Fan: An enthusiastic admirer.
In the Gospels Jesus had lots of fans but He was interested in having followers, fully transformed followers. How do you define your relationship with Him? Are you an enthusiastic admirer? Close enough to Jesus to get the benefits but not so close to require sacrifice? There's got to be more than just going to church, praying when in a jam, and volunteering at a shelter.
How would things change if you lived as Jesus lived and loved the way He loved? Maybe you're ready to join the hundreds of people who have stepped across a line and said, “I am not a fan.”
Here it is: I used to be involved in church many years ago when I was younger. I thought that I had a good relationship with God. I found out that I did not. When my husband died, I lost the will to live. God kept hold of me and wouldn't allow me to die. Slowly but surely, I started letting Him take hold of my life. I turned my life over to Him because I couldn't make sense of it anymore. The day that I turned it over to Him,was the day that my life became more meaningful, more alive, more humble, more of anything that I could dream of. God has given me strength to overcome many things that I felt impossible before. I am working on getting people to see what wondrous things he can do in their lives by showing them what he has done in mine. I basically walk the walk and talk the talk. I haven't been this happy in such a long time. I am involved in different groups in and out of Hope. One lady at work asked me one day if I was really religous or if I was really crazy. I told her that I was very spiritual and that I was just a little bit crazy. I also told her that it took me losing everything that I held dear to find what really mattered most in life. I know that God has cradled me in his arms and helped me get to where I am today. If you could see me two years ago and you see me now... you would have no doubt that God has performed a miracle in my life. I choose to please him every day now. For the rest of my life, I plan on pleasing him and making him happy. As I see it, it can't get any better than this. The joy in my life is so unbelievable sometimes. I thank God for that joy. He was there with me through the darkness. He was with me when no human being was. When I cried out for help, he soothed my soul. He wiped my tears. He made me new. I am so very fortunate to have found him and some wonderful people who I call my family now. My God,(our God), is an awesome God! I am completely commited follower of Christ.I have been transformed.
ReplyDeleteThe opportunity to witness God's incredible goodness and to serve HIM is the center of my life today. I love to get into the "mess" that is life as we know it when I talk to other people. So often, when we are in the middle of "doing life", we may miss the opportunities or appointments God has made for us. Some people may look at these moments as a test....I want to view them as reminders that GOD is always at work. HE wants to know (just like a good parent) that we are paying attention. That we are willing to use our daily lives to glorify HIS kingdom, to honor HIS precious name and to never forget the sacrifice that HE endured with HIS son's blood on the cross for our sins!
ReplyDeleteWearing the NOT A FAN shirt:
ReplyDeleteI pray that God gives us (the adult body of Hope Church) the courage to be followers instead of fans.
With absolutely no regard for what people might think, our 7 year old daughter wore her NOT A FAN shirt to public school today. Lord, thank you for the example of Hannah for our home and our church. Please give me the same courage to have the heart and faith of a child, and let God lead me where he needs me to go.
This is very interesting but also very confusing to me. It looks to me like followers in the Bible left everything, cared about nothing secular...I don't know anyone like that. I am not...
ReplyDeleteSometimes it takes sorting out what we are NOT in order to declare with clarity who we ARE (and to whom we belong).
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in jr. high the song "I Surrender All" posed a lot of questions. As an adult, God took me on a faith journey through many severe losses. Above all He is faithful. In lament I learned what true praise is like. In loss and grief, poured out and emptied in order for the Holy Spirit to cleanse, heal, and fill with the peace that passes understanding. One step at a time, He assists in the daily "surrenderings" and faithfully provides and goes before me.
We were out of town for the opening of this series but I get that we are not to be fans only but also followers. Everytime I try to figure out what that means, I find myself as confused as Dianne. I believe I have come to the point of knowing that I can only surrender and let Jesus lead me into how and where he wants me to follow. It will be as different as I am different from all others. This is such a great thing because, if there were a formula, then I am sure I would want to follow that and then assess how everyone else is doing. It makes me feel powerful but very alone. But as I follow my individual way (Jesus way for me) within the community (other followers of Jesus), I am free to be me and free to let you be you. Only Jesus can make me a follower. I can merely surrender. I am learning a little of what it means to lean on Jesus for all my needs including the ways and means of following Him.
ReplyDeleteI’m having a real bad day
ReplyDeleteWondering why I got to pay
For debts where I had no say
I’ve owned up to the things I’ve done
And I’m no longer on the run
I’m not unlisted
Or postscripted
I’m not fond of double-talk
And can’t do a moon walk
Kill bill someone else’s butt
I still believe in his power to forgive
Even though his fan-club likes to tell everybody how to live
My name is Karen B. Sorry for having to post under 'anonymous'!
ReplyDelete'See, many of us have come to that point where we said to God, "OK God, I give up. I can’t run my life my way anymore. It just isn’t working."'
(Blake Carter)
Blake convicted me to share my story with these words!
It happened in 1998-1999: Cancer! The diagnosis was confirmed on Christmas Eve, 1998. Oh, I handled the news and treatments of Hodgkins Disease just fine (I ignored most of the bad stuff) and focused on raising my three young children: 15, 12, and 3 at the time. I did my chemo in Monroe, Wisconsin and followed up with radiation in Rochester, Minnesota toting my two young daughters along. I received lots of prayers and meals from my church and small community. I tried to keep working at the elementary school, but spending the weeks in Minnesota made it difficult to work much. I was sick with cancer, but I was getting better...it couldn't get worse, right?
Then it happened in 1999: My husband was cheating on me...with my son's teenage friends! I was devastated. Totally. I knew he was a schmuck (he didn't help or care much), but I didn't think he would stoop so low. I was sick. I was bald. I felt ugly. God spared my life from cancer for this????!! But I HAD to pull myself together, quick. I took responsiblity for raising the three kids. I forgave him, but I couldn't take him back.
God used this time in my life to teach me how he uses those he calls to a life of service. God gave me a second chance at serving Him, and He had to break me to use me. I never called it fan vs. follower, but that is how my life changed through this situation. He claims He doesn't give us more than we can handle, right? But sometimes I wish I wasn't so strong so I would get a lighter load! (kidding!) kinda.
I celebrate birthdays whole-heartedly knowing that each one is a reminder that God gave me a little more time to do His work here. I have since married a wonderful man, Bruce! (my angel) We had the first wedding in Hope's new sanctuary on June 4, 2005.
I've been holding back since moving to Springfield...watching the game from the bleachers. Sharing my story with you forces me to get into the game. I'm glad. Another 'thank-you-God!' moment. :)
I tied myself with wire
ReplyDeleteTo let the horses roam free
Playing with the fire
Until the fire played with me
The stone was semi-precious
We were barely conscious
Two souls too smart to be
In the realm of certainty
Even on our wedding day
We set ourselves on fire
Oh God, do not deny her
It’s not if I believe in love
If love believes in me
Oh, believe in me
At the moment of surrender
I folded to my knees
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me
I’ve been in every black hole
At the altar of the dark star
My body’s now a begging bowl
That’s begging to get back, begging to get back
To my heart
To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my unconsciousness
To the rhythm that yearns
To be released from control
I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machine
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me
At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me
I was speeding on the subway
Through the stations of the cross
Every eye looking every other way
Counting down ’til the train would stop
At the moment of surrender
Of vision of over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me
"Moment of Surrender" by U2
Well, I was never a fan of Church or Christians my whole life, but somehow I always considered myself as a member of the "Jesus Fanclub"
ReplyDeleteUntil now I guess I never really thought of it that way before. I spent most of my life hating and dismissing religion because of the baggage I carried, but I always considered myself a Christian. Boy was I way off.
It takes a lot more to follow Christ than to just say "I believe in Jesus." It takes real dedication and work. I bet that is why (myself included) Americans find it so much more palatable to "play Christian" than to actually BE one.
We are all generally lazy, easily distracted, broken people, but if we could all just put some effort into this thing...get out of the bleachers (some of us have sky-box seats) and into the game, who knows how much God will do in this community.
I am so proud of you Karen. I don't know you but I can empathise with you about having to be broken before you could be an effective instrument for God to use. I am so glad that you were able to share your story with us. As much as I don't want anyone to feel the kind of pain and loss that I felt... it somehow feels good to know that I am not the only one who has ever felt this kind of pain. I , too was broken . Since I have come back to God, I have hope again. God has a plan for me. I don't know what it is yet, but I know deep in my soul that it will be amazing. He would not have brought me though all that I have been though if he didn't have something better for me. He has a plan for you too. People who have had amazing pain... end up having amazing happiness. God bless you and keep the faith.
ReplyDeleteThank you Deb for your kind words of encouragement. What I went through is minimal in comparison to what millions of others suffer through every day. I am sorry for your pain, but know that God uses those difficulties for His good. Thank you for helping me share more:
ReplyDeleteKaren B continues...The closer I worked with God, the more difficult life became. I got out of the stands and got into the game. I got healthier and stronger. I told my story; I wove the healing power of prayer throughout my story. I let others know that God gave me another chance to make a difference for Him. I worked harder at everything in my life: my kids, my job, my education, and service to others. Through that process I learned a lot about myself and how little I need to be happy, truly happy. I found that the bible came 'alive'! Its stories are rich with wisdom. Whatever I was given to deal with, I turned to prayer and the bible instead of relying on myself or others to resolve it.
And while life has been much more tame since moving to Springfield, I sense the tides are about to change as I once again choose to take up my cross and work closer with God and His glorious plan for my life... Yea-God!
I am a self defined "in the box Christian". I have been saved most of my life. But still, I guess I have been just a fan. I have had this fear, if I become more, God would ask me to go through firey trials.
ReplyDeleteOut of the blue one day, a woman I work with came to me very upset, saying she felt like no one liked her. I assured her that was not the case. Julie has severe epilepsy and is unable to drive. Her children live out of town so she is dependent on anyone who can give her a ride.
Even though, I am an "in the box Christian", God had other plans. When Julie was speaking to me, I knew God was telling me to help her.
I did a little research and was able to apply for Julie to use Access Springfield. It is a service that provides transport to disabled people in Springfield. She was accepted but I do not know if she has utilized it yet. She also expressed interest in going to Calvary Temple Church. I called the church to ask if they have a transport service. I have got to make another call to them, as no one has called back.
Step by step, this "in the box Christian", is becoming more, than a fan.
For the past several weeks God has been asking me to share my story. I have wrestled with Him tearfully on several occasions regarding His request. I do not feel strong enough or brave enough to do what He asks. There is not a cell within my physical body that wants to share my story. It is difficult beyond words to take off the masks, the costumes, and the armor, but there is no other way to glorify His love, His grace, and His mercy. So I will trust you Lord, as you have strengthened and comforted me with an awareness that I am not alone and I am not my own.
ReplyDeleteI killed two men when I was sixteen. I was driving to visit my parents at a local campground, when I hit and killed two men who were intoxicated and fighting in the middle of a dark highway; I never saw anything but the bright headlights of their car parked on the side of the road. The guilt and the shame associated with being responsible for their deaths were overwhelming. I was unable to cope.
After seven years of living a very self-destructive lifestyle, I unintentionally killed another man in a barroom brawl. At the age of twenty-three, I sensed that if I was deemed innocent of killing another human being, the insanity of that reality would be too overwhelming for me to survive. I needed some kind of punishment for the deaths I was responsible for. I needed time away from society, I needed time to think, I needed time to consider whether I could ever put my life back together. I chose not to share all of the facts pertaining to the altercation, which would have likely resulted in a verdict of self-defense. There was too much guilt, too much shame, too much confusion, and too great a need for punishment within for me to walk away an innocent man.
I was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four and one-half years in prison. I started attending AA meetings and church services while incarcerated. My heart, my mind, my emotions, and my life were a fragmented mess. I finally asked God for help. Up until that point in my life, I relied only on myself. Alone I failed. By the grace of God, I found hope and forgiveness in the sacrifice of Jesus. I developed a personal relationship with God during the years I was incarcerated. I am absolutely certain that without the love, the forgiveness, and the strength of Jesus, I could not have persevered. I have been sober for over 26 years, and God has truly blessed me with far more than I ever imagined. I have learned that self-destruction is a consequence of wallowing in my shame – and relying only on me. Although the shame I carry has not evaporated, I am reminded that I can drown in it, or I can rejoice in His love, His mercy, His compassion, and His strength which have allowed me to persevere. For that blessing of spiritual clarity, I thank God, a small group of friends at Men’s Bible study, and all of you who have shared your personal testimonies at Hope Church.
Thanks for sharing your story John. I know it isnt easy to do . . .not even for the reasons that most people think. We just really don't want to revisit that stuff, at least that is how it is for me.
ReplyDeleteThe good thing about Hope is that there are people here that you can trust for support, wisdom, and guidance. And as you continue to grow, you will find that helping others helps heal those wounds from your past.
Its the cool thing about being on the team, rather than being a fan in the bleachers. By being an active player on the team, you help other team members, they help you, and as a result the whole TEAM wins!
Stay strong brother
Even though I have been saved, I am still like another comment "in the box" I ask God for guidance and forgiveness from the people I've hurt or sins I've committed.
ReplyDeleteI watch others at Church and wonder how they have become such loving Christians, secure in their relationship w/ God.
I feel pain from a previous marriage that I destructed and feel guilty with regrets to this day. I have slowly talked to other non Christians about my faith but still feel uneducated in the word.
I feel fear takes over me everyday and the guilt of my previous sins.
I am in a better place now in my life but my heart continues to hurt.
When I do pray it makes me feel so much better. I do pray for other people rather than for things for myself. I pray God will bless me and give me the guidance I need.
How do others get to this place?
Wanted to share this: Meg Florence wore her "Not a Fan" shirt as she taught ZUMBA class at FitClub last week. It definitely attracted the attention of 50-60 men and women in the class! Meg did a great job of mentioning this series and inviting people to Hope. I wore MY shirt to ZUMBA class this week. While she called out dance steps over the microphone, Meg danced over to where I was attempting to "shake it"! "Hey, I really like your shirt",she said. Once again, she mentioned the series and invited everyone to Hope. During and after class, a few women who attend her class regularly asked me about the shirt. It is amazing that these three words arouse such curiosity. How creative for Meg to use an unconventional venue to promote the series and invite new visitors to our Church!
ReplyDeleteMany times, she incorporates a praise song with expressive dance during our cool down period. (Many probably don't evn realize that it is a praise song). I love the way Meg is using something she loves to do to praise and honor the Lord. It has made an impact on me and I am witnessing the impact it has on others.
The thing about feeling alone is that it is often self-induced and brought about by our past mistakes (our sins), our fears, our guilt, and our shame. To let someone else know who we truly are, and the true nature of our sins, is perceived to be too great a risk; they might reject us and then we would feel alone. What irony! Lord, teach us to love and trust You more, and give us the courage to extend that love and trust to others.
ReplyDeleteJohn, thank you for your courage. And, you are so right, our aloneness is so often self induced. God is near, do not fear.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I know how you feel. This is one reason that being in community with other Christians is so critical. We must receive God's love and grace though someone - real flesh and blood - so that we know the reality of it.
Way to go Meg and Paula!
Having shared my story of surrender and brokenness, I would like to share with you my story of gratitude for those who have loved me, sustained me, and prayed for me – even during the period of my life that I felt unlovable.
ReplyDeleteI still get lost on occasion (reflecting on my past life experiences and related shame), but I have not lived there for many years. God is quick to find me, and to return me to His flock, and His peace. Although I took myself to the pits of my brokenness, it was the love of God and the many who prayed for me during my years of self-destruction that lifted me out.
I choose not to provide a list of achievements as evidence that Jesus is my Lord, for on some level I might be tempted to take credit for them, rather than giving the glory to God. The true blessing I have received is the love of Christ, the love of others, and the hope of becoming a better person. I am thankful for my mother, who was always praying in the most difficult of times, and who asked hundreds of others to pray for me when I was lost. I am thankful for the men who have mentored me over the years, and taught me that loving God and others was the true sign of strength and masculinity. And I am thankful for the love of my wife and my sons, who strengthen me daily, and through whom God reminds me of His love. And finally, I am thankful for a church where I can take off my armor, and just be me - scars and all.
Carrie Rovey
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Carrie. The Bible says that we all must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus, and that is why I am here today to be baptized. Up until now I have tried to live life on my own terms, deciding what is right for me and when it is right for me. This lifestyle has left me with years marked with anger, depression, loneliness and shame, and left me feeling totally out of control when control is what I was fighting to have. I’m here today to say that I am done living life that way. I want nothing but to seek the face of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ every day of my life. He is the source of the joy in my heart that I now wake up with each morning. My heart now overflows with the love I feel in my heart from Him towards me. I am definitely living for the very first time. I’m putting my faith and hope with Jesus and walking each day of my life with Him and there is nothing like it. Today as I am immersed in this water my old self and old ways of life are going to be buried with Christ and I will arise from the water as a new creation with Him, the lover of my soul and the delight of my life. Thank you Jesus for knocking on the door of my boarded up shutdown lonely heart. I feel like I am born again. I am living for you. I consider my life worth nothing to me. My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task that the Lord Jesus has given me. The task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Act20: Verse 24
Tim Hennesey
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in High School, at a Young Life camp, I accepted Jesus Christ to be my savior. I really never knew what this meant, nobody ever told us. The decision was never spoke about in my house. As a family, we never attended church on a regular basis. I was embarrassed to admit my acceptance, it wasn't the “cool” thing to do back in high school.
I have always had faith, and always knew God was there, and has always been there for me.
Deb Fee told me about Hope Church. She told me how cool the band was, and how it was not like traditional churches. She never pressured me on attending. One Sunday morning she called me and asked if I wanted to go, I said yes. I really have never looked back.
According to Webster's, one of the definitions of the word FAITH is defined as a belief, a trust in and loyalty to God. Hope Church, and Deb, has giving me my faith back. Heb 11:1 states that...faith means that we have full confidence in things we hope for , it means being certain of things we can not see.
I can not predict the future, only God can. I am older, and much wiser that I was in High school and am not embarrassed to admit my beliefs now. I do believe in God . I believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and I am here today to give my whole self to him, in love and in faith once again, and forever.
Carmen Rogers
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Carmen Rogers. I came to Hope Church after my father’s death July of this year. My life was completely empty. I have always believed in the Lord but never really surrendered to him. The Lord has filled that emptiness with His love. My commitment from today forward is only to follow and grow with you Jesus. I’m so excited and grateful to start this new chapter with you Lord. Thank You
Even though I first gave my life to Christ at the age of 12, I have only been in relationship with Him for the past five years. There were many years of being a fan even after I made that initial commitment. I finally moved into real relationship with him after going through a deep valley of pain and loss. Over the course of the last five years, I have found that I experience points of complete intimacy with God filled with peace followed by bouts of distance and questioning. As this series began, I realized that I was in this place of distance…even though I had just returned from the Mathare Valley mission trip…and I felt like I was slipping into fan mode.
ReplyDeleteFor the past two months, I have tried to pray…I have tried to open my Bible…I have tried to hear God…but, everything is silent and I felt like I was slipping into my old routine of self-dependence. But, something happened the other night which turned gave me hope again and made me realize that I am not just a fan….
Since last Friday, I have been on an emotional rollercoaster ride and Tuesday night it really bogged me down. I tried to pray…but I couldn’t. I thought about calling a friend, but didn’t feel like talking…or so I thought. As I pulled into my driveway, my cell phone rang—it was my mother…and I knew God had told her to call me.
I spilled my emotions and told her I couldn’t pray or read my Bible. I asked her if after all these years of being a committed believer if she ever experienced these moments. She confessed that she felt that way a lot. Her answer made me feel normal.
The biggest revelation that came out of that conversation is that during the valleys is when I get close to God and find a way to hide his precepts in my heart. This is what Jesus experienced in the desert during the 40-day fast and Satan tried to tempt him. But, he had God’s word hidden in his heart and knew the truth even in the midst of a trial that could make him go off course. I have found the same to be true for me (not that I’m all that like Jesus…) The lies that Satan wants to whisper to me right now have been thwarted by my knowledge of the truth in Scripture that memorized I know what the Scriptures say…and I choose to believe the truth.
I am a NOT A FAN!
Tim Hennessey
ReplyDeleteI’m Tim. I have been attending Hope for about 10 years, until recently mainly as a fan of Christ. I’ve watched many baptisms. To me faith and my relationship with Christ is very personal - just between the two of us. Those wide-eyed Christian zealots being dunked, well hallelujah and praise the lord, but it wasn’t for me - too public, too much attention on me. So I have come here today to allow a little of the old Tim to die for Christ and emerge as not just a fan of Christ but a more trusting committed follower for the rest of my life.
Laura Huff
ReplyDeleteMy Name is Laura Huff. When I was in High School, at a Young Life camp, I accepted Jesus Christ to be my savior. I really never knew what this meant, nobody ever told us. The decision was never spoke about in my house. As a family, we never attended church on a regular basis. I was embarrassed to admit my acceptance, it wasn't the “cool” thing to do back in high school.
I have always had faith, and always knew God was there, and has always been there for me.
Deb Fee told me about Hope Church. She told me how cool the band was, and how it was not like traditional churches. She never pressured me on attending. One Sunday morning she called me and asked if I wanted to go, I said yes. I really have never looked back.
According to Webster's, one of the definitions of the word FAITH is defined as a belief, a trust in and loyalty to God. Hope Church, and Deb, has giving me my faith back. Heb 11:1 states that...faith means that we have full confidence in things we hope for , it means being certain of things we can not see.
I can not predict the future, only God can. I am older, and much wiser that I was in High school and am not embarrassed to admit my beliefs now. I do believe in God . I believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and I am here today to give my whole self to him, in love and in faith once again, and forever.
David Munroe
ReplyDeleteI, like so many, was baptized when I was a child. Baptized at age 4, I was old enough to remember, but not old enough to care or understand. I have always believed that Jesus was real. This became more deeply set in my heart during an altar call at a concert one night at our high school. Four or five alumni had formed a Christian rock band called Alliance. At age 15, I fell to my knees and accepted Christ into my heart as my Lord and Savior.
I drifted between Believer and Follower or "Fan" and Follower for several years, more as a Follower during my college years.
Many of you know that I use a wheelchair and some, know that I am also blind. I have been blind for more than 30 years. I use a wheelchair as a result of a fall from my roof on July 29, 2001, my daughter's eighth birthday. It was my belief in Christ that carried me through a rapid rehabilitation and back to work in my same job in record time. It is also through His grace that I use my experience to help others build up the same confidence I have today.
It was not until coming to Hope a couple of years ago that I truly realized that there is a difference between believing and following. My baptism at Hope is meant as a formal commitment to move from believing to following. By doing this, I am holding myself accountable with a lot of fantastic witnesses. I would have likely taken an entire service time to share this. If you'd like to hear the rest, just hit me up some time. This has all served to confirm that God is truly an Awesome Loving God.
Prayerfully no longer a Rolling Fan, but one who is Rolling in His path,
Dave Munroe
Deb Earleywine
ReplyDeleteMy name is Deb. I am 38 years old and life is good. It hasn't always been that
way though. At the age of 15, I started drinking. Through the years, my
tolerance to alcohol grew stronger and stronger. I didn't completely spiral out
of control until 2004. I fell into a very toxic, abusive relationship. In
order to survive the abuse, I would drink & drink to numb myself completely.
After 3 yrs. of verbal abuse, I was numbing myself in the wee hours of each
morning. I couldn't even hold down a job, because I could not make it through
a morning or a whole day without a drink. I felt lost, broken and abused.
Lying, stealing and cheating became my way of life, just so I could get my
next drink. I completely abandoned my son and entire family, just for the
sake of my addiction. My poor mom & dad had me at the hospital so many times
for alcohol poisoning, I had lost count. Trips in and out of rehab, countless
times still could not help me kick this addiction.
But on Oct. 22, 2007 something significant happened to me. I was @ home going
through yet another round of withdrawal and detox. I was so terribly sick and
started having hallucinations. Horrible, hallucinating visions! And I
remember in that darkest time of need, I looked up and begged God to "take
this sickness from me". I begged him "Dear God, if you let me live through
this, I will NEVER drink again. And it happened- it was @ that moment that I
surrendered my life and my will to God Almighty and I haven't had a drink
since. I made a bargain with HIM and HE has held up HIS end of the bargain
and so must I. I thank Jesus everyday for my salvation from that dark, scary
period in my life.
I also thank HIM daily for my loving supportive family and friends, who saw me
through this addiction, through good and bad. They never gave up on me and I
thank God for them. Without my family, friends and Jesus steering me in the
right direction in this life, I wouldn't be alive today. So, I come today to
be washed of my sins from my past. To be forgiven for all the wrong doings I
have done and be re-born. And I praise and thank God everyday for all the
goodness he has brought into my life. In my darkest hours of addiction, I
reached for HIM and he saved me. And now I realize, it was I that turned my
back on God in those dark days of addiction, he didn't turn his back on me.
HE was always there, I just needed to hit my rock bottom and reach for HIM.
Thank you family and friends, for loving me and supporting me and thank you Jesus
showing me the way to peace, serenity and sobriety:)