I came to (approached the Light) of the Lord circa 1982, but I was more like a wayside heart. (The parable of the sower) I have by now fulfilled all four categories of the heart in that parable. I had a wayside heart for years, and anything I heard was stolen from me. I had a stony heart also with no depth. I have had a thorny heart and have had the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches enter in and steal the word from me.

I believe I have a good ground heart at this writing. I certainly want the Lordship of Christ to reign and have His way in me. I want to be willing and obedient just like it says in Isaiah 1:19. I do not seek after a sinful life or nature and I want to flee iniquity. I can be tricked at times by my own flesh, the world, and the devil, but thank God for 1 John 1:9!

During the 1986- 1996 decade, I did stuff I knew better than to do. I knew it was sin, but I did it anyways. I actually could not stop. My sins were many and grievous, as all sins are. I never did anything more than other men, really, but I was convicted of it a lot more because of the faith and confession to the Lord back in '82. My closet has it's skeletons, but the Lord has forgiven me of all my past life, and I know He has, for He told me so!

Devilish carnality had hold of me to the extent that I enjoyed sinning on the one side and was made very uncomfortable in my soul on the other. I was in a strait betwixt the two, and I wanted out, but just could not give it up. I was addicted to sin!

But I would wake up in the wee hours of the morning while my wife slept beside me, and I would look up into the ceiling and say in a whisper, "Lord. I am sinning, and I cannot stop! Please help me!" This went on for quite some time.

At Christmas, 1995 my wife bought me a KJV electronic bible and concordance. (One of those little handheld deals which you can use to read or search for scriptures) I had no use for it at that time, and it sat on the end table by my sofa until about late February of 1996.

I was "home alone" one day and as I sat, I idly picked up the "E bible," opened the cover and turned it on. I felt like playing with it for some reason, and I entered the first word that came into my head, which was "unforgiven!" I felt that word described my plight pretty well! It began to whirl and cycle through the canon of the word, and then a little info panel opened up on the screen saying, "Unforgiven not in bible." The split second I read those words, something like a rushing wind blew through me so powerfully I thought the door must be open and a wind blowing! I had thought I had sinned to a point where there could be no forgiveness. I suddenly knew I was wrong, and that the Lord wanted to set me free!

A few days later in March 1996, I was coming back home from a trip on my job as a truck driver. I was west of Toronto, Ontario and I was approaching an exit where there was a large truck stop and it had a bible chapel on the lot. As I approached the exit at highway speed, I suddenly heard a voice speak, saying "Turn aside!"

I thought I was imagining things! I continued to approach the exit, and made no move to obey the voice. The voice spoke again, more commandingly this time! "Turn aside!" I instantly had a recollection of one sermon I had heard years before when I was a regular church goer for a short while. It was about how Moses saw a bush burning without being consumed, and he "turned aside" to have a better look!

I snapped the wheel over to steer into the exit ramp and braked stiffly to slow for the turn into the truckstop! I entered the lot and it was so full of trucks that there was no place to park. I elected to chalk it up as an overactive imagination, and I began to pull back out on the road.

I was coming by the bible chapel, and just then a truck pulled out from a stall right beside the chapel! I "knew" I had best park in the hole he left! I still was bewildered by it all, and I looked in my pocket and only had a quarter, not enough even for a cup of coffee! I thought I would just phone the boss, and get under way! As I came adjacent to the steps of the bible chapel, this voice spoke one last time and said, "Turn aside!"

I went up the steps and into the chapel to find an elderly gent nodding away in a rocking chair at the far end of the room. My entrance stirred him from his napping , and he asked me what he could do for me. I explained how I had heard this mysterious voice three times telling me to "turn aside", and that I had come in there now figuring I had best obey the voice and I asked him to hear my confession, and pray for me. I bared my soul, and he ministered and prayed. I felt a burden lift and a definite release as though I had been washed clean! It was tangible in it's effect! I was in the chapel about two hours, captivated by the love. The second the minister said amen to the prayer, the door opened up and another trucker came in to visit! I went home feeling like I had a new lease on life!

The very next weekend I just "knew" I had to get to church! I found a charismatic church I knew about, but arrived late. The service was soon over, and an explanation that a visiting ministry from the "Toronto Blessing" would be there that same evening (St Patricks day, March 17th 1996). I was impressed upon that I was to come back to that service!

Sure enough, I got there and this minister was up preaching a sermon he called "The frozen chosen!" At the end of the message, there was a prayer line and I needed to be in it! I went up, unashamed in a crowd of strangers! The manifestations of spiritual power were plainly evident in a way I have seldom seen since that day! Two girls in their mid twenties came up and manifested demons, and this preacher guy commanded them out, and they went screaming and leaving the now clean vessels lying on the floor! People were stacked up like cordwood, and I said, "Lord there is no way I want to make that kind of spectacle of myself!"

The minister came to me, and I told him I was healed and forgiven of my backsliding ways, and wanted the gift of the Holy Spirit! He began to pray in other tongues and then said that "Out of my belly shall flow rivers of living water!" He laid hands on me and I felt a ping like the shock one gets from walking on a static charged rug! The screen of my mind turned red! My lips and temples went numb! I fell backwards, not caring how I fell ! I lay prone for only about a minute, and I arose a new creature! I knew I was different! I was finaly genuinely happy! I could feel this Presence! My mind felt clean!

For 12 days afterwards, I felt like I was literallty walking on a cushion of air! I later began to realize the totality of my deliverance! I did not want to steal anymore. I did not want to swear. I no longer felt overwhelmed in self pity! I received a capacity for the word, and it came alive every time I read the bible! I could memorize scripture, and retain it easily! I was given a prayer language of my own! I felt like I was a totaly converted vessel! I have never wanted to go back to my former state since that day!

When I slipped into my car on the way home from that service, I only drove about an eighth of a mile, and I had this uncontrollable urge to weep! I pulled to the shoulder and wailed and wailed! I asked out loud, "Lord, why am I crying?" I heard a voice so loudly in my spirit man and yet speaking gently, and he said, "You have just realized all your sins are forgiven! You have finally seen My face and not just My hand!"

Thus began a new day and a new way for me! My life is not a shadow of what it was 10 years ago! The changes are all encompassing! The only thing I can honestly say I have now that I had back then is the skin that covers the glory within! I praise and thank God for that day!

The Lord gave me this word me soon after! It is my bible and I can read it personally. Where the bible says Eprahim, I could see my name written as plain as day!

Jer 31: 18. I have surely heard LARRY bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. 19. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. 20. Is LARRY my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.

I don't know how anybody can't add an amen to that Larry...

But l will... AMEN ...and amen.

I've had many promptings but not all were from the Lord. I've had to learn to know the difference.

Good thing l was too scared to step out most of the time.

Just bumping this to allow folks to know this is fervent's story...

PRAISE THE LORD, INDEED!

Maz,

Thank-you for your testimony, your words broughts shivers running down my back. To God be all Glory, honor and praise. Praise the Lord that you answered Jesus knock and opened the door.

In Christain Love,

Al

YEAH! What a testimony!

Oh to be fluffy, shiny, and new! It's a wonderful feeling. Lord, I remember what You have done and rejoice. You have made me glad.

Praise GOD for what He's done for you, Larry.

Maz hasn't been with us for a long while, but it is nice to know that his testimony is still a blessing to so many. Hi Maz, wherever you are!

Julie, your name sounds like and reminds me of 'hammer', which reminds me of Judas Macabee who overthrew the tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes in 165 BC, which is where Hanukah comes from. Today is the last day of Hanukah. The last name "Macabee" means, "The hammer"! So may God make you a hammer to destroy His enemies, and all idols!

Hey Shekel,

I think fervent is saying that he is Maz... ie... Larry.

Ok I am confused. If fervent is Maz then welcome back old friend. We have missed you around here. If fervent is saying his testimony is like maz then what a blessing.

God Bless,
K.D.

ATTENTION: fervent ( alias Maz ) :

This is the most profound sentence, my brother ! Blessings to you . . .

( quote )
"You have just realized all your sins are forgiven! You have finally seen My face and not just My hand!"

The ' Larry ' is connected to : 441

http://biblewheel.com/GR/GR_441.asp
441 + TRUTH + The Work of the LORD + The God of Heaven + Infinite + Joined


[GR] > The Number 441: Truth
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psalm 25.5

Those were the first words I ever heard from God directly. Since then there have been many words. But I am always reminded of the first. Once one has seen the Lord's face, one is in a place of worship...the hand is simply a reaching out for fulfilled needs...I will have to look into the website as I am able...

Hey Maz, nice to hear from you again (I am senteami3)

Beautiful story!!! Thanks for sharing!

Need help. I am in even worse condition - unbelief and cynicism has taking over big time. How do I get out of the pit I am in?

Hi Kahuna,

I'm a little down in the dumps this morning to. I've had enough of jingling bells and holly jolly elves popping around the tree.

I try to laugh...

It can really do wonders.

We have to have this vision of crazy humanity doing their thing and God loving their dead minds anyway.

It's the hope of the season...That Christ loved us in spite of ourselves. Only God can bring light love and laughter...though l do recommend a funny movie.

I watched a couple of old ones l've seen before and still had a good laugh. I think it was that national lampoon one about Christmas where he puts all the lights up on his house...Then l watched that one about getting the Turbo man doll. Those movies are good at looking at the laughing stupidity of things...Any way...It helped to lighten me up..and l still chuckle remembering..

Things could be worse...You could have unannounced guests...

It's hard to change focus once we're on a roll though..I get to tumbling into the negative and it gets a hold of me.

I long for the Lord in my heart and many times he shows me a little something to cheer me up...not always, but sometimes.

Sometimes when l can't shake a thing l do something that l don't want to do...something l've put off for a long time...a practical thing ...like cleaning the junk drawer...Then l keep going back in the kitchen and opening it to look inside. It's amazing what accumulates. Just like our minds. Things that are junk accumulate. We have to clean it all out. Look at it. Question it's use and purpose..and then trash it.

It's true isn't it.

I pray you find peace in the promise of the day...Of his coming then coming again..to save us from ourselves. Thanks for posting your need this morning for it's helped me to enter back into the Spirit of the season.. Believe Kahuna...This isn't it. Glory is waiting for us.

Miki

Be encouraged in the Lord and read these words as if they were to you...

Isa 51:1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock [whence] ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit [whence] ye are digged. Isa 51:2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah [that] bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. Isa 51:3 For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Isa 51:4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. Isa 51:5 My righteousness [is] near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. Isa 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. Isa 51:7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart [is] my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. Isa 51:8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation. Isa 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon? Isa 51:10 [Art] thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? Isa 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy [shall be] upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; [and] sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Kahuna,

I am not in the Christmas Spirit this year; AT ALL. I think the reason I am not in the HOLIDAY SPIRIT is because our society has taken CHRIST out of the season. When our society attempts to remove Christ as the cornerstone- our society is in fact removing HOPE.

You asked in your post how you can climb out of the pit? I can share with you the tools that I have used to climb out of the pit but what works for me, might not work for you.

1. I read Scriptures and the promises that Jesus gave to HIS children. Reading HIS love letter written for me. Sometimes we need to personalize the reading of Scriptures.

2. I listen to Christian Music and watch Christian Video's.

3. I take a drive in the country and stop my car at the highest mountain top and look down at Gods creation. When I look down at Gods creation such a feeling of awe and excitement arises because of HIS excellent and magnificent CREATION. It is written: "The heavens are telling of the Glory of God, and their expense is declaring the Work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

It is written: "Fight the good fight of faith." 1 Timothy 6:12.

Have a Positive Day in the Lord.

Gods Blessings,

Al

Read your Bible, and Pray. You really must spend some time with God. But don't stop there, Do that first, then go out and do something. You will find the Grace of God very alive when you give to your neighbor with love. Find a way to be in the presence of God.. Seek and you will find. But you must actually seek.

God Bless,
K.D.

Hey Kahuna. I'll add something from my own experience. No matter how dour I might feel I tell it to God, and I also say It's not God's fault. I don't even blame the devil. It is what it is and I accept it believing something better awaits after this life, even if I am not there, something better for sure and that is Christ.

Read the parable of coin and the servants. The guy who buried his coin believed his master was cruel as he had suffered a lot in his life. So my lesson is to believe God is good no matter what.

My only problem is, I think I might have lost my coin from poor investments . Jesus didn't give a parable about that case, but there's risk in all investing and at least I tried, and not bury my coin.

...but I know what you mean...it gets harder

How does one develop a love for God in the absence of any? I know I should, but I don't (something is SERIOUSLY wrong, that I will readily admit) The same holds true for people as well.

Kahuna,

During one of the worst storms in my life my favorite saying was: "God where are you? Why can't I feel you?" It felt that God was taking a long lunch break from me. That He just didn't care. In fact during the longest hours in my life, I had a nervous breakdown and found myself locked up in a psychiatric hospital. During the darkest night of disbelief in finding myself in such a situation, I heard some other patients singing some Christian Music. They kept praising Jesus through the storms.

Kahuna, twenty five years ago I was suicidal. I felt neither God nor any sort of hope. But guess what? God found me and he taught me that it would be a long process in order to gain my footing. In fact in order to get my feet under me, I would need Jesus as my anchor and my safety net. One of my favorite quotes is this: "God will move the mountains but you have to bring the shovel." Sometimes we have to do some of our own work. For me this included: attending Bible lessons, counciling, going to church, etc.... I had to emerge myself totally in God. This was my choice...

Kahuna, I am now fifty and so many people do not know my past. I am fun, I am positive, and I love to laugh... but in order to reach the point I am now, I needed to work the steps. I needed to define the steps clearly and precisely. What steps are you working on?

You will be in my prayers. Sleep with the angels.

In Christian Love,

Al

This is powerul ministry and effectual and I am blessed by it also....

Al..Thanks for your transparency. It is true...we need a shovel.

But then again it reminds me of the Donkey in the pit. The cruel master kept shoveling dirt a top him to bury him a live but the mountain became his escape... He climbed up on it and walked out. I think the devil's shoveling a load on you Kahuna.. You can't experience love because somebodies got their dark shield up...Don't go it alone. Get in a good church and ask God to send you someone that can help you through this.

Lot's of us have experienced this deep darkness. It's no picnic. I didn't have anybody to help me...

but God was faithful to me even if l wasn't to him.

I forced my mind out of darkness even when it wasn't. (God was actually helping me, l just didn't know it at the time...He's for us not against us) It took some time but l was determined to have a healthy mind. It stuck. That was 35 or so years ago. Yes l get depressed...but l fight it tooth and nail...Al knows not to let it take hold...We must fight back.

Recently l was sitting there in darkness... I said "Hey wait a minute...why am l thinking and feeling this...It's not true...where are these thoughts coming from"? Our mind can be like a radio receiver. The bible tells us to take captive every thought. Cast down imaginations. We must be obedient to that or those of us with a sensitive nature will be swept away with every tide. Amen?

I am struggling greatly since my initial experience also...times and seasons...day becomes night becomes day becomes night becomes day...spring becomes summer becomes fall becomes winter...becomes...It is the battlefield of the mind and it is the hardest of all battles...I was given this at a time...

Hindrances to your growth will be removed soon. You have not been fighting alone. My angel has charge over you . He fought mightily to secure your continued following after Me in faith. Your spiritual enemy has been resisting you, for your potential to be My witness has shocked him into action. But My power and arm are not shortened as I won this and all battles at the cross of Golgotha. He attacks your mind with deception to persuade you from My righteous cause. Be strong and persevere for when this battle for your mind is fought, future opposition will seem as nothing! Victory is certain as you maintain unflinching faith. My grace abounds towards you. Your mind is awash with satanic doubt, but know that it he that tears down and I that build up! My promises are yes and amen to the glory of God. As you grow you will learn to trust Me as you have never trusted before! You shall be a surrendered vessel that I call into My service. My light and love are with you! Do truth and be free for this pleases Me greatly!

Oct 12 1996

Get a grip!

http://www.biblewheel.com/wheel/Spokes/Gimel_ThirdDay.asp

Spoke 3 - Gimel - Third Day of Creation and Fruit of the SpiritWe lift up God and cast down all self-exaltation which is indicated by the Gimel ... God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, ...
www.biblewheel.com/wheel/Spokes/Gimel_ThirdDay.asp - 39k - Cached - Similar pages

God Loves you and he is never going to let you go...even amongst all the tides...HE is our ROCK and our Salvation...

who can stand against him, my beloved, he Holds you tightly, he allows the waves to come to strengthen you in your Faith...he is the Breath in you, he loves you dearly....For such a time is this, it is a honor oh to serve the LIVING GOD.... LORD who is like you...there is no greater love than to be in his presence no greater desire of your heart to know Christ lives within you, and will send you out and send his fellow servants to you for he is our Help in present danger...He knows you inside and out...and his will be done for his purpose is for you not against you...in this you can trust him...surrender and know, taste and see that the LORD he is Good.

No you are not alone, his angels are with you...his Spirit is renewing us. He is the GOD of YES and AMEN.

Miki,

Thank-you for your words of testimony. I would like to share with you a teaching that the Lord is presently teaching me. My thoughts may seem unclear since this lesson is still in progress.

I tend to be an emotional person who becomes sensitive at the drop of a hat. It's just not my pain I cry over but the pain the world is experiencing. Other peoples pains can be shariply felt. But. I am learning that my faith need not be an emotional rollar coaster (as it once was) and that faith needs to stand on TRUTH. My emotions can know longer determine how close I walk with the Lord day by day. But as I said, I am still learning this lesson as of this writing.

Lately the news has shown stories of: "A Father throwing his four kids over the bridge", "A mother who is accused of killing her young children," and "A teacher has sex with student," and all of these stories make me so sad. I don't understand. But sometimes I just need to remember to walk by TRUTH and not with emotions. Not an easy lesson for me to learn and I probably will not learn this lesson fully until I get to Heaven.

Thanks again.

In Christian Love,

Al

No we do not have to be lead by our emotions....But as this WORLD gets more EXTREME we see the EXTREME BEHAVIOR come forth...on all aspects of the human nature of man.
FOR THE DEVIL comes to steal, kill and destroy and knows his time is short.

I would rather have emotions, which the LORD our God gave us than not to have any at all. You do know what I mean by this. SO COUNT YOUR SELF BLESSED.Those whom take life without blinking an eye, and goes beyond any comprehension of us why in the WORLD would one do such a horrible act. Where their hearts so hardened that they would go to any length to just feel anything, even if it meant being recognized for such a horrible act of murder, or where they possessed by such an evil that it clouded their mind and heart and made it as hard as a rock, so that they felt NO NOTHING at all, but like a walking dead person? Only God knows.

It is IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER....JESUS WEPT

and JESUS GOT ANGRY...and will HAVE JUST JUDGMENT.

there will be accountability that is for sure.

A WORD GIVEN:

Joel 1:14-

Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD YOUR GOD, and CRY UNTO THE LORD,

LETS PROCLAIM the GLORY of our LORD and the LORD will take back what is rightfully his, no the Devil cannot have our children. In JESUS NAME WE proclaim the promises of God.

15. Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction form Almighty shall it come.

2:11-

And the LORD shall utter his VOICE BEFORE HIS ARMY: for HIS camp is very GREAT: for HE is strong that executeth HIS WORD: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

12. therefore also NOW, saith the LORD, TURN ye even to ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART, and with FASTING, and with WEEPING, and with MOURNING:

13. And REND YOUR HEART, and NOT YOUR GARMENTS, and TURN UNTO THE LORD, your GOD: for HE IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

14. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

15. BLOW THE TRUMPET in Zion, SANCTIFY a fast, call a solemn assembly:

16. Gather the people, sanctify THE CONGREGATION, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that such the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

17. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, SPARE THY PEOPLE. O LORD yes LORD WE PRAY) and give NOT THINE HERITAGE TO REPROACH, that the HEATHEN should rule over them; wherefore should they say among the people, WHERE IS THEIR GOD?

18. THEN WILL THE LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

19. YEA, the LORD WILL ANSWER and SAY unto HIS people, BEHOLD, I WILL SEND YOU CORN, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith, and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen.

Wernotalone,

You make a good case for emotions; Thank-you. Tis better to have some emotion than non at all. Your post reminded me of the Love Chapter.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind,, It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth."
Corinthians 13: 1-6

Wernotalone, thanks again.

Gods Blessings,

Al

I wish I knew what happend to this guy Maz or Mazinaw.

That was a beautiful testemony.

College

Collegegirl, I believe Fervent said that he is Maz. It's on page 1 or 2.

[quote name='fervent' date='Dec 8 2007, 11:33 AM' post='135533']
Just bumping this to allow folks to know this is fervent's story...
[/quote

College girl,

Researcher is correct and this is Fervent's testimony.

Gods Blessings,

Al

Well, sorry for the confusion. I have been "fervent" for quite some time. I was actually "fervent" before I was "Maz."As you might imagine, because the Lord touched me so powerfully at that time on March 17/1996, I was given a tongues gift and a prophetic mantle. That gift has brought me into much controversy. First person God is not deemed worthy or widely accepted from of a vessel of flesh. I have wrestled with my calling and have realized the benefit of it at the cost of my personal reputation. There is so much confusion about the gift of prophecy in the modern church. Yet I am not an oracle to the end of infallibility. God has kept his end times events hidden in the mystery and candor of prophetic symbolism, and I am not entirely aware of His plan. My voice has been unto edification, exhortation and comfort and in line with the scripture that declares that to be so...I do know that 17 is the number of victory and there have by now been several occasions where the Lord has done a thing in me, through me, or for me on that date of the calendatr month....just rambling...

fervent as ever...

Hi there,
Being fairly new to this forum I have decided to take a lead from Maz and give my story of how I came to God, permanently.
I was born with a bung leg and have had many operations on it over the years. I grew up knowing that it was to be amputated someday. As a child I was baptized into the Mormon church at the age of eight. I grew up following the Scriptures, above men. The Scriptures have always been a great love of mine ever since. But as a teenager living on my own out in the world I soon succumbed to the worlds ways of lying, stealing, drugs and booze. I was a great exponent of the worlds ways. Up until I was about 40 I yinned and yanged on living as a believer. Finally the leg had had enough and it was time to separated from it. I was placed on the 'short list' at the hospital in Wellington, here in NZ. After about 3 years of waiting I decided to go exploring the South Island. More of 'use it before you lose it' type thing. On this back packing adventure I decided to read the Bible and to pray before each reading of an evening, and then make my mind up. I reasoned that I could say 'no' to God unless I read His Book first. That way I would be choosing a 'yes or no' answer from a position of authority. I first needed a Bible, so I prayed to God and gave Him the problem of finding me one. With all the different versions out there I wanted the one He would want me to read. I ended up with two Bibles; an Old King James Bible and the Standard American Bible. Once I had completed reading the Bible I knew that no matter what I could never disavow God. I backpacked for 2 1/2 years and ended up buying a house in the South Island. I still continued to drink and smoke. Five years later I got 'drafted' onto the Alpha program. This was the catalyst of my turning to God fully.
About 3 years later I was suddenly awakened by my Lord with a name from the Bible. I didn't fully understand this and asked God for a concordance to help me to find the meaning. Within 3 days I had been given a brand new one, FREE! From this I found out that I was being called to be a trumpet and a watchman for God, but I needed to be well grounded in His Word. So I began an exhaustive study of God's Word, especially the subjects that were giving a lot of controversy like the Sabbath and the events of the week of the crucifixion of Christ. There were as much time spent in prayer as there was spent in study. During this time of great study I was turned to the teachings of Smith Wigglesworth, William Branham, and Lindsay Armstrong. I also joined a couple of Bible study programs. In one I found they were in error, according to the Word. I wrote to them showing what Scripture they used and where the truth lay in the Scriptures. The reply duly came - "we are right and you are wrong". That was all they said, no explanations, nothing. I turned away from these men and stayed wholly in The Word and prayer. After some more time had passed I was again turned to the teachings Of William Marrion Branham, and have stayed with them ever since. I thought of Peter and the raising and lowering of the blanket and knew that I was to learn a lot from Bro. Branham's sermons.
I have since found my son, lost to me for over 20 years, and had moved to the North Island to meet him and get to know him. He has since moved to Australia and I have moved to another town and am currently buying another home. I have been shown that these are my wilderness years and He is slowly bringing me into the position where He wants me to stand. I believe He has chosen some of these Christian chat forums for me to reaching out as he would have me to do. Some of my postings maybe different to what you are prepared to believe, but I ask you to put these 'bones' aside when you occasion upon them, and let us fellowship as sons of God.

May God bless.

May God continue to Bless You