It's kind of weird how I came about accepting Christ. So here's my completely honest story. When Brandon (my husband) and I started dating, he didn't tell me he was a born again Christian. I actually found out when I was snooping around his email. I found an email from Brandon's mom telling him how disappointed she was in him that he would go back to a Catholic Church after learning the Truth and that if he really cared for me why would he not witness to me and be concerned about my salvation. That's when i found out he was a born again Christian.
In winter of 1998, Brandon invited me to spend a few weeks in California with him to meet his family. They witnessed to me and as ashamed as I am to admit it, I "agreed" with them because 1) i wanted to be liked by them and 2) i also wanted them to stop "lecturing" me about the Bible. So for a while i was this "fake" believer. I would go to Church with his family but not whole-heartedly. After I had my first son, I really started to worry about his salvation and what would happen to me if i died. I slowly went from worrying about my salvation, wondering whether or not i was really even saved to really accepting Jesus as my savior. But then, even then, I would be embarrassed to admit it to my family because they were hard core Catholics.
Finally in February 2006, while we were visiting in CA, one of the services really hit home with me. It was about fully and truly trusting God and His Word and being obedient to Him. Pastor Pollack said, "Those who call themselves believers and who are not ashamed, but have not been baptized, what are you waiting for?" That evening, I was baptized. I publicly and outwardly acknowledged my acceptance of Christ as my savior. So there you have it. :)
Jeremie
(accepted Christ in 2006)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
You're Enough
Hi, I'm Michelle. Basically, all my life I've been a pretty good person. A goody-two-shoes is what some classmates would say. I get good grades, I'm in a lot of activities--the tennis team, the National Honor society, the Kitty Air Hawk Honor Society, the Science & Technology program, and the JROTC drill team. Some people are really impressed with my involvement and grades. But not my parents. One time I got straight A's and my mom said "That's nice. Next time, just do better." I said, "Mom, I got straight A's! You can't do better!"
I like being active and all but when I stop and think about it, I'm active in school because when I go home at night, there's no one there. My parents are both working and my sister's out with her friends. I grew up going to church every Sunday with my family but to me, going to church was stressful because I could never find anything nice to wear. I mean I know NOW that church is about learning about Jesus but back then, I just didn't get it. The story of Jesus just seemed like one of those fairy tales, like the tooth fairy or Santa Claus. Something to give you hope as a child only to disappoint you as you grew older. As the years went by, my dad stopped going to church then my mom did so she could work and then my sister did. And then, going to church went from being stressful to lonely. So one day at church, I said to God "This whole story about Jesus dying for me sounds very sweet but it doesn't mean anything to me. Please make it mean something and I'll come back." That was my last day there.
Three months later, my friend started talking to me about his church and invited me to go. I was curious so I went. People were lifting their hands up and singing songs as if they were serenading the sky. The story of Jesus meant something to them and I wanted that, whatever it was that they had. When the pastor said that all our works are like filthy rags--even our best accomplishments don't mean much, I started crying. Not because all my hard work meant nothing but because I was relieved. I had been tired of trying, trying to be a good daughter, a good sister, a good student. It was a relief that Jesus wanted to take on my burdens because even at 16, my heart felt so heavy. And I heard a voice in my head saying "You're enough, Michelle. You're enough."
I mean I still do my best but now, I don't do it just to make everyone else happy. I do it to make the Lord happy and whether I'm getting straight A's or failing, I know God sees that I'm doing my best!
Michelle
(accepted Christ in 1996)
I like being active and all but when I stop and think about it, I'm active in school because when I go home at night, there's no one there. My parents are both working and my sister's out with her friends. I grew up going to church every Sunday with my family but to me, going to church was stressful because I could never find anything nice to wear. I mean I know NOW that church is about learning about Jesus but back then, I just didn't get it. The story of Jesus just seemed like one of those fairy tales, like the tooth fairy or Santa Claus. Something to give you hope as a child only to disappoint you as you grew older. As the years went by, my dad stopped going to church then my mom did so she could work and then my sister did. And then, going to church went from being stressful to lonely. So one day at church, I said to God "This whole story about Jesus dying for me sounds very sweet but it doesn't mean anything to me. Please make it mean something and I'll come back." That was my last day there.
Three months later, my friend started talking to me about his church and invited me to go. I was curious so I went. People were lifting their hands up and singing songs as if they were serenading the sky. The story of Jesus meant something to them and I wanted that, whatever it was that they had. When the pastor said that all our works are like filthy rags--even our best accomplishments don't mean much, I started crying. Not because all my hard work meant nothing but because I was relieved. I had been tired of trying, trying to be a good daughter, a good sister, a good student. It was a relief that Jesus wanted to take on my burdens because even at 16, my heart felt so heavy. And I heard a voice in my head saying "You're enough, Michelle. You're enough."
I mean I still do my best but now, I don't do it just to make everyone else happy. I do it to make the Lord happy and whether I'm getting straight A's or failing, I know God sees that I'm doing my best!
Michelle
(accepted Christ in 1996)
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