My Testimony in 600 Words

A friend of mine recently challenged me to write out my testimony in 300 words or less—a worthy

challenge no doubt. I suppose I could have played by the rules, but below you will find what I believe

to be the most succinct and accurate account of what I believe was going on in my heart as God called

me to Himself—I couldn’t do it in 300 words and when I finished writing this I didn’t feel comfortable

deleting any of it. So, I hope you are encouraged by my testimony, to run to Jesus, to throw all of

spiritually. And I would encourage you to consider writing out your own testimony—please don’t feel

that you should articulate it like I have, but if you have never written out your testimony, today might

be the day to start thinking about what God has done for and in your soul!

My Testimony:

Growing up “Christianity” was going to church from time to time and singing some songs about God

and zoning out while some guy who I didn’t know from Adam spoke for 30 minutes about God. I

knew Christianity had something to do with Jesus but I wasn’t really sure what that was. I remember

singing songs about the cross but it always seemed really sad to me—that this guy who seemed so

good died such a horribly painful death.

So I grew up relatively unaffected by the cross and more importantly unaffected by Jesus. Because

“Christianity” was just something I was involved in and not something I cared about, I spent much of

my teenage years trying to get as many people as possible to accept me and like me. I did a lot of

foolish things to that end—all while searching for contentment and joy which seemed to be elusive.

During the my later years of high school, I started attending church with some friends who actually

perception of “Christianity” and in addition, I was hearing the gospel for perhaps the first time in my

life.

As I was attending this church and getting to know these people, I was being told that God is holy—He

is ultimate—perfect and magnificent in every way. I was also hearing for the first time in my life that

there is something deeply wrong with me, something at the core of my being that was keeping me from

the contentment I so desperately wanted. What was wrong with me was me. I mean that in all

sincerity. I was my biggest problem. I realized that I had spent all my life worshipping myself and

trying to find joy in life by doing what I wanted to do and getting people to like me so that I would feel

good about myself.

What I was learning was that I was a sinner and that sin is breaking God’s law but more than that, sin

is treasuring anything more than I treasure the God who made me. I was learning the true meaning of

the cross. I learned that God is holy—perfectly just and I am not and therefore the relationship with

to God and I had not given it to Him and I deserved to be punished by Him. At the same time I began

to learn that the cross was and is the eternal remedy by which that relationship for which I was created

sin and trust Him as Lord. And in return Jesus offered me His righteousness and an eternally

satisfying relationship with God. This was simultaneously the most mind boggling and joyous news I

had ever heard.

So I gave up on striving for significance through the praise of others, I still struggle with that now, but

I have thrown myself at the feet of Jesus and found a joy far more filling and a treasure that will not

perish. Perhaps that sort of joy sounds too distant or too idealistic to you, let me challenge you to read

one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) and see if Christ doesn’t appear to be the all

satisfying treasure of the universe.

Mexican dish. The Pastor’s Wife from a local Hispanic church will be speaking. She may bring

some ladies from her church as well. Please come and fellowship with them.

finish up on Saturday at around 3-4pm. We will have dinner, breakfast, and lunch prepared for us

there. The cost is $170. Sign up online or at the church.

offices that they are asking us to fill with spare change. See Jennifer Dixon if you have any

questions.

morning.

pounds 3 ounces. Pray for Suzanne as she is recovering from a c-section.

her pituitary gland. They were unable to remove the tumor and the doctors are now looking at other

options. Please pray for the doctors that the Lord will lead them to the best treatment.

pray for Denise as she is trying to help her mother as much as possible.

her.

Please pray for those who are going to Nicaragua on Saturday, February 6. These include Jimmy

Barnard, Matt Colvin, Jennifer Dixon, Charlie Fields, Todd Gregg, Lisa Spence, and Amy Williams.

M.U.D. is raising money to buy land and build houses in Nicaragua to build houses for orphans. If you

would like to donate money, please contact Eric Hixon at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Attendance: Worship Service - 79

Offering: General - 3035.00

Missions - 175.00

Saturday, February 6 – Wanda Parker