Jeff S.

“The Pastor got in trouble with the law and he spent time in prison. I thought, ‘if that's what religion is, I don't want anything to do with it.’  I was out of the church for 12 years.  I was running wild, getting as drunk as I could. I used to drink to get drunk, never sociably.

I had this dream.  I was at the judgment seat of Christ. Jesus pointed to all three of my daughters. He said, you tell these kids why they're going to hell.  I said, ‘Lord, I can't.’ He allowed me to wake up. As soon as I woke up, I gave my life to Christ.  He's taken the drink out of me.  I called my wife and said, ‘baby, things are going to change around the house.’ She said, ‘what do you mean?’ I said, ‘I asked Jesus into my heart.’ She said, ‘me and your mother have been going to a tent meeting and I've been thinking about doing the same thing.’ I encouraged her. I said, ‘go do it.’  When I got home, she had asked Jesus into her heart. We have been married for 43 years.

Jesus has turned my life upside down, flipped me forward, backwards, and every which way you can think of.  I've been through all sorts of stuff. But I'm telling you one thing, He has been so faithful.  Last April, our house caught on fire. I was offshore. Within an hour and a half, we lost everything including two dogs. God let my daughter wake up. She ran downstairs and got my wife. They both got out of the house. God has been so merciful and good. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4

The best advice I can give is begin a relationship with Him.  It's not about religion. Religion is going to bind you up and hold you down, but a relationship is going to set you free. I know about being hurt in church because I was hurt by the pastor. He's the reason that I stayed out of church for 12 years. I had no relationship with Jesus. People will hurt you and say stuff about you. It's going to happen at your job and in everyday life. Your church is going to say hurtful things. Your kids are going to say hurtful things. Take it with a grain of salt. Let them insult you. Let them say anything they want to about you. Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 . My name is Jeff S., I’m human, and I surrender.”