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Here is my testimony that I forgot to go back and post razz :

Here is mine (sorry if it is a bit long):

I grew up going to a church with my family and as a child, things were much more calm, and we woke up, got baths, ate breakfast, got dressed, and went to church. I had a few friends there and enjoyed that and drawing during the sermons more than anything else. When I got older and tried to listen to the sermons, it was okay and then I listened to more and it confused me because all the men in the church who have been there for more than a year and/or have become a true member of the church were the only one's allowed to preach. It seemed like they all believed different things and I was so lost and confused. For a while as a teenager, I was depressed, and thought of suicide, but could never hurt myself. I also was involved in a couple mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally abusive relationships that felt near impossible to get out of. For a year, I didn't want to smile, talk to my friends, or spend time with the family. All I wanted to do is be on the computer and video games, avoiding the fact that reality was passing me by because reality hurt too much. I thought something was wrong with my faith and that I was a no-good sinner. I was never into drinking, drugs, or any of the stuff other kids called "awesome" that was immoral or wrong. I was forced to go to church by my family unless I was sick and had to stay home, which was more often than not. Sometimes, people would give me a rough time for missing church (mostly my parents), and it would stress me out. I remember so many people over the years left that church and now a days it's nearly empty because people move, get excommunicated, or choose to go to another church. I didn't necessarily agree with everything they said so I didn't know where I stood, especially since the church always had an excuse for their man-made doctrine.

Later on in life, I met a guy that turned my life upside down. He seemed to be so secure in his faith and I ended up falling in love with him because he listened to me, thought outside of the box when it came to the scripture and didn't sugar coat things for me, but also had more love for me and for others than words can describe. After we got married, he truly told me everything he believed and told me why my church's beliefs were only half correct, while others were completely wrong. He was able to do something I'd never seen before - use the Bible including historical contexts of original meanings of the words and the culture during those times to explain things to me. I cried because I just didn't know all what he was telling me in the beginning and felt so filthy inside, but when that first tear hit the floor, I felt God's grace rain down on me and lift the heavy burden's off of my shoulders. My husband led me onto the right path and I've been so hooked on the Bible ever since, and feel more secure in life than I did in the past. I'm learning something different every day as a new Christian. After asking for forgiveness, I've turned it all around.

I left the church I grew up in because of the things they did that weren't Biblically right and because of the way they treated people who had committed certain sins, or were excommunicated just because they did things the church didn't like. They didn't consider "women" part of the "true" church and I didn't agree with that, either. I now have a rough relationship with my family - especially my parents. Some days it's better than others, but I truly hope that it recovers and we can one day be a family that's close.

I typically do Bible studies at home and am forever in search of a church near me that is actually decent. So far, I haven't had luck, and continue to do Bible studies and listen to online sermons here and there that I find from different places in the world. There is a feeling in me that wants to spread the good news to everybody, and I do hope to accomplish that and set my mind to what God wants me to do in life. I had felt for a time that I should create a church, or become a pastor, but I still pray that I only do this if it is God's plan for my life. I have wanted to be many things in life, but all the doors have seemed to slam shut in my face and the only door that stays open is to study God's word and spread the good news to the people.

Well,

I knew about some sort of God from very early on, even though my family is not religious by any sort. I really got to my spiritual accountability level when I was about 15-16 years old when my friend Robin took me to her church and witnessed to me.

And when I first heard about Christ, there was something inside of me that wanted to give it all up for Him. I got saved about a month after going to church regularly with my friend.

But the road wasn't all easy. I still sinned and the more I kept falling and asking for forgiveness, the more that evil devil had me fooled that if I pray for forgiveness over and over again that God would think I'm insincere. But after many years, I still struggle to keep on the path but now more then ever I'm determined to focus on the Lord.