A Testimony

A Testimony

Hurt and pain, from simply being curious at a young age. Evil desires, soon to bestrongholds and bondage, but not recognized for the evil it was at the time. Justexploring something new, something different and something pleasing, just wanting toknow, even though a sense of wrong was always present.

Conscious decisions were made by me, I chose by my will to follow the desires ofwhich I was or became convinced, would make me happy. All it ever took was toentertain the thought long enough, which never took long, and the presence of theconscious thought that wanted and tugged at saying no would be silenced. The socalled small things or ”It’ll be ok” things that began it all, in due time becamea person.

All it took to get the ball rolling was the first very little introduced thought onand accepted compromise. Not a big deal at time but neither was Esaus birthright tohim when he just wanted something to eat. The enemy only wanted an open door, afoothold, a way in, and the rest he could work from the blind side. And work, hedid.

Who created this person? This person, ”me”, was misdirected, lied to, cheated,beat and stole from to the point that he was owned by death and was unknowinglyspreading it out to all he cared for and even those he did not know. No longertrying to be happy but happy with being depressed, because happy would go away butdepression was easily fed, easily found and easily maintained. Little to no effortwas necessary. What a lie!

Hurt and pain spreads through us and from us to others. Living in sin and liesdestroys and kills and does not discriminate against any. The way of the world iswicked and the father of lies is just that! He was a liar from the beginning. Ichose and accepted the compromise.

I chose and accepted the lies and so became ”this person” in the image of tbe onewho tells the lies–I was bound. A boy who was introduced to God but turned away. Ateenager who sought God but stopped, a young man who knew God was the answer, butnot the answer I wanted then. Compromise remained, grace and mercy did not. The socalled pleasures of this world swallowed me up. My heart, soul and mind deprived ofthe truth, were given to the lie.

I don’t tbink its necessary to talk about eveything I’ve done, but I will say that Idid everything I wanted. It all led to hurt, hospitals, medication and deaths door.There are details. There is more-much more, but the past is now forgotten. Notforgetting where I came from but pressing on towards truth and life by way of thevictorious One who has overcome the world and death and now speaks clearly to methrough the voice I use to ignore and so cause Him to become silent. He says ”It’sok, I’ve overcome it all for you. All you have to do is come over, through me youwill now become an overcomer as I planned from the foundation.

A high school graduate, a six year veteran, a sixth, seventh and eighth grade afterschool program supervisor, coordinator and teacher and a Columbus Public SchoolsFamily Focus Center Coordinator, all given by the grace of God-but all nothingwithout walking in the way of Jesus Christ, That which can be said about the truthis endless. That which can be said about Him is the same. John 8:3 1.

*Praise God for the vision and obedience of Jim Bracken *Praise God for M.B.T.C.-Heset apart that we too may be truly set apart *Praise God for all things-Creator ofthis person *Thank you Jesus for the Cross-my Friend that sticks closer than abrother *Thank you Holy Spirit-welcome at all times *Father, please bless thehearts, souls and minds of new life.

Concise but complete in the Eyes of the Spirit-from M.B.T.C.-Son of Odis