|
| How I Became a Christian |
|
| |
In 1995, I joined a church in Midwest City, OK., in an attempt to save my marriage. In those days I already believed there was a god... But I did not know God.
I had been really deep into Scientology and also trying to understand the bible some during that period... But that had nothing to do with why I joined. Secular marriage council had not helped my marriage and so I hoped church would make it all better.
Dressed like a christian, acting spiritual, and even volunteering allot in the church.. I thought I was experiencing Christianity and on my way to finding God. Truth is... I was, .. but not at all the way I thought I would find Him.
Months went by, and one night, our Pastor had invited another pastor to our revival. He began 'falling' people out in 'The Spirit', (something I'm not sure we should do with 'The Spirit', but I do believe God can use our ignorance in such actions to bring some people unto Himself).
Anyway, My Pastor was trying to catch people as they fell and seemed both worried about their safety as well as his own ability, so I ran up on stage to help him.
I got behind this one person and she just would not fall after minutes of being prayed for as well as the pastor laying hands on her, so, "I" began praying for her to receive 'The Spirit'.
Suddenly, it occurred to me that I would like to receive 'The Spirit'. So, I prayed, and asked God to to fill me with His Holy Spirit. At once, His Love, Wonder, Mystery, and Awe, filled my heart and I could hardly breath for a while. Joy and Newness filled my body.
Suddenly, I was totally aware that my thoughts had never been hidden and I begged Him to forgive me. I was a child of God then, and the cares of this world have been falling away from me ever since.
I have continued to grow in spiritual knowledge of the universe and the Bible that once did not make since to me... Now is so clear. Today, having made aware of two key passages (Mat 22:34-40 and I Cor 13:1-3), I have been bringing attention to the church (all over the world),the error I see in NOT TEACHING CHRISTIANS TO LOVE, FIRST... BEFORE TEACHING THEM ANYTHING ELSE.
You look at these passages also, pray, and see that you may see the same thing. If Love is the most important thing... Shouldn't love be the most important teaching?
I know you agree that its the most important thing for you and I as Christians... but what about the churches' role to teach in the way God refers to, here in these passages?
Thank you. |
|
| To add a comment to "How I Became a Christian" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| October 26, 2008 |
 |
|
|
Good-morning Preston
What a wonderful testimony. When you receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit it is such a wonderful feeling of LOVE. Thank you for sharing and causing me to remember that first infilling. WOW!
Shalom to you my brother in Christ
Sister Marcia |
|
|
| August 27, 2009 |
|
|
|
 [star!] |
You said, "If Love is the most important thing... Shouldn't love be the most important teaching?"
I can't agree more. We ought to be about loving each other so people who don't know God will see Him in us.
Great testimony my new friend.
peace |
|
|
| August 27, 2009 |
|
|
|
| [star!] |
Wonderful to read, brother. I agree, that love is above all else. It's what fuels relationships, which is why God created us in the first place....amen? |
|
|
| August 27, 2009 |
|
|
|
| Glenn, Mike n Laura, Thank you, and Amen,... As I read your comments, I thought of I Tim 1:5 and then, I John 2. I came here asking the question, "why doesn't the church teach love FIRST?",... and since then He has been showing me what He meant. Now, looking back to this early blog and seeing what the journey has left us with,... I'm starting to feel like He's just been using me, ... LOL. Oh, man, that is funny. Anyway, I got carried away there, but thank you "Guys" for talking about this. Do you still feel like real men?... talking about Love,... see it's OK,.. hehe. Truthfully, just between the 3 of us... Only real MEN know what Gods' love means! Amen! |
|
|
| August 27, 2009 |
|
|
|
| [star!] |
|
|
|
| August 27, 2009 |
|
|
|
Amen Preston, only real men know the true meaning of Love.
peace |
|
|
| September 16, 2009 |
|
|
|
| [star!] |
I LOVE you Preston, great testimony! Stu |
|
|
| September 16, 2009 |
|
|
|
| Stu,... it's funny how these blogs lay here,... sometime for months, and someone comes along and knocks the dust off. Thank you Friend. I love you too. |
|
|
| October 20, 2009 |
|
|
|
| [star!] |
Maybe we don't stress love first and foremost because it's so hard to do, and other things that are basically legalism seem much easier to accomplish so the new convert will feel like he/she is making progress. Maybe too many teachers don't teach it because they themselves are not walking in love, so the lessons would be inconvenient and convicting, and someone may find out. Maybe a lot of us are walking around with "cracked foundations" because we went on to other things before we mastered love. Maybe??????????
Love ya, Friend! |
|
|
| October 20, 2009 |
|
|
|
| Preston, what a wonderful testamony! Thank you for sharing that. It brought to mind some major experiences in my walk of faith, all which are centered on experiencing the love of God. |
|
|
| October 21, 2009 |
|
|
|
Beverly, I know that is so true on the individual level. I know each of us have come up through many various trials and experiences that The Lord must work out and replace with - love. I am convinced that I, nor the church can teach people to love... It just doesn't work that way. But teaching about how God has truly expressed His love to us... That we are the focus of His love... That He is love... And that our love must, in fact, be replaced with His... What His Word says it is, looks like, how it is shared, etc., etc... this is what I pray and hope to start seeing coming out of these "Big Church" groups during national conventions, seminaries, etc. I love you comments Beverly. Your heart for God is always sown within. Love ya!
Gene, Thank you for the comment... You know, it is interesting to see. These blogs... The sit sometimes for days, months, longer, with no reaction or activity... And then suddenly someone picks one up and is stirred to some level. I mean...feeling led by The Spirit, you expect some big thing to come from it... We think we can measure what God is doing by visible things... And it's just not His way. And so I just keep being obedient... And giving the measuring back to Him. Amen?... Thanks, Friend. I love you. |
|
|
| October 21, 2009 |
|
|
|
| Yes Preston, I feel like a "real man", lol. (Been a while since you asked that, lol.) |
|
|
| October 21, 2009 |
|
|
|
| Praise The Lord, Mike. You Know, it is just amazing the Power of love. You look at comments from guys like Stu, Mule,... some of these other guys... Big guys... and you hear them saying I love you Mike... I love you Preston... You KNOW God is moving... hehe Amen! I love it. |
|
|
| October 21, 2009 |
|
|
|
| [star!] |
Thanks for sharing this, bro! And yeah, if we ain't got love, we ain't got nuthin'. |
|
|
| October 21, 2009 |
|
|
|
| Amen to that, Lara. |
|
|
Follow this blog
