With my hometown being #8 on the list of highest crime rate within small cities, its no wonder my teen years were like a Westside rap video with bullets flying my way, guns to my head, muggings and jacking on a regular basis, fights, and all the rest. Im kinda proud to say I never gave up the goods ;) One time a 357 was to my head and the guy told me to get the !*#$ out of the car. After a few seconds of consideration, I cursed him out- just long enough to distract him- and punched the gas/ clutch and took off. He got a shot off at the back of me, but I was unscathed! I did pull over at the end of the street just long enough to yell a few choice profanities to remind him he got nothing. A few months later Im cut off by a stolen mini van. I was with my girlfriend- who is now my wife. As I jumped out to rush the passenger side of the van- thinking a fight was about to go down- a dude with a black ski mask jumps out with a 9 mm aimed my way. I ran back to jump in my mini truck- attempting to get the key in the ignition, shaking hands and a friends car blocking my backside prevented me from escaping. Bullets from 15 feet away were flying my way. Several were lodged in my front engine area. They were lined up perfectly for me. Four shots directly to the front. I was looking at the guy face to face as he was patiently firing shots! Had the gun been tilted a few inched up that would have been my last day on earth. Hell wouldve been my home today. .I did chase the van down and attempt to take a shot at the back just to add to the never ending drama. My girlfriend was still passed out from the fear. Another friend of mine was tucked down in the floorboard area :/ Many other events happened. .too many to list. . I say all that ONLY to say this! God changes people from the inside out. I used to have no love for people. .now I love even those who do not like me! Its all because of what Jesus has done in my heart! God had a real plan for my life. Never attempt to talk me out of my faith, because it will not work. You cannot argue with a testimony :) You know, most people then didnt give me a chance as I was just a slang-speaking, punk looking, high school drop out who was meandering through life without focus or goals. Post salvation, it was God who built a new life for my wife and I. God brought my grades from straight Fs in Highschool, when unsaved, to Magna Cum Laude at the University, when committed to follow Him. God put work ethic and character in me that was previously misguided and conditional. .God gave me a heart after the things that please his heart when my heart only sought things that are deeply worldly! Please know that ANY of those people who once wished me harm are all fully forgiven and I truly love them with the love of Christ! I understand how lost people behave. Please, my goal is not to glorify the first part of the story, but rather only to make mention because EVERY testimony begins with a test! (Pardon the cliche, lol). The resurrection WHEN APPLIED changes lives! ! ! ♡♡♡♡♡ You see knowing about God is not the same thing as knowing God. A child may be told that a red burner is hot. He may have a mental ascent to that truth. However, its possible that somebody may be able to talk him out of believing that a red burner means a hot burner. When the parent leaves the room, and curiosity leads the child to lay has hand down on that hot red iron, something new happens. The information about the hot stove burner moves from the intellect on to EXPERIENCE. He now KNOWS the red stove burner is hot. Nobody can talk him out of this truth because truth has been received and experienced. Well, in 1996 when I placed my faith in Jesus Christ- not just believing but RECEIVING the truth of Jesus death, resurrection and available forgiveness of sin, my perspective- and life- moved from the realm of being merely a mental ascent on to an experience that cannot be denied! The red hot burner of Gods forgiveness and love burned away every trace of guilt, hopelessness, uncertainty, distance with God, and the rest. I now didnt just know about the God of the Bible... I was melted by his love firsthand. This is why you cannot shake my faith- because I was never talked into believing only. .I was moved into knowing by EXPERIENCE! The Christian experience is just that- not blind belief- but rather a personal encounter with the risen Christ! God bless you this Easter! I pray you believe and receive if you havent already. movoto/blog/top-ten/dangerous-small-cities/
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 18:19:19 +0000