Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ and those seeking Him,


Revelation 7:12
..Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for
ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 12:11
And they overcame *him(the accuser of the brethren..vs.10) by the blood of the
Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives
unto the death.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Many times since I was Born Again I have had to use the Blood of the Lamb and
the Word of my testimony to overcome the accuser.
The following is 'part' of the testimony of Jesus in my life but far from his continual
and ongoing workings. To record that would be to record every thought word and
deed from the day I was born 9/28/1951.

As you read this testimony of Jesus in my life it will become part of the testimony
of Jesus in your life. I hesitate sometimes to share Jesus' personal workings in my
life because there are those out there that 'steal' words from others and use them
in their own testimony. Never receiving the 'Love of the Truth' they like a parasite
suck the blood from others and claim it as their own. They are tares. They are in
the field but not attached to the true vine. Those that are truly attached and those
that are seeking to be attached will be nourished and blessed. The deceiving life
sucking tares will simply go on living their lie and stealing from others until the great harvest which is soon to come. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come".
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The first time I ever felt the Spirit of God in my life was when I was in second grade. It was 'first communion' time at church. 'Before' I had even received
the wafer element we were singing the song 'Jesus, Jesus come to me'. I remember being in the pew and whole heartedly asking Jesus to come to me as
everyone sang. I felt his touch. I always related it to the wafer element but it had
actually nothing to do with the wafer. I realized that when I asked and he came to
me at the age of 25.

I was raised in a large (11 kids) very strict Roman Catholic family. I was the 4th
oldest. The next in line was my brother Rich(Buzz). He was the black sheep of the
family. If there was something good going on he would be late. If there was something bad going on he would be leading the way. I used to hate him. If he even walked to close to me I'd punch him.

In Feb. 1977 he was 'Born Again'. He was living with the next younger down the
line, Tim. Tim and I did alot of stuff together but Rich was bever included. One
bright sunny day in April 1977 Tim and I had played softball together and went
back to Tim and Rich's place to catch a buzz. We were sitting in the living room
nice and high when Rich came down the stairs. Tim said something like, "Oh oh
wait 'til you hear this."
Rich stopped at the bottom of the stairs and greeted us. We said hi back. Tim made some kind of 'negative to be funny' comment about Jesus to Rich. Rich, with
a fervent compassion relied to Tim and then started directing his witness toward
me. He spoke about how he was 'born again' and knew Jesus personally. I could
plainly see there was something different about him. That's what got me to listen.
He quoted many scriptures and expounded on the truth that no sin could get into
heaven and that only by going to Jesus could my sins be taken away.

So there I was high on pot getting the gospel preached to me by my creepy little
black sheep jerk of a brother. I thought a couple of things to myself as he continued.
1.) If there really was a God and the devil then what had happened to Rich was
from God because the devil wouldn't change that creep for the good.
2.) If there really was a God and a man put a 100% effort into knowing Him then
God would know it and would have to come to him.

Rich tapped his hand on the stairway banister and said, "Tom, he's as physical as
this and unless you know him in a physical way you can't get into heaven." He said, "Sin is the only thing that keeps someone from getting into heaven and Jesus is the only one that can take away your sins. ..He's the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world." His preaching went on for about 15 minutes to a half
hour. Tim interupted him many times but Rich was persistent and kept directing
his words to me. Rich spoke of all the changes that Jesus had made in his life. I
kept thinking..."It has to be God"

It was the Easter season so there was alot of God and Jesus movies on TV. With
Rich's witness fresh in my mind I watched them with more attention than ever
before. I remember Jesus saying, "Come unto me.."
It sure fit into what Rich had said.
I remember crying as Jesus was crucified in one of them. My wife was
next to me on the couch. I remember saying to her as I cried, "He did nothing
wrong but only good and look what they did to him!" God was opening my eyes.

I was always high on pot so I don't remember exactly what I was watching on TV
at the time but the next part of my story had a profound impact on me.
I was sitting on the couch watching something on TV and I went into a type of a
trance. It was so real.
I had just died and was floating toward the judgment throne of God. All I could
see was the sides of His throne and His legs from the knees down. I knew I was
there for judgment. As I approached His hand and arm swung into view and He was pointing down. Without any words I had been condemned to hell. The horror
that flashed through me was incredible. I literally felt the actual judgment of myself
being condemned to hell. It was instant and I knew that there was no more hope.
I knew that there was no second chance. It was forever and ever. There was no one there with me. It was just God and me. There was no chance to explain anything..No words. Just the big hand with His finger pointing down. Then I came
out of the trance but now knowing first hand the horror of condemnation. There
was a great relief all of a sudden being on my couch again but I sure knew that I
never wanted to experience that for real.
Within a day or so of that event Rich called and asked if he could come over. That was really strange because we never did anything together. He knew I hated him and I knew he didn't care for me either but here he was calling me. Having just
recently experienced the condemnation trance I was wide open to hear more from
Rich about his experience with Jesus. We made plans for him to come over on Sunday evening April 10th 1977.
That night Rich continued preaching the gospel to me. That night my wife was
there also. Again, Rich tapped his hand, this time using the coffee table and said,
"He's as physical as this table and unless you know him in this way you won't get
into heaven." He asked, "Knowing that no sin can get into heaven, if you died
right now would you get in?" I replied, "No." He then asked if I would like to ask
Jesus to be my personal Lord and savior. I kind of didn't want to since I knew it
would demand change in my life and I was quite happy with how things were. But,
after that 'condemnation trance' there was no way that I was going to say no and
take the chance of me dying that night. So, I said, "Yes".
He stood up and asked that we all hold hands. Then he told us to repeat what he
prayed. He prayed the sinners prayer.
I was wholeheartedly sincere when I asked Jesus to forgive all of my sins and to
come into my heart and be my savior. I felt the weight of my sins leave me and I
felt good but I didn't feel Him(Jesus) that physical way that Rich said I would.

The next morning when I awoke in bed and before I even opened my eyes the
name Jesus came into my thoughts. I immediately prayed to him. "Jesus, I asked
you to be my savior last night but I don't feel you the way Rich said I have to..I
want to know you that way." Then I got up..rolled a joint..smoked it..and got in the shower to prepare for work.
I was a service foreman at a car dealership. I always checked in with the mechanics to see how things were going with them. That Monday morning I went
over to Rich's(not my brother) stall and leaned over the hood of the car he was
underneath and asked how he was doing. He said he was fine and asked what I
did over the weekend. I told him, "I don't know much about it but my brother says
he knows Jesus so I prayed with him to ask Jesus to be my savior last night." The
mechanic started swearing and told me not to get all religious and blankity..blank..
blank..etc... I remember telling him that I didn't know Jesus like my brother yet but I would tell him when I did. I walked away from that stall amazed that someone would talk that grossly at the mention of Jesus.
Well, everytime the name Jesus came into my head I would pray and ask him to
come to me in that physical way and that if he did I would give Him my whole life.
The number of times I prayed like that was too many times to count. All through
Monday..all through Tuesday. On Wednesday I was having the worst day that I had
ever had at work. I was always up tempo and rarely depressed. But that day, I was walking slowly with my hands in my pockets looking at one foot going in front
of the other as I walked across the service floor.
I thought to myself, "What a bummer day." Then, the next thought I had was when
it happened. I thought, "I shouldn't be having a bad day..I gave my heart to Jesus."

WHAM!!!! The split second I thought the name JESUS He filled me with His
Holy Spirit! My hands came out of my pockets..I had a grin from ear to ear..I
started running but I didn't know where to. At first I ran into the show room but as
I got through the door the thought came (Jesus' first leading) "Go tell Rich." I went
back out to the service area..went straight to his stall..leaning over the car he was
working under and said, "Hey, Rich, I know Jesus!!" He swore again. This time I
told him, "You can swear all you want but He's real."

I called my brother, Rich, and told him what happened. He praised God and asked
if he could come over. I of course said sure. When he came over he presented me
with a brand new King James Bible. When he gave it to me he gave me the most
important piece of counsel along with it. He told me that it was God's word and only
the Holy Spirit could teach me the truth. He said that the most important time to
pray was before reading it. He told me to go to Jesus and confess my need to be
cleansed and forgiven and to call upon his blood to cleanse me. Then he said to
pray to the Father to send the Holy Spirit to teach me. He said that if God wasn't
teaching me when I read His word that the devil would. He said that's why there's
so many churches saying different things but all reading the same book. He said
that there's only one truth and that comes by revelation from the Holy Spirit.
Needless to say I took his advice. I found that as I read the Bible the scriptures
just jumped out at me as though I had written it myself. I couldn't get enough and
every spare moment I would read His word and always praying first.

In another thread ..Part 2..??? I will..God willing share different things that took place and how I grew in the nurture and admontion of the LORD.

I am convinced that if Jesus can save a wretch like me He can and will come personally and 'physically' to all that call upon his name with their whole mind,
their whole heart and with all of their strength. No one can buffalo God. He looks
at the heart.
Don't believe it if someone else has told you that you're saved. Believe it only when the LORD Jesus himself comes personally to you.
Each person that truly knows him will have their own personal experience with
Jesus. It is with 'that' testimony and the blood of the Lamb that we overcome.

Confession..Repentance..Remission..

To the LORD Jesus Christ be glory and honor forever and ever. Amen
Peace, Tom

[/quote=Tomcat,Nov 9 2005, 02:15 PM]
snipped for brevity
[[/quote]

Just to say I have read this testimony and have been touched by it. I know you do not care to hear from one such as I, but this is an open forum and I feel led to say that you have had this touch from God which permeates and divides asunder soul and spirit joints and marrow. For that is what the word of God does, and Jesus is the living word.

It also seems that you have been reared in a somewhat combative environment. My ex wife was a Catholic from a large family and she too had to be tough to survive. Uneducated alcoholic, child/wife abuser that her father was...never there in a crisis, and indeed creating many of his own.

But you have had this subjective experience with God. It changed your course of direction forever.

I only wish I knew what it is in you that speaks from a heart which has decided that others in the body are birthed in something perverse.

I wonder why you had to place a negative in your otherwise powerful testimony.

"I hesitate sometimes to share Jesus' personal workings in my life because there are those out there that 'steal' words from others and use them in their own testimony. Never receiving the 'Love of the Truth' they like a parasite suck the blood from others and claim it as their own. They are tares. They are in the field but not attached to the true vine. Those that are truly attached and those that are seeking to be attached will be nourished and blessed. The deceiving life sucking tares will simply go on living their lie and stealing from others until the great harvest which is soon to come. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."

It makes one feel that you go around with a chip on your shoulder. I for one have a fairly good testimony and I would not need to steal from yours in giving it. Hope you are living the abundant life.

Tom, what a powerful testimony!! Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I just smiled as I read different part of your story...it brought me back to my sinful days. But Jesus changes us with his spirit. Thank you again for this wonderful -wonderful tesitmony of yours.

Tom,
Thank you so much for taking time to share this! I asked, and I received!
Debbie

Tom,

You did not have to be so open, but you did. You could have left out any part that may have put you in a bad light, but you did not.

Your testimony is one of few that had the power to take me back to a day so very long ago when "wham" Holy Spirit was there looking at you out of nowhere. Face to face. First nothing and then right there.

I thank you for that. We are all learning and growing, but such a thing can never be forgotten. I was so very young I do not remember what it was that struck that cord in my heart. I remember the church somewhat but mostly I remember running to my grandparents light blue truck and locking the doors and laying down and weeping for so very long. I remember vividly occasionally, and after your story was one of those times and I thank you for it, there was nothing and then it was filled with everything and His face.

His face has never left me, and I could not live without Him. My life ends there, does that make sense? Everything else, husband, children, church, friends, everything is just extra.

Thank you.

leia

[quote=whosoever,Nov 9 2005, 09:50 PM]
[/quote=Tomcat,Nov 9 2005, 02:15 PM]
snipped for brevity
[[/quote]

Just to say I have read this testimony and have been touched by it. I know you do not care to hear from one such as I, but this is an open forum and I feel led to say that you have had this touch from God which permeates and divides asunder soul and spirit joints and marrow. For that is what the word of God does, and Jesus is the living word.

It also seems that you have been reared in a somewhat combative environment. My ex wife was a Catholic from a large family and she too had to be tough to survive. Uneducated alcoholic, child/wife abuser that her father was...never there in a crisis, and indeed creating many of his own.

But you have had this subjective experience with God. It changed your course of direction forever.

I only wish I knew what it is in you that speaks from a heart which has decided that others in the body are birthed in something perverse.

I wonder why you had to place a negative in your otherwise powerful testimony.

"I hesitate sometimes to share Jesus' personal workings in my life because there are those out there that 'steal' words from others and use them in their own testimony. Never receiving the 'Love of the Truth' they like a parasite suck the blood from others and claim it as their own. They are tares. They are in the field but not attached to the true vine. Those that are truly attached and those that are seeking to be attached will be nourished and blessed. The deceiving life sucking tares will simply go on living their lie and stealing from others until the great harvest which is soon to come. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."

It makes one feel that you go around with a chip on your shoulder. I for one have a fairly good testimony and I would not need to steal from yours in giving it. Hope you are living the abundant life.
[right][snapback]22208[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]


whosoever,
you wrote..
"It also seems that you have been reared in a somewhat combative environment. My ex wife was a Catholic from a large family and she too had to be tough to survive. Uneducated alcoholic, child/wife abuser that her father was...never there in a crisis, and indeed creating many of his own."

I was actually raised in a very close knit loving environment. We all still get together and have a blast when we do. Since my salvation 6 more siblings have
made professions of faith in Jesus. I couldn't have asked for a more loving Dad
and Mom.
We all ended up sharing friends and going to massive parties in the early 70's. It
was so funny. There would be 5 or 6 of us at a big kegger and we would all end
up in the same room having an absolute gas. The love I immediately had for Rich
being used to bring Jesus to me and as part of the Body of Christ abides strong.

next you wrote..
"But you have had this subjective experience with God. It changed your course of direction forever".

The word "subjective" that you use which means..'affected by inner self' is hardly
what I experienced. To have God fill me with His Holy Spirit and bear witness with
my spirit that I was His son at the exact split second that I 'thought' of the name
Jesus had NOTHING to do with 'my' inner self. It was a distinct intervention 'of'
my inner self by the sovereign power of God. I did nothing to conjure up some
type of fleshly high neither with my 'inner' self or my body. It was as much of a
surprise to me as it must have been to Paul when he got knocked off his mount.
In fact..I wouldn't trade what God did to me that day with Paul or anyone. What
Jesus did to me that day did change my course of direction. I was going straight
down and WHAM I was going straight up. Praise be to His name.

next you wrote..
"I only wish I knew what it is in you that speaks from a heart which has decided that others in the body are birthed in something perverse".

You bear false witness against me with your words.
You have it all wrong. I LOVE with an undying LOVE each and every person 'IN'
the body of Christ. There are however 'tares' that are sharing the same field. They
are NOT part of the body. There are none 'IN' the body that are birthed in something perverse. ALL of those truly in the Body of Christ are Born Again by the
Spirit of God through the Word of God(Jesus). We are ONE.Given a little time and communication and I can easily tell who the tares are. They are hypocrites driven by the same spirit as the Scribes and Pharisees.
The mystery of iniquity. Paul referred to them as false brethren.
They care not for the body of Christ but rather sow discord among the brethren.
It is important to leave them in the field until the harvest so none of the wheat is
lost but their judgment is soon upon them. Even the lukewarm will be spewed out
of the mouth of our Holy God..Where shall the tare end up.
Once again I'll repeat it for you. I LOVE EVERY member of the Body of Christ. We
are ONE in him. It's the 'posers' that are the problem. They are clouds with no
rain. Because of their pride and arrogance there is little if any hope for them.
There need for love and acceptance from men is evident in all of their actions. If
it means step on a brother to have their way then that's the way it is. Too bad, so sad.

next you wrote..
"I wonder why you had to place a negative in your otherwise powerful testimony".

What I wrote was all true. Truth is positive not negative. I simply explained why I hesitate to share my testimony. In a forum situation such as this there are the
blood sucking spiritual vampires that love to increase their knowledge by stealing
other peoples words (even God's) and claiming them for their own. They won't by
death to self and faith in God receive anything from Him personally so they just
run around and sap the field. They appear real righteous to the unlearned and
milk fed Christians and they deceive many. But to those that are of full age in the
Word which have their senses trained to discern good and evil they are easily
spotted and their shroud of deceit is exposed. The only thing they can do is either
repent or defame the true wheat. Repentance of such a one is rare but possible.
That person's testimony is among the strongest but like every other true believer
they have to start from ground zero. Confess their sin, repent for remission and be taught of God. Usually they will just lash out at the wheat to sever them from
their midst.
I do however LOVE sharing my testimony on a one on one basis. It always will
bring true inspiration and direction to those that are seeking God.
I shared my testimony primarily for one that asked it of me. Truly a blessed soul
is she and a couple of others that I knew would be strengthened in their walk.

next you wrote..
"It makes one feel that you go around with a chip on your shoulder"

By your wording here you imply to others that you feel that I have a chip on my shoulder in a negative way.
I have a HUGE chip on my shoulder. The works of darkness sent my savior to Hell.
My perfect Father God became a man..His name is Jesus.
Isaiah 53:3-5
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief: and
we hid as it were [I]our[/I] faces from him; he was despised and we *esteemed
(appreciated) him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he [I]was[/I] wounded for our transgressions, he [I]was[/I] bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [I]was[/I] upon him; and with his stripes
he was healed.


Our perfect loving God loved us so much that he died for us.
Do you think Jesus had a chip on his shoulder against the works of darkness?
If He is the head of the Body then do you think that the body would have that same chip on it's shoulder.
Do you think that Jesus might have a special chip on his shoulder for those that
offend one of his little ones that believe in him? When part of the Body hurts..the
whole body suffers. When I see someone that is aloof to those suffering in the
body or one that persecutes one in the body then the chip on my shoulder stands
to attention.
Yeah, I guess I have a chip on my shoulder for all that is against my God.
Don't you?
But the wonderful love I have for those IN the Body and the lost runs rampant through my whole body and consumes my thought's night and day.
If you want to concentrate of the chip on my shoulder against evil in the field that's
fine and maybe that's a good thing.

next you wrote..
" I for one have a fairly good testimony and I would not need to steal from yours in giving it"

Who said anything about you stealing my words?

finally you wrote..
" Hope you are living the abundant life."

Thank you. Yes I am.
I am not wanting..I lie down in green pastures..I am led beside still waters..my soul is restored..I am led in paths of righteousness for his namesake..I fear no
evil..Jesus is with me and his rod and staff comfort me..He prepares a table before
me in the presence of my enemies: He anoints my head with oil; and my cup runs
over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will
dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
You can't get much more abundant than that.

Peace, Tom

[quote=lovingHIM,Nov 9 2005, 10:18 PM]
Tom, what a powerful testimony!! Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I just smiled as I read different part of your story...it brought me back to my sinful days. But Jesus changes us with his spirit. Thank you again for this wonderful -wonderful tesitmony of yours.
[right][snapback]22216[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

Dear lovingHIM,
Peace to you through the LORD Jesus Christ.

I am glad that it blessed you. That was only the begining. Fun stuff like that has
been going on ever since. How can we put into words the Glory and Majesty and
Praises due our God?
I have found that he is most glorified in his own words not our flowery writings.
That's why I prefer to quote scripture in posts. The pure word of God is the
uncoruptible seed.
I'm a little bummed that my 'colors' aren't working on this thread. They have
always worked fine until this thread. I like to put the word in blue..Jesus' words
in red..other peoples quotes in green and my own quotes in purple. That way it
is easier for people to decipher who is saying what. Can you give me a clue to
what the program is..Is it just this thread? Is there something I can do do make it
work? I tried to edit my original post numerous times to get the colors to work but
with no success. Every time the brackets show up but the colors aren't working.
Oh well.. I will put out a call to cherrychookie too. She seems to have been
born and raised with computers. Great talent.

God willing I will post part two of my testimony sometime soon.

I like your signature BTW. Love , Learn, Discern.. Most excellent.

Peace, Tom

[quote=shy1,Nov 9 2005, 11:06 PM]
Tom,
Thank you so much for taking time to share this! I asked, and I received!
Debbie
[right][snapback]22229[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]


Debbie,
Knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to you through the LORD Jesus Christ.

You're welcome.

Jesus is so faithful to do such marvelous things in our lives as we simply allow
him to use us in preaching the gospel and feeding the sheep.
All that He gives us from the tiny little thoughts of enlightenment to the deep flashes of revelation..The pat on the shoulder of thanksgiving to the spank on the
rear end of reproof is for our good and the good of the body.

Like I posted to lovingHIM, God willing I'll get to posting part 2. To the rest of the
body it will be more edifying than part one. And there won't be any more "blood
sucking" comments as in the first. I am sorry to Larry and any others that may
have felt it was wrong. I hope I was clear in my post to Larry why I put it in there.

Anyway, once again, you're welcome..Sorry it took me so long.

Peace...Like a River...
Tom

[quote=Leia,Nov 9 2005, 11:46 PM]
Tom,

You did not have to be so open, but you did. You could have left out any part that may have put you in a bad light, but you did not.

Your testimony is one of few that had the power to take me back to a day so very long ago when "wham" Holy Spirit was there looking at you out of nowhere. Face to face. First nothing and then right there.

I thank you for that. We are all learning and growing, but such a thing can never be forgotten. I was so very young I do not remember what it was that struck that cord in my heart. I remember the church somewhat but mostly I remember running to my grandparents light blue truck and locking the doors and laying down and weeping for so very long. I remember vividly occasionally, and after your story was one of those times and I thank you for it, there was nothing and then it was filled with everything and His face.

His face has never left me, and I could not live without Him. My life ends there, does that make sense? Everything else, husband, children, church, friends, everything is just extra.

Thank you.

leia
[right][snapback]22236[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]


Leia,
Daily visits to you through the LORD Jesus Christ.

How GREAT is our God that He does the things He does in our lives.

You're testimony also blessed me. It makes total sense to me when you say your
life ends there. It's the greatness of the new life IN Him that makes everything else
just extra. The power of our God that the mountains flee in His presence and yet
so gentle to curl up inside you on the seat of your grandparents truck. He is so
worthy of all that we have to offer. We have nothing to give Him but that which He
has given us and yet he awards us with a crown. WOW..
As long as I have breath his Praises will be upon my lips.

Time to get out the harp..

Peace, Tom

Tom,
I am wondering why you are having problems with the colors....[COLOR=red]gonna test it here[/COLOR]

Just wanted to let you know I am sooo looking forward to hearing part 2

Tom,
I am wondering why you are having problems with the colors....[COLOR=red]gonna test it here[/COLOR]

Just wanted to let you know I am sooo looking forward to hearing part 2

Thanks Tomcat...Love it that it was your black cat brother who brought you the word...

Looking forward to hearing more.

It would be interesting to know what that man (now little boy) was thinking as he descended those stairs.

[quote=Miki,Nov 10 2005, 10:14 AM]
Thanks Tomcat...Love it that it was your black cat brother who brought you the word...

Looking forward to hearing more.

It would be interesting to know what that man (now little boy) was thinking as he descended those stairs.
[right][snapback]22297[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

Dear Miki,
Greetings from the throne room to you through the LORD Jesus Christ.

you wrote..
"Love it that it was your black cat brother who brought you the word"...


Black Cat.. that's funny..
Rich does play a mean harmonica so I guess he could be considered a 'cat' too.

Yes, it sure is just like Jesus to bring the gospel to our "righteous" family through
the least esteemed. The disdain that I felt toward him was long and deep but Jesus
used that to clearly show me His ability to transform a life. The change that had
taken place could not be denied. The last shall be first...
My feelings for Rich went from that hatred to being the first person I ever truly
(Agape)loved on this earth. Maybe that's why I'm also so sensitive to all others
in the Body of Christ and I truly hurt when they do...

You also wrote..
"It would be interesting to know what that man (now little boy) was thinking as he descended those stairs."

If you're speaking of Rich when he first came down the stairs at his and Tim's
place that day.. Yes, it would be interesting to know what he was thinking. I
figure is was all about witnessing since the witness was so passionate and pure.
Jesus had done such a marvelous quick work in that young man(23yo). The little
rebel had dropped out of high school in 10th grade.

As far as the ("now little boy") part...You completely lost me. What do you mean?

If you are saying that ..he was a baby in the Lord..and now a little boy in the Lord
then all I can tell you is that I look upon him as a full age mature man in the army
of the Lord able to discern good and evil.


Part 2..God willing will come soon. With the awesome things that took place (and
still are) 28 years later and the limited space on the forum to praise Jesus in His
testimony it could be 1000 or more parts. To post what He wants me to is
my desire. After all..it is His testimony. He knows who needs what and He will give
me guidance.

Peace, Tom

[QUOTE]Part 2..God willing will come soon. With the awesome things that took place (and
still are) 28 years later and the limited space on the forum to praise Jesus in His
testimony it could be 1000 or more parts. To post what He wants me to is
my desire. After all..it is His testimony. He knows who needs what and He will give
me guidance.

Peace, Tom
[/QUOTE]

Tom, You are so right that He knows who needs what! After you posted this it really made me think of my story of coming to Jesus. I was so lost....but praise God my eyes were opened to the truth. I think there are alot of us here who are where someone else is right now. I think more members should follow your lead and post how they came to the Lord. Not an edited version either....but the truth of where and what they really were when God drew them in to himself.

I posted my testimony when I first got here...and was ridiculed..by one member.
More or less saying that one had to be perfect in order to be saved.
I never stopped seeking Jesus my whole life...and knew he was always there..but there where times where so ridiculed for my Faith that I shrunk into a HOLE.
So I will send my thanks to Jesus...but it doesn't mean that I don't want to Shout from the rooftops how much he loves us all....and I won't stop praising Jesus.
My mouth will not be stopped...cause my love for him makes me rejoice.
I will praise him always, because I am falling in love with the LORD, and like Joseph when we all come to him to surrender our whole being...the world WILL HATE YOU.
It's ok though, because there will be a New Heaven and a New Earth, and Jesus is rebuilding his Temple in your heart as we speak.
Stay close to him, Prepare ye the way of the LORD.
Pray for your enemies, for it is easy to love those who love you...but pray for those who reject Jesus.
Many are so lost and hurt and confused in this world because they are oppressed, in situations where they feel there is no hope.
Jesus will give HOPE to the HOPELESS, and mend the broken hearted.
TRUST IN HIM and be a living walking miracle for CHRIST OUR LORD...in FAITH, with LOVE
never stopped loveing Jesus, just stopped loving myself, brought on by my own low esteem, but I have nothing but thanksgiving and joy for everything I have received and rejected in life and no regrets...for the whole time God was leading me to this moment in my life. I've always been a little on the emotional side anyways and let things wound my spirit easily...because of looking back on my past childhood...I was raped, I was beaten, and because of this I knew how bad it felt to hurt someone else..and was always cautious NOT TO...but when you get this way you sometimes become TOO timid and don't want any confrontation to rock the boat so to speak. But over the years we learn how to defend ourselves when others try to break you. Sometimes we must look at oursleves and realize it's areas in our lives that God is showing us where we need to grow..for none are worthy but our LORD JESUS. I've grown in Christ and I know how to discern wrong from right always have...but I've taken the low road at times just to avoid critisism and abuse. But everything has brought me to this moment now...and Jesus loves us all so much so much that he took on all the sins of the world...Can you imagine HOW TERRIBLY PAINFUL that would be. HIS mercy, Unbeleiveable to be so KIND and GENTLE with his GRACE and MERCY.
I am happy and really my life has not been all SAD. I rejoice in the LORD and thank him for every part of my life the good and the bad.
I won't stop praising him, and I won't let others hurt me with insults...for I hurt for them when they throw insults, knowing that they hurt...and we all hurt at times...for all things God has a purpose.
GOD's BLESSINGS are evident here as we speak.
God Bless you and KEEP you in the shadow of his wings...he does beleive me.

Tom, sorry l talk weird. Rich was a man but came down the steps as a little child.
Except you become as one of these.

I just wonder if he was afraid to witness to all of you? You didn't hesitate!!! That other Rich didn't know what hit him except maybe because his name was the same God was trying to say something to you about lost causes.

we all come to Jesus as a little child...there is no other way.