My Testimony

As a child, I attended Sunday School sporadically as I recall. However, beyond that, our family was not exactly church-going. So I really had nothing in the form of a Christian upbringing. Fast forward to the time when I am in my late teens, and my first realization that there was more to life than that which I could touch and see. My friends invited me to a Seance. A Seance is a practice in which spirits of the dead are called upon to communicate with those participating in the ceremony. I was very dismissive of the whole thing, believing my friends were setting me up to scare me. But I said yes anyway. They knew I had a dearly loved step-brother who had passed, so perhaps they considered me an easy target.

So at this Seance, a 'spirit' presented himself by spelling out his name. The name just happened to be that of my deceased step-brother. We asked the 'spirit' a few questions. But then, I asked a question that nobody else knew the answer for. There was a phrase he and I would say whenever we would go out.  The answer was given correctly. It scared me, but at the time I saw that "there is more to life than just physical tangible things".

That was the catalyst that launched me into an intensive search into anything and everything that had spiritual meaning to it.  I was devouring as much as I could via books, media, talking to people. I practiced transcendental meditation where I cleansed my 'chakras', visited Clairvoyants regularly, visited Clairaudients (they hear spirits), I dabbled in automatic writing in which a 'force' would take control of your arm and write messages and so on, just to name a few.  Then one day, I got a call from my mum, and she had some news for me.

Her news was, she had just become a born-again Christian. As she was telling me this, in my head all I could think of was "well thats just great mum (sarcastically) - they're just gonna take all your money!" Yet, I kept my thoughts to myself because she sounded really happy.  Little did I know, but over the coming months, my world was about to radically change.

You see, my mum got her whole church praying for me, because she knew all the 'stuff' I was into. I didn't know this at the time. She didn't tell me. Which was probably for the best because I might have become really suspicious and ignore the new things that were happening.  What were those new things?

Well, they were things like, during my lunch break from work while walking around town, when I'd pass a church I'd feel this compulsion to go inside and sit. So I did. I'd find myself thinking things like "I wonder what Jesus was like?". I'd say to myself "if I do xyz for this person, that would make Jesus happy." Then the dreams started.

They were the same every time. 

I'd dream of angels and demons physically fighting over me, pulling me this way and that. I'd be standing on some stairs, while they tugged and pulled. The only way I was able to break out of the nightmare was to say the Lord's prayer, which I must have picked up at Sunday school..."Our Father, who art in heaven..."

Each time I'd go to perform my "transcendental meditations" the hair on the back of my neck would stand up, and this chill would travel down my spine, and I just couldn't proceed. Through a friend who was a Jehovahs Witness, I got hold of a Bible. I started to try to pray, but didn't have a clue how. It would start with "bless you God..." but then I'd have an argument with myself saying "wait, you don't bless God - do you??"

Meanwhile, my mum was praying that God would cause me to return home (I lived interstate) for a time so she could share the gospel of Jesus Christ with me. First, I said I wanted to come home for 2 weeks for a holiday. She told God that 2 weeks wasn't long enough. The next day, I asked if I could come for four weeks. She prayed again. That week, I ended up asking if I could come back home to live for a while. 

The day I arrived home, I will never forget the experience of seeing my mum for the first time, since she got saved. You see, she'd had a pretty traumatic life. When I saw her coming towards me in the driveway, the first thing I thought was that she looked "new". There was a freedom all around her that I could sense, and it stopped me in my tracks.

I tagged along with her to church only out of respect for her. Her Pastor and family were really nice so we quickly made friends. He never put me down with all my beliefs. He patiently listened as I excitedly rabbited on about this energy, and that crystal and such-and-such spirit guide etc. Then his wife asked me one day "have you considered the Bible?" I'd tried before, but not really. I mean come on - its a big book so where do you even start. Certainly NOT at Lamentations! So she encouraged me to begin by reading the book of John, which I did. 

Then one day, the day of all days, the greatest most amazing and magnificent day finally came. The day which it was written and recorded by God as being the day I meet Jesus - face-to-face, in person. 

I was at home and the Pastor was visiting. We were having a chat at the kitchen table over a coffee. He then laid it on the line and said "Julie, you need to give your life to Christ right now." I umm'ed and ahh'ed. I even voiced my concern. My protest was if I did that, I'd have to give up smoking, and give up my boyfriend! (FYI not essentially in that order). 

Paul (the Pastor) said "Julie, what ever you give up for God, He will replace it 100 fold". I ran out of excuses. But then, I had a great idea! I figured to myself that "if I say the prayer, that will make mum and Paul happy, but I'll keep the boyfriend and keep the smokes. It's a win-win!".   Hah!  Little did I know!

Before he led me in prayer, he said "I want you to first read Psalm 51" at which he opened his Bible, turning to this Psalm. Let me tell you, I only got as far as the first verse, which reads "Have mercy on me O God!"

In that heartbeat of a moment, I began to sob uncontrollably. Heaving, deep, deep sobs. In that state I remember thinking to myself "why am I crying, there's nothing wrong with me." Oh but there was something wrong with me. With that one verse prayed out loud I'd put myself before God, in the sinful state that I was in. 

So I'm sitting there sobbing my heart out, when I saw Jesus standing in front of me, with his arms open wide toward me, reaching for me. In the blink of an eye let me tell you that I changed from not believing - to believing it ALL - God, Jesus, the Cross, the Resurrection - EVERYTHING. I don't remember the prayer after that encounter. I do remember going to my mum afterwards still sobbing, blubbering out that "I've just become a born-again Christian!". Then, I went outside....

When I stepped outside, everything my eyes saw seemed to be the brightest and deepest and richest of colors. It was like seeing for the first time. It was amazing.

So folks, that is the story of my conversion. I have many more stories to share - like the first time I got baptized in the Holy Spirit while praying for someone at their bedside when they were in intensive care after a horrendous car wreck - BEFORE I'd even been taught what the baptism of the Holy Spirit was about - but for now, especially those of you praying earnestly for family/friends that are yet to give their life to Jesus - be encouraged in your prayers!

Blogging With A Purpose

So here I am - dipping my toe in the ocean that is blogging. I've created a blog account, found a great blog writing app (though at this stage I'm just excited I can format my typing!)....so far so good. The water feels good.  So why would I add my own "2 cents" worth when there are millions and millions of other bloggers out there?  Well, for the same reason that they do. I have stuff to share. Some pretty great life stories that others just might enjoy reading about. 

One of the things I have learned along the way is that, while on our respective journeys of life, amongst the business and craziness that occupies our lives - more often than not, we at times feel alone in our quest. We forget that others have gone through what we are going through. We forget that there is great solace and comfort to be discovered when we break out and share a little, things like lessons learned (sometimes the hard way - ouch), wisdom gained, life lived in all it's greatness and sometime not so greatness.

As for me, my walk with God has been, and continues to be, the greatest part of my journey. Along the way, there have often been questions and topics I've struggled with at times, in my efforts to see Him more clearly, understand Him more deeply. There have also been moments where He HAS shown me amazing things, spoken incredible Words, taught me life-changing lessons  99% of which I have not spoken of before to many.  But recently, this idea came to me.  Maybe, just maybe, some of the stuff that I have learned and experienced regarding my walk with God just might be a blessing and encouragement to someone else. Plus, I really want to hear from others too about what they have learned.....and so on. 

So my blog will fundamentally have a main focus on matters pertaining to faith in God, stories of my own thus far, musings, ponderings and all kinds of 'stuff' regarding Him, regarding Jesus Christ, regarding the Holy Spirit and walking the walk with the three of them!  I thought I'd start with sharing my Testimony to get the ball rolling. Your comments and questions are of course invited and welcomed.