Post by lovelace on Nov 7, 2005 14:55:09 GMT -5
I always thought I was a nice guy! I have trained at and with some of the best powerlifers in the U.S. I have been real tired for several years now and never went to the doctor. I finally went and they said I had low test levels. I started researching steroids. I found out how much it cost to buy testosterone, the cost of needles, how to inject it, everything you could know. I actually persuaded my wife to believe this is what I needed to get buy. We have been trying to have kids and I just was not interested. Thought a little test would help in that area as well. I had descent numbers and yes in the back of my mind, thought it would help my lifting too. I felt like I was already working out hard; a little boost would go a long ways. My wife had a talk with me about it. She straightened me up. She told me things you use to not believe in, you are condoning now and actually thinking about trying. She told me I was NOT the same person she met a couple of years ago. She told me I had put powerlifting ahead of her and family. God was not even mentioned! She asked me to go to the Dr. I did and most of you have heard the story. My test level was that of a 55-60 year old. Dr. put me on andro gel. After 2 months and several thousand dollars later, I still felt the same. I went back to the doctor and they told me my level had dropped in half. I was now around 150 test level, that of a 65-70 year old. See, I went backwards rather than forward.
Along this same time, a gym member said something about wanting to change from working out on Sundays to Monday. I felt this was a sign for me to go back to church. I had worked out on Sundays for 6 years and had not been back to church in 17 years (since my grandfather died). I had always picked up the bible and read it during those 17 years, but could not feel at home or peace. I felt compelled to call my sister and ask if I could go with her to church. I went back that next Sunday and at the first service felt a strong presence of the Holy Spirit! He was asking me to come back home, he had a place for me. The following week, I was saved! I repented and asked for total forgiveness and asked him to lead me to my permanent home.
The same week, I woke up in the middle of the night with a funny feeling. When I woke up, I heard an inner voice (I feel as if it was the Holy Spirit) tell me, can't you see what I have done? I thought to myself, you’re dreaming! Then it hit me like a brick. He said, "There is no reason for you to be able to lift what you do!" Your test level is that of a 65-70 year old, I have been with you all along.....your heart was just not open to me! I started crying in the middle of the night...starring at the ceiling. I understood his reasoning now!
I have lived a fast life of sin and not following the righteous path! Never did drugs, but partied and gambled. Loved going to Vegas once a year, pure sin and filth. It is all behind me now! The good Lord asked me to put him first along with family, powerlifting is down the list now. I thank God everyday for saving my life! Since then, I physically got sick, every time I was around filth. The music I use to love made me sick at my stomach. The gym I use to love and promote made me sick. I felt as if my Lord was asking me to leave. So I left. I feel as if he has asked me to witness to those lost sheep in the flock! I failed to mention before I went back to church, I opened up the Bible and for some reason turned to Luke. I started reading and read the parable of the lost sheep, Luke 15:3-7. God was talking to me!
Luke 15:3-7
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance
The day I was saved in church, the pastor out of the blue brought this parable up, another sign from our loving God!
To wrap this long winded story up, LOL….we all need to take the time to thank God for our many blessings! There are signs, many of them everyday. When my heart was open, I could see them. I couldn’t see them if the were two inches from my face in the past. Melvin, I want to thank you for your post! It inspired me to put this on paper for once. We all need to blow the dust off our Bibles! If you don’t understand what your reading, still read, the holy ghost will talk to you soon. I know there are many skeptics of myself, you can be cautious if you feel the desire. I can tell you this for a fact; I am on a solid ROCK now! Some will say I am on a new God high and it will not last! I will admit I am on a God high, but it is a high that is drug free and will last for eternity!
I also want to comment on my baptism. I have it on video and may post someday. It was in a river here in N.C. The ringing in my ear of "shall we gather at the river" booming in my head as we walked down to the river. I could hear my grandfather (whom has passed away), singing this song...I remember like it was yesterday him singing it in church and when he baptized others. When I was tilted back and came back up, I saw a cross burning with sunlight! It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It sort of was like when you barely close your eyes and look at the sun........red outlined...then a bright burning cross that was yellow sunlight. I didn't tell my wife until after a week, what I saw. I was too emotional. I wish I could draw a picture of it or be more descriptive. Sort of makes me wonder about the "light at the end of the tunnel" everyone talks about...LOL
God Bless, Mike Lovelace
Along this same time, a gym member said something about wanting to change from working out on Sundays to Monday. I felt this was a sign for me to go back to church. I had worked out on Sundays for 6 years and had not been back to church in 17 years (since my grandfather died). I had always picked up the bible and read it during those 17 years, but could not feel at home or peace. I felt compelled to call my sister and ask if I could go with her to church. I went back that next Sunday and at the first service felt a strong presence of the Holy Spirit! He was asking me to come back home, he had a place for me. The following week, I was saved! I repented and asked for total forgiveness and asked him to lead me to my permanent home.
The same week, I woke up in the middle of the night with a funny feeling. When I woke up, I heard an inner voice (I feel as if it was the Holy Spirit) tell me, can't you see what I have done? I thought to myself, you’re dreaming! Then it hit me like a brick. He said, "There is no reason for you to be able to lift what you do!" Your test level is that of a 65-70 year old, I have been with you all along.....your heart was just not open to me! I started crying in the middle of the night...starring at the ceiling. I understood his reasoning now!
I have lived a fast life of sin and not following the righteous path! Never did drugs, but partied and gambled. Loved going to Vegas once a year, pure sin and filth. It is all behind me now! The good Lord asked me to put him first along with family, powerlifting is down the list now. I thank God everyday for saving my life! Since then, I physically got sick, every time I was around filth. The music I use to love made me sick at my stomach. The gym I use to love and promote made me sick. I felt as if my Lord was asking me to leave. So I left. I feel as if he has asked me to witness to those lost sheep in the flock! I failed to mention before I went back to church, I opened up the Bible and for some reason turned to Luke. I started reading and read the parable of the lost sheep, Luke 15:3-7. God was talking to me!
Luke 15:3-7
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance
The day I was saved in church, the pastor out of the blue brought this parable up, another sign from our loving God!
To wrap this long winded story up, LOL….we all need to take the time to thank God for our many blessings! There are signs, many of them everyday. When my heart was open, I could see them. I couldn’t see them if the were two inches from my face in the past. Melvin, I want to thank you for your post! It inspired me to put this on paper for once. We all need to blow the dust off our Bibles! If you don’t understand what your reading, still read, the holy ghost will talk to you soon. I know there are many skeptics of myself, you can be cautious if you feel the desire. I can tell you this for a fact; I am on a solid ROCK now! Some will say I am on a new God high and it will not last! I will admit I am on a God high, but it is a high that is drug free and will last for eternity!
I also want to comment on my baptism. I have it on video and may post someday. It was in a river here in N.C. The ringing in my ear of "shall we gather at the river" booming in my head as we walked down to the river. I could hear my grandfather (whom has passed away), singing this song...I remember like it was yesterday him singing it in church and when he baptized others. When I was tilted back and came back up, I saw a cross burning with sunlight! It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It sort of was like when you barely close your eyes and look at the sun........red outlined...then a bright burning cross that was yellow sunlight. I didn't tell my wife until after a week, what I saw. I was too emotional. I wish I could draw a picture of it or be more descriptive. Sort of makes me wonder about the "light at the end of the tunnel" everyone talks about...LOL
God Bless, Mike Lovelace
