Heavy metal rocker Kirk Martin made a pact with the devil, in which he asked for women, drugs, fame and the ability to crush whomever got in his way. Kirk loved the fact that he had gain absolute power over the people that admired and worship him.
Soon after he had made his pact with the devil, he was offer a record deal. But then the day before he was about to sign, he met a mysterious stranger. This stranger would mention and point out Kirk’s deepest secret, that nobody else knew about him. This encounter with this stranger would start his journey, which lead to him seeking out the one true God.
While I’m waiting, I will serve You While I’m waiting, I will worship While I’m waiting, I will not faint I’ll be running the race Even while I wait – John Waller
I first heard this song on the movie Fireproof. This song is simply amazing and its message deeply impacted and refreshed my attitude on waiting. Sometimes we are too carried by our emotions. We are often react to the pressures from the people around us. We often jump into decisions without heeding to what God has to say. God’s Word says:
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” (Psalm 37:7)
“I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1-3)
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.”(James 5:6-8)
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.(Isaiah 40:31)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
This is a very funny yet simple illustration of being lost. As Lisa Leslie (WNBA Player) said it “No matter what your situations are, being in the inner-city or broken homes, the Lord’s grace is so amazing He’ll cover you.”
Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luke 13:23-24
Read and watch the testimony of James.
My conversion from a practising Catholic to a Bible Believing Christian is primarily down to the change that I witnessed in my father’s life. One day I heard him listening to an old time American preacher. I remember saying to him: “Why are you listening to this? You’re a Catholic and we’re good people.” He responded by saying to me: “It isn’t enough for me now. I need something else. And I am not a good person.” Now, I must say that for a person who went to church every day, was on most church committees and had even penned a book about our church (which sold very well), this amazed me. This was to be a major turning point for my father and little did I know, for me too.
During this period, I was a singer with my own big band orchestra. We were at the level of semi-professional (I even worked with a trombonist who played with Frank Sinatra) and I absolutely worshipped this musical world that I was a part ofAll my energy and spare time after work went into making music my future. I would record 3 CDs and spend a small fortune producing these to float around to prospective agents. However, with the drastic change in my father’s life, I couldn’t ignore it and we would spend hours talking about the Bible, morals and the Catholic church. It took me 3 years to fully realise that I too needed to be Born Again.
I can remember very well, my father giving me a copy of an old 1880 King James Bible, which I still have. I read this and found its content totally amazing. All the years of being in the Catholic Church, with its many rituals and its repetitiveness, and yet the Bible was so fresh. Later I would seek out other translations and versions, but the King James has and will remain my Bible.
As band leader it was my responsibility to not only hire and fire musicians but also to find adequate venues to rehearse the orchestra, sometimes twice weekly. On numerous occasions I was able to secure two different church halls. I distinctly remember one being a Methodist church and one of the elders of that church, for a period of perhaps 18 months or so, never once witnessed to me or my musicians.
All I recall him stressing was that “no smoking or alcohol was permitted on the premises.” Also intriguing was how our keyboard player was their Sunday organist and he too never shared the Gospel with me or the 17 other guys. One can be “religious” yet not saved. Needless to say, when I got saved, Gospel tracts were sent to both parties and other “religious” people I had long known, prior to my new birth.
Dear Pastor, I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister.
Yours sincerely, Arnold. Age 8, Nashville.
Dear Pastor, My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something. Robert, Age 11, Anderson.
Dear Pastor, I’m sorry I can’t leave more money in the plate, but my father didn’t give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance? Love, Patty. Age 10, New Haven
Dear Pastor, My mother is very religious. She goes to play bingo at church everyw eek even if she has a cold. Yours truly, Annette. Age 9, Albany
Dear Pastor, I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland. Loreen. Age 9. Tacoma
Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God’s helpor a new pitcher. Thank you. Alexander. Age 10, Raleigh
Dear Pastor, My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don’t think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house.Joshua. Age 10, South Pasadena
Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished. Ralph, Age 11, Akron
