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| Is your "testimony" boring like mine? |
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I used to have “testimony envy”. It seemed most Christians I met would fondly or even excitedly recall the exact day and hour they were saved, along with the spectacular story and miraculous circumstances that brought them to the altar. By comparison my own testimony is very different, in fact it's boring. To be honest, I'm not even sure of the exact moment I became "saved". It isn't worth the time to write my testimony here, the only person who might find it interesting enough to read is my mom - maybe. But just to summarize:
- At about 9 years old I “accepted Jesus into my heart” for the first time
- Through high school and college I drifted far from God, eventually quitting church completely and indulging in a partying lifestyle
- I resumed going to church a couple of years after getting married, and finally...
- Embraced daily personal study of God’s Word more than a decade after resuming church
Yep, those are the highlights! (ouch) But recently the Lord convicted me of its value just the same. My boring testimony affirms to me that heaven is neither exclusive nor universal.
a.) Heaven is not exclusive… There have been thousands, perhaps millions, of other believers (a “cloud of witnesses” acc. to Heb. 12:1) just like me who’s lives have reflected a daily devotion to Christ, yet who never saw the Lord's mighty hand move in overtly supernatural ways during their lifetimes. Most of us don't get to see God "parting the seas" or bringing down the walls of Jericho. This tells me that many more folks will wind up in heaven than a few would suggest.
b.) Heaven is not universal… On the other hand, the fact that I have a testimony at all is more than a lot of people can say, thus demonstrating that heaven is not universally attained either. Jesus' words "narrow is the way" convey as much. So this is to say that far fewer folks will wind up in heaven than many would suggest.
Therefore, boring as it is, clearly my testimony is something of great value. Is your testimony boring like mine? Take heart, it is a thing of great value, and what’s more, the best is yet to come! (Heaven!) |
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| To add a comment to "Is your "testimony" boring like mine?" |
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| June 22, 2007 |
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My testimony is even more boring! No partying, no drugs, no running away from home, no abuse...nutn. The things God protected me from will never be known, but I know He has walked me through a firestorm of temptations through my growing up years. Growing up in a relatively small, rural town, I could have easily fallen into partying and even promiscuity, but God had bigger plans for me!
I'd love to see a spiritual movie of my teen and early adult years when I get to heaven. How often did God intervene to protect me from doing something stupid? How many Angels whispered in my ear or even threw themselves across an inappropriate path I considered taking?
Yeah, my testimony is boring, but what an exciting testimony when you look at it from God's perspective! |
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| June 22, 2007 |
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| Brenda, I'll bet there are millions like us, and I see that as very comforting. Don't you? :-) Soo, a spiritual movie is an interesting idea! God has been supremely faithful to you, just like the sun rises and sets every single day. How boring is that! (hehe - praise God!) ~mike |
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| June 22, 2007 |
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| Mike, even though your testimony might be "boring" as you say, it may be an example to others who have not accepted Christ. Maybe they are in a similar position, accepted Him at one time and drifted away. That happens to a lot of people, and your example of coming back to Him and walking closely with Him might be the thing they need to get back on track! Never underestimate what God can do with you and your "boring" testimony! |
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| June 22, 2007 |
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| Thank you Deb, your words of encouragement and support are cherished! That is real wisdom, sis. ~mike |
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| June 23, 2007 |
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I think testimonies are vitally important, and it seems as though God agrees: 12:11 And they overcame [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. Three points, each critical to a Christian being able to "overcome". Most important of course is the blood of the Lamb; second is the word of our testimony -- the circumstances where God "interrupted" us and re-directed our courses, whether exciting or boring -- and third (worthy of a bog all it's own) is not loving our lives to the death. Your points are super valid, and remember that not only is your testimony a crucial element in your daily battle to "overcome", but it also is an encouragement and reminder to others with "BTS" -- "Boring Testimony Syndrome" -- who might think just as you did that since their testimony isn't sensational like some of the "Made-for-TV-Movie" testimonies we hear, they're not as valuable. You've just strengthened your brothers and sisters, and helped us all (yourself included) to move one step further forward in overcoming our adversary. I'd say that deserves a "Well done..." :) Agape, bro. |
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| June 28, 2007 |
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| soozanne~ are we twins? lol I LOVE that thought: "the things God protected me from will never be known" |
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| June 28, 2007 |
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April 24, 1991 at 8:30 PM! And my story is anything but boring. The only problem with an "exciting" testimony is that although you are forgiven, you still have to suffer from some of the consequences from previous sins. Exciting isn't always a good thing :) Be blessed your boring!! |
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| June 28, 2007 |
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| I'm always up for a good story, Sue. You'll have to tell it to me. Just don't expect me to be able to reciprocate! ~mike |
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| June 28, 2007 |
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| I will tell you someday (parts of it anyway :) But I can't make it public, you will understand when I fill you in on my testimony. |
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| June 28, 2007 |
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| Mike, if your testimony is the story of your encounter with God, there's no way that can be boring! It's all in how you tell it! Skip the boring parts, and just tell about God in your life! Here, Have a star! :) |
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| June 28, 2007 |
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| thanks Kathy! :-) |
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| June 29, 2007 |
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| Kathy hit it on the head. What could be BORING about the fact you're saved! No Hollywood spectacle to go along with the moment it occured? That's OK...it's awesome without the need for fireworks. |
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| October 18, 2007 |
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| Oh, what I would give for a boring testimony. At the same time, I'm much closer to Christ with all the stuff He and I have had to work on. |
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| October 18, 2007 |
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| hehe, Jess, that's the opposite from what I would've expected to hear from someone with a nonboring testimony. Is it posted anywhere (for us to read)? |
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| October 18, 2007 |
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wha...???
lol |
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| October 18, 2007 |
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| Not yet. Probably by the end of the year. The thing about non boring testimonies, is that a lot of pain comes along with it. God turns the pain into joy for the people who are blessed enough to resolve the past with Him, but there's still sadness and regret. |
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| October 18, 2007 |
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| That's a good point Jess. And that illustrates another lesson, the grass is always greener on the other side. Ok, now I will let go of my testimony envy. :-) |
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| October 18, 2007 |
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| Well, I think the best thing is we have testimonies. |
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| October 18, 2007 |
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| Hehehehehe....It was like reading my own testimony! |
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| November 18, 2007 |
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Joined My Church just recently and read this blog for the first time tonight. Amen, I can totally relate. I accepted Christ at the age of 7 and my wandering off was the same, although church attendance became off and on. I too almost envied people who could state the date they were reborn as easily as their natural birth date. But I have learned that:
1. God stayed with me all along, which confirmed that He will never leave us. He is there loving us, watching over us and waiting for us to get a clue! Quite comforting actually since being raised pentecostal which made you feel you were going to hell for telling your little brother to shut up. (Spent a lot of Sundays at the alter in tears asking God for forgiveness as a child.) I just know He was shouting hallelujah when I finally returned to the path wholeheartedly.
2. As a member of my church's street team, I frequently run into people whose path has been similar and are sure they have blown it with God. They can't believe He wants anything to do with them. But sharing my own wanderings, they immediately relate and are open.
3. There is no such thing as a boring testimony -- they are all a manifestation of a miracle! |
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| November 18, 2007 |
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Jess, my gosh I'm a month late answering you, but that is EXACTLY my point, our testimony is a thing of great value, regardless of how boring it may sound!
Chrissy, welcome to the club!! Dena, you too! Your comment is precious, and reveals that you treasure your "boring" testimony, though you are right about it being a manifestation of a miracle and therefore not really boring at all, in that sense. Every testimony results in a child of God, a spectacular feat!! |
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| December 12, 2007 |
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I'm glad that Lara posted a wonderful blog but it also lead me to your blog which I so enjoyed. My testimony if far from what you call boring... I regret that it took me so long to embrace the Lord and there are things in my testimony that would only be revealed if God insisted. Boring testimony I don't believe any testimony is boring. All of our testimony no matter what they may be is used by the Lord to impact someone. You are truly a blessing to me. |
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| December 18, 2007 |
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| Maybe I don't have testimony envy but I got comment envy LOL. |
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| December 18, 2007 |
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Lara, what are you saying? That I'm boring? (lol) I really appreciated your blog about testimonies, very good points! I suppose if Lau.. had a testimony like your husband's, I'd be a little envious as she shared excitedly in conversation when we're together. Fortunately for me, both of us have very boring testimonies. Hers is actually worse! lol ....but she does have a pretty good story of how the Lord led her to get more involved at our previous church. You can google her name and a webpage on that church's website will come up with that story.
Cheryl, I'm elated that you were led to this blog! I can't help but be excited about the point I made, b/c I felt like it was a "revelation" or little epiphany from the Lord, who was telling me that as boring a story as it is, it is special! (And I wanted all my friends with boring testimonies to take heart, theirs is special too!!)
Dave, that's a new one. Comment envy? Dude, again you crack me up! :-) |
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| December 20, 2007 |
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Mike;
Testimony is what gives us our ability to reach out to the next person so they can have there testimony. I love ya brother!!! |
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| December 20, 2007 |
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You know, the only fish that I know about their spawning habits is the salmon. That because they have to swim upstream and even leap (or whatever they do to get airborne) up when they come to small waterfall thingys. They definitely go against the current.
What you call boring is much like the salmon swimming against the current. It is so easy to go with the flow and give yourself to sin. But it takes someone special, who has a lot more guts and determination than I did, to live for GOD.
The most awesome testimonies are not those of how far someone went in to sin before GOD brought them out. No, it is what you call "boring", those who accepted Jesus at a young age and lived for Him despite the pressures within and without to not. I thank GOD for these awesome people and only wish that there were more "boring" testimonies like these.
Another take...
Someone who has been married ten times over 30 years can give you some exciting stories. Someone who has been faithfully married to one person for 30 years probably will not have as exciting stories. But which is a better testimony of marriage?
Please, please, never be ashamed of your "boring" testimony. Your Father isn't.
.....peace..... |
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| December 20, 2007 |
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Thanks Gordon, beautifully put. Yes, the testimony I call "boring" is indeed something to be cherished. I just won't expect many speaking engagements to share it! lol Seriously, thanks for your comment, I've taken it deeply to heart.
ps...I wish that I had lived faithfully for God since coming to "know" him 30 years ago. Was I saved at 9? I don't know. I sure had some emotional experiences during one of my youth group years. But a sizeable portion of that 30 years I was mostly ambivalent towards God. Praise him that he didn't take me from the planet during those times!!!
Dave, I love you too. (And you still crack me up!) |
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| December 25, 2007 |
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| Was that testimony for the defence or the prosecution. or is that a defence of the testimony? |
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| January 12, 2008 |
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I thought I commented this before, but evidently not! For every reason I mentioned in my blog ... You're so blessed. You need to know this! :) |
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| March 25, 2008 |
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Mike I actually covet boring testimonies. ooops not supposed to covet even someones walk.... oh how life would have been easier if I had just listened to my parents, grandparents, and the church. When did I not hear about Jesus...
bless you
LL&P |
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| March 25, 2008 |
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OOPS.. and Pure you hit it dead on!
Love desi and lucy |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Hey Mike, thanks for the link here. I would never have found your boringness otherwise. Actually my children know very little of my past, but they know all about my life with Jesus, and that is the most important part of any testimony. I often wish my testimony was a little more boring. I still struggle with some of my issues collected along the way, but God is gracious and I usually find my way to the foot of the cross with those issues. Sometimes it just takes a little longer than I would like.
peace |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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God made none of us the same, we are each unique (Praise the LORD). Had he made us all the same, each with the same testimony.........now that would be boring, LOLOL |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Oh come on, Glenn!!! You knew I was boring! lol Hey man, I agree, your kids see you today and they hopefully see you becoming more like Jesus all the time. Our present example is far more influential than where we've come from. Amen, and thanks for sharing.
Thanks Cindy, yes life in the body would be very boring if we all had the exact same testimony! hehe |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Oh come on, Glenn!!! You knew I was boring! lol Hey man, I agree, your kids see you today and they hopefully see you becoming more like Jesus all the time. Our present example is far more influential than where we've come from. Amen, and thanks for sharing.
Thanks Cindy, yes life in the body would be very boring if we all had the exact same testimony! hehe |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Hey, just saw this!
I pray my daughter has a boring testimony too! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| HAHA, me too Cher!! (my kids, I mean) |
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| July 20, 2009 |
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 [star!] |
Learning not to covet your boring testimony... OK GOD... I hear you
THOU SHALT NOT COVET... someone elses GIFT that I CHOSE TO GIVE THEM
I AM GOD BECKY get a clue...
* i drop my mouth wide open*
REMEMBER I AM GOD
... ok got it.....
oh mike... seeing Cher bear.....*sigh* oh how I miss HER.. have you heard from her????? How could I have contacted her? |
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| July 20, 2009 |
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| Hi Becky! Nope, haven't heard. Tried contacting her. Have left repeated messages on her MyChurch and Facebook accts, to no avail. Please pray for her and her daughter..... |
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| July 20, 2009 |
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MIKE I guess there is a reason why God told me to go back and read and comment on THIS blog right now as I learn to LOVE and find HUMOR in my colorful testimony which caused 33 years of pain and torture... well actually almost 40 years of heck... gee my life is like JOB....
*shakes her head in amazement of Gods personal revolations*
I love my LORD JESUS with my enitre fiber into existance |
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| July 20, 2009 |
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| Keep lovin him, Rebel! Slow, consistent, and persistent is better than full-tilt but brief, leading to burnout. So glad to see you enjoying your relationship w/ the Savior. That's exactly what he would want, I'm SURE of it!! |
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