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MY
STORY
I grew up in a home full of fighting and contention. My parents continually threatened divorce and stated the kids were the only reason for not going through with it. Many nights I spent holding my mom on the kitchen floor as she wept after a fight. My father did drugs and I didn't see much of him around growing up. My mom bore the burden of raising us, and her frustration often drove dad angry resulting in whipping us
At around the age of 12, mom got involved with a group of people who considered themselves Christians but didn't believe Jesus was God. Essentially it was a cult, and at 16 they hurt our family by ultimately casting us out because we were too "cold for their hot water". The grounds for our dismissal was drawn from the fact that my cousin had died, and the impact was too great on the family, and that registered to them as spiritual Luke-warmness.
Ultimately I knew about God because the cult taught me that He answers prayer and that Rom. 10:9-10 saved me. At 20 I moved in with a roommate for 8 months. Those eight months were the most seriously depressing months of my life. Promiscuity increased as I moved from one girl to the next. I no longer was a social drinker but now drank to get rid of the feelings of hating myself. For years I was afraid of suicide because of fear of hell, but always contemplated it. The life I lived finally took its toll, and I went beyond the fear of hell and attempted to take my life. I told you I believed knew about God, and that He answers prayer. So, as I made the third cut across my wrist, I cried out to God, wondering if He were real, then why didn't He save me
I didn't commit suicide that night. A presence filled the room with nothing less than the spirit of life. Two weeks later I found myself at this Rock of Roseville, due to the constant chiding of two virtuous women at the Rock. My first impression of the Rock was that it was as fake as could be, everybody was too happy, it was like a church from Leave it to Beaver. But how genuine and transparent the pastor was kept me in my seat. What ultimately kept me coming was that the college age didn't change their standards once they left the doors of the church. Everyone was real. I gave in, I wanted to be real and genuine and joyful. April 13th 2002, I gave my life to the Lord, and the truth of Him liking me, not just loving me, but literally liking who I am has rocked my very universe.
I joined an Internship Program with the Rock and have been fervently pursuing a relationship with a genuine friend, father, love, and king ever since... Jesus. My relationship with my brothers and parents has flourished. My dad and mom love me very much and are ever a blessing in my life. I am part of a family church whose love and kindness has ministered more to my heart than anything I could compare. And the friends I have, who love Jesus just as much, have been more of friends than any other in my 23 years of life. Jesus is real, and He healed my broken heart. I could give Him nothing less than the very heart He fixed, mine. For He's everything I have ever searched for: the perfect love, the one who would mend my broken heart, the sunset and sunrise all in one. He is the beauty in my heart and the light of my life.
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