Hi Guys,
I told you I would write a bit about myself when I had time. Well, I have time.
I'm new to Christ, having been raised in a secular household. My first experience with the Bible was when I lived briefly in Kansas after separation from the US Army. A group of Gideons where passing out pocket Bibles at my school and I accepted one. I don't know what called me to do that, but it was that small gesture that opened the door. Ironically it wasn't until a decade later that I started actually reading the Bible, but at least I carried it with me (literally -- I carried it in my jacket breast pocket).
When I began reading the Bible I started with the books of Moses. That was a hard read since it's full of judgement. In fact, I had to read it twice over a several year span before it sunk in, and I'm glad I did. When the pandemic started in early 2020 I realized right away that I was witnessing not the struggle of man against man but spiritual warfare, of which man was caught unawares. This inspired me to read the Bible again, with great intention. I started with Joshua and worked through most of the OT, then read the entire NT. In fact, I have been studying the NT in depth, taking notes and underlining passages. Yes, I write in my Bible - at least in one copy I own.
Turning to the Christ via the Bible has literally saved my life. You see, earlier this year I fell deathly ill. I ended up in the hospital ICU for over a month and nearly died not once but twice. For a while I was kept in a medical coma. It was during that time I dreamed fantastical dreams that to this day I still confuse with reality. One of those dreams took me to Hell where I met the Devil. I really thought I was dead. The Devil appeared before me and told me that he would release me from Hell's torment if I but promised to serve him. Even in my dream state I saw through that trap and told him to leave my presence, them immediately began praying to Jesus for salvation. Shortly after the dream ended and I awoke after ten days unconscious. This was Easter Sunday.
My wife was there when I awoke. She called it a miracle. The doctors also were amazed. They had been preparing her for the worst. I know it was Jesus who saved me. He rescued me from damnation. He gave me my life back.
Now I am on the mend, so to speak. After 68 days in hospital I am back home and recovering. My body is almost fully healed and I am regaining my strength. I still take daily medication and will forever be reliant on a form of chemo-therapy to control an auto-immune response but the doctors say I can live a normal life. Grace to God! Amen.
Since my return I have been studying the epistles of Paul. Before my illness I did not "get" Paul. His writing was strange to me. But since my return I see the overflowing love he has for the early church and for the brethren, of which I consider myself a part. It's amazing how a man writing from almost two thousand years ago speaks so clearly to my heart! He is truly helping me work through this experience and bolstering my spirit for the work that God is placing before me.
I'm still dealing with trauma. In fact, last night the fireworks (4th of July - I'm in the USA) caused me a bit of a panic attack. The loud noises and flashes really upset me, but my wife wanted to see them so we did. It was difficult, one of those things that people either understand or don't. No way to explain it. I pray daily. I pray throughout the day. God is forever on my mind. We have a bond since my illness that I guess was always there but before it was mainly one-way: God to me. Now it's two-way, although I seem to do most of the talking. God listens patiently and comforts me when I need it.
Love.
Humility.
Patience.
Trust.
These are the virtues that God is teaching me. Love for him. Love for myself as his beloved child. And love for all mankind since we are each and every one of us precious in his eyes. Humility in that it's not all about me. This reality belongs to God. I'm here to learn from him. Patience: God works at his pace, not mine. Sometimes I just have to wait. And trust -- God has a plan, and that plan is good. I, you, and everyone who is, ever was, and ever will be is part of that plan. Trust in God. Keep the faith.
That's it for now. Perhaps I'll write more in the future. If you have read this far then thank you.
Jason
I told you I would write a bit about myself when I had time. Well, I have time.
I'm new to Christ, having been raised in a secular household. My first experience with the Bible was when I lived briefly in Kansas after separation from the US Army. A group of Gideons where passing out pocket Bibles at my school and I accepted one. I don't know what called me to do that, but it was that small gesture that opened the door. Ironically it wasn't until a decade later that I started actually reading the Bible, but at least I carried it with me (literally -- I carried it in my jacket breast pocket).
When I began reading the Bible I started with the books of Moses. That was a hard read since it's full of judgement. In fact, I had to read it twice over a several year span before it sunk in, and I'm glad I did. When the pandemic started in early 2020 I realized right away that I was witnessing not the struggle of man against man but spiritual warfare, of which man was caught unawares. This inspired me to read the Bible again, with great intention. I started with Joshua and worked through most of the OT, then read the entire NT. In fact, I have been studying the NT in depth, taking notes and underlining passages. Yes, I write in my Bible - at least in one copy I own.
Turning to the Christ via the Bible has literally saved my life. You see, earlier this year I fell deathly ill. I ended up in the hospital ICU for over a month and nearly died not once but twice. For a while I was kept in a medical coma. It was during that time I dreamed fantastical dreams that to this day I still confuse with reality. One of those dreams took me to Hell where I met the Devil. I really thought I was dead. The Devil appeared before me and told me that he would release me from Hell's torment if I but promised to serve him. Even in my dream state I saw through that trap and told him to leave my presence, them immediately began praying to Jesus for salvation. Shortly after the dream ended and I awoke after ten days unconscious. This was Easter Sunday.
My wife was there when I awoke. She called it a miracle. The doctors also were amazed. They had been preparing her for the worst. I know it was Jesus who saved me. He rescued me from damnation. He gave me my life back.
Now I am on the mend, so to speak. After 68 days in hospital I am back home and recovering. My body is almost fully healed and I am regaining my strength. I still take daily medication and will forever be reliant on a form of chemo-therapy to control an auto-immune response but the doctors say I can live a normal life. Grace to God! Amen.
Since my return I have been studying the epistles of Paul. Before my illness I did not "get" Paul. His writing was strange to me. But since my return I see the overflowing love he has for the early church and for the brethren, of which I consider myself a part. It's amazing how a man writing from almost two thousand years ago speaks so clearly to my heart! He is truly helping me work through this experience and bolstering my spirit for the work that God is placing before me.
I'm still dealing with trauma. In fact, last night the fireworks (4th of July - I'm in the USA) caused me a bit of a panic attack. The loud noises and flashes really upset me, but my wife wanted to see them so we did. It was difficult, one of those things that people either understand or don't. No way to explain it. I pray daily. I pray throughout the day. God is forever on my mind. We have a bond since my illness that I guess was always there but before it was mainly one-way: God to me. Now it's two-way, although I seem to do most of the talking. God listens patiently and comforts me when I need it.
Love.
Humility.
Patience.
Trust.
These are the virtues that God is teaching me. Love for him. Love for myself as his beloved child. And love for all mankind since we are each and every one of us precious in his eyes. Humility in that it's not all about me. This reality belongs to God. I'm here to learn from him. Patience: God works at his pace, not mine. Sometimes I just have to wait. And trust -- God has a plan, and that plan is good. I, you, and everyone who is, ever was, and ever will be is part of that plan. Trust in God. Keep the faith.
That's it for now. Perhaps I'll write more in the future. If you have read this far then thank you.
Jason
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