Posted on 03/25/2009 3:04:41 PM PDT by OPREV
Rock & Roll and Warehouses
When I was 5 I asked Jesus to come into my heart. I remember it vividly. But of course, we don't understand too much at that age, so, my calling (back) came when I was 23.
I was living in a friend's warehouse where a rock band that I sang for also practiced. Living the wannabe rockstar life of partying, fighting, etc. I was a rebel. One night I went to friend's apartment for a little get together. I ended up staying the night. In the morning, I found one of those big family bibles in the apartment. I began reading the book of Revelation as I was always interested in it when I was younger. I decided to look in the front of the bible since I had never really read any of the other books.
God Speaks
I turned to Genesis and began reading the Creation account. As I was reading, all of the sudden, the page lit up and the words jumped out at me, and, I understood right then that God really had made everything. Right as that happened, a voice said, "This is where the power is." I literally said, "Wow" when this happened. I was raised in the church and went to a Christian school, so, I knew some things about God. I remember thinking, "God's trying to get my attention," and, "I can't ignore this." I knew I had to do something.
For the next three days I read the bible non-stop. I couldn't get enough. I also knew that I had to change my life. I quite the band, quit partying/drinking, and quit hanging out with my old friends. I found a church that I liked, and, went to live in a ministry house. I studied for the next four years to become a teacher/preacher. I believed that was what I wanted to do because many in my family are ministers/arch-bishops etc.. In the end, I pursued my political aspirations, and ran for Congress and governor of Ca. and became the chairman of a political party. Seventeen years after I was called back, I still say "Wow" when he says something. :D
Shadows in the Room
Just for fun (I think)... A month or so before I was called back, I had 4 dreams. They were all the same. In the dreams, I was riding a bicycle down a steep road in what looked to be San Francisco (don't read anything into the city, it was just a place in the dream (as far as I know)). I was going downhill toward the bay. As I was riding, there was a whistling noise like wind going through the trees. The whistling got louder and louder. As this was happening, it felt like something was trying to take the life out of me (I was awake in the dream, and, I knew I was dreaming) In my dream, I knew if I didn't wake up, I would die. In every dream, I struggled against whatever it was trying to (suck?) the life out of me (I wasn't spiritual at this point in life so I didn't know what it was). I always woke up. In the 4th and last dream, it felt as if something was literally holding my eyes shut so I couldn't wake up. It was much more difficult to wake up out of the dream, but I struggled hard against whatever it was. When I woke up (I was living in a back room in the warehouse mentioned above, and, the place was pitch black), I shot up in bed, and immediately looked to the left corner of the room. There was some sort of power in the room coming from the corner. I knew tt was what had given me the dream. The power didn't feel good (at all), and, it was Very thick in the room. As I turned to the corner of the room, I yelled, "Get out!" automatically. My hairs were all standing and I had goosebumps all over. I felt whatever it was (or the power) leaving the room. It felt like it took two hours for the power to completely dissipate. I was Completely shell shocked, and, to put it lightly, freaked out at what had happened. I slept with all of the lights on in the warehouse for the next week. I'll never forget that. Being "spiritual" today, I understand that it was most likely the enemy trying to thwart God's plan because he knew God was going to call me back soon.
And that's how I became a Christian. :D
J
deer camp 1997 for me....later cemented when I read Ps34 one lonely evening ...never having read the Bible
Amen GP! :D
Amen Annie! :D
>>>>deer camp 1997 for me....later cemented when I read Ps34 one lonely evening ...never having read the Bible
Awesome! Thanks PF! :D
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