How do you make it to God?

[rimrock]

I decided to start a new thread, if there is any interest. This is always a difficult understanding (man’s freewill vs. God’s sovereignty) and is many times mixed with varies new ideas. So the thought accrued to me to attempt to work out a Christian or any other understanding of this idea. Yes, many Christians here will say it is by God’s grace alone and that is most definitely true, but how does that work itself out in our individual lives? Some say you have to work at it until you make it there, so how do you know when you get there and what is there? What about our freewill? How do we choose God verses choosing our own way? There are many other questions that can be posed.

First, allow me to start by sharing some of God’s thoughts regarding humanity in our present state:


“The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain...for I am grieved that I have made them.” (Gen 6:5-7).

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you.” (Isaiah 64:6-7).

“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Rom 3:10-12).

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Rom 3:18).

“Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” (Rom 11:36).

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” (Eph 2:1-2).


I hope to get some discussion here to gain understanding because lets face it since I perceive that pretty much unanimously everyone here believes in “god” it would be very important to know: How do you make it to God?

[DAB]

John 14:6
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
NIV
DAB

[Fish-n-Fever]

How do you make it to God?





John 14:6
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.



If you are talking about after this life on earth then DAB showed you the answer Jesus gave the world.

If you are talking about how to you get in God's grace and walk with God that is a different matter.
I believe grace from God is freely given, it cannot be bought or earned in any way or fashion.You of your own free will have to allow God into your life personally. No church or person can do that for you. No church or person can give you a set of stedfast rules that will get you there. How much you allow God in your life depends entirely on you. It is all there 100% if you choose to freely accept it. Sometimes the most sought after things concerning God have the simplest answers yet are so hard to understand.
So not to be misunderstood, people and churches can help you with your walk with God but as I said no person can give you what you seek from God, it is all up to you to allow God to walk with you it is not up to God to allow you to walk with God.

Best wishes on your quest.

Ron

[rimrock]

Good verse DAB. Fish-n-Fever I really like how you are working it out in your own words and thoughts. It shows that you are thinking and not simply repeating Christian cliché.

Engaging the mind is what I am after; all too often Christians only repeat what they heard from their pastors or those in Christian ministry without really understanding. I always encourage people to question and not to just repeat so they will be truly confident. We must always examine our lives, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor 13:5). As Francis of Assisi is credited with saying, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

So what is the point? We can easily deceive ourselves. I’m not trying to undermine anyone’s faith, but rather to strength it. Is agreement that Jesus is the only way to God or the fact that you believe Jesus is God saving faith? What does scripture say in James, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.” (James 2:19). So how do you know that you have indeed been saved by Jesus and are not going through the motions with a type of self-deception?

[id. painter]

You know because the lord speaks directly to your heart.
id. p.

[rimrock]

How do you know it is in fact the Lord the one who is speaking to your heart?

[AnglersRental]

I grew up in a christian family, we attended a Luthern church. We probably attended church anywhere from 1-3 days a month. I participated in many of the church youth activities, eventually leading to confirmation. I had normal and moral parents and a very comfortable childhood.

Even having been confirmed in the church, spirituality meant little to me. I was pretty casual with my faith, and very complacient about church. I didnt get a lot out of it when I went and I didnt miss it when I didnt go.

During my college years the only time I attended church or even thought about faith was during trips home - usually on holidays like Easter or Christmas. The church was useful when I got married, and I participated more after that because it was important to my wife. After a while that didnt work for me and I pretty much stopped going all togther.

I had someplace along the line decided that I didnt need God, I could go it alone. I thought that being a "moral" person, being a good citizen, a good provider for my family, etc... was enough. I dont ever remember it being a specific decision to turn away form God, just that my faith was never very strong to begin with, and what faith I might of had kind of slipped away from being casual and complacient about it.

My life was being run according to my will... and things were fine for a while. Things that I did wrong I justified or intellectualized in my own mind as "everybody does that" or "nobody was hurt" so its no big deal, or "most of the time I do the right thing" so I can be a little selfish here or a little dishonest there...

Many of you probably see where this is going, I got to a point where my life was being run completly according to self will, and I had excluded God from it entirely. That didn't work out real well for me.

But I'm out of time for now, so you are going to have to wait for the rest of the story. The last year has been an incredible journy back to God. A lot of pain, a lot of healing, a lot of growth, and a lot of joy.

More later......

Brad

[id. painter]

Very interested in your story , UG.
You all have listened to my story several times and I thank you for your support and interest .
It took a life threating spinal injury for me to" wake up and smell the roses ".
id. p.
:lurk:

[AnglersRental]

Part 2

So like I said things were pretty good for a while. I had a good job that I did well at, I found the women I loved, thought I had had the world and my place in it pretty much figured out. I was accountable only to myself - Who needed God mucking things up?

So the days went by. I wont bore you all with all the details, but pride, greed, envy, anger, lust, gluttony, and sloth all came into and out of my life over the years. I am sure a search of the archives and some of my old posts here on Ifish would exemplify some of these qualities. I had heard these called the 7 deadly sins, and had thought "yeah sure" I dont know anyone who ever dies from being a little greedy or being proud or whatever.

What I didnt understand was that these are transgressions that are fatal to spiritual growth and progress.

Socieity often tells us that a lot of these things are normal and even good in many cases. Without God in my life I was perfectly willing to believe it. As long as I wasnt breaking any laws, hurting others directly, or did the right thing most of the time, I was one of the "good guys" - right? I mean I hadnt murdered anyone, I didnt steal cars or beat my kids or anything like that.

So fast forward - Over time, my wife and I grew apart. She has her own deamons to deal with, and in many ways her issues are more difficult than my own, which made the perfect excuse for me to blame our problems on. We became unhappy in our marriage and in my own mind I put much of it at her feet. I was depressed and angry a lot of the time, and without God in my life I had no one to the problems over to. Eventually I just kind of withdrew and became indifferent on the outside and angry on the inside. Even though I loved my wife deeply, marriage had become a huge dissapointment. Even though I loved my kids more than anything they had became an unwelcome chore. I started to hate my job and was barely able to do the minimum required to avoid getting fired.

I had tried to run my life on my self will alone and had failed miserably.

All this came to a head last September. The boss was threatining to fire me if I didnt clean up my act. I found out that my wife was making secret plans to take the kids and move out. It was the low point of my life. I had pretty much shut my own the rest of my family out of my life and felt I had no where to turn. It was September 11th, 2004, late at night. I was in bed, alone, with more than a few tears in my eyes, feeling very sorry for myself. I was a wreck.

I remember it very clearly. I remember seeing two roads before me. One road was to say "screw it all", proceed with a divorce, and try to walk away from all my problems. I can visualize it in my mind even sitting here now. That road was nice and wide and paved and smooth and flat. The other road was to face my problems and try to save my family. That road was was narrow and dirt, uphill with deep ruts and many rocks.

I knew I wanted to take the dirt road, but I also knew I couldnt do it alone.

more later....

Brad

[rimrock]

Wow, what an incredible story. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you sharing this so personal and powerful testimony. As time allows you I sincerely hope to hear the remainder; the world in so many ways thinks making it to God is a simply pain free mere “spiritual” experience. You clearly show that it is so many times full of challenge and trial and a reaching out to God.

Again, thank you!

[FM2]

Hi rimrock, you have touched on a subject that will have many explanations and testimonies and I admire your challenging insight to bring out a variety of responses.

I am curious about your walk with Jesus Christ. I have read through many of your posts and there doesn't seem to be a clear position from you, at times you are challenging and other times there is trepidation and even a guarded attitude. Would you consider sharing your belief in Jesus Christ and if you belong to a certain religion or a non-denominational/independant teaching church (please forgive me if you have already explained this but I have been absent from here for nearly a year). I would like to ask what church you attend? These questions are not intended to illustrate or expose anything personal but I'm seeking to understand where you are coming from. I read various posts from you that don't give a clear connection to a particular belief or church. I'm not attempting to judge you as this is often mis-used today but because I love all people of any belief that includes every known religion or belief a person is involved in. God does the judging, not us, and we as children of God are called to love all people regardless of their affiliation, their race, age or any other man made discrimination. I'm just curious of your belief (which as you know is not to be a secret according to scripture) so I can respond to your inquiries. You have asked many questions in your original post then the focus changed in subsequent posts to reveal a different path.

I look forward to your reply and especially learning where your are coming from. I respect the fact you quoted the Old Testament (the law) and New Testament (new covenant) and this shows knowledge of the bible. I also respect the fact you are using scripture to teach and encourage and not using it to defend a position or take out of context to fit into today's lifestyle. This tells me you are knowledgable in God's word and I truly look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue and I believe I can learn from you.

Blessings,
Keith

[fishnwHim]

Part 2



I knew I wanted to take the dirt road, but I also knew I couldnt do it alone.

more later....

Brad

I'm hanging by my fingernails waiting for the rest of the story, I'm willing to pay :shrug:

[ampersat]

Brad, I too am looking forward to more of the story. I'm trying to find my way to God these days and your story is enlightening my own. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[AnglersRental]

Part 3

So there I was with two roads in front of me: one was easy and safe, the other hard and dangerous. It was all very real at the time. In my mind I myself standing on the easy and safe road which ran down the bottom of a valley - it looked like someplace in eastern Oregon only sage brush and no trees, and I was the only one standing on the road. The little dirt road turned off to the right and went up a hill.

Let me back up a bit. That night was almost months exactly ago. But in the 6 months previous to that I had been involved on the edges of a couple miracles. One was actually connected to Ifish in a way. It centered around the birth of newest child of my best friend Charlie (Wildhawg here on Ifish). Charlie is a man of God, and little baby Zeb almost didnt make it into this world. I will leave the story to Charlie if he feels like posting it, but in a nutshell the way that child made it into this world could be explained in no possible way other than by divine intervention. I wasnt ready to give God the credit at the time, but there was really no other explination for the amazing string of a lot of very unlikely events that that resulted in that child being born into this world.

God had placed people into my life of strong faith, and allowed me to see his works in their lives, even allowed me to play a very minor part in a very large miracle. The reason I mention this is because I believe that being witness to those events probably set the stage for what happened next.

So there I was lying in bed, feeling very alone, feeling very sorry for myself, sobbing, knowing I had a decision to make. I was a wreck, physically exausted, emotionally wasted. I hadnt slept in who knows how long. I was convinced I was the victem of people and events outside my control. I hated the people I loved. The choice was simple really, stay or go. The pieces were in place for me to do either. I had even gone so far as to hire a lawyer and had the papers drawn up. I knew I wanted to stay married to my wife, I was very sure I still loved her. I was also very afraid of trying to put our lives back togther after some of the things that had happened in our relationship. I remember that so well, being very afraid and fearful of what was going to happen next. Afraid to stay, afraid to go, being alone and not knowing where to turn. I thought about my vows, the part about "for better, for worse" and the part anout "in sickness and in health" and the part about "as long as we both shall live" really bothered me. I like to think I really meant those things when I said them, but with the events that had transpired I knew I couldn't - not even one more day.

So finally I prayed. I prayed like I never had before. Sure, I had said prayers before, but this time was different. This time I meant it. Nothing fancy - nothing more than just 3 simple words that were barely a whisper.

"God help me"

Immediatly a sensation of peace and calm and warmth decended on the room like a curtain. Over the course of what felt like 2 or 3 seconds this sensation entered the room. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it was very very very real - I could actually physically feel this peace and calm and warmth surrounding me. I felt protected and safe, the fear was just gone. At that moment I knew I was going to be okay.

All this happened sometime during the night of September 11/12 of last year. I hadn't slept at all in probably the 2 or 3 days before this. With this amazing warm and peaceful sensation wrapped around me almost like a blanket I slept. I had made it to God.

more later... I have never shared this whole story before, and doing so is good but also difficult.

Brad

[fishnwHim]

Thanks Brad, that is so incredible. I was reliving my own salvation experience as I read yours. I will share my story with you soon and you will see what I mean. I am very happy for you to have had that experience, it's very powerful, and something to be remembered and relived when more troubles come. Thanks sooo much for sharing. Your brother in Christ, Dave. :wave: :wave:

[ampersat]

This is more "edge of your seat" than some of Hogmaster's story posts. More please!

[rimrock]

I had made it to God.



Indeed you have!!! :angel:

[Grantspastor]

I am much busier these days with Church and haven't gotten to log on to Ifish as often as I used to. I still do whenever I can, and have been following this thread with interest. Years ago I had just finished preaching in our Church service when a man I'd never met made a beeline toward me. The first words out of his mouth were "I've always believed in God...I just never knew how to make the connection". I spent quite a bit of time with him after the service and explained from the Bible how to make the connection. Christians often don't agree about things. That's why there are so many denominations. The truth is we probably won't be agreeing about a lot of stuff right up til the time Jesus returns. There are however what you might call the "irreducible minimums" of Christian faith. These have to do with acknowledgment of our deep need for God (the Bible says we're all sinners)... faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and willingness to follow Him.

I'm particularly touched by UglyGreen's story. What a powerful testimony of the love and reality of God's grace. As I read your story, I thought of the Scripture "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you, for everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened". If God had not responded to his very real cry "God help me"...then we would not be reading his testimony today.

God wants to be found. He wants people to connect with Him. That's what the Gospel is all about. That's why Jesus died...and why He was raised from the dead...to make a way for us. The "connection" is offered to everyone who will respond. Biblically it's the only way, and that chafes and rubs people the wrong way sometimes. People who want to connect with God through works or human effort find the cross of Christ to be a stumblingblock, and people who rely on the power of intellect regard it as foolishness, but to "those who are being saved it is the power of God"
(I Cor 1:18)

I'd like to hear some more personal stories from people like UG.

[Reed 67]

UG,

What a great testimony. I hope you realize how many people's heart's you are touching and what an amazing testimony this is. Whew! This must be the best post I have ever read on ifish, not to mention one of the best testimony's I have heard. God Bless You.

[fishnwHim]

Uglygreen That was a great testimony , thanks again for sharing. I hope you won't mind if I share mine as well. Just to give you a little background, my wife and I got married in 1972 and we really had nothing. We both worked at low paying jobs and hardly ever had a dime. I had developed quite a drinking habit from my highschool years and got even better at it as time went on. My wife stayed by me through nine years of drinking almost everynight and being sick for a good portion of the next day. We still managed to get by and even bought a house and had decent cars to drive. I knew the drinking was getting to my wife and after trying to quit dozens of times , I finaly quit on August 18th, 1981 and by the Grace of God (didn't give Him the credit then) Haven't drank since. I quit smoking in 1985 and started feeling a lot better about myself and how nice I was treating my wife. People at work used to say what a great relationship my wife and I had, and how they wished theirs could be that good. I took a lot of pride in those things they said and what a fine upstanding man I had become. We went to church a few times over the years with my mom at pioneer pres. on the plains in Warrenton and to a couple others that we were invited to, but I was always happy to get out of those places, I felt very uncomfortable in churchs. In 1989 my wife told me that she didn't think she loved me anymore, talk about having the wind taken out of your sails. I was devastated, I couldn't function properly at work, my life was a wreck. She wanted to get away, but we stayed together and talked and fought a lot. Life was pretty unbearable and scary, she was my life and she was rejecting me. It was an awful feeling, it's even hard to talk about. One night after an exceptionally bad day of fighting I went to bed full of anger and anxiety, I just felt like I was going to explode. As I lay there, I saw myself standing at the pulpit of the plains Pres. church, talking to the congregation. I started to tell them how my life had changed since I accepted Jesus into my heart, and at that moment I felt all the anger, and anxiety physically leave my body and I was flooded with warmth and peace. I layed there and wept tears of joy, because I knew I was differant, that I was changed and no longer alone. I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face remembering what had happened. My wife was already up, I went out into the kitchen and I said to her, I don't want you to think I am weird, but this is what happened. She didn't laugh at me , but listened with hope in her eyes. We went to a local church the following sunday and for the first time , I didn't want to leave, I couldn't get enough. We joined a new believers group and met some great people and about a month later my wife accepted the Lord as her savior. The Lord healed our marriage in record time and we have found new meaning in our relationship with Jesus and with each other.

Does this mean my life is perfect now, No
Do I still struggle with sin, Yes , every day
Do I still goof up , Yes every day
Do I believe in Jesus, Yes I do
Do I believe He still performs miracles in peoples lives, Yes I do,
Do I believe I have made it to God, Yes I do, Thanks be to Jesus and the grace He has given me, Amen. :wave: :wave:

I love you Jesus, I truly do, Thanks for all that you have done for me, Amen.

[Salmon Stryker]

Dave and Brad,

Truly amazing how God works. Thanks for sharing your stories.

[rimrock]

Thanks again to both Dave and Brad and as time allows I’m looking forward to Part 4. As I began this thread I was praying for real life answers hoping to stay away from the pat answers and the clichés and get down to where life happens. Not in my wildest imagination did I expect such wonderful, challenging, touching and inspiring testimonies of God’s grace and goodness. This is the answer to “How do you make it to God?” – Simply put CHANGED LIVES! This is what it is all about God is in the business of changing lives.


I'd like to hear some more personal stories from people like UG.



I had to put in this quote from Grantspastor because well, I couldn’t put it better. If anyone else would like to share their story I’m sure we would all love to read it. It doesn’t matter if you grew up in the church or not because your story is your story of God’s love and grace changing a life! :angel:

[id. painter]

Thanks for the story brad.

My story is one of intense physical pain and horror that left me paralyzed from the neck down.

As I stood(sat) before the doctors who were telling me that they could not change the results of having my spine crushed. They were telling me that Id probably never walk again.
Right up until that second Id been independent from God and believed that I could overcome any thing .

Im a goer and a doer and Ive been extreemly active all my life . The doctors could have not been telling me anything more frightening .
Loosing a child or having my children hurt is different .
Suddenly I was being told Id be a quad , wheel chair bound forever.Personal pitty set in first ,,, then I realized that I have two beautyful children and a wonderful wife who "NEED" me.
The doctors would not let me dial my wife at home to tell her that I needed surgery "Now" . This second . The neuro -surgeon dialed for me.
I told my wife what was happening.
She arrived at the hospital about 10 minutes later and Ill never forget listening to the doctors try and explain the situation to my poor wife.
I was in one room and they were all in a different room, but it was if I could look down at them and hear what was being said.
I saw my wife and watched as the wind was punched from her gut as they told her what to expect after the opperation.She woudl be taking care of a cripple forever.Wheel chair bound who couldnt go to the bathroon alone.
It was as if I had a brief second of looking into the future , I saw my son age 9 turning into a looser and lowlife , I saw my daughter being mistreated by her husband ... Very strange images and very real.
I had about two minutes from the time images flooded my mind and the moment they wheeled me into surgery .
I spent those two minutes praying like never before .
I was not worried about myself , but for my family .
I ask the Lord to keep my children and wife safe .
I ask to be forgivin for my selfishness and promised to never loose sight of my relationship with God again.
The lights went out ,,,
As I started to come to ,the first thing I remember was that I knew my family would be O.K. and I could feel my left arm, and a fan blowing air on it.Mirical in my life.
Three years later ,,, Im walking better all the time.I can continue to work and can still , do paintings and ceramics (Art teacher ).
I was left with some serious nerve damage that will be a handicap with regards to my mobility,, but that same damage serves well to remind me each and every day who is in charge and who I owe my wonderful life to . That damage is a daily test of my faith and my strenght as a Christian .
id. p.
Then after being "SAVED" and still to this day I cry at the drop of a hat ,,, ball like a baby each and every day ,,, just so glad to get a second chance..... id. p.

[Grantspastor]

I.D. Painter...I've read your testimony before, but it is still moving! PTL!

[id. painter]

Sorry to repeat myself and be a thread killer .


Im still in shock and aw and so thankful (PTL) for a second chance.

Really cant describe it.
Each and every monent is a celebration of love and life .
id. painter

[Grantspastor]

I.D. I didn't mean that you were being repetitive...I meant to thank you for sharing again. Yours is one of the most powerful testimonies I've heard in a long time. I think it ought to be shouted from the rooftops. There are a lot of people who struggle. I wish they would all read this thread and discover the real hope that you and UG (along with countless others) have discovered.

Glad to hear you're still doing well.

Dave

[id. painter]

Hi G.P. . I was wondering where you had been lately.
Havent seen your postings.
Glad you are still around and doing well from the sounds of it .
Thanks again for the reply ...
Someday Ill meet you and the imfamous U.G..
id. p

[Dragfreedrift]

GP- good to hear from you again here.

UG- INCREDIBLE STORY (you have me on the edge of my seat)...

MORE PLEASE!!!

I-fishers: Remember, that God will often allow things to happen in our lives that hurt, dont make sense, dont add up and just plain seem odd. THE REASON HE DOES THIS IS TO REACH US.....he must "take us to the mat" from time to time in order to reach us!!!

We are all very hard of hearing at times!!!



DFD

[Dragfreedrift]

Remember that God "works all things together for good" and we cannot see the "big picture" the way He can. We are pieces of a large and eternal jigsaw puzzle that God is working out in His time....there is no way we can understand it all.

[Dragfreedrift]

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6


think about this one....

Meanwhile, I may be late on this one: Have any of you guys read "The Purpose Driven Life"?...this book changed my life more than anything, any person or any event ever has.

DFD

[AnglersRental]

Part Four

So I slept that night. Next morning I went back to the church where I had been confirmed. I probably hadn't set foot in that building in years. Spoke with a pastor I had never met. He just listened as I spilled the entire story for an hour or so. I only remember a couple things. He had a similar story in many ways. He had been thru a divorce recently, a divorce he didnt want. He understood a lot of the feelings I was having, and I identified with him. at the end we prayed. I walked out of there in far better shape than I had walked in. The other thing I remember was a prayer that he suggested.

"God please bring one new person into my life each day that can help me deal with this."

I prayed that prayer that night and for many nights thereafter. And it happened. In some really unexpected ways. People I had never met before appeared in my life and people I had lost track of reappeared in my life. Each with a piece of the puzzle I was trying to unlock. It was really obvious that prayer was working.

In the beginning my focus was was more on my wife and her problems than on myself and my problems. There was a lot of hurt and pain involved for both of us. But each day as I focused on some particular aspect of what was happening around me, some person appeared that had the awnser to it. People whom I knew I could trust. People who had been there, done that, and had expierence strength and hope I needed to make it one more day. Dont get me wrong, the next month was the darkest and hardest time in my life, but as I reflect back I see that the path was well laid out before me, and all I had to do was follow the footsteps of another.

Back when this was happening I posted this verse from Psalms here in A.C. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." It was very appropriate for me at the time. That was back on 9/28. A lot of you here prayed for me and my family at that time. I can't tell you how much that meant. Rest assured that those prayers have been awnsered many times over.

So fast forward to today. In the last 6 months I have seen with my own eyes prayers answered many times over in my life. I have seen with my own eyes the power of God to work miracles when we let him. I have stumpled and tripped at times in these past 6 months, but God has been there to catch me and pick me up whenever I ask. If I dont ask he lets me lay there and bleed for a bit till I am ready. He continues to believe in me even when I dont believe in myself. Things are far from perfect today there is still a lot of pain in our lives and damage that will take time to heal, but compared to 6 months ago they are 1000% better. Things continue to happen almost daily that make my head spin. Things how like 3 months ago my kids were not interested in church. I started to go back - they said no thanks. 3 weeks ago I again asked if they wanted to go with me. They all said yes. Last week they I didnt even have to ask, they told me they wanted go before I even had a chance to ask them. I just 2 days ago got the privlidge of watching my wife accept her 6 month coin in AA recovery. I have no idea what tommrrow will bring, but for today I have a lot to be grateful for. Foremost is the faith that whatever tommrrow brings, God will be there both to celebrate the highs and see me thru the lows that life will bring.

My favorite prayer is one of gratitude: "God, thank you for all that you have given me, thank you got all that you have taken away, and thank you for all that I have left, Amen!"

Today I try live life one day at a time. I try to keep it simple, keep the focus on myself. When faced with major decisions I dont fret about it for days on end trying to figure out what I want. I simply ask god for knowledge of his will for my life. Its a lot easier that way. When I make a decision, I do my best to follow his will and try to leave the results completely up to him. I have found he knows far better whats good for me than I do myself.

Tommrrow is Good Friday, I never understood the real meaning of that day before now. As I sit here and type this, it literally sends chills down my spine and brings a tear to my eye to think that God sent his only son to die on that cross to save me from myself. To save all of us from ourselves.

A final thought. A little over 2000 years ago today, Jesus said: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another just as I have loved you" (John 13:34).

I love you all, my brothers and sisters in Christ, Thanks and glory be to God!

:dance:


Brad

[Dragfreedrift]

thanks UG (Brad)...very inspirational. May God bless you and your family this weekend. I will be thinking about Easter every minute this weekend and what it really means for us all.


DFD

[rimrock]

You are a 1000% blessing to us. Thanks for taking the time to write your testimony it is such a great story of God’s grace; so real, down to earth and deeply personnel. I imagine this Easter season will be of special significance to you a time of reflection, celebration and knowledge that you are indeed a child of God – a kid of the King! He calls YOU His son! :dance:

I would encourage you to keep a copy of your entire written testimony not only for yourself but for your children as well. It can be of great encouragement to them even in the future to see the “realness” of it. God meets us right where we are and in our greatest need which is Him.

Thank you again so much!

God’s Blessing to you. Thanks and glory be to God indeed! :angel:

[AnglersRental]

I am hoping this thread isn't done, I would appreciate it if others would share their experience of making it to God as well. It my privilege to share mine and very good for me to read the testimony others have posted as well. Dont be a zipperlip about this! :flowered:

Thanks,

Brad

[Dragfreedrift]

UG-

I have so many stories to tell of friends and their journeys to God....I will post some soon. One of the greatest ways of God's healing touch comes through the testimonies of others....(people listen to you when you share what God has done in your lives)

DFD

[WildHawg]

TTT--I will post my testimony soon (it'll take awhile to write at the pace I type!).
Brad and others...you truly touched my heart with your testimomy to God's grace and love for his children :angel:
In the meantime, to the top.

[Jennie@ifish]

Wow. All I can say is Wow.
Let me tell you sometime about my personal experience with God during my time of surgeries.
I have blocked out so much of it, (can't remember whole chunks of time) so it's going to be difficult to write.
But... I will get it all together, sometime. Even just the parts that I can remember are deeply moving and will have a forever impact on me!
Jen

[Fishrite]

Rimrock:
Great question! But maybe it should say "How does God make it to us?" John 14:6 has already been quoted ..."No man comes to the Father, but by Me." Jesus is the "only way"...but look also at Eph.2:8-9 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and that (faith) not of yourself, it (faith) is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." God actually gives us the very faith to trust Him for salvation. Salvation is of God. He came into the world to seek and to save the lost. Without God opening our eyes...it is impossible to "make it to God." Praise God that He chose us to be His sons......my 2 cents, Fishrite