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hristian universities where i learned about OT and NT history. I eventually completed my master's degree and began preparing for retirement. On my 20 year anniversary with the military, i was baptized and gave my life to Christ. I know that sounds wonderful, because it is, but i wasn't living it. I was drinking and partying and still caught up in everything the world had to offer, but i could tell that the Lord was changing me in small ways. First, it was deleting all of my music that was rife with vulgar lyrics and sexual innuendo This was the first pruning that I can look back on and identify.

In Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus gives us the parable on the 2 builders. One builds his foundation made of sand, and one builds that foundation of rock. This is a lesson that a lot of us find out the hard way. Often times we do things without reason or without a true determination/dedication to fully commit. We build our faith out of sand. Which washes away quickly and repeatedly. Yet God provides us with experiences that can completely change our lives if we truly open our hearts and are ready to accept Jesus into our lives. These sometimes hard, but very much beautiful experiences of Grace and Love help us build our faith with a foundation made of rock. This Solid foundation will help us grow, help us understand better, and the most important of all, help us build that personal relationship with Christ. Jesus wants that relationship with us. Not just the 3 minute prayer at night or just when things go wrong. We are called to grow Through Him AND With Him.

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n January of this year, i joined a men's group at our church and started going on Wednesday nights. I would sit and listen to the message with tears in my eyes. I was so empty and lost, but i knew there was nowhere better for me to be than at church surrounded by Godly men, and that helped. On the last night, i decided that i was going to speak to the man who was teaching that evening and ask him about some things i was dealing with. I asked him how i could discern between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the enemy on my back, and he explained it well. It was comforting to some degree, but then he asked if he could put his hands on me and pray for me. I said yes and stood there with tears streaming down my face as he prayed for me

The Church is NOT the building we go to on Sundays, Wednesdays, or what not. It's the people. The body of believers who can give each of us accountability, can give us Godly Fellowship, and help guide us in our faith. Having a good group of men to lean on and study with is awesome. We have elders in our church that is very wise and been diving into the bible for decades. They are great to ask questions to.

It is a blessing to hear your testimony. I pray you continue in your spiritual Relationship with Christ. God's mercy and grace is truly something unbelievable. Thank you for sharing. These are the stories that gives the world HOPE.