"Do you know the way to paradise?" noidiotsplease's Profile

I had always thought that I was a good person and considered myself a Christian. After all, I thought I knew the basics and had been praying on a daily basis for many years. Unfortunately, like many other people, I always felt uncomfortable discussing Christianity -- largely because I realized my own naivety on the subject. Here I had been an honors student all the way through school but was a dunce when it came to even having a superficial grasp of the very faith which I proclaimed. Growing up I was familiar with some of the Bible stories that are commonly read to children, and only attended church on a few rare occasions. I just blindly assumed that was OK, because I was a “good” person who believed in Jesus; however, when fellow high school and later college students would ask me if I was “saved,” I was reminded of how uncertain and naive I really was on the subject. I mean, for as long as I could remember I had felt that God loved me and had been looking out for me, yet the older I got, the more ashamed I would feel that I didn’t know more about Him. I was conscious of the thought that I might have been missing the boat. I didn’t really know what salvation was all about. Foolishly, I assumed that being “born again” was merely something convicts declared after doing hard time as a way of telling the world that they were all better now. Anyway, I chose not to dwell on those thoughts too much. As it turns out, Jesus was still being very patient with me – knocking softly, providing the opportunity to open that door -- even though He knew I would choose ignorance for quite some time still.

Later on, as an early twenty-something, I knew that I should start reading the Bible – someday -- and that I should look into finding a church -- someday. I just kept filing those thoughts in the back of my mind along with worldly distractions like dream vacations to plan and new home improvement projects I could start. My wife also grew up as a very sporadic church attendee, so in many respects we were on the same page. Despite this, we each pressed on with the notion that we were Christian and that we were both good, honest people who loved God and had the morals in place to do the right thing when push came to shove. After getting married, of course, the typical life events of married couples in their twenties (job woes, financial troubles, having children, drama with relatives, etc.), began to unfold, but each with its own unique twists, quirks and consequences that certainly could not always be described as textbook. Jesus was still knocking. I was still ignorant.

He is The Way!

In 2006, my wife and I started reading the Left Behind books, a series of novels based on Biblical prophecy. While these books are fiction, I knew they were an attempt to fathom how the very real prophecies of the Bible could come to fruition in our modern-day context. This finally prompted us to do some real soul searching, and kindled our interest in reading the real Bible for ourselves. In the spring of 2006 it finally happened. My wife and I were born again, each committing ourselves to Christ in our own separate and personal ways at around the same time. I surrendered my heart, sincerely and deliberately, and sure enough, something happened on the inside. An internal burn that is kind of hard to explain to those who have never felt it, would start to consume me at times when I was alone and focused on my thoughts about God. It is not a burn of pain, but rather one of an intense joy that was originally accompanied by an ecstatic shaking. I still was ignorant of many spiritual truths, but I was no longer ignorant about salvation. This was real. This was God. My nagging uncertainties and natural inclination to procrastinate with God were suddenly replaced by an unquenchable desire to seek Him more, know Him more, and please Him more. I was saved, but this was only the beginning of a new outlook on life, knowledge, and the world we currently call home.

This same year, a neighbor who had attended several different churches over the course of his life told me about a local church that he felt was seriously blessed. My wife and I started attending Celebration Church in August. The next month we bought a Life Application Study Bible for each other as a joint-birthday gift (an excellent choice for practical explanatory notes). We dedicated our twins (now 6 years old) in March of 2007, and we jointly received full-immersion water baptisms that summer. More recently -- fast forward to 2010 -- we dedicated our youngest son (now 6 months old) on Valentine’s Day.

Why dedicate? Dedicating our children to the Lord and asking Him to anoint them is a really important step for me as their father and for my wife, their mother. Each of them has to make that individual decision for Christ when they reach an age of mature understanding and commitment -- and they have to get there under our watch. Jesus is very clear about the specific yet equally important roles that husbands and wives, fathers and mothers play in their families. As for me, men are called to be the spiritual leaders. It’s not a suggestion, and it’s certainly not an excuse for sexism or superiority complexes. It’s no less than the most important part of a husband and father’s duties, and yet all too often today it’s the men who fall and drag their wives and children down with them. Just ask a school teacher.

Independence Day Fireworks

Before I close this testimony and mission statement of sorts, I also want to state what I’m trying as a way to address a big responsibility that all Christians have, but many don’t want to think about. You see, Jesus has a Great Commission for all of us to go out into the world and share the Word. If you know me well, then you know I’m a big introvert, and I feel awkward in social situations. I don’t even like talking on cell phones very much! So, how can God use a weirdo like me? For starters, a few years ago I got my first Christian themed T-shirt. I think I have seven now – most received as gifts. I intentionally wear them when venturing around public places, and God does the rest. What do I mean by that? You might be surprised at how often I get an unsolicited positive response – whether from a teenage bag boy at Publix, a fellow shopper perusing the stores of Town Center, a downtrodden homeless man gazing at the St. Johns from the Riverwalk, or any of the numerous other strangers who could just as easily say nothing, but instead paid a compliment and found a reason to smile. But that is merely the tip of my shy guy ministry. I was also prompted by the Holy Spirit to use my avid interest – some might call obsession – in photography to serve Him. I now have 200 Scripture-laden photos on Flickr – many of which have comments posted from strangers around the country, and across the globe. I mention these things not to score brownie points or brag about doing something of my own accord; rather I’m sharing with you further evidence that God can use anyone, regardless of their insecurities and excuses. Being saved does not change my hobbies and personality – it sets them free to be employed by God for His purposes. So, what are you waiting for? Here is a short praywer to get you started. Of course, you have to really mean it with sincerity in your heart.

Lord Jesus,

I recognize that I need you in my life.
Thank you for accepting me just as I am.
Forgive me for my sins.
I receive you as my personal Lord and Savior and I commit to putting you first in my life.

In Jesus name,
Amen