Nehemiah

"I had a gun put on me, 10 feet away. Point blank, pulled the trigger, Boom. I closed my eyes.  I opened my eyes, he was gone.  My life was saved.  I grew up a pastor's child. My dad spent too much time at the ministry. We grew up in a low poverty area, hostile with gangs and all that. When I was old enough to leave the house, I was like, 'I am tired of all this God stuff.'  Even though my parents were believers it was all about environment.

It was in the early 90s when hip hop was becoming big. The world was so alluring to me.  I chose the money and women.  I was the prodigal son. I found myself in pig slop - homeless, no money, failed marriage. Sin didn't even feel good anymore.  The world couldn't offer me peace. It couldn't offer me serenity. I felt empty. What I learned about God from age 4-16 just wouldn't leave me.  The word 'Israel' means to wrestle with God. I wrestled with God even after I left my faith. I had times where I would try to come back to God, but the world would become so tempting.

At 37 I started to honor God. I had always believed in Him but now I began to honor Him.  Talk to God. There is something about praying and talking to Him. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.  Since I have arrived, the Lord has drawn me to Him.  I want to be a light to other men. Matthew 5: 16, 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.' I used to be brainwashed by gangster rap, but now I rap for God! I use this tool to edify God to the youth.  My name is Nehemiah, I'm human, and I surrender.”

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