My personal Christian testimony

I thought it was time to give you the story of how I was saved. I grew up as a Catholic. I was baptized in Holy Ghost Byzantine Church. At the age of eight my family moved and joined a Roman Catholic church. There I made my First Communion. I did not need to be confirmed because in the Byzantine church you are confirmed at the same time you are baptized. I loved being Catholic, of course I didn't know anything else. I loved the church, the prayers, the Mass. I loved God. I spent my little allowance on religious children's books that I read. I didn't need to be reminded to say my prayers.
As I grew, I started questioning the church, about the pope being the leader of the church because he was just a man, and about saying your sins to the priest, and other things. So I quit the church. I was married in the United Church of Christ, and I liked it. But, I started having anxiety attacks about dying and going to hell. I knew I was not good enough to go to heaven, and I did not want to go to hell where Hitler and other bad people were. I was so afraid to go to sleep, I might die in my sleep. I had attacks anytime during the day. It was bad and I didn't tell anyone.
God put into my hands just the right book for me. It was a book called "Are you saved? If not, why not?" The question was a good one. The answer: "No, I am not saved, but why not?" I knew about Jesus, that He died a long time ago, but I didn't know that He died for me so I could go to heaven to be with God. He already died for me! He took away all my sins. Well, the Holy Spirit came into my soul and turned on the light, and I understood, and I got saved that very moment. You see, I couldn't save myself. I loved God but I wasn't saved. I needed it to be personal. That's what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Now, I can say "Yes, I am saved, because Jesus saved me." I know I will go to heaven to be with God, and Jesus, and all the other believers. If you are not saved, why not? Let the Holy Spirit turn on the light and believe that Jesus died for you, personally.

My eLouai doll

Since everyone else is getting one, here's mine.

Restaurants

I always knew there was a difference between bars and restaurants. Bars serve alcohol with food on the side. Restaurants serve food with alcohol on the side. I am reading J. Vernon McGee's books "Thru the Bible". He gives an illustration about this. He said once he drove all over the city for a restaurant that didn't serve beer, because his evangelist companion wanted one. They finally found one and the evangelist got sick on the food. Nowadays, it's really hard to find a good restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol. He says, "Separation from the world does not mean that you cannot go into a restaurant that serves liquor." I agree with him. I think, what will people say if they see me coming out of the restaurant? "She had a meal." What will they say if they see you coming out of a bar? Probably, that you were drinking alcohol because people go into bars to drink alcohol. That's the difference. I don't drink and I never have. I used to go into bars with friends, but I always felt very uncomfortable. I don't belong there. I believe the Lord convicted me about that. It was wrong for me to be there.

First Snow

Well, tonight was our first snow of the season. It came down heavy at times. I was glad I didn't have to be out. I don't like to drive in it, especially when I don't have a good car to drive. The car I drive is not a good car for snow or ice. The snow is covering the ground. Some people get to move away for the winter. Sometimes I envy them. It's going to be a long winter. :(