Testimony Share

My Christian Testimony

Written on May 7, 2007

This section of my testimony was originally written on January in 1995. In October of 1990, “I accepted Christ into my life personally by saying a prayer.” I was 23 years old and today May 14, 2007, I am 40 years old.

At that time of my life I was working at John Lucente’s Barber Shop in Mundelein Illinois. John and Dominick Lucente own and run this shop to this day. They are two Italian men who came over from Italy and opened their shop in their hometown of Mundelein Illinois. The address there is: 452 N Lake St, Mundelein Illinois and their phone number is [removed for privacy].

My life at that time revolved around bars, drinking, and having fun. I met this man Tim Smith through my friend Karen and we started to date. I was living at 39 N Martin in Waukegan Illinois and Tim resided in Crystal Lake (Berkshire Apartments). I traveled to visit Tim Smith most of my free time. My life was self centered, revolved around money, working, my possessions, friends, partying with drinking.

How did I meet the Lord? I was working for John Lucente’s Barber Shop and had developed a clientele. Some of those clients were Christian’s who already knew the benefits that Christ gave by giving your life to Christ. Wayne and Barb Brink invited me over to talk. I am very personal with my career and love customer service; helping others look good and feel good about their hair in a comfortable environment. After work one evening the Brinks invited me over to their house. This was a very low point of my life. I just sat and vented my frustrations out to them. They were so kind and compassionate towards my situation at that time of my life. I felt loved and cared for from their attitude towards me. Being accepted and liked was very important to me and meeting the needs of my customers. They asked if I ever read the “Four Spiritual Laws booklet.” I said that I never heard of it. They sat and read it out loud to me. After reading this I accepted Christ into my life and heart on a daily basis making Christ my focus instead of myself as the focus. After I walked out their door of their home, I felt different.

I did not understand why I read the booklet or what the prayer would do for me. I just obeyed what I was told to do. I would like to share with you this booklet I read:

Bill Bright wrote this version and is president of Campus Crusade for Christ. Originally, Bill Bright prepared it for his staff of his worldwide evangelistic organization. This booklet is simple and easy to read and understand especially to non believers in Christ.

God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life. (John 3:16, 10:10).

Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience Gods love and plan for his life. (Rom. 3:23: 6:23).

Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. Through him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life. (Rom. 5:8, 1 Cor. 15:3-6, John 14:6).

We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives.

(John: 1:12; 3:1-8).

Or: The Four Spiritual Laws by Bill Bright

You can receive Christ right now by faith through saying this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins, I open the door of my life and receive You as My savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised. Your life will be forever changed.

Here are suggestions for Christian growth:

G Go to God in prayer daily (John 15:7).

R Read God’s Word daily (Acts 17:11).

O Obey God moment by moment (John 14:21).

W Witness for Christ by your life and words (Matthew: 4:19).

T Trust God for every detail of your life (1 Peter 5:7).

H Holy Spirit: allow the Holy Spirit to control and empower your daily life and witness

(Galatians 5:16-17 Acts 1:8).

My Christian walk became my mission. I noticed things around me changing as each day passed by. I openly carried a bible I purchased; The Full Life Study Bible. I brought it to work and openly had conversations about God and what He was doing in my life.

I was “on fire” for the Lord. I started reading the Bible, and sharing it with anyone who would listen. I went to bible study groups and my knowledge kept building. I never read the Bible before. Reading the Bible opened my eyes to many new things about Christ that I had not known.

I experienced many new things and my eyes were open to right and wrong ways to live my new life in Christ. My life has changed drastically since I chose to let Christ into my life. I would listen to only Christian radio stations on a daily basis. I learned that I wanted to go to church because I wanted to not because I am forced. Most important, I chose to pray daily for myself and for others.

From the day I was born until October of 1990, my family raised me as a Catholic. I do not judge other individuals faith or walk with Christ. I am sharing my story and what is true for me. When I was working at the Barber Shop in Mundelein, customers would see my Bible and ask questions. It was really awesome that I could share without feeling ashamed, that I was reading the Bible. At this point in my life, I did not like working for my workaholic boss who I believe expected more than I could handle. Dominic treated me very poorly. I would go to work with my new found friend Jesus and worked for the Lord and detached from my boss to make things easier on me. I was there for the customers and Jesus not for money or for my boss. It was difficult but I handled it with the grace of God. I loved my clients but realized that if you are not happy with your job on a daily basis then no amount of money or anything should keep you at that job. Quit and move on because God provides a better opportunity. Once I quit that job after many years of building a client base and traveling from Crystal Lake to Mundelein, the relief and weight was immediately taken off my shoulders. When God closes one door He will open another, always, that is his promise. After I received Christ, many changes took place. My focus turned to reading the bible, getting to know who God really is, his personality, his struggles, his life and how it compared to mine.

My character changed, and I noticed that I was showing more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self control. My old self was Me centered and my new self is Christ centered. I care more for the needs of others than for my own needs. I love to give to others in any way they need. There is no joy in taking from others.

My spiritual hunger kept growing knowing that my ultimate goal in life is to glorify God.

I use to be the type of person that had no mission in life and used activities and busyness to control my life. Once Christ joined me, I turned into the opposite.

My Favorite Song

By Steve Green

What do I possess that you did not give to me?

What mysteries are clear to me that you did not explain?

When did I share Truth I had not received from you?

What good works have I performed that you did not ordain?

Any strength I have, any good I do

Comes from the life I found in You

So in all I am, and in all I do, I give the Glory to You.

How do I express my love and my gratitude?

For all I am and ever will be

All depends on you

Where in the world would I be

Had you not reached out to me

All the good I have in life

Can all be traced to you

From the strength to obey your word when I hear it

To reaching out in love

It’s all a gift of the Holy Spirit,

Coming from above

I give the glory to you.