where is everyone?

marylaw
on 10/3/08 6:40 am - Winfield, KS
All right, all you believers! Where are you? There has been very little activity on this forum, lately. How about everyone answering a question.
The question is: When/where/how did you meet the Lord?

I'll start this off. I accepted Christ as my Savior on July 13, 1969. I was barely 13 years old. It was the last night of a week-long revival service at a little Nazarene church in Summerville, SC (near Charleston). I was white-knuckling the pew in front of me, and the evangelist came down to me and whispered, "Daughter, is thy heart right with God?"  Bless him. That was just what I needed. I shook my head "No" and nearly ran to the altar. I've walked with the Lord for 39 years, and I've only just begun to know Him.

Now, it's your turn. Let me hear from all you believers.
Blessings,
Mary
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"

     ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
Kathi C.
on 10/3/08 6:50 am - Pompano Beach, FL
Well, my walk began on August 23, 1972.  I had a neighbor (boy, did I think she was weird!!) who kept talking to me about the Lord and giving me books about Him.  I listened to her skeptically and read her books and finally, one night alone in my bedroom I asked Him to come into my heart and forgive me of all my sins.  I was truly a "new creation." When I found the scripture; 2 Cor 5:17. I thought it was written just for me.  My whole life changed. 

It has been a bumpy walk for me because I have not been as faithful as I should be.  And yet, I hear His still small voice calling me back when I stray.  Praise His Holy Name for holding on to me even when I let go.

I feel blessed by being able to discuss WLS with sisters (and brothers) in the Lord.  I appreciate your fellowship during this intense and new journey.

Because He Lives,

Kathi


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marylaw
on 10/3/08 7:09 am - Winfield, KS
That's a beautiful testimony, Kathi. Thank you for sharing it. I wonder how many of us know our neighbors or share Jesus with them. Would that we would see each person as a soul headed for an eternity somewhere. Their only chance may be with "me," today.
Blessings,
Mary
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"

     ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
Patricia R.
on 10/4/08 2:31 am - Perry, MI
Hi Mary,
I have not been well this week.  I apologize for being AWOL. 

My salvation experience happened in two stages.  First, I was witnessed to by two women from a church my sister had visited.  I prayed with them to accept Christ, and then they invited me to attend their church and "confess my salvation in front of their church."  That idea, at the age of 15, to this then Catholic girl, was a frightening concept.  I went on my merry way, and continued attending my Catholic church, singing in the choir, searching for a closer relationship with Christ.  During those days, the seventies, musicals like "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Godspell" came out, and they really touched me and had me yearning for meaning in my relationship with God.

Then, in my senior year in high school, a friend who had been witnessing to me all throughout high school persistently invited me out to visit her church.  I finally relented, and visited an evening service, as I still sang in a morning mass with the choir in the Catholic church.  I liked the fellowship and what I was learning.  I also met my eventual husband during that time.  By the time I graduated from high school, I was fully invested in attending my friend's church, and seeking a deep relationship with the Lord.

My journey has been a bumpy one, because of my own fault, but the Lord has been faithful.  My marriage ended in divorce, and God has healed that wound and has been faithful in showing me He is sufficient to meet all of my needs, if I let Him.  I have been one stubborn child, but God has been one patient and loving Father.

That is my story.

Hugs,
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
96179

marylaw
on 10/4/08 2:49 am - Winfield, KS
Hi, Trish.
I'm so sorry you haven't been well. I hope you're feeling much better. I'm praying for you.
I love your story. Jesus loves you unconditionally, as do I. Thank you for sharing how the Lord has been faithful to you.
I look forward to spending eternity with you!
Blessings,
Mary
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"

     ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
queenlatta
on 10/5/08 11:26 am - Latta, SC
Hey Mary!  I've also been MIA.  I've been swamped with school and family activites and really have missed you guys!  I didn't know you were from Summerville!  One of my college roommates was from there.  She lived with her grandparents who had one of the lovely old southern mansions there.  It's the first place I ever saw slave runs built in between the rooms!

I grew up in the Nazarene church.  I remember singing with my mom, who played the piano, when I was so young I could barely see over the piano.  My grandparents were also very active in the church.  Our church in Fort Mill, SC was a great place to grow for children and teenagers.  We had  a youth and music minister who was fabulous. 

When I was in elementary school, I asked God to forgive me and stayed very close to him until college.  After many years of being a party girl, I found myself in a closet hiding from my drunk, abusive husband and praying out to God to save me.  During that long difficult time of divorce and child custody, I became involved in church again.  I am now blessed by a wonderful marriage with a Christian and our family is once again, very active in church.  We have 4 children who are all active in church and we live in an area where Christianity is openly discussed and supported.  God has been great to me!
Laura
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God"  ICorin 10:31
marylaw
on 10/5/08 11:57 am - Winfield, KS
Hi, Laura.
How nice to hear from you. I'm sorry you went through such a terrible time with your first husband. I did, as well. Thank God that He rescues the downtrodden! I'm happy that you found the Lord, and I look forward to spending eternity with you.
We attended a Nazarene church in Summerville, but we lived in Charleston (nearby). Summerville is a beautiful place, much bigger now. Before and after the Summerville church, we attended the Garden Road Church of the Nazarene in Charleston.
I know Fort Mill. In fact, I'm wondering if our former pastor might be there. I'm not sure if that's where they moved, and he may be retired by now, but his name is G.W. Harrell. You're about 9 years younger than I, so you probably weren't around or too aware, but when I was a teenager, I was in the Ambassadors (sometimes called the NET Team), and we traveled to many of the Nazarene churches in South Carolina and Georgia, in the summer. I distinctly remember going to Fort Mill. It was so much fun. We stayed in homes, which was a story in itself, sometimes. :)
I went to Trevecca Nazarene College, in Nashville, for a semester. I think I was too young, and my family was having so many problems, so with me being "the peacemaker," I went home.
My very best friend was Charlotta Courtney. Did you know her? Her family was well-known in the Nazarene denomination. She died in an accident in 1976, nearly the same time as my daughter was born. What a shock that was! Her sister is Chonda Pierce, the Christian comedian.
Well, I could probably go on name dropping. It would be so cool, if we knew some of the same people. I guess it's true what they say, "It's a small world."
Blessings,
Mary
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"

     ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
queenlatta
on 10/5/08 12:12 pm - Latta, SC
My step-father is a retired Nazarene minister.  He was in Lancaster for many years before and after his wife's death:  Merle Forman.  His children are older and you may know them, especially Myrna.  They are all in the Oklahoma area now.  Did you know Jimmy Whitmire?  He went to Trevecca and was very active in the state team.  He was the oldest of a family who were very active in our church.  His sister was a year older than me and helped me tremendously when we moved to Fort Mill when I was in the 8th grade.  The NET team was the group who sang?  We were fortunate enough to have large teen choirs:  Junior and Senior.  The senior choir traveled around the south every summer and the junior traveled around the state.  I was "Junior Director" of the junior choir and got to go with both!  When I was in college and afterwards, I attended Columbia First.  Off and on when I was in school, but then regularly.  Both my children were christened there by Goeff Kunselman.  I don't know who is in Fort Mill now, but I"ll ask my brother.  He still lives there.  Of course, my mom will know too.  My step-dad now does fill-in work for a small church in Wallace, SC.  There isn't a Nazarene church in this area, unless I go to Florence.  I really miss it.  We attend a great Baptist church and it's close to the Nazarene ones I grew up in.  I did not know Charlotta, but I adore Chondra's videos.  Whenever I need a lift, I watch them.  Isn't this amazing!  I can't wait to tell my mom!
Laura
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God"  ICorin 10:31
marylaw
on 10/5/08 12:30 pm - Winfield, KS
Hi, Laura.
Unfortunately, none of the names you mentioned ring a bell. Of course, I don't usually remember names, unless I have a "history" with someone. I guess we're all like that, and it's not TOTALLY due to my age.
I have a feeling, though, if we kept going with names, we'd come across someone we know in common. :)
Well, it's been fun. Let's keep in touch.
Blessings,
Mary
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"

     ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
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