My Testimony

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 There is an ongoing battle between good (light) and evil (dark). I was molested at a young age. A phone call from a stranger asking "Are you alone?" transpired into subsequent events. In my adolescent years, I struggled with promiscuity and I frowned on authority. What I was trying to fill seemed to be a missing piece in my heart. However, it didn't fill the void even when I tried to pacify it with relationships with other men. Some were good, some were bad but nonetheless, I lacked the most important thing - a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Our world is beautiful yet, polluted. What is right is mislabeled as wrong. It is falsely labeled as bad, crazy, outdated or all of the above. What is wrong falsely seems right - bad appears good when it really isn't. 

Everyone's experience is different but I needed to be awakened to what truly mattered in life. I had to reassess my priorities - career, love life and hobbies. I remember the moment everything seemed fine but in the blink of an eye, time froze and my body could not move. I suffered a stroke and it took several months for me to recover. It didn't happen overnight but, I slowly and progressively started detaching myself from "darkness" and I began to walk in the path guided by the Lord's light.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path" Psalms 119:105

We have all probably heard the story about a baby born in a manger around Christmas time to Mary and Joseph. There's much more to the story...Jesus is God in the flesh. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" - John 3:16

Jesus died on the cross so his blood would wash all our sins away. We are forgiven for all of our previous transgressions. Yes, Jesus already knows all of the wrongs you have committed and he forgives you.

He grants you the opportunity to join him in heaven after death and have eternal life. If you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, only by the grace of God, you are saved. You are not granted access to heaven based on your works or accolades, it is through Jesus' grace alone.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be wool" - Isaiah 1:18

Some grew up in a family centered in Christ while others did not but nonetheless, it is my firm belief that the truth is revealed to everyone no matter your upbringing or family. Everyone is given a choice to either accept or deny/ignore Jesus.

If you deny the Lord (and do not repent before death) OR if you fail to accept him and/or remain "neutral", you are not saved and after death, you will go to hell. 

We do not know the hour or day of our death therefore, I strongly urge you to take a step out of the norm and walk in humility. 

Open your heart and mind to TRUTH.

It will set you free.

It will heal you.

It will bring you insurmountable joy and peace.

Why Does God Allow Bad Things To Happen To Good People? 

One of my favorite sayings has and always will be 

"Everything Happens For A Reason". 

God has a plan for everyone but he gives each of us free will - the opportunity for you to make your own decision. 

Every action has a reaction. The consequence of our actions sometimes brings joy and other times, pain. 

Think of a child or adolescent navigating through life. As a parent or caregiver, we give them rules, advice, memories and experiences we went through which taught us a lesson. We do this because we love and want to protect them. But what happens more often than not? Our child/children still make mistakes. And sometimes those mistakes are inevitably a good thing - Why? It teaches them, it prepares them, it matures them.

We, as adults are children of God. The Bible is full of wisdom and advice and much more! God is our Heavenly Father who tries to teach and direct our path but we sometimes go through trials or tribulation - Why?

Challenges or setbacks help to build our character to initiate spiritual growth and development. 

Trials test our faith - they challenge us to build, develop or grow a relationship with our creator. "Since he himself (Jesus) has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested" - Hebrews 2:18

It can also humble us - Bring us to a state of humility -  Shift the focus away from ourselves and transition it to help others. 

Sharing your testimony with others helps them to know what you learned and how you managed to navigate through rough, turbulent seas. 

When something goes wrong, give yourself a little time to react and express your emotions however, do not wallow in self pity. Take it as an opportunity to think and ask...

"What is God trying to teach me?"

"Is there something I need to start or stop doing?"

"How can I focus on helping others?"