My Testimony

I was born and raised in a Christian family. We were involved in home fellowships for most of my growing up years, going from house to house within our fellowship of believers. What great times we had; what great people we came to know, love, and appreciate! Many of them were an inspiration to my growing faith as a child.

I have loved Jesus ever since I can remember. I would cry when Mama read the crucifixion story and my favorite Precious Moments coloring book pages had to do with Jesus dying on the cross. I was saved when I was four or five; Mama didn't keep a record of exactly the day. I remember kneeling in her room beside her sewing table and asking the Lord into my heart. I was also baptized in the Holy Spirit at that time. I was water baptized in April of 1983 in Lake Chicamauga in Tennessee. It was a chilly day; Dad baptized me, along with several other elders of our fellowship. When I was fourteen, on May 23, 1990, I dedicated my whole life to the Lord. I had just watched the movie "A Man Called Peter" and felt such a strong urge to give all my heart unreserved to the Lord. I have never been the same since. Such a hunger and thirst for the Lord came into my soul that year! I began to read my Bible every day and discovered Oswald Chambers, who has become one of my greatest mentors

Most of my beliefs are based on Reformed doctrine and Calvinism, although I am not of the faiths normally associated with such beliefs. I am full-gospel and spirit-filled and attend a non-denominational church. I appreciate the seriousness of liturgical worship. I also love to participate in fervent worship sessions. I believe that worship is my expression to God to show Him how much I love and enjoy Him; I do not believe that worship is a substitute for a daily, growing relationship with the Father. I believe that LOVE should be the ultimate goal of believers...believers should be known by their love. I believe that most local churches are NOT doing what the church was created to do- provide inter-believer fellowship and spur one another on in spiritual growth; I see too many churches making their members church-dependant and substituting congregation assembly for the vital God-man relationship all believers must strive to have.

I believe that God the Father is the ultimate Judge of mankind, and that we will be rewarded in heaven based on our faith and our works here on earth. I believe that He is sovereign, omnipotent, and holy. I believe in predestination of believers. I believe that Jesus is the only Son of God, that He died to take away the sins of the world, and that He is the ONLY way to heaven. I believe in the Holy Spirit's indwelling in every believer to be our Comforter and Teacher.

I believe that the Bible, the Word is the infallible, inerrant, God-breathed instructions for everyday life and living. I believe ALL of the Bible is given for our instruction and learning, and that every part of it is still relevant to today's living, whether it be by giving perspective on the past, instructions for the present, or foretelling the future. I read my Bible every day and pray many times a day. The Lord is near to me when I call; I know and depend on Him! I believe that all the spiritual gifts as listed in Scripture are still available for believers today. I believe in three baptisms- water, Holy Spirit, and fire. I love the celebration of communion; it is one of my favorite times of remembering my Savior's sacrifice for me. I think it has been marginalized in modern America. I believe in a literal interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11 concerning the instructions for observing communion and the guidelines for headship in the church; I wear a head veiling when I pray, prophecy (speak the Word of the Lord), and worship.

I believe in a loose form of courtship- purpose-for-marriage-only dating. I believe that as a single woman, Jesus is my Bridegroom and that I am to enjoy being "Romanced by the King of heaven." I believe in the permanence of marriage and have really strong convictions about sexual purity, divorce, and remarriage. I believe that compromise in the areas of music, social activities, behavior, movies, and media will surely water down the faith of Christians who "flirt" with the world. There is no gray area in God’s kingdom, no middle line that can be straddled.

I pray that my life will be a burning testimony to the grace and love of God. I want to shine the light of His Word and truth to all the kids who watch my life and say, "Now, she's a real Christian!" In the future I want to have a godly marriage and raise a family who will be a living testimony to the fact that Jesus is our Redemption.

One day, I will see my Jesus face to face, and I expect to hear Him say, "Well done, My good and faithful servant. Enter in!" I long for that day...come Lord Jesus!