All things considered, the frequency of miracles began to increase the moment I decided to obey. It was in the provision of the home I was about to move to in Franklin that was the first on this adventure but we will share that miracle momentarily. First, you need to know I surrendered my life to Jesus at a coffee house. It was February 11th, 1972. I was 11 years old. My friend Tom and I had visited the Methodist church, where our Boy Scout Troop met, the previous Sunday. It was Boy Scout Sunday and Troop 1 was in full uniform at the service to show our appreciation for us being able to use their facilities to host our meetings. An invitation was offered to attend a local coffee house on Friday evening to hear about Jesus and enjoy free donuts and soda pop. We were in!On Friday evening we made our way to the other side of town and were punctual arriving at just before 7:00 pm - being the good Catholic boys we were. When we approached the donut table displaying all manner of confectioner delight with wide eyes and eager hands we were informed that the refreshments would be served after the Pastor spoke. "Sure, we can stay to hear someone talk about Jesus. We don't mind especially if it means we can get some free donuts." The nuns at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church had taught me well that Jesus loved me and died for my sins. My aunt Martha further engendered in me a life of respect for "Father God" through her life of selfless kindness and generosity which served as living proof that God was real. We took our seats.
The Pastor spoke about the second coming of Jesus. He made it clear that unless one had a personal relationship with Jesus by receiving His gift of Salvation and committing their life to Him that there was no assurance of going with Him when He returns. I had no problem with that. Jesus was cool to our family. Then a young man sat on a stool with a guitar and sang, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready". I was challenged by the lyrics to make a decision for Christ as I did not want to be left behind, but more than that, my heart was moved. I bowed my head sitting there on that slat-wood folding chair and told God that I did not think my life would amount to much, after all, we were poor and life was a struggle for my parents, but I would trade anything of value that would come of it if He would let me sing for Him like that. Whoa, I was captivated. I was lost in an embrace of love for the ages. God had invaded my heart. The service was called to an end and I made a beeline for the Pastor; Tom for the donuts.
I told the Pastor I wanted to give my life to Jesus. He called together a group of young adults who circled around me and one named Mark, who had a chest deformity from an injury sustained while fighting in Vietnam, led the prayer. He asked me to repeat after him if I believed what was being prayed. "Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I need Your forgiveness. I am sorry. I believe You died on Calvary as a sacrifice for my sins. Would You come into my heart now and make my life Yours. I give it to You now freely and ask You to be my Lord and Savior and seal me and fill me with Your Holy Spirit forever. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen."
Well, by the time I said, "I am a sinner", I was sobbing and wept deeply throughout the entire prayer. When we finished, a young lady asked me how I felt as I wiped the tears from my face. I told her I felt dark and thick inside earlier, like compact mud. But now, there was light and air like breezes blowing inside me. I was so happy. I knew I had said something correctly because they all started to jump up and down and shout "Hallelujah" and "Praise the Lord". Turns out it was an Assemblies of God church which I did not understand until I was in my twenties. I just thought everyone who loved God loved God and names of churches meant nothing. What a great concept to have as a child!
From that day forward God and I had a thing going on. I of course could not tell anyone that God and I shared thoughts. I was 11. They would think I was crazy. In actuality it was more like me talking to Him in my head all the time and He responding with some impression or directive or encouragement, like feeling good about turning left at a corner instead of turning right. It was later on in years that these impressions translated into phrases of thought. So now we jump 30 years and God says, "Move to Nashville". "Move to Nashville".
SIDE NOTE: Beloved, there are 125 references in the Scriptures stating that God spoke to His children on earth. Nowhere in Scripture does it state that God chose to stop speaking audibly to His own even at the presence of the Scriptures for the Scriptures are the very instrument that states so. We are created beings conversing with the Creator of the Universe. I would think it only logical that it require some faith and effort on our part to engage. The Scriptures state, "You will find Me when you search for Me with all your heart". That does not sound totally easy to me. It seems as we consider believing and trusting what God says in His Word that we experience wonders. I have lived through them as I share on this blog specifically and I still face a challenge with each increasing faith step. Walking with God is not easy. At times it is gut-wrenchingly difficult. Trials, tribulations, pain, loss and suffering are all part of the equation somehow. But this I know, God is Good and Faithful and True. Miracles and blessings beyond measure are also part of the abundant life. I pray that these testimonials and shared experiences challenge us all to seek Him, His face and the incredibly overwhelming warmth of His presence embracing us safely, securely and tenderly. Let us experience this journey of trust together.
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