How many of you Christians have had religious experiences as a child? In other words, when were you saved? Specifically at what age? If you care to share your story. If you are an atheist please refrain from answering. If you are of another religion other than Christianity, please refrain from answering. Thank you for sharing you stories.
2007-10-11 04:28:19 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My Testimony!
I was raised A "HARDCORE" Catholic for the first 18 years of my life. But I grew very tired of the same old routine, every Sunday. It wasn't until, a member of my church choir gave me a book called "666", by Salem Kirban, that my life would change forever! In the back of that book was the Salvation Invitation. After reading the book, (& being totally freaked-out by it!), I signed my name after the prayer, & became a Believer. That was 1973!
All through college, I was actively involved in both Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, & Campus Crusade for Christ. I really made some very close friends during those years!
It wasn't until after I had graduated from college, (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Class of December '79), that things really went "south" for me!
After my one & only job in my major, (Bachelor of Fine Arts-Technical Theatre), bombed, I started working at another place. I met a girl there, who when I told her that I was still a virgin-well, that was all she needed! She lead me around like the proverbial "bull-with-a-ring-through-it's-nose". (Remember, I had been a HARDCORE Catholic for my first 18 years, & was taught those 18 years-that if I even LOOKED at a woman, I was going to Hell, & then I was a Believer for over, at that time, 4 years-so still no sex). She kept promising me sex, but as I was to discover, she never had any intention of fufilling that "promise". When she dumped me, to say I was devastated, would be an understatement!
Looking back on all this, I think the reason I fell away from my Lord for so long, was because, I didn't have the close Christian fellowship, that I had had at college!
I fell away from the Lord hard after that! Over 20+years, to be exact!
I was extremely racist, I had a hatred for woman, that was, (to say the least), unflattering, I had a mouth that would make most gangsta' rappers cringe, & most of all-I had a hatred for God, that lead to my practically cursing Him 24/7! Not a pretty picture, is it?
Oh yes-I also tried to kill myself over 2 dozen time, as well! Everything from Pills, to knives, to carbon Monoxide, even to dousing myself with gasoline & being within millimeters of striking the match!
My job situation wasn't any better! I went from one job to the next, never setting down roots anywhere for very long!
Well, I had a job, (this was after I moved to Madison), that I thought was ideal! Everybody was very happy with the work that I was doing, & I felt, for the first time in my life-satisfied with my life. Well, I was unjustly accused of something at this job, & that was the straw that broke the proverbial "camels" back! I ended up swallowing 30 sleeping pills, & ended up in the emergency room of one of the hospitals here! And what did I get out of it-a $1400 hospital bill, that it took FOREVER to pay off!
Looking back on this, I DO realize that it was indeed the Lord, telling me to get my rear-end over to the hospital, although I didn't realize it at the time.
Well, after a long string of temp jobs, I was ready to try suicide again, & this time, I was determined to get it right! I had hit rock bottom. No money, no job, nothing! In my apartment building, I had discovered the internet, because they have a small computer lab here. I now know that it WAS indeed the Lords leading here as well, when I came across a Christian website called Theology Online. Eventually, after trying to disprove Christianity, unsuccessfully I might add, I finally mustered enough courage to ask the people there to pray for me, which they did, because I was really depressed! As I said earlier, it was the Lord that lead me to TOL as well! What surprised me was I even interested in a Christian website, when I hated God so much! Well, HE didn't hate me!
Finally, I was ready to get the whole suicide thing right one & for all! I told the Lord that I would give Him one more chance to help me, if He even cared!
Well, the Lord again, (Although again, I didn't realize it at the time-sound familiar?), lead me to look in the Yellow pages for a church that had, of all things, a Satuday night service, which I thought was little bit strange. That church was Evangel Life Center-the same church that I am still attending, almost 3 years later! I went there, & sat in the back of the sanctuary. I wasn't there more than 10-15 minutes, when 3 wonderful women came over to talk to me. I told them why I was there, & what I was planning to do. They both prayed for & with me, & like the proverbial "prodigal son, THIS prodigal son finally came back to the the Family of God! That date was 1/11/03-a date that I will never forget!
Since that time I have had both ups & downs, like we all have. The "ups" side was fantastic! I had gained an absolutely fearlessness in witnessing-eventually, which lead to my witnessing not just to one person, but to groups of people, both at work & at my apartment building as well! What was really cool, was that I just knew exactly what to say! I KNOW that that was the Lord working through me, because I was so totally surrendered to the Lord, it was the greatest experience in my life, that 2 of the people that I had a chance to witness to actually received the Lord as Lord & Savior ON THE SAME DAY! *WOW*
But I also have had some major "down" times as well! I did backslide for 6-7 months, I turned my back on God's calling to become a minister,were the top ones!
Right now, I have almost no money, no job, & major medical bills! Yet even through that, I will NOT fall away from my Lord again! I have no intention of living that kind of life!
That's what it's all about, my beloved Brothers & Sister in Christ-humbling ourselves to an Almighty God-admitting to Him that we cannot do ANYTHING without His help! I'm have as much as possible faith that the Lord WILL provide for my needs, as He has done so in the past! He HAS never let me down, even when I WAS unfaithful to Him!
It is my one & only desire, (outside of my wanting to be more like my Savior), to be, above all-an encouragement to everyone here! The Bible says, "Delight thyself in the Lord, & He will give thee the desires of thy heart". (Psalm 37:4) That is my one & only desire-to serve Him & be an encouragement to all of you!
2007-10-11 04:38:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
I was previously an Agnostic. I became friends with a few of my co-workers who are Christians and was curious about the sense of peace they seemed to have. I asked questions about their faith & became even more curious. Eventually, one of my friends invited me to her church & I accepted. I was over-whelmed by the joy that the people at this church seemed to radiate. I continued going for 2 months. On 10-3-99, I accepted Christ as my saviour at 30 years of age. I was baptized the following Sunday which was an amazing experience. Becoming a Christian changed the way I think about myself & the world around me. God is AWESOME & I am truly blessed!
2007-10-11 11:49:14 · answer #2 · answered by Emily & her mommy love Da Bears! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised in a Christian family so I always knew about God. As a young child, I doubted my salvation so every Saturday morning (while watching the Christian channel) I would again ask Jesus to save me from my sin. Although I know God listened to and answered my prayers, I never really wanted to spend time with Him or read my Bible etc. until I was about 10 years old. I really started learning a lot about God then...and I really wanted to start actually getting to know Him personally. It amazes me how God can really change a heart. Mine wasn't "bad" but as I look where I could be today had I repented, I would be very lost. Thank God!
2007-10-11 11:37:33 · answer #3 · answered by Daughter of the King 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I grew up in a christian home and although my confirmation day was in 1991 I only really understand my salvation later but was probably saved around age five coz I remember watching the sun set and knowing God was in the sunset!
2007-10-11 11:38:00 · answer #4 · answered by unix 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All of these answers are awesome.
I went to an evangelist at age 13 and felt a power there that I had never felt before. My Dad came and took me out of the service and brought me home because our family were all Catholics.
I grew up and the Lord came to me in a dream and shown me he was real and God.
I found a friend who went to church and he invited me to come. I went and everything in my life has change to the better, because the God who came to me in my dream shown me that day how to know and follow him.
God bless.
2007-10-11 12:46:44 · answer #5 · answered by Bobby B 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I grew up in a Christian home so I always knew about the things of God. I finally understood I needed to get saved when I was 8. Far away from home (Manila to be precise), I prayed with my Filipina sunday school teacher and officially accepted Jesus.
2007-10-11 11:34:24 · answer #6 · answered by Rossonero NorCal SFECU 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 16 and was baptized shortly after that. I wouldn't, however, call it a "religious experience." I merely decided then to give my life to Christ, and walk with Him. Each year has brought me closer to Him and I've gained more knowledge of Him. I consider it a relationship, not a religion, just as you would consider it a relationship to get to know a good friend.
God bless!
2007-10-11 11:36:23 · answer #7 · answered by Devoted1 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Actually, God called me into His marvelous saving grace when I was 30...........so I probably can't answer this question the way you would like.
I was raised catholic so.....I had somewhat of a foundation for who Christ was. But I didn't know about salvation or a personal relationship with Him.
But I do now......praise God!
2007-10-11 11:32:11 · answer #8 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I did not experience Christ as a child. It was not until I was 27 years old that I truely experienced Christ and received the Holy Spirit.
2007-10-11 11:32:23 · answer #9 · answered by James W 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I was born into a christian home all my life...
But recently, God has showed me a more remarkable revelation regarding Him.. It was there all the while, but I couldnt see it,..
What is it? Jesus will save the whole world literally!
NONE will be "lost"...
Read about this uplifting hope in the website below..
2007-10-11 11:35:58 · answer #10 · answered by jonny boy 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
ii was saved at age 22.. before that I did believe in God but then He gave me His spirit also..
2007-10-11 11:33:02 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋