How I became a Christian
Going to extremes
df1Cor13@webtv.net Diane Ferras
When I was twenty-one my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer which
scared me into going back to church I was determined
to live right this time. I quickly got fanatical about diet which led to
being better than other people. I wasn't happy. I would go to the other
extreme and do what ever I wanted. I thought to myself over and over
this isn't the religious experience I want I'm miserable I have no peace
no matter which extreme I go to. At a campmeeting I caught a fleeting
taste of peace but could't get a good vision of it. A while later I went
to a seminar and it was there that I was to embark on the sweetest
journey ever. The teacher guided us through chapters and verses in the
bible that pointed out the "good news" Jesus died in my place as me and
God saw me covered in a robe of righteousness. I didn't have to be
perfect come to him, and if I allowed it he wouldn't leave me the same.I
just have to make the choice to believe and allow God to work in and
thru me and allow Him to grow my faith. On the days when I don't feel
like I have the assurrance of salvation I choose to claim it by faith.
My God loves me so much that he drew me to Him or I wouldn't have come.
I went home that first evening crying and praising God the weight had
been lifted from me the condemnation Jesus gladly bore for me and I was
free to serve him.
Entered
June 9, 1999
Decision point when bell rings
My father became a Seventh-day Adventist when I was about 14. My mother opposed
the change. I ignored it. One day Dad told
me he was going to take me to Sabbath School with him. I looked at my mother
for her support, but she said, "Don't look at me dear." I told my Sunday
school teacher I would still keep coming despite my father. But little did I
know I would never see that Sunday school teacher again. I was a very sulky child. In
Sabbath school that first day, I decided to sulk to punish Dad for forcing me
to be there. He said, "You can sit down the front with the kids if you like."
"No," I said in my best sulking tone, "I'm gonna stay with you." He later said,
they ring a bell during the second hymn and all the kids go out the back for
their own class. You can go with them, if you like." "No," I sulked back. "I'm
gonna stay with you." The program kept going and I kept sulking. The second
hymn started. The bell rang. The kids went outside. The door closed behind
them. And when that door closed, it was like the close of probation. I knew
dad was right. I knew the Sabbath was right. In Sunday School we regularly
chimed together, "Lord, incline my heart to keep thy law." And anyone looking
at a calendar could see that Saturday was the seventh day. But now it was
too late. The kids had gone and the door had closed. That hymn was like a Hell
for me. But then in the last verse, there was a sound in the pew behind me.
Someone was picking up books to go out with the kids. "If it's not too late
for him, it's not too late for me," I thought. I picked up my Church of
England Bible and walked out with the kids. And I have been in church
virtually every Sabbath in the 37 years since. What happened during the
last verse of the hymn? I had sat in the pew in front of the kid's class
teacher. He used to let the kids go out on the first verse and have a
little time by themselves. Then he would go out to join them on the last verse
of the hymn. Thank you God that you directed us to sit in front of the teacher.
And thank you for changing me that day -- because that day was the last
day I ever sulked.
Entered by
Phil Ward Nov 10, 1998
Conversion experiences
How did you become a Seventh-day Adventist? What lead to you becoming
a Christian? Type or paste your story below. It could inspire us all.
Entered by Phil Ward -- Sept 13, 1998