The Rebelution discussion

I would love to hear your testimonies if you're willing to share them! They're inspiring and insightful, and it's always amazing to hear about the work of God in your life!

I have come a long way. I have seen / witnessed or done nearly everything imaginable. If it was not for the Lord, I would not be alive. All to Him I owe!

Raised Pentecostal, then I turn'd my back upon God. I was verbally and physically abused by my late father. ( Whom is forgiven. Whom changed. . .thanks to God. ) I turn'd to the occult. The first satanic law: Do what thou wilt, is what I lived by for six years of my life. I am ashamed of the things I did. Some people I cannot even apologise to, for I know not whom they are. I wore all black during that time, for me, it was because of the horrible music I listened to. I had hair long enough to sit on. Black fingernails. Black lips. Black around my eyes, sometime in shape of dragon wings. Drew the five pointed star of hell on my school papers and in my hand. Then, it got worse. I drank. I did drugs. Smoked. I self inflicted wounds because of the occult and my involvement. I could not leave, for I was sure a hex would befall me if I did.

I was in mental asylums or institutions for months on end. I was polluted with terrible anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, and etc. The Necronomicon was the worst book I have ever had. I and a friend, was attacked by named demons from that book.

By and by whilst at my late grandmother's home, two Christian Church ministers came by. I had too many questions for them. At length, I accepted Jesus into my heart that day in February 1993. I back slid in '95—'96, which I return'd to the bottle and to tobacco, not to drugs or the occult. I had three accidents in '96 which could have claim'd my life. I have Emmanuel to thank and praise as long as I live for all He hath done for me.

Slowly, as I read the Word of God, I was convicted regarding alcohol, the satanic music, the black lips, fingernails, long hair, the places I once went to I quit, the friends were gone, I kept new company, quite going to places which sold liquor, yet tobacco product was the most difficult for me to quit. Since late '96 alcohol free. Since 2001, around the time my daughter wast born, I have been tobacco free.

I never could return to the Meetinghouse / Steeplehouse I was raised in. ( Long story. ) I went Meetinghouse / Steeplehouse hunting. Later on, I married, left home, and settled near Mennonite Meetinghouse. Meetinghouse hunted amongst very plain groups in 2002—2004. . .which left me non-denominational.

How can God redeem someone within the occult? Because He is still about the business of saving souls! Can He do so? Yes. I am living proof of that!

I can never live long enough to praise, laud, and thank God for saving me from sin, self, the world, the devil, and giving new life to me through Christ! O, how I love Jesus. . .because He first loved me! I say this, only to laud the work of God in my life, not the grossness of the things, whereof I once found pleasure in. I give all praise to God, not unto myself. ( Psalm 115:1 )

May God be praised! He changed a heart of stone into a heart sensitive to Him and His Word. May this prove to help someone else!

Soli Deo Gloria! Amen.

Shalom,
Timothy

That was very moving Timothy! It's very evident that God has moved dramatically in your life and that His plans for you were not the plans you originally thought would be your future. I praise God every day for His work in my own life, and it's so amazing to hear the expierences of others! Thank you for sharing!!

Thou art more than welcome. I felt led to share my testimony. To give God glory for what He hath done. To let others know: He can save and heal lives, inside and out! Thank thee for suffering ( allowing ) me to share this.

That's great, and you're very welcome!

It's going to get personal/depressing. Read at your own risk.
(view spoiler)[When I was very young, I think my mother believed in God--she talked about one of our pets "going to heaven". But she got in with a punk band.
She and my father (who is a good man) divorced.
When I was about five she found a boyfriend. By the time I was eight I was an atheist whose favorite phrase was "we're in the monkey family". I was also abused in a lot of ways. I swore like a sailor.
I went into foster care with a really conservative family (Christian, but a little...pushy?) Then I moved in with my grandmother. I wondered about God sometimes, but didn't think much about church.
My grandma found me reading a book about God, meant for teens; I slid it under my leg subconsciously. She told me I didn't have to hide that kind of reading and then, that summer, I went to church. I was nine or ten when I was saved and got my first Bible.
I'm happy now, though I could go to church more often... (hide spoiler)]

May God be praised! Ye have a beautiful testimony. It is very encouraging to learn how God changes lives, plans, and hearts! It is a blessing. Thank thee for sharing this! May God bless thee now and throughout each moment. Every minute is new and a gift from God!

Sincerest regards to thee,
Timothy

Your story is very inspiring Raevyn! Thank you so much for sharing with us! I believe God will continue to work in your life and also work through you to bring glory to Him.