Me.
Me. Age 18 was when it happened.
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.
Kinda the opposite. Raised evangelical, the other side criminal, but I get what you’re thinking about.
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..
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.
I was raised with a lifeless, religious Methodist Church as the place of church for our family. I went thru a rejection of this misrepresentation of who God is, got into some wild things as a teenager, then at 18 became a Christian at a non-denominational church where church services and church was a celebration of who God really is.
In talking to people about God, I have found that I have to make it known that these lifeless religious services and churches (yes, including some Baptist churches) are not representative of the great adventure and calling that God has called us to live.
Probably many of us, me included.
I've been a follower for over 30 years now, so I guess I use some of those "Holy words" now.
Me.
I’m not quite sure what you’re getting at with your questions, i.e. in the bible we are encouraged not to be self-sufficient because Christ’s blood is sufficient for us. Self sufficiency is a form of worldliness. I was a very worldly atheist, and have become less attached to the world as a christian. But that means less self sufficient.
My pastor recently gave a sermon on the difference between faith and mores. People raised in christian or supposedly christian homes are more likely to turn out christian just like people raised in moslem homes are more likely to be moslem. That’s the mores aspect. I have met quite a few “christians” with the mores aspect tied down but they’re more worldly than I was as an atheist.
My belief wasn't something that happened suddenly. It grew and developed over time. I recall wondering about God and having a sense of the "numinous" when I was young, but didn't fully understand what that was until much later in life. After studying everything from existentialism to Buddhism, I became a Catholic in my 30's.
Looking back, I was always searching for meaning and I would have to give C.S. Lewis the biggest kudos for shaping my thinking and ultimately, the gift of faith which comes from God.
Do I think my experiences have made me more "understanding" of others? I really don't know. I suppose I may find it easier to see things from their perspective even if I completely disagree.
I was seven when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, I met Him at my mother’s knee.
We always went to church, after she died even the foster families I were in went to church, fortunately myself and siblings end up in the same foster family just before I turned 18. They were Spirit filled Bible believing.
Have I lived a Godly life, no, I am a sinner and always will be, I am only saved.
My spirit is willing my flesh is weak.
Me. Not to quibble but everyone has to be born again regardless of their upbringing.
Though I gave my life to Christ at a Baptist VBS at age 9, my home life was anything but godly.
I began going to a local Presbyterian church because my school choir director also directed the church choir. I did get my mother to attend with me, from time to time.
Still, though, home life was very disfunctional with inappropriate behavior from step-father throughout.
Many years later, I learned my mother and my birth father were married in a Baptist church that, even, then I think required couples to be believers, though only God knows the difference and that doesn't prevent one's lifestyle from being decadent.
After finally hearing another call at an outreach dinner at a friend's home, I recommitted my life to Christ, have spent the succeeding years in bible study, reading my bible and sharing the love of Jesus and how He looked after me even when I was far from Him in difficult circumstances, through no fault of my own but also my own behavior..
He doesn't promise us a life free from difficulty, in fact, just the opposite but we are to persevere, grow strong, love others and learn the precious gift of forgiveness!
Bless you for giving me the opportunity to share my story with others.