Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Spiritual Meme

I considered myself tagged for this because BooMama said I could.

What is your life verse?
Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. I've always loved this verse, although I haven't always exactly been patient. I definitely need the reminder.

Give a bit of your testimony.
I was brought up in church, baptized at age 9 when my family joined a Southern Baptist church, and saved at the age of 14 when I realized that I hadn't fully understood salvation the first time I walked the aisle. I was faithful and obedient for the next 4 years, then at 18 I took my eyes off Christ and looked elsewhere for fulfillment. I was a prodigal for 10 years, longing to be led back into the fold, but too ashamed to go on my own. When my husband "got religion", we joined a Southern Baptist church near us, and although I knew without a doubt that I was my Father's child, I still struggled with guilt over my many years of rebellion and other issues. I became the church Financial Secretary and taught Sunday school, and tried my best to be what God wanted me to be. I loved church, but I wasn't allowed to bring it home with me. Ten years later, tired of living a lie, I ended my destructive marriage and turned my life completely over to God. He has been with me all the time, waiting for me to realize that my emptiness was a need that only He could fill, and that I didn't have to earn His forgiveness. I now attend a United Methodist church which I am prayerfully considering joining.

Do you have a favorite preacher?
Not really. I like Adrian Rogers, and I do enjoy the sermons of Wiley Magee, a chaplain for the Louisiana State Corrections Department who spoke at my home church a few times.

What's the best Bible study you've ever done?
Returning to Holiness by Dr. Gregory Frizzell. Our church had done the study in preparation for revival several years ago, but I went through it again on my own last year. Very humbling. I'm dying to do a Beth Moore study.

What do you feel is God's calling on your life?
Right now, to be a godly example to my husband and kids as wife and mother/other mother. I went to college for a degree in Speech Pathology, but dropped out after one year and never went back. I think teaching is what I was meant to do, but not necessarily in a classroom.

I'm tagging Barb because she always tags me, and I would love to hear her story; and Mandy because she's a new christian; and Diane because she has such a sweet spirit; and anyone else who hasn't been tagged because I don't want them to feel left out.

7 comments:

White Buffalo Woman Goes Singing said...
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Anonymous said...
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boomama said...

I loved reading this. I thought about you during our sermon at church Sunday - especially because of your recent RELEASE of all that old marriage baggage. I'm taking A. to the zoo tomorrow, but I'll try to remember to email you a summary - or the link so that you can listen to it.

You know I grew up in the Methodist church - rock on, Wesleyan friend. :-)

Brenda said...

BooMama, I would love that!

Girl Raised in the South said...

Enjoyed reading a bit more about you; I'm going to tag myself too - it's encouraging, I think, to know most of us have taken the long way home! xoxoxo

Brenda said...

I guess you could say I took the scenic route. :-)

xoxoxo

Girl Raised in the South said...

Hi Brenda, my spiritual meme is up, finally after about 99 adjustments for links - I planned to put yours in there but it got messed up so many times and then the kids woke up.... hopefully next time I'll get it right on the first try and can get your blog in there too. xoxoxo