more than I was. I had people I hung around with that used dope, back then one of them had taken me back in the woods. He pulled out a joint and something inside said that it was going to kill me. I remember how scared I was. I did it any way, my first joint 13 years of age. For the next 3 years the use of drugs became more and more. During those years I got into Satanism. I kept searching for that power to control the drugs. I got harder, I got more interested in starting my own satanic church. In just a couple of years I overdosed more than once. What ever told me that day when I first tried drugs that it was going to kill me was right, I was just getting closer every day. I have an uncle who is a preacher. I hated him back then. I hated his GOD. I knew what he stood for and it opposed my life style, what I stood for. I really wanted to kill him, I kept thinking about it day by day. Whenever I would talk about it the people around me never said anything negative about how I felt about my uncle ,day by day I was getting harder inside. Finally in 1992 I kept having dreams about GOD and turning to him. It was so real I would wake up with tears running down my face. I would say no and it just made me that much harder. I was not playing around about it - people in my family knew it at that time. Me and my friend were trying come up with the funds to get the things we needed to start are own satanic church.

On May 23 1992, I picked up two of my best friends from middle school. We went by his house to pick him up. We was going to get high. My friend was not ready so we went for a drive. We was going to pick him up after a little time. I was driving down a country road and I ran through a stop sign. The last thing I heard was one of my friends scream "Stop!!!!" Everything went black. What happened was a drunk driver had slammed into the side of us. It hit us so hard that it slit my car in two pieces. I woke up and was trying to get my friends up and they were dead. I found out that the women that hit us was drinking. I got a ticket for running a stop sign and she got a ticket for drunk and driving. I am surprised that nobody got charged with manslaughter. After the shock of the accident went away, my friends back then were drug dealers they felt sorry for me so they gave me a lot of drugs for free. I felt like a murderer, every day I would be on meth or and something else. I carried a great sadness around with me, I just could not see a way out. This went on for about 9 months. Finally one night, me and my friend was getting high, and he had a hand gun. I asked him would he help me kill myself, as I was to scared to do it myself, but he would not. I was tired of it all! One night when I lived with my mom and dad I started taking sleeping pills and took a razor. I would come in and out of consciousness. When I would wake up I would cut my wrist. The pain inside was simply to great to bear anymore. That was the only way I knew to deal with such a great burden. I do not know how long this went on. I passed out. I was awaken with a E.M.T pushing his fist into my chest and twisting at the same time. I found out later that my sister came from the town Kimmel. She was dropping off her son for my mom to watch. Nobody came into my room at night. I remember thinking I would just slip out during the night, but that night she came in my room and found me. Had she not of found me, the doctor said 30 minutes and I would have died.

A few days later they, as in the doctor and the courts, put me in for a mental evaluation. I remember looking out the window of that place just thinking there has got to be something out there. After they evaluated me, they sent me down to Charter Beacon. I stayed as an inpatient for thirty days. Every day we would have group sessions for hours. I thought after I got out of there things were going to be different. I was not going to use any more. After I did get out I found out that some of my friends thought that I turned snitch and that they were after me so I just stayed inside. I fell into a deep depression. Things just turned the same old way. My hopes of a better life, that every thing was going to be fine soon, faded away. I started to ponder suicide again. This time I was thinking about taking an axe to my parents. I thought they was after me - also I was so angry at them. I know now that they wasn’t after me. I was just so messed up in the head, I would just lay in bed and sleep as many hours as my body would. When I was sleeping, thoughts of suicide didn’t run though my mind - neither did my past. This went on for about a month.

Finally one Sunday morning, my sister came in my room. She said something like "Guess what! I got saved", and then she told me I was going to church, and I told her no she replied that I was going, my sister could knock out a full grow man so I wasn’t going to argue with her , then she left the room and as I was lying there. I started thinking what would God want with me? To me I was down to nothing. I had nothing, no job, everything I had done. There was music playing in the next room. The words of the song I still remember. It went "You are so beautiful to me". As I listened to that song, God touched me. He was expressing how he felt about me. There was a single tear ran down my face. I did not feel tears in a very long time, I was so hard inside. At that point I got out of bed and I got ready for church. I remember my ankles hurt because I was just laying in bed because of depression and the fact I didn’t have any friends. So I went to church. My uncle was the preacher. This was the preacher that I hated and had desire to kill him. In the past there was also another preacher and the was holding a revival. It went on for a couple of days. The last night that I went, an altar call came. I felt God drawing me but I was to ashamed. I remember saying "God I can’t meet you like this. Let me cut my hair." I was saying this in my head. At the end of the service, the pastor said "I don’t know why I am doing this, but we're going to have the service one more night". I went and got my hair cut, and came back the final night of the revival. The first preacher got up started talking about hell. Everything I thought about hell was wrong. I thought hell was thrones and different levels depending on the work you do for Satan. Then my uncle got up and he was preaching. I just couldn’t wait for the alter call. I got up while he was preaching and went down to the alter. I was so tired I laid on the floor. There I was right at his feet praying to the God I hated in the past, and the preacher that I hated in the past. He kneeled down and prayed for me Jesus came into my heart that night when I stood up I felt so different, I remember looking back at my seat looking for myself God healed my broken heart. I knew I would not see myself sitting back from where I got up from, but the way I felt inside - I didn’t know what was going to happen when I came to God, but I knew he was drawing me. I did not expect that much peace inside for a second. I did think I was a totally different person. As for my enemies, God has taken care of that and the family of my two friends has forgiven me. One of the mothers was attending church for a while with me. I think it is amazing that God can take someone like me, a person who couldn’t take care of himself, and now I have the right thoughts. God didn’t take my past away from me - he has taken the sin and has cleaned my guilt.

Name: Gail Hampton
Country: Mississippi, USA
Suggested Title: Warning in a Dream
Received: 26 January 2007:

Greeting from Missisippi. I wish to share what God did for me 27 years ago when my oldest daughter was just a few months old. I had a dream one night and experienced traveling down a long dark tunnel. I wish that I could have said that I saw a wonderful bright light but I didn't. You see, I didn't know Christ at the time and had I died I wouldn't have met Jesus. When I got to the end of the tunnel there was an open doorway that opened up to a stairway descending into what looked like a monastery with a little man dressed in black with a hood on. I don't know who he was but without speaking a word he told me not to proceed through the doorway because I would not be able to go back out. He told me to look to my left and there was another door lit up with red and yellow lights. He told me to proceed through that door. He said, "If the door light up yellow you are going to heaven but if it lights up red you are going to hell. He also said if it lights up red and yellow,meaning lukewarm, you are going to hell." It lit up red and yellow. The next morning I woke up terrified and opened my bible to 1Peter:5. Through that message I realized that God was telling me to come to him and to raise my liitle baby to know Him. For five years I searched. I taught Sunday school and did everything I thought I was supposed to do and then one day my sister asked me to go to church with her. I found Jesus that day and since then have been through many trials and triumphs including almost losing my husband through an auto accident but God miraculously bringing him back restored to health. God is so good and don't ever lose hope. Nothing is impossible for God. You know the bible doesn't say , "Nothing is impossible for God except for --------." It says, "Nothing is impossible for God." Keep the Faith.

Name: Liz Hall-Spencer
Country: USA
Suggested Title: His Amazing Grace
Received: 25 November 2006:

God is real. Jesus is real. The Holy Spirit is real. I have many testimonies, but I will share this one:

My sister-in-law is a very wealthy woman who works hard for the money she makes. She is very faithful to God because He is always faithful to her. One rainy morning during worship, I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me and tell me to give my sister-in-law, Fe, $100 a month until He tells me to stop. As a Christian, I do as Christ says and always remember that the Holy Spirit will NEVER tell you to do something that isn't in accordance with the Law of God. I did not question the commandment, but wondered why I was to give Fe $100 a month where she makes 3-4 times as much as I do. It become my urgent need to give her the money before they left for home that day. I told Fe to wait for me after church because I would be back in a moment. She told me that she needed to get to her mother's house soon, so please hurry. I did. I pulled $100 out of my account and it was like a hot potato to give it to Fe. I couldn't wait to give it to her. I took her aside and said, "I don't know why, Fe, but God told me to give you $100 a month until He tells me to stop." Fe almost fell to her knees and became to cry almost uncontrollably. I could barely understand her when she said, "How did you know? With all the recent expenses that have been coming up, I wasn't able to put money together for my sister in the Phillipines so she could go out and evangilize." We both began to cry with tears and thanks to God for He has a greater purpose. About 4 months later, Fe came to me and said, "Did God tell you to give me $100 this month?" I told her, "No, He said that it has begun. What has begun, Fe?" Fe told me that she put the money together and sent it to her sister in the Phillipines 2 weeks ago. Her sister took a trip to where they grew up. It is a 10 hour bus ride and a 4 hour walk. She went to the house and village where they grew up and began to gather all the children and the adults including their other sister and her 8 children and 4 grandchildren. To make it a shorter story, all were saved that day and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ. As there was such a shout of joy in that house, the people in the village began to come out to see what was going on. One by one, they were saved as well. All those people worked together to build a church where they could go and worship together. It is a growing church and a growing village now. People from neighboring villages come to worship. The wonder about this all is, from my hands, to Fe's hands, to the Phillipines, to Fe's sister and all the other wonderful people that are now a part of God's family. Always into God's hands. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Name: Abby Conley
Country: USA
Suggested Title: The Night Jesus Came To Visit
Received: 16 September 2006:

I was either 5 or 6 years old (I can't remember for sure). I shared a bedroom with my little sister at the time. I had been sleeping, when I awoke, I was sitting straight up in my bed. They're stood Jesus Christ; just above my sister's bed (her bed was right next to mine). A peace came over my young body. Although I never met Him before, I immediately knew it was Jesus. He did not speak to me, out of His mouth; He spoke His thoughts into my mind. He simply told me, not to argue with my sister.

My thoughts raced, I wanted to explain why I argued with my sister. Jesus knew what I was thinking. Before I could utter a word, my thoughts we're seized, and a knowing came over me. I simply was being told, and I did not need to provide Him an explanation. I don't remember Him leaving, nor going back to sleep. This entire interaction lasted 5 seconds. The next day when I awoke, and for months after that, I could not stop thinking about His visit.

My childhood was familiar with pain, I was taught I had no value, and was treated as such. I was placed into a foster home till I was 18 years old. I would grow to an adult, still broken. I abused drugs, and alcohol. I tried very hard to take my life on two occasions.

I learned some things about Jesus Christ in those 5 seconds that I spent with Him as a child, and as I grew even older, I often meditated on that visit. It turned out, to be what fixed my brokenness.

Here is what I learned: * Jesus Christ knew what was going to happen to me, years before it came to pass. * Even if we do not have parents that care for us in this world, we have a Father in heaven. * He knows what we think, and what is in our heart. * He can communicate to us, without speaking. * Although He came to me first, it took me coming to Him before I could start living life in the light. * Jesus had long brown wavy hair. He had a white robe on, and He stood in the air with confidence and ease. * In the sense of secular values; I would think that if Jesus would come to visit someone here on earth, that He would come to visit a famous movie star, or a president of a country, but Jesus came and visited a little girl that was viewed as valueless. *His precious character was established to me, in the fact that He even came to visit.

Psalm 27:10 When my mother and father forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

Name: Debbie LaGant
Country: USA
Suggested Title: My Testimony
Received: 9 September 2006:

On June 19, 2000, I was sitting in my livingroom reading the holy bible, I was reading only the words in red that day, I stood up and begain to read the words with all the life in me, I was thinking how fresh those words are just as fresh as the day Jesus spoke them, I felt so refreshed inside , I then felt to go and pray alone in my room . I closed the door behind me and got on my knees to be humble and asked the Father for the gift of tongues and the understanding of it,four of my brothers are Pastors and they have recived it and also my dad.I then stood up I said Jesus I dont know how to speak in tongues so I will praise you in english, I felt I had the gift but didnt know how to speak it, so I begain to praise Jesus and thank him in english,then I felt him enter the room it was a feeling Ive never felt before, I then saw a ray of white light before me, I felt a touch on my head and it felt like a wave went through me and my english was changed to tongues! and the ray of light opened , I then saw where the light was coming from,it was coming from the top of my bedroom ceiling where I knew no natural light could enter,this light wasnt as are light but as a white soft fog, I begain to shake all over Ive never shook like this before and my ears couldnt believe what my mouth was saying, I thought my god I just asked Jesus for something and hes doing it, I then felt the middle of my stomach jolt up! And this was the begining of a fresh new life for me.

Then on Nov 1 2000 about 1:58 am there came another visit,I just turned over in my bed and that white fog entered my room, I thought it was my eyes , I rubbed them but the fog begain to take form,the white fod became two white squares that formed together and begain to rise up higher,I sat up in my bed I said Jesus? I then stood up to pray I said father if this be not of you to go away in Jesus name. I then opened my eyes the the white fog was the complete form of a ghost shape I believe it was the Holy Ghost,Then the face got bright with spikes of light all around like a sun,and then the face had gotton even brighter! spikes of light came from the face shaped in the form of an X shape and I then saw a lovely rainbow appear over the head of this bright face three colors red,yellow blue,most rainbows have the dark colors at the bottom but this rainbow had the dark colors at the top I dont know whybut over the colors of this rainbow was white crowns of light little dips of light ,Then the vision was gone,all I could do was just stand in awe,I went to seek in the bible for some answers to who this was whom I saw and the first bible verse I kept coming across said dont you even know me though Ive been with you all this time if youve seen me youve seen the father,then I was lead to Ezekiel1:28 it speaks of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain it saws the same is as the glory of the lord....Then I read in Matthew 17 :2 where it speaks about Jesus being transfigured on the mount it says his face does shine as the sun and his clothes white as light,all these verses matched my vision ,Then came the verse that hit me hard was Rev 10:1 it said his face does shine as the sun and he has a rainbow over his head ,I then knew this was Jesus whom I saw I fell to my knees crying and said Jesus this was you who I saw wasnt it and I spoke out in the holy spirit and said it was I my love ....all whom I asked ho this was in Rev 10:1 said Jesus ,shortly after this vision Jesus appeared to me face to face in a dream and he still visits me in my dreams even till this day,I know he will never leave me nor forsake me,old things are passed away and behold all things become new!As Paul says in the bible it is not I who lives but Christ who lives in me! I Praise and Thank Jesus for all he has done and is doing! I will never be the same again! Recieve ye the Holy Ghost In Jesus Name! Love in Christ Jesus ,Debbie

Name: Terry Blake
Country: USA
Suggested Title: True Testimony of a New Creation
Received: 21 September 2004

My original condition: Agnosticism: The claim (denied by Romans 1:18-20) that one has no knowledge of God or the origin of the universe. Some agnostics make the claim on a personal level, while allowing that such knowledge may exist but has never been known by themselves. Others assert that such knowledge cannot be had by anyone. Agnostics avoid the charge of dogmatic atheism by acknowledging the theoretical possibility of God's existence. Yet virtually all live as if the non-existence of God was an established fact, and are thus practical atheists. What happened to me: This is a list of events beginning on or about January 10, 1985 (1st Day) For some unexplained reason, at least at the time, I began watching TBN. I thought it was all a bit strange at first. Then I found my self CRYING ( for no reason) and unable to change the TV channel. I went to bed that night in amazement of what was happening to me for no apparent reason. (2nd Day) The next day when I turned on the TV, it was still on TBN. Again, I JUST HAD TO WATCH IT, I didn't know why, I just had to watch. Then, between the main programs, TBN was showing a series of short films about Jesus and his life. As I watched one that showed Jesus dying on the cross, my room was filled with a POWER I had never seen or sensed before in my life. I found my self getting out of my chair and falling to my knees, with my head bowed, and still crying, SAYING OUT LOUD! FORGIVE ME LORD! I DID NOT KNOW YOU WERE REAL AND ALIVE TODAY! This visitation from Yahshua was the last thing I would have ever imagined! Especially while watching some TV shows that I thought were a bit strange and far to RELIGIOUS for my tastes. His visitation REALLY, REALLY changed me! I NOW BELIEVED IN HIM "YAHSHUA"!! Jesus "Yahshua" didn't stay long on that first of many visits, but it's the one I remember best! And this is the miracle He performed during His first visit: (3rd Day) I awoke the next day, knowing I had been radically changed. Jesus had Immediately delivered me from: (He had taken my "Want-to" away) 1) Smoking ( 3 packs a day habit) 2) Alcoholism ( 4 or 5 drinks every night "Rum & Coke") 3) Prescription Medication ( Ativan , 3 times a day habit) All, without any withdraw symptoms of any kind He also delivered me from fornication, I just didn't know it yet. I was a "practical atheists" and totally Un-Churched, the groups I associated with did not use the word. But these Methodist that the Lord had sent me to just kept bringing it up and saying it was a bad thing. For a long time I just ignored the fact that I really did not know what the were talking about exactly. So, one day I decided to look up the definition. To my utter astonishment it applied to me!! It was one of those rarer lean times in my love life, so I wasn't currently involved with anyone, but fornication definitely applied to my regular un-saved and sinful behavior. ***( Consensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other )*** This path of delivery took a bit longer and was more difficult for me to embrace. This ordeal alone would no doubt require at least another entire page to describe it completely. Lets just say. I did finally get delivered and have been celibate now for almost 20 years. When GOD wants to do something, it will get done. Evan if my initial cooperation was minimal on this issue, He has ways not available to men to cause one to be more willing when necessary. ( I personally do NOT recommend one should resist the LORD in any way. It's just not a good Idea.) Thank you LORD, "Yahshua the Messiah" for my salvation and delivery from my sinful and dangerous activity's!!! Sure, I knew Jesus was a Biblical character, but I had no idea He was REAL and ALIVE today. People were often telling me I should go to church and STOP doing this and START doing that. Each church had a different set of DO'S and DON'TS and no one ever actually told me. JESUS WAS REAL! HE LIVES TODAY! And I needed to meet this man from the Bible. (Yahshua the Messiah) (Because of the world we currently live in, I have to be VERY CLEAR as to what happened to me on this day, the most important day of my life) WHAT I KNOW TO BE TRUE: There is only ONE TRUE GOD eternally revealed in three distinct Persons -- the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Human beings are sinners who (without the grace of God received through faith in Christ) are eternally lost. Jesus, who is God in the flesh, (Col.2:9 "For in him dwells (lives) the fullness of the Godhead (deity) bodily" (bodily form). All that makes God who He is, is to be found in Jesus.) born of a virgin, died on the cross and rose physically from the dead as the sole and sufficient payment for the sins of humanity. John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ whom YOU have sent. The Father is "YHWH" , "Yahweh" the "MOST HIGH GOD", Yah is my GOD! Jesus is the "Son of GOD" , "Yahshua the Messiah" , Yahshua is my LORD! 1 Jn.4:15: "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the SON OF GOD, God abideth in him, and he in God. ." Notice it states that if we confess this, God indwells us, yet we are to believe from those who deny the deity of Christ that God does not dwell in his Son. WHAT I KNOW TO BE FALSE: Polytheism: The belief in the existence of a plurality of gods, in contrast to monotheism (one God) or atheism (no God or gods). Examples include Greek, Roman and Norse mythology; ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, and Assyrian religions; and some forms of neo-paganism, Wicca, and New Age belief. Some forms of Hinduism combine polytheism with pantheism (all is God). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches a form of Christianized polytheism, since it holds that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three Gods and that human beings can become exalted to Godhood. Now that I have made my beliefs clear, I can continue! That first year was one of much prayer while trying to figure out what had just happened to me. The Lord first sent me to a Methodist church just down the road from where I lived. And there I led a small Bible teaching class. My spiritual life was beginning to take shape, in this rather quiet church, which had mostly older folks attending. They baptized me by "SPRINKLING" me with water, which the "Pentecostal movement " later thought was insufficient, so they rebaptized me in a river while on a boat trip.. Lots of things were happening to me during this first year of being a Christian. But the one I remember the best is this one: Yahshua introduced His Father to me! Mt 11:27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. The ordinary usage of the word POWER, does not even begin to describe what I encountered on this occasion. It was as though all the POWER in the entire universe was far to close to me for comfort. This POWER had set ablaze every Star in the sky above and was holding every galaxy with it's millions of stars and every planet in it's place. Even this description is lacking. This FRIGHTENED me so bad I told both of them to leave. (Immediately, I REGRETTED DOING THAT!!) They BOTH stayed away for a week or so. Then Jesus "Yahshua" showed up again while I was praying and He tried to introduce me to His Father a 2nd time. This time I behaved my self, and I welcomed His Father, as my Father, by calling Him "Abba, Father"! It was actually hard to say it the first time. It seemed so out of character for me to speak this way. From that day forward, I call no one on this earth father! My earthly parent is always referred to as Dad!! I felt as though Yahshua had given me to His Father and my guardianship was now in His hands. SOMETHING NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY! Romans 8: 14 - 16 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God Re 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. As you read and believe the truth in this Testimony, I pray, Yahshua, will have mercy on You, as He had on me!

Name: Justin Fuller
Country: USA
Suggested Title: True Testimony of a New Creation
Received: 14 January 2004

My name is Justin mark Fuller and i am seventeen years old.I was saved just five months ago but the change in me has been more than enough for EVERYONE in my life to take notice.Growing up i was a terrible sinner who had no remorse for what he did. I would drink and smoke pot consantly.I would steal anyhting, most of the time just for fun.But the worst part of it was i would have sex whenever the chance arose.Sex was the worst of my sins because I have done it to many times to count and that used to be my main goal of my day.I would even have sex in the morning before I went to church. I started going to heartland Community Church in my home down in december of 2002. Iwould go there and go to my youth group just to say that i went there.I never paid atention and would just day-dream until it as over. But then one day I decided to try and understand all of this "God" stuff.I asked my fellow christians and I read the bible but i just couldnt find it.I was getting confused and frusterated because I wanted to know Christ personaly.Then one morning after church I was at a babtizing ceremony for my curch.I had not signed up for the service and was not to be babtized, but when i arrived there it was like a huge slap in the face.I wanted, no I needed to to this.My pastor asked after babtizing the people who had signed up if everyone else was being called to Christ.I told him that I was and I was babtized in front of God that day.Since then i have been described as a complete 180. I no longer drink or to any drugs.The best part is that I no longer swear( which I used to do very excessively) and I am now abstinant.I have never been happier and God has continued working in my life in unbelievable ways.My friends that I have prayed to find Christ have come up to me out of no where to say that they wanted to go to church with me.Even now as im typing this i am starting to cry because I am amazed at Gods awesome love and forgiveness.I love Jesus Christ with all that i am.Grace and glory to the almighty god forever.

Name: Ed Grifenhagen
Country: USA
Suggested Title: A Change of Heart
Received: 29 September 2003

When I look back over the last 13 years of my life I see a pretty decent guy in the middle of a typical middle class happy life. I've got a terrific wife and two magnificent boys. One is a nine-year old third grader and my baby is six and enjoying his first year in elementary school as a big shot kindergartener. My relationship with my wife couldn't be any more wonderful than it is. My love and respect for her grows stronger with every sunset. From all outward appearances I have been living a reasonably fulfilling life. I grew up in a conservative Jewish home. My parents kept a kosher kitchen. As a child, I went to religious school every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. I also attended Sabbath services on most Saturdays. My parents instilled, in my brother, sister and I, a strong set of morals and a profound sense of ethical dos and don'ts. I now realize that these values were driven by Old Testament scripture. The Law, as given by God to Israel. I was involved with USY (United Synagogue Youth), which is a national Jewish youth organization. I went to Jewish summer camp and was in a Jewish fraternity at the University of Georgia. As a Jew, the New Testament and Jesus in particular were not an issue. I was not taught that he wasn't the Messiah or that the New Testament was wrong. It just was not an issue. It wasn't discussed, period. We were simply taught that at some point in time there would exist a 'Messianic Era' of peace on Earth. I grew up believing that if heaven existed, and I lived a good life full of mitzvoth (good deeds), I would end up there. My viewpoint on Christianity was that Christians could live their lives in whatever manner they saw fit so long as they accepted Jesus as the Christ. If a Christian was a serial er, all he had to do was ask for forgiveness and he was OK. To my way of thinking this could not possibly be right. I met my future wife when I was a junior in high school and she was a lowly freshman. She was Baptist when we met and remained so during our courtship. When I was a senior in college I asked her to be my wife, with one stipulation. She needed to convert to Judaism, so that our future children could grow up in a Jewish home. My parents had told me how important this was. She agreed, went through a year-long conversion, and we were married in 1988. For the first few years of our marriage we were members of a conservative Synagogue and later joined a reform congregation and were members up until a few weeks ago. We attended services occasionally and on all of the Jewish holidays. Looking back on it I think we were members mostly for my parents benefit. During this time Judaism began to be somewhat of an unimportant factor in our life together. I didn't really know why, but it just kind of fell to the side. I never doubted God's existence or the role that he plays in our lives. As time passed there was just something about Judaism that didn't feel quite right. I believed and still believe what the Old Testament teaches. I simply felt that something was missing. Zachary, our first child, was born in 1992 and then Will, our second, in 1995. Time passed and we began raising our little family the best way we knew how. We were trying to live and raise our children with a strict sense of right and wrong. Our kids went to Sunday school every Sunday, just like all of their Jewish peers. I put my lack of spiritual fulfillment on the back burner and just went about my day-to-day life. In January of 2001, I decided that I needed to figure out what I truly believed in both in my brain and in my heart. I wanted to believe because I believed, not because somebody told me to believe. I told my wife that I might end up a Rabbi, or a monk, or an atheist, or a whatever. In a sense, I wanted to prove to myself that Jesus could not possibly be the Messiah and that Christianity is really one big deception involving just another one of many Old Testament prophets. Surely there was no way that I would end up believing in this Jesus stuff. I decided that the best place to start was the Bible. So off on my quest I went. Every night I opened up the bible (The Holy Scriptures) that my parents gave Susan and I for our wedding, as well as a New International version that I purchased independently. I was reading both of these bibles at the same time. Knowing that religion is subjective, I tried to be as objective as humanly possible. I would read the NIV, because it was easier to understand and then I would refer back to my Holy Scriptures whenever I ran into a controversial issue. I spent the next 11 months reading these bibles cover to cover. I had never read the Old Testament, much less the New Testament. While I was reading these, I also read parts of the following books, Biblical Literacy by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Christianity in Jewish Terms by Kenski et all. and The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell. When I finished the Bible I read these books in their entirety. I was trying to investigate the historicity of both The Old and New Testaments. I needed a factual basis for belief. I then read Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus Vols. I and II by Michael Brown, The Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism by Dennis Prager and Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, The Case for Faith and The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. My dad also gave me a paper that he received, as a teenager in the early 1950's, from his Rabbi addressing the Jewish perspective of Jesus as the Christ. I could not get my hands on enough reading material. It was almost an obsession. I would stay up until 2:00-3:00 in the morning reading. During my thirteen-month investigation into religion I developed feelings I never thought I could have. I don't think there was one particular moment of a, so-called, 'spiritual awakening'. The best explanation I am able to come up with is that it was just a gradual build up of belief in my head that culminated in a passionate conviction in my heart. I was shocked. I mean truly flabbergasted. Could I possibly believe in this? Yes, I guess I could because I was totally convinced in the historical accuracy of the Bible, both the Old Testament and The New Testament. I have begun to understand that Christianity is not what I thought it was. The serial sinner, which I spoke about earlier, can be forgiven by God if he truly repents in his heart. If you believe God is a loving God, he must also be a forgiving, graceful God. If this sinner just professes his repentance with his lips and not his heart he cannot be genuinely saved. You can't just act like an idiot and say, without sincerity, 'I apologize' and expect to be forgiven. After reading the Bible, and in particular the OT, I noticed that God's chosen people, Israel, would slip up and 'act the fool' and he would reel them back in. A few years later they would slip up again and he would reel them back in again. This happened over and over throughout the biblical history. It is almost as if God said' 'Look, it appears that you are continuing to disobey my commandments. These commandments, all 613 of them, must be impossible for any human to keep. So here, I'm going to give you someone to atone for your sins for eternity. It doesn't mean you don't have to try to obey the law. It just means that you don't have to be a slave to it. It doesn't mean that you don't have to behave it simply means that it's OK if you slip if you have faith. I have reconciled the relationship as being analogous to my relationship with my kids. I can't expect perfection from them, I just expect them to do their best and I forgive them when they don't. I have come to believe that mitzvoth (good deeds) and faith in Christ are intertwined. I believe that faith in Jesus, as the risen Christ, will drive me to behave appropriately and live a life full of good works. I also have the comfort of knowing that perfection is unattainable and that trying to have the moral discipline to live only by the law is impossible, but that faith will produce the proper virtues in my life. I believe that knowing the truth involves more than just knowing a set of facts. You can't be convinced of the truth by persuasive reasoning or shrewdly designed arguments. The truth about life can only be known by those who want to know it, by those who love the truth because it is the truth, not because it is what they hoped or expected it would be. Anyone who wants to know the truth and is willing to see and hear it will know it; no one will ever know the truth that does not want to know it. Dan Cardea, in A Matter of the Heart says, 'Knowing the truth is not a matter of intellectual enlightenment, mental capacity, or reasoning power. . .it is "a matter of the heart." On a dark rainy morning in the middle of January 2002, at about 6:00 AM, I was driving to work by myself thinking about my faith, my parents, my wife and my kids and just started to cry because I realized that I had accepted the fact that Jesus died on the cross a few thousand years ago to atone for my sins. All of the soul searching that I had gone through in the past year culminated in a monumental change of heart that rainy morning. All of a sudden I saw the world in a whole new light. I felt a little more at ease with my life, a little less stressed with work, a little slower to lose my temper, a little more patient with my kids, and a lot more in love with my wife.

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