GOD challenges

It is amazing how GOD works with each and every one of us. It might shock you to learn that when I joined New Discovery church I was a self proclaimed Atheist. While technically that wasn't really true; I was already questioning my (lack of) belief at the time, but wasn't ready to commit to any set theology. Around the time I was introduced to New Discovery I had met a few people that I honestly believe GOD was using me to guide me on the right path. My wife who refused to believe that I was an atheist and constantly challenging my views. The Muslim printer repair guy at work who when I told I was an atheist insisted I go to a Christian church and pray for GOD to give me guidance. A Mormon coworker who would witness to me daily and once gave me the book of Mormon and prayed for me to believe in something. The one that took was running into a good friend who had always been there for me in my time of need after not seeing him for 5 years.

One day I was walking through our data center and someone yelled at me as I walked by; "Hey Tess!!" No one outside my wife and her family call me Tess. I hadn't went by that nickname since before I got married and even then only my good friends called me Tess. I turned around and there was a short guy in a Bell South uniform on with a big grin on his face and his arms out open wanting to give me a hug. It took me a few minutes to realize who this was and it wasn't until he mention that Robbie and him were just talking about me a few days before that I realized it was Carl.

We talked for about 15 minute catching up on old times and I asked how Robbie was doing. I hadn't seen Robbie since he got married and started a family with Kara. He gave me Robbie's phone number and told me he would give Robbie a call as well to let him know that I was going to reach out to him.

Robbie is one of those people that I believe GOD put in my life several times. The first time was shortly after I moved here from California by way of Phoenix Arizona. When I moved here I had took a big gamble and lived with an ex military friend of mine. We lived in a run down trailer with rats and other infestations. We were poor and he was an alcoholic who constantly abused his wife. I worked for Robbie at AMR Combs as a line service technician and complained about my situation. Robbie not only helped me rent an apartment he also spent a whole Saturday moving me out of the trailer and into my apartment as well as gave me furniture to furnish my apartment.

I called Robbie and it was like we had never lost contact. We talked about what was new in our lives. Asked me if I ever married Jaymie and if I had kids. I gave him the latest update on the past 5 years since we last seen each other. He told me him and Kara had another kid and they lived in Southaven  and then invited me to come over to his home for dinner.

When I came over for dinner and met the family Robbie started telling me about his new found love for Christ. This took me by shock as Robbie was one of my fellow atheist friends who I used to sit down with and make fun of Christians with. I respectfully listen to him tell me about his walk and how he became a believer. He then started telling me about this new start up church that he attends and invited me to attend church. We enjoyed the rest of the evening and I left thanking him for the invite and told him to stay in touch.

I have been invited to churches many times through out my life. I don't know what was different about this invitation. Maybe it was how excited Robbie was and given that he used to be an Atheist sparked my interest. Not sure, but unlike other times I actually went the next Sunday.

We met at the VFW which was a very interesting experience. The place smelled like cigarette smoke and alcohol. Well it should as it is a BAR! I never thought I would attend church in the same place people dance, drink, and smoke. What really took me was the worship and the preaching. I was mesmerized by John's sermon. I felt like he was starring into my soul and talking directly to me. By the way this is the same experience I continue to have every Sunday. I was also impressed with Chad's worship team and the inspirational music.

When the service was over Robbie introduced me to Chad Hoyer and then he said practice is Friday night at Johns house. Here is the directions. Can you imagine how I felt? My first Sunday and now they want me to play in the band? I hadn't played guitar in 5 years; I put it down after getting married. Furthermore, the only music I had ever played was heavy metal! I remember driving home thinking all I know how to play is music like Metalica, Pantera, and have no clue what Christian music is!

I showed up at Johns house. Outside of quitting playing guitar I had sold all my equipment. All I had was the first guitar I had ever owned a 1988 Pevey Predator and a small 10w crate amp. The only pedals I had was a BOSS Death Metal pedal. Not exactly the right gear for Christian music. I remember sitting there and Chad constantly telling me "Hey cut loose when ever you want" and remember myself thinking "Cut loose on what? Want me to break out some Pantera?" I also found the music much more challenging than I had ever played in my life. Unlike metal where you can get away with ridding a single note Christian music changes chords almost every syllable. My hands hurt so bad that night. Despite my thinking that I was horrible and there was no way they would let me play on Sunday I was told to show up at the VFW at 8am for warm up and sound check. What? I told Chad that I was a non believer and he just smiled and said "Sure". Long story short I was saved a year later right before we moved into the school.

Sometimes GOD talks to us and unless its blunt we close our eyes and walk away. We constantly want that sign that we can be dumbfounded and say in awe yes! Sadly, GOD talks to us daily and  its up to us to choose to listen. Looking back there was several instances in my life that GOD reached out to me and I wasn't ready and I chose to ignore. Thankfully, like helping me get out of a bad living situation I didn't ignore GOD when he put Robbie back in my life to get me out of a bad spiritual situation.

I believe the recent studies with Not a Fan and Guard rails is my 2.0 part of my spiritual journey. I have had some struggles in my life going back to my childhood that I allowed to use as an excuse to guide some of my actions and honestly not allow me to completely put my trust in GOD. These two series were awakening to me and I believe GOD used these series to talk to me directly to correct some actions in my life starting with becoming a true follower, put him first, start to put my trust in him, and start my journey to forgive people that I had held great resentment to. In some ways this is a huge challenge to me, but also a cleansing to finally eliminate unnecessary and self inflicted burdens in my life.

GOD bless with Love,
Jim