Post by Doug Parrish on Jan 4, 2006 16:42:36 GMT -5
Shane, your kind words have inspired me to man-up and share my personal testimony.
I was raised playing church. I went most every Sunday, was involved in Boy Scouts, youth groups, sports, you name it. I thought I was a Christian by association, and had the mindset of "good deeds vs. bad deeds" being weighed on a scale when I died. Without going into too much detail, I was involved in some things that are not wholesome or very Christ-like. I can honestly say that God's mercy and grace through His son Jesus Christ is the only reason I am here to share this with you today. On November 26, 1987, I had an experience that really shook me to the foundation. The next day the Holy Spirit let it be known to me that I needed Jesus in my life right away. I called up a former party buddy of mine, Heidi, and when she got on the phone I simply said "I need peace. Come get me." I had seen Christ at work in her life, and knew instinctively I needed what she had, and maybe she could tell me how to get it. That night, in a 1972 Cadillac, I gave in and Christ forgave me, and I was washed white as snow. Praise God for the wonderful gift of salvation through His son Jesus Christ!
The Cliff notes version: I continued in college, working full time, and got married. I was assistant pastoring, teaching Sunday School, trying to sing (don't ask), and preparing to formally enter the ministry. Then my first wife found a fellow she liked a little better than me. I was crushed. I really, really sank low in despair, and began to lose focus on having a Christ-centered life. I started going back to some of my old ways. Thank God he put Carol in my life. At first I tried as hard as I could to push her away, but she wouldn't have any part of it. I started straightening back up, but still wasn't where I should be in my spiritual life.
Over the first 5 years of our marriage (June 3, 1995) Carol had two miscarriages. Again I was devastated, and not where I should be spiritually. God never turned His back on me. I had started my teaching career, and every time I turned around there were Christian folks there and I began spending more and more time with them, reading my Bible again, and praying more than just on Sundays and before meals. Oddly enough, I still didn't feel quite right. In May 2003 I went online and looked up "North Carolina drug free powerlifting" and found a meet within 45 minutes of my house, 5 weeks out..... Hadn't done a deadlift to speak of in 16 years... I decided to give it a try and when I went to weigh in on that Friday, I met two guys I could tell right away were Christians. Just speaking with them, and fellowshipping during the meet, I realized I had no more room for excuses. I got serious about my Christianity again, and looked to powerlifting as a platform for witnessing. It has been one of the most uplifting and edifying blessings in my life. I have been amazed at the sheer number of powerlifters who are Christians, and at the opportunity God gives us to share His blessings on our lives to other lifters, teenagers, people at the gym, at the grocery store, or while I'm at work! Praise His holy name!
Every day I am amazed that God's grace still covers my sins. Sometimes I do or say something and think "how Christ-like was that?" Yet I know that when I mess up, God is merciful and longsuffering, and ready to forgive. His grace and mercy is greater than all my sins, and I have no way to thank Him or praise Him enough! Shane said it best, and it went something like this: "Before I got saved, I was a miserable, wretched sinner. Now that I'm saved, I'm a FORGIVEN miserable, wretched sinner."
To God be the glory!
I was raised playing church. I went most every Sunday, was involved in Boy Scouts, youth groups, sports, you name it. I thought I was a Christian by association, and had the mindset of "good deeds vs. bad deeds" being weighed on a scale when I died. Without going into too much detail, I was involved in some things that are not wholesome or very Christ-like. I can honestly say that God's mercy and grace through His son Jesus Christ is the only reason I am here to share this with you today. On November 26, 1987, I had an experience that really shook me to the foundation. The next day the Holy Spirit let it be known to me that I needed Jesus in my life right away. I called up a former party buddy of mine, Heidi, and when she got on the phone I simply said "I need peace. Come get me." I had seen Christ at work in her life, and knew instinctively I needed what she had, and maybe she could tell me how to get it. That night, in a 1972 Cadillac, I gave in and Christ forgave me, and I was washed white as snow. Praise God for the wonderful gift of salvation through His son Jesus Christ!
The Cliff notes version: I continued in college, working full time, and got married. I was assistant pastoring, teaching Sunday School, trying to sing (don't ask), and preparing to formally enter the ministry. Then my first wife found a fellow she liked a little better than me. I was crushed. I really, really sank low in despair, and began to lose focus on having a Christ-centered life. I started going back to some of my old ways. Thank God he put Carol in my life. At first I tried as hard as I could to push her away, but she wouldn't have any part of it. I started straightening back up, but still wasn't where I should be in my spiritual life.
Over the first 5 years of our marriage (June 3, 1995) Carol had two miscarriages. Again I was devastated, and not where I should be spiritually. God never turned His back on me. I had started my teaching career, and every time I turned around there were Christian folks there and I began spending more and more time with them, reading my Bible again, and praying more than just on Sundays and before meals. Oddly enough, I still didn't feel quite right. In May 2003 I went online and looked up "North Carolina drug free powerlifting" and found a meet within 45 minutes of my house, 5 weeks out..... Hadn't done a deadlift to speak of in 16 years... I decided to give it a try and when I went to weigh in on that Friday, I met two guys I could tell right away were Christians. Just speaking with them, and fellowshipping during the meet, I realized I had no more room for excuses. I got serious about my Christianity again, and looked to powerlifting as a platform for witnessing. It has been one of the most uplifting and edifying blessings in my life. I have been amazed at the sheer number of powerlifters who are Christians, and at the opportunity God gives us to share His blessings on our lives to other lifters, teenagers, people at the gym, at the grocery store, or while I'm at work! Praise His holy name!
Every day I am amazed that God's grace still covers my sins. Sometimes I do or say something and think "how Christ-like was that?" Yet I know that when I mess up, God is merciful and longsuffering, and ready to forgive. His grace and mercy is greater than all my sins, and I have no way to thank Him or praise Him enough! Shane said it best, and it went something like this: "Before I got saved, I was a miserable, wretched sinner. Now that I'm saved, I'm a FORGIVEN miserable, wretched sinner."
To God be the glory!