Hi! I'm glad you chose this, because I would
like to share my testimony with anyone that will listen. Although I do
not have any terrifying ordeals or miraculous deliverances from drugs,
alcohol, etc. that you might find in other testimonies, I think mine is
just as effective because it shows that God works with anyone no matter
where they are. The Lord blessed me in that I was born in a Christian home,
raised by strong Christian parents, who instilled in their children the
value of a good education and hard work. However, before you think this
is a "happily ever after" kind of story, I should tell you that I also
went through several stages in my life where my faith was tested and proved
true. Even though I accepted Christ at a very young age, and for a month
I was a very *onfire* Christian (meaning, I told everyone I could about
Jesus) and read my Bible like I drank water..) :) Anyway, after a while,
I kind of fell into a complacent mode. However, my faith was sorely tested
when I entered junior high school. By this time I was interested in the
sciences, and everywhere I went I heard about evolution this, evolution
that..Where did the Bible fit in all of this? I thank God for Mr. Ritsema
my Bible teacher. I know this may sound like it really was hard work for
just a junior higher, but it was really worth it. For two years, my 7th
and 8th grade year we studied, and I mean studied the Bible. Our Bible
class was a mixture of chatechism and apologetics. (apologetics meaning
giving a reason why the Bible is true, etc.) There I learned more than
I ever thought I could about the Bible and how it was such a unique book.
Because of that class, I began to realize that Christianity is a *brain
smart* religion. It makes sense. You don't have to go on *blind faith*.
Everything the Bible says has been proven true. Thousands of years before
scientists realized that the earth was not flat, but round, the Bible already
said that the earth was a sphere. Years before doctors realized (in the
1800's) that we need blood to live, the Bible clearly stated thousands
of years before, that "life is in the blood". This was almost unheard of
just a hundred years ago. I was so happy. It was at this point, that Christianity
was in my brain as well as my heart, and that science follows the Bible,
not the other way around. For who would know about the Universe better
than the one who created it? I thank God for all those classes and those
special teachers, although today they don't teach them anymore. :( I have
to say that's one thing I will really miss. Those special classes that
my sister, who is now in college, never had. I'd never thought I'd say
this, but thank God for Mr. Ritsema. He really taught us EVERYTHING. In
our music class we studied African American Music like no previous class
had. We looked at the slave song all the way to current videos, of course
it was in the 80's so we had groups like Michael Jackson, Toni Toni Toni,
anyone remember the Jets? The Miami Sound Machine? Run DMC? Boy, do I feel
old! Anyway, I watched films like "Sweet Georgia Brown" and my favorite
"Cabin in the Sky". We read so many pieces of literature: Tolstoy, Dostovefsky
(the guy who wrote the Brothers Karamozov), looked at Dead Poets Society
(ugh hated it), and this was in seventh grade! In our bible class, with
Mr. Ritsema, we went in depth, looking at all the major and not so major,
religions of the world and analyzing them. I still have that notebook,
and it's very interesting when I get knocks on the door from them, and
I get to pull out my notebook, and converse with them! Jehovah's Witness?
Hold on a minute. Oh..I've heard of you! Page 67! Oh yes. It's interesting
to see how uncomfortable they get and they even try to "peak" at my notes!
:) Thanks Mr. Ritsema! That class really changed my life. It further ingrained
in me that Christianity is a *brain smart*! God is not the author of confusion.
Anyway, if any of you have any doubts, just try it. Read the Bible. What
have you got to lose? Actively test what it says to see if it's true. God
says about a gazillion times to Test and see whether he is good. Go ahead.
You'll never regret it. I sure didn't. :) Please feel free to e-mail me.
I'd be happy to hear from you! God Bless!
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Web Corner. Last Updated: March
7, 2000