Lets go in order (kinda)
First, September 11th
My heart goes out to those who lost family in the terrorist attacks, and the families of those who have died fighting the great threat of Islamic Terrorism. I would also like to thank the brave men and woman of our armed forces who are still fighting to keep the freedoms we currently enjoy. I thank George Bush for staying firm and not degrading to mud slinging, like so many of the "statesman" in Washington.
*Editors note: I generally don't get into the personal side of Bret Reed, but I feel that this is a very important subject and post.
Ok now on to the 12th
Happy anniversary to my mother and father, and happy birthday to dad.
Now lets go back in time a bit, and then come back ahead to the 12th. (that sounds weird)
A while back I was asked a couple of questions that needed to make their way to the blog eventually (kinda). The first was especially asked to be put here on the blog. The second question was not really intended to be directed to the blog, but I felt that I didn't do a good job answering it. I'll take another shot at it here. (the asker will remain anonymous, because I don't know if they wanted their name attached)
Where do you get your morality (or lack of it) from, how does it affect you, and what makes you chose to believe what you believe? I know most of you reading this will say that the Bible is what you believe, and that you follow Jesus Christ. What makes makes you believe this? Think well about your answer. (my personal answer after the next question)
What does "born again" mean to you?
I apologize for not following this verse very well. 1 Peter 3:15 (KJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
“Born again” Is when someone first becomes a Christian. A man by the name of Nicodemus asked Jesus about it in John chapter 3. Ok so how do you “first become a Christian” or how are you “born again” or “saved”? Many believe that you can be “born again” through good works, or being baptized or many other good works. The Bible clearly states that there is nothing we can do to work our way to heaven (the major problem with most religions today)
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Here is what the Bible says you do have to do.
Acts 2:21 (King James Version) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
To tie the questions together, here is my story and why I believe the Bible. Even though my world view may be limited I have seen enough to convince me that the Bible is totally correct. I've heard most or all of the arguments for and against the Bible. While there are good points both ways, nothing can change what I have seen God do in my life my, my parents lives, and Christians all around me.
This link offers 10 reasons that can also not be refuted.
Ok, so here is my story about how I became a Christian.
As most of you know our family lived in WI for the first half of my life. During that time we attended the Greater Point Baptist Church (pastored by Woody Bamgardner) I am sure you have heard of CBH Ministries, Children's Bible Hour, Keys for kids, Uncle Charlie, Adventures in Odyssey, Sugar Creek Gang etc. When I was younger I really liked things like that (still do, just don't listen to it much) well they, I think CBH, put out a monthly booklet for kids, I don't remember the name of it. Anyway it had things in it like "fill in the blank" look here in your Bible and write this verse here, and in the first booklet, last question was "Have you ever been Born Again" or something like that. I don't remember much at all about this part, but I think I asked my mom, who was helping me because I didn't know how to write or anything, what it meant. What she said or I prayed or when exactly the date was I don't at all remember, but I do know that she wrote it in the booklet. O and you sent the booklet back in and they sent it back with a grade. I remember getting it back saying "Congratulations" signed by the part that the date was written.
Many years passed...
For whatever reasons I began to have doubts "Am I imagining what I did" "did I say it right." This went on for a long time. On and on until the BBFC had their Basic LIFE Principles Seminar, and Bill Gothard talked about doubts of salvation etc. He managed to list EVERY doubt I had right in a row. He told a story about a man having doubts especially about the "date," "his age when he was saved," and all the rest. One day the man was mowing his lawn, had the doubts, and couldn't stand it anymore. Bill said the man got it settled going to the barn by taking a board and writing on it the date and time and praying for salvation right there.
(KJV) Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
After I heard that I was kinda like, "well thats nice but once saved always saved" but the doubts were still there and maybe even more so. Another not so long a time passed. In September our church always has it's "campmeeting," after the first couple of services it was time to get it settled. On September 12, 2007 I prayed the "Sinners Prayer" and was Born Again. Praise the Lord! I wrote down the date on a board, and put it in the ground under a tree I was kneeling by. I cannot thank Him enough! I felt so free of guilt and sin.
I hope that if anyone has any questions that they will email me, and I will do my best to answer them.
Thx,
Staff Editor S-S
