I grew up as a regular church attender with my family. My mom especially encouraged me in faith by instilling a belief in Jesus and a set of moral principles to follow. Despite all this, I was not a particularly well behaved child. Although my acts of mischief were relatively small, they were still sinful rebellions as I often acted with the knowledge that I was doing something wrong.
I was very afraid of being “sent to hell” as a kid, partially because of the “fire and brimstone” preacher who taught at our church but mostly, I think, because I was keenly aware that my life lacked a relationship with Jesus as a father and redeemer. I knew he was God’s son, that he was perfect and good and that he died for my sins but he was still a distant figure.
Over the summer before I turned 10, I went to a Christian camp where Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 3 months ago. Add a comment
The first semester of college was a fun semester but a rough one for my spirit. I did things that God would never have approved of, nor would he be proud of. Leaving for college was one of my highest priorities in high school. I wanted to get away from my parents, the drama and even possibly from God.
When I was finally out of high school and on my own, I couldn’t wait to live my own independent life. My parents were out of sight and out of mind. I lived a life like a non-believer. I did go to church occasionally but was up late all night partying. I would wake up and go to church the next day with the same clothes I went to the party with. Looking back at it now, I laugh at what a hypocrite I was. Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 4 months ago. Add a comment
During my summer before college I went to my first “party”. I had come to know Christ as my Savior when I was eight years old, but I had entered a temporary period of straying from my faith. When I got to college my friends and I would go dancing or to parties on the weekends. It was a lot of fun, but not necessarily what I wanted to be doing all the time. It was hard to stop, because my friends would always want me to go out with them.
I tried to fill my time with other things so I would have a good, legitimate reason why I could not go out. I started going to other school events; and I joined CA and Impact. I made many new friends with people who had other interests besides drinking. I began to hang out with them more often, so that I would not be tempted to go out. Just like my step-dad said, “If you want to succeed in life, surround yourself with successful people”. Proverbs 13:20 instructs us that “he who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm”.
I wanted to have a stronger relationship with God, and to be better example for others and better representative for Christ. With that in mind, I have been surrounding myself with spiritually strong people with similar values to mine. It was not easy at first, Continue Reading…
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago. Add a comment
