About Me
On October 31, 2003 I attended a women’s encounter weekend. I took the opportunity to go thinking that I would have a relaxing weekend, no cooking, no husband, no kids, if at least for a couple of days. I had six years earlier begun attending a large Christian church and had prayed the “sinner’s prayer” and had been baptized. But up to that point, I wasn’t really a Christian. I never did miss a Sunday in church but, except for that 1 1/2 hours I spent in church on Sunday, nothing else in my life would lead anyone to believe I was a Christian (and, of course, I never told anyone I was).
That weekend clearly was not the “retreat” I had expected. It was the weekend experience that changed my life. I was for the first time in my life confronted (by the Holy Spirit) with my sin. I came to a point of true repentance and did an about-face. I then surrendered my life to Christ, and I have never been the same. I could never be the same after encountering the living God.
Now, the last seven years have not been a rose garden, as I have experienced a lot of highs and a lot of lows. Most lows occur, as I have come to understand, when I resist what God is trying to do in my life; when I don’t willingly surrender to Him those areas of my life/character which need to be surrendered. I always did learn best by experience - not the recommended method of learning as it can be terribly painful. I have now found that there is a better way - learning from others’ experiences.
I think too often Christians tend to keep quiet about their struggles. They are concerned about being criticized as having “too little faith” or being asked about the sin in their life. What I write here I hope will dispel those ideas. Christians need to be much more transparent. That is what I try to do with this blog-site. The answer to anything we are struggling with can be found in God’s Word and when we allow the Word to search our hearts, the answers flow off the pages. And when we have received a fresh revelation through the Word, we should be willing to share that experience. Perhaps someone could learn something from what you have already gone through and perhaps that scripture verse that brought comfort to you will do the same for someone else.
Presently, I attend The King’s University in Van Nuys, California. I am a little more than half-way through my program to receive a Master’s degree in Practical Theology. It has been very challenging for me but my love for God has created an unquenchable thirst to know and understand Him and His will more fully. And the more I learn, the more in awe I am of His incredible love for us. I would encourage anyone who has that desire to learn more, to find a place of learning. The experience will be priceless.
Disclaimer: These are my personal articles, my personal opinions and they should be taken only as that. I do pray that they provide some encouragement to its readers.
Feel free to email me with any questions or comments, if not posted here, at annette@gotdiscernment.com.