Spiritual Journey

My Testimony of Conversion:
I've always struggled with this question until today. I've always had this idea in my mind that I had to be this cleaned up girl and that all these past "experiences" couldn't have been it. But in seeking my Savior today and in talking it over with a close sister in the Lord. I've come to the conclusion that Jesus did, and does, and will accept us just as we are, even in the pig pin. I don't come to Him, He comes to me. I think back and wonder if this was the "time and place" as we baptists like to call it, because at this time I was good. But our lives are a spiritual journey. I wanted to share a little bit of mine with you. May God bless you as you seek Him: At the age of 13, November 20, 2002, I dedicated my life to following Christ, and accepted Him as my Savior, and my rescuer! I was at home that evening listening to a Michael W. Smith DVD. The song “I Give You my Heart” had come on and it convicted me. The words spoke to my heart. At that moment of hearing those words I dropped everything I was doing and ran to my dad's office. Those words kept playing in my head over and over, those words were my prayer at that moment, and it still is my prayer to this day. I had a desire to honor God with my whole heart and life. I wanted him to have my whole heart and make me a new person. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states that, “Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun.” I found a tract in my dad’s office with “A New Beginning” written on the front. I needed a new beginning, a fresh start. I knew all of what was said in there, I had heard it my whole life, but at this point in my life I needed a rescuer, not just the benefit of the doubt that I was going to Heaven. The tract said to let God take your life and do a complete U-turn. That sounded good to me, anything to get me pointed in a different direction than I was going. I surrendered to God, I asked Him to forgive me for the way I had been acting, and for Him to help me forgive others that have done me wrong. I wanted Him to come into my life and make me a new person, to rescue me and, help me. I remember when I said “Amen” and lifted my head, a huge weight was lifted off me. It was the most relieving thing I have ever felt.

How do I become a Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian?
To become a Christian means to become a Christ follower. To do this is not simply a prayer, or read a few Bible verses on your own terms. I believe God has to call you for true conversion to take place. Seeds may be planted here and there, but the harvest comes when God says so. What's so wonderful about that is Jesus meets us right where we are in our mess and brokenness. I don't believe Salvation is a pretty wrapped package, but it is a journey, we are daily working it out in faith. There is no sinners prayer in the Bible, Jesus told people basically have faith and go and sin no more. It is a faith that we believe Jesus can heal us of our sins through His blood, and in that faith having a godly sorrow because of our sin leading to repentance, and accepting the blood as forgiveness. Essentially when it comes to answering the tugging of the Holy Spirit, one should just talk to Him. The Spirit will lead in what needs to be said if it is true, and believed in the heart of the person. Walking as a Christ follower is the walk of sanctification. We stray, we come back. All in all it is an act of learning, and becoming holy like our Savior, Jesus. It's not religion in checking things off a list, and feeling good about yourself. It's a relationship! There is a verse in 1 John that says "Those who claim Him must walk as Jesus did." Jesus walked close to the Father, He prayed often, He served, He obeyed, He was humble, He listened, He taught, He loved. We are given the Holy Spirit, and we learn how He works through us as we progress in our walk. He will prompt us, warn us, convict us, guide us, and speak to us.

My passions and Spiritual gifts:
My passions include writing, music, and studying God's Word. I currently write on three blogs about Christian living, pursuing wisdom, and missions. Additionally, I also write poetry, and short stories. I enjoy writing encouraging notes to people who surround me. I started playing the guitar when I was 12. I took lessons for a while but mainly learned on my own. Around the age of 15 or 16 I began to write songs, and music, and have self recorded a few CD's. I have been in the church choir since I was 12. I have been apart of student choirs, and now currently sing in the adult choir at my church. I think my greatest passion is studying God's Word, it's what feeds my other passions. If I'm not spending time studying, and taking in the Bible, then my music is meaningless, and my writing is meaningless. My Spiritual gifts are discernment, encouragement, knowledge, and leadership. I use these gifts on a daily basis in different situations.