I hope you will read this with an open heart, and also feel free to comment if you feel to. My testimony here is not all inclusive, but I tried to keep it brief.
Looking back throughout my life, I know that the LORD had his hand upon me, and that he kept me safe even during the time I was away from him.
Why would the Righteous. Perfect, flawless GOD of the universe do this? Well it’s simple to see now…He had a purpose for my life, and He had a plan for me all along. He knew that he would use me later to show how awesome HE is, and how Mighty HIS grace can be!
Where to start?
I was born into a loving home, and my parents were a unique couple to have met in the late 60’s. My Dad was born in New Mexico (as was I), and is 100% Navajo, my Mom on the other hand is Irish/Welsh from the deep South. So you can only imagine some of the conflicts that they faced during their time courting. Although they met in a Christian College in Tennessee called Tomlinson College. The college was run by the Church I grew up in, and now am a 5th generation member of, which is the Church of God of Prophecy based out of Cleveland, TN.
My parents taught us right from wrong when I was very small, and I remember the first time I really “felt” Jesus move in my heart. (I have two sisters) I was 5 years old at the time, and microwaves were brand new! They took us to Church faithfully for years, and I believe both of them had some strong, sincere walks with God. I was a Christian kid, and I remained so until later on around age 12 or so. Now I am not saying we were the “average” Christian Family, because we were probably far from it. Although we had a strong bond as a Family, and there was no way around it!
I know that my parents did live righteous lives for a time, but there came the point in their lives where there was a falling away from God. So as the head of the house turned from the Lord, the rest of the house did as well. Things changed dramatically, and my Dad began to drink and smoke again. I am not sure of the struggles that either of them had with these vices up to this point, but when I was 12-13 it happened and the downfall was fatal!! The prayers that we would have together before leaving for work/school ceased to exist. Going to Church or fellowshipping with people went out the door. Arguments and yelling became a regular thing, and I grew up very quickly. Not in a good way either. I know that at this point I too turned my back on the sovereign GOD almighty. I did and now looking back I can see it…
Now there were definite things I recall from when I was younger, and they were not all “peachy” and everything was not always great within the Family unit. No way no how! I can remember probably the first time I was exposed to pornography, because I went to visit a friend of my Dad’s with him, and this guy had it everywhere. I can recall the fighting, and having to get up in the middle of the night with our Mom and flee for safety. This was due to the physical abuse that sometimes comes from alcohol consumption. I can remember seeing my Dad passed out from drinking too much, and also seeing my parents on other substances too. So needless to say, there were struggles that went on for sure.
When the “downfall” took place the impact was serious, the repercussions are obvious to this day. I was getting into some things myself at this time, and I know at 13 things took a turn for the very worse in my life. I got involved with people, and made the worst possible choices a kid can make. I began to drink, and also do some drugs. You know smoking weed, and doing nitrous oxide, among various other things. For brevity’s sake I will not go into every detail here. As time went on my drinking habits got serious, and my tolerance grew. It got to the point in the last part of Jr. High and then into High School that missing School in order to “party” was what mattered to me most. Hanging out with my Graffiti crews meant more than anything, and I felt a part of a “family” again and gained a lot of wide spread acceptance. A little later I was at a party (I was always at parties though), and I met some guy who asked me “have you ever read the Bible…”. I was caught off guard by this question, and my response was “well I used to”.
The next thing I knew I was befriended by that particular person who had asked me that question. I had found a new thing to get into, but this time it was a way I felt to get back in with God…you know get things patched up, but at the same time continue to keep the vices (addictions) I had going at the same time! I was whisked away into a form of “Religion” known as Rastafarianism. Now this could be a very drawn out portion, but again I will try to be as brief as possible. I got sucked into believing a lot of the teachings of this “Religion”, and I joined a certain organization which was worldwide and very “Family” oriented. I found out I was justified in smoking weed, drinking, doing whatever I wanted, because it was able to be found in scripture. At least that is what I thought at that time. So from around 16 until I was 21 I was part of this group, and I was very adamant about it. I took it seriously, and nobody could tell me any different. I felt I was alright with God, and I prayed and felt I had a relationship going on. If this was so then why did I remain the same, why was there still a void in my life? I was to find out later on the answer to those questions.
I realized that my life was going nowhere, and I came to face the fact that I had some serious addictions. I found out that I was an alcoholic, well I knew that around 14-15, but I knew later that it was seriously hindering my life. It was completely clouding my judgment, and it was impairing me overall. So when I turned 21 I decided to drink for only one month longer. So I did. I quite drinking the following month, and have never had any alcohol since then. Was this decision the right step? Absolutely! Did it save my soul from eternal damnation? Not a chance! I moved forward, and I actually moved across the country to live with my Grandma. I still continued to feed my pot addiction, but again I justified it with scripture. The move was good for me, and I started to work a job. Where I was it was impossible to get what I needed as far as drugs went etc. Wouldn’t you know it…my boss grew his own stuff, and I had no trouble keeping my vice alive! (This is how the devil works btw) It was probably 6 months or so after I moved, and I was going to Church with my Grandma. This was part of the agreement we had for me living with her, and I went as I agreed to…regularly. I went even though I felt like I was okay.
This is where it gets really good! The good LORD was merciful enough to convict me, and I willingly let him in. I asked GOD to forgive me of my sins, and I asked that through the Blood of the Lamb, through the Blood of JESUS that He would wash me. He did, he did! I was forgiven, and my heart was truly right with GOD again!! After all these years I was reunited with HIM, and I would later learn that HE never gave up on me! He was always right there with arms wide open!! He never had quit caring, but rather it hurt Him to see me in the condition I was in all that time. Wow!
Through the years I had some praying grandparents, and especially my Grandma who I went to live with when I was 21. They never quite petitioning GOD on my behalf, they never stopped crying out for my Salvation! Awesome!
Alright to bring this thing to a close…what next? Okay well I believe the scripture to teach Salvation, Sanctification, and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. I was Sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost not long after I was saved again. I sought the LORD, and was so grateful he had taken me back! I prayed and cried out to GOD and wanted to do His will. Sometime within that next year I felt the LORD calling me to preach His Word. I was reluctant to accept that call from Him, as I felt unworthy (especially after all the hurt I had caused Him). Well eventually I did accept, because there was no way around it. This was what He wanted. So I accepted the call, and I later took the necessary courses to be Licensed/Ordained within the Church.
I went out and did His work, and I taught Sunday School for young people, did youth work in my local Church, was appointed to help do State youth work, and then was asked to be the interim Pastor of a Church in the State. I drove a lot, preached a lot, and visited a lot. I wound up meeting a young lady in 2001 who lived about 2,000 miles away from me. Although we grew up in the same Church, it was only different in the fact that one was English speaking, and the other Spanish speaking. We had a long distance relationship (obviously), and eventually I wooed that young lady, and somehow convinced her to marry me! After we got married we went out to Pastor a Church here in the State. Not long after (the next year), We were asked to move to another State to take over the Pastorate in a local Church in California. So we made the trek from MS to CA, and that is where our first child was born! On January 8th, 2004 little Jeremy came into the world, and man it was awesome!
To fast forward, I resigned as Pastor of the Church where we were in August of 2004, and we moved yet again. This time back to MS. I was the State Evangelist for 1 year, and since then have been in and out of the ARMY, and working different jobs. My wife is an assistant counselor at a Christian home for girls, and she assists (big time) at the local Church where we are currently members. Oh, on September 5th, 2006 we had another blessing arrive…Abigail came into ours lives and completed our Family unit for now! We have been enjoying the LORD’s blessings, and I could tell numerous stories about how He has worked in our lives! HE is so good, and HE is so faithful!
Since getting my heart right with GOD again I have seen some hard times spiritually, emotionally, financially, etc. Although I have seen some great times, and the good outweighs the bad by far! I could not do without JESUS at all whatsoever! Does being a Christian mean than I do not struggle, does it mean that things are always easy? Absolutely not, and no way! What it means is that I have an advocate with the FATHER, and His name is JESUS CHRIST the righteous!
Thanks for reading, and all glory to God for His goodness and mercy! I am a child of the KING! Praise GOD I am a child of the KING!
I appreciate you letting me share, and may the LORD Bless each of you richly. Lets be our brothers keeper, and encourage one another!
Amen,
Rev. Jeremy
