Posted on 11/16/2013 3:16:42 PM PST by freedom462
What I mean by this is, who else here was from a background and upbringing that did not center around God and did not center around Biblical morals at all and was raised in an environment where God was not a part of the lives of their relatives and closest friends?
I wonder because it often seems like overwhelmingly posters around here were raised in a Biblical and Godly manner from birth and had parents who taught them these values and about turning to God from the time they could walk.
So I was wondering if there are posters here who were not in that situation and had to turn to God later in life. And if so, what was the difference in before and after turning to God? Did you find it had a profound effect on your ability to empathize with others and see things from their perspective? Did it make you less selfish and less antagonistic and did it make you more independent, productive and self sufficient? What were other changes that happened?
Me.
Me. Age 18 was when it happened.
And so what would be your answers to the questions I asked at the bottom of the post? For anyone who says they fit in this category, I am interested in what they would say to what i asked above.
Same goes to you for what I asked of Obadiah.
Me too! Didn’t meet Jesus till I was 20.
Me. Interesting post. I believe my background made me very independent because I had no emotional support. All my life I’ve watched people interact within their loving families and wished I could have had that. However, I believe God knows what He is doing and perhaps there is a reason why some of us are born into dysfunctional circumstances. I try not to whine too much about it....just from time to time.
Me, for sure. My mom was an angry non practicing catholic and my dad couldn’t care less about any of it.
I became a believer in the early 90’s but really committed my life to Christ in 2007.
My immediate family were best described as Kennedy Democrats, Dr. Spock books played a role in my and my sister’s upbringing. We went to church semi-regularly up until my sister and I were okd enough to say we didn’t want to go, and after that we didn’t. I had aunts and uncles who were strongly religious on my father’s side but they didn’t press us about it that I was aware, but would happily witness to us if asked. This never occurred until my adulthood, again not that I was aware. They were decent people, my mother and father, my mother still is, my father passed away in 2008. Not opposed to God and religion but just not all that interested in church. I strayed pretty badly from college into my forties, there’s not much that surprises me. There is no sin too great that it cannot be forgiven of a sincere person who has repented however, God is good.
So how did that affect your attitude and your level of self sufficiency and productivity before and after truly turning to God? Did it make any profound changes in that area?
It came with a lot of rejection by my family. I have had a tougher emotional experience since coming to Christ, because I began to open my eyes to a lot of suffering around me (abortion etc, that my family still support), and perhaps even more difficult, I had to face up to things I had done in the past that I only just realized how terrible they were.
With that being said, the good far outweighs the bad, not that finite benefits, real or perceived, outweigh truth. I am now better equipped to justify my ideas, my political positions, and my worldview. It is humbling to know God, and at times creates a tangible excitement for life beyond death. It has helped me cope with the death of a very close relative of mine who was a Christian as far as I know.
Being a Christian of any denomination, and I am essentially non-denominational, comes with a cross to bear if you are then ostracized because of your beliefs. However I am so glad I am saved and feel unjustified to complain even when compared with my fellow brothers in Christ in parts of the world where their ultimate liberty to live is threatened by their faith.
Amen.
Kinda the opposite. Raised evangelical, the other side criminal, but I get what you’re thinking about.
I was pretty much drug addled and lost. I depended on human relationships to fill the God shaped hole. Didn’t become a believer until I was 32 then committed at 47. Oh how I wish someone, anyone, would have told me the truth about God when I was growing up. I know it would have made all the difference in the world. But, like someone else said, God is in charge of everything, including my early life so I was meant to go through that without Him I guess :)
Where didja' go?
That August of 1981, I met Jesus in Eddy Klein's kitchen, asked Him if He would save me ... and by GOD ... He did..
Thanks for posting this. I just love hearing people’s testimonies.
Not my situation- family of 15 a long time ago-all given Bible names(yes, screen name is my first name)- daily Bible reading from our parents.
The one quote from a preacher that sticks with me is this: “ Our entire time on Earth is but a blink of an eye in Heaven.”
Remember, lefties love to "quote" FReepers for their many nefarious reasons.
Me. saved at age 32. Raised as a non practicing reformed Jew in name only.
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