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Hello everyone.  My name is Mark, I'm sure you might have guessed.  I'm 32, and from Arvada, Colorado.

I grew up catholic.  I been going to catholic churches since as far back as 7 years old.  Probably between 7 up untill about till I was 27 I was going to the catholic church and mostly following the catholic way.   

I sort of faded away from the catholic church at 27 and became more involved with non demonational churches.  I seemed to to like the word more better. A the music. 

The following year, I sort of faded away from the church.  I kept a personal relationship with Christ in my heart.  I moved to New Mexico for about a year.  Didn't really go to church out there. 

I ended up moving back to Colorado in August 2007.  When I moved back.  I met some new friends.  I partyed.  Drank, get high.  I knew at that moment I didn't care about the christian life.  I thought when I'm ready to be saved I'll be ready.  Not now. 

At my job, in January 2008 I got really aquainted with three guys at my work, who liked to get high on more serious addicting things.  I found this out in October, as well them taking advantge of me. 

Probably the first time I noticed these guys weren't friends was when 2 of them stole my car on a night of drinking.  They finally came back after about an hour later, with my tire popped and a yellow mark on the back of my car.  Like a dummy I didn't call the police.  They still haven't paid the full amount. 

In December, like a dummy I felt sorry for one of the guys after he was thrown out of brothers house, and had him stay at my place for a week.  One night I caught him doing cocaine in my house I threw his butt out. 

During the week of Christmas 2008, my dad and my stepmother came to town to visit me for the week.  On Christmas Eve, my dad and stepmother and myself went to a lutheren church for the service.  Out in New Mexico, my dad and step mother are both lutherens.  I felt like a really wonderful person after going to that service.  Like wow what confidence I felt.  Peace.

It was my goal to become a born again christian this year.  I was going to do it on Easter, but did it sooner. 

On January 10, 2009, two of these guys and myself were going to a rave.  They bugged me, which it did dawn on me was that they just wanted a ride.  I'm just too nice, what can I say. They wanted me to do ecstacy.  I refused.  I finally told them in the end, I'll go to the rave, but will not do ecstacy.  That night, which happened to be a Saturday, I picked them up we drove to a gas station to get some soda and snacks.  Then we went to Wendys to get some grub.  We waited in the parking lot, and had a funny feeling.  One of the guy's friends came with the ecstacy.  I looked out the window, saw flashing lights, which happened to be the police.  We sat outside for almost an hour and they let us all go.  I'm surprise the guy I work with who purchased the ecstacy wasn't arrested.  He had a warrent and they let him go.

That was that, I dropped them off at home, I went home, ate the remaineder of my cold Wendys.  That night I drank was happened to be my last drink.  A glass of wine.  I should have probably gone to church that Sunday.  I didn't.  At the moment I felt, I couldn't face God, like what I did the night before. 

The next weekend I went to church for the first time.  It was a non demonational church in Arvada called Arvada Covenant Church.  I found it by accident, so I thought it could have been a sign from God that I found it.  I was going to one called Faith Bible Chapel, which was actually down the street more.  I liked the service, but I thought, they were not preaching from the bible.  Why not? 

My second Sunday of going to church I went to another church.  A baptist church located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado called Beth Eden Baptist.  I have cousins that go to that church, and it was my cousin Holly who convinced me in going their at the start.  I remember that Saturday night I was thinking about going to Arvada Covenant.  When my cousin Holly actually called me up, the night before inviting me to lunch at her house, and requested me going to Beth Eden.  I sort of had doubts, I mean I liked Arvada Covenant, at the time not really knowing the preaching wasn't from the bible.  Till I went to Beth Eden.  I got their went to a singles Sunday school class.  After the class I went to the service.  It was then when I was turned on to the preaching, the music was also amazing.  The preaching was straight from the bible. 

When I got out I felt like a whole new person.  It was amazing. 

I went to the service that night, and that night I got saved. It was wonderful.  From then on I knew I found a great church. 

Its wonderful.  I saved a friend of mine recently it was great.  A really great feeling.  The three guys at my work hated the fact I turned christian.  They made fun of me, mocked the Lord which I knew happens. 

April 20th I lost my job, I think it was a blessing in disguise.  I got away from those guys.  I started a temp job last Monday.  The lord is definetly on my side.  And whas crazy.  Those 3 guys at the old job got fired on Thursday.  What goes around comes around.  I actually made an effort and called the President of the old company, and asked for another chance their now that tose guys are gone.

This coming up Sunday I'm getting baptized.  I can't wait.

Hello Mark I see this is your first post, so welcome to Christians Unite forum.

I'm glad to see the Lord was working on you with these creeps around. Welcome to the family of Christ, never under estimate the Power of the Lord. There is alot of information on the forum that you may want to read.

Welcome
Bob

Thank you Bob.  Nice to meet you

Hello Mark,

Welcome to Christians Unite forums.

As Brother Bob said there is some really great material here to help you in your walk with God. Feel free to look around comment on and ask questions. I'm looking forward to having you join in with some great Christian fellowship.

Mark,

Thank you for that great testimony.  Let me suggest some other things for you.  Now while you are still young in your new birth, Satan will be coming at you more now than ever before.  So read daily, pray daily, and ask a senior person at this church to disciple you.  Do not simply be satisfied with Sunday service....go twice a week, every day, or whatever you can down to meet with your discipler, or the pastor.  Let them know that you do not want to loose the excitement you feel right now (do not confuse that with salvation).  Tell them you know that Satan is waiting for an opportunity to pull you from church and to turn your testimony into a tool for his works.  One of the greatest things is to never be ashamed of your new friend (Christ).  You are right that people will mock you and make fun of you.  But never let that discourage you, because God is always there and sees what you do, and see what they do.

And Mark, know this, you have many people praying for you right now.

Amen!

Some wonderful and wise advice, too.

Hello Mark,

WELCOME!


First, I really enjoyed reading your testimony, and I thank you for sharing with us. Second, congratulations on the most important decision of your entire life - accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

I sincerely hope that you enjoy Christians Unite, and I look forward to having fellowship with you.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hello Mark!  What a fabulous testimony!  Praise God and Welcome to the family of God's chosen and to the forums!  I absolutely agree with brother Jerry too.  However, along with Satan coming at you, God seems to really bless new Christians too!  So thank God at the end of each day for all the small blessings as well as the big.  It will make you more aware of God's love for just Mark!  Along with going to chuch and Sunday school, find out if they have Small Groups and join one.  Not only is it a great way to learn it's also a great way to get connected with other Christians and do some fun things too!
Bless you Mark!

Yvette

Great testimony! Continue to walk in the path God has for you and get as close to Him as possible. Build a relationship with God. Pray daily, fast when needed, and live a repented life (if you do something wrong, repent of it and plan to stay away from it, insteadof staying in the sin). Don't let negative words affect you badly. Really-really do you best to Live a life that is pleasing to God.

Hello jcarey,

Welcome to Christians Unite Forums.

Yes, We all should attempt to do what is pleasing to God out of our love for Him.

I look forward to reading more of your posts here and in having some wonderful fellowship in Christ with you.

Thank you everyone. 

I go to church Sunday mornings and evenings.  And Wednesdays.  Its an event I really look forward in doing.  Funny how just recently I realized that. 

I have my Sunday school class I go, plus two bible studies.  One with my Aunt on the book of John. ANd another with a guy at my church, which we are going through a series of books.  The one we're on now is called "Milk." 

I feel everyday I learn something different when I study, and it is truely amazing. 

I did have doubts at one point.  Like Around Febuary or early March.  I knew it was satan working me. I just clinch my fists and say "get behind satan." 


I look forward fellowshipping on this site.

Although bad news.  I'm disconnecting my interent.  I probably won't be on probably untill August "hopefully."  Im moving.  I'm moving with a cousin of mine for a while, tell I get a full time job again going and get my own place, so I will be off for a while.

Again guys thank you for the great welcome.

God bless

Hey Mark...there is always the library...they have Internet :)

Hello Jcarey91,

I see this is your first post, so WELCOME!


I hope that you enjoy Christians Unite, and I look forward to having fellowship with you.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Isaiah 55:3 ASV  3  Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Hello everyone.  Its been a while just checking in.  As I mentioned in my testimony, I was getting baptized.  Well that weekend it was cancelled.  As a new christian they wanted to make sure that I knew what baptizem was all about and all that.  Which I think is good.  I meant it shows my church cares about me. 

The baptism did take place about a month later.  It was really exciting. 

I enjoy the fellowship.  I like making new friends, thats for sure.  Pure friends too.

Hello Mark,

I'm glad you checked in. We'd love to see you often. It sounds like things are going great for you and that you're growing in Christ. It just gets better from here and you begin to see everything from a different perspective, a Biblical perspective.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 23:1-6 ASV  1  Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.

Mark, I really loved your story. Whenever I hear of someone coming to Christ, it really makes my heart glad.  Nobody can understand the feeling until you truly except Jesus as your savior. The peace is fantastic! Welcome to the body. Dan   :)

God bless you in all your endeavours. He is obviously with you and when His hand is upon you all things come together for good.  David - fcww.