I grew up believing that "good people go to heaven", so I tried to be good. I went to church every Sunday, I recited a couple of memorized prayers, and I tried very hard to obey my parents. I thought I was doing ok, until I went to college...
In college, I had two classmates, Abigail and Anthony, who are very different from the rest of us. They are not weird or anything like that. In fact they are so much fun to be around with because they have so much peace, joy and contentment, which I lacked at that time. So I started observing them...
One day Abigail and Anthony invited us (our class) to a Bible Study and because I was curious to find out "what their secrets were", I went.
Anthony used a little tract called "The 4 Spiritual Laws" to explain that doing good cannot save us because "all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God". I couldn't quite comprehend what it means, so he gave an illustration which stuck with me. He said, "Liza, if I give you a glass of water with 10 flies in it, would you drink it?". Yuck, no!, I answered...
He continued..."ok, if I give you a glass of water with just one fly in it, would you drink it?".. No...it's still dirty, I said.
That's the same way with God. Even if we sin "less" than other people, the fact is we sin...and still is not accpetable to God. And that's why Jesus came to die for me. Then he quoted Ephesians 2:4-6 "For it is by grace that we have been saved through grace. Not by works that no one would boast".
That day, I prayed to God for Him to forgive me, and asked Jesus to be my personal Savior and Lord. I became what they call a Christian. It's the best decision I have made in my whole life!
This is my simple and short version. There are actually a lot that went on inside of me through this process. Every now and then, I'll talk about it through this blog. But for now, I want to keep this short :)
Thanks for reading my story :) And if you live on Maui, come visit me at Hope Chapel.
23 comments:
I really enjoyed reading 'My Story'.
Thank you so much for sharing that story!
I love that fly in a glass analogy!
I loved reading your story. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Hi Liza, I enjoyed reading your blog. You live in one of my favorite places on God's beautiful planet. I have visited Maui 5 times and I love it more each time I visit. As a matter of fact, I have a trip planned in June with my 2 best friends. Just a girl's getaway. Can hardly wait! How close to the Lord you must feel with the beauty of God's art all around you. Nice to meet you.
I love that fly in the glass! How visual that is!
You really have a fantastic story to share.
Don't forget to stop by and grab some party favors @ the 160acrewoods!
Amydeanne
~following the Ultimate Party Trail
Thanks for sharing your journey.
Swinging by for the party.
I love your blog.
Happy weekend.
PARTY ON
Hope you are enjoying the party! It was nice to get to "know" you!!!!
Thank you for sharing this:) I love hearing how others came to know the Lord.
I love hearing testimonies of how they accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior! Thank you for sharing this story.
May God bless you!
I'm so glad I came across your blog. This is a beautiful message for Holy Week. Thanks for sharing.
Liza, thanks for sharing this :)
Anthony's analogy is very good...I'll use it in my next evangelistic encounter...like Jesus said, let nothing be wasted!
I've been reading your blog off and on for a while now, but I had never read "your story." I'm so glad I did!
I am excited to have found this blog. I've looked for a long time for a Christian women's blog and a Christian working mom blog.
bearandbirdlong,
I am glad you found my blog. I tried to click on your name to see if it would take me to your blog but it didn't. I hope you'd visit often. Thanks :)
Very awesome, thanks for sharing.
God is so awesome! His grace never fails to get us where we need to be, no matter how close or far! Thanks for sharing I enjoyed your post. Happy Thanksgiving!
I love the example your friend gave about the flies in the glass. What a great way to explain to people.
wow, thanks for sharing that. i'm glad you made the decission. youir freinds analogy was great too x :D
I loved reading your story, Liza! So thankful for those who invited you to their Bible Study & gave you the truth. You are a shining light on Maui for Jesus. ❤️
I am glad you found joy. I am sorry you left the faith and didn't find your way to be evangelized as an adult in the Church of Jesus Christ, built by the apostles. Some stay in the faith from birth, others do not realized they need to be reborn in their own faith as adults to see the value of: worshiping God unselfishly without personal gain, the holiness of each mass, holy sacrament and celebration, and the beauty and joy that can be found in them. I am one of the lucky ones, born into my faith and was reborn in my faith, and i thank god for this blessing every day of my life. Wishing you every happiness and joy in all of your choices.
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