Q: My first recollection of being in church was. . .

A: My first recollection of being in church is difficult to pinpoint. It’s kind of like asking when I first recall being around my parents, or what is my first recollection of my childhood home. Church was always just part of life. I remember walking down the aisle when I was very small-4 or 5, I had not started school yet. I felt moved by a powerful force that I now know was Holy Spirit. I knew I loved Jesus and that He loved me and I was supposed to go tell the man at the front! I am sure his impression was that I was too young to be making such big decisions, but I can still remember the way I felt, so I know that Holy Spirit was doing something in that moment.

Q: The closest I have felt to God in my life was . . .

A: The Lord has always gifted me with an intense knowing that He was present. I have not always listened or obeyed, but I have always known He was there. His presence is as real to me (or more real) than the presence of other people. I feel the closest to Him in worship or times of intense intercession. It has been my experience that He is very eager to let His presence be known! When we intentionally seek His Presence, He lets it be known big time!

Q: The time I have felt the greatest doubt or distance from God was…

A: I have never doubted God’s existence, His Holiness, or His worthiness, but I HAVE doubted whether He truly had good plans for me. I would have denied feeling that way, but if I am honest, there have been times when I felt abandoned like He didn’t care that I was going through it. Most of those times have come about when I knew I stepped out of His will. Recently, I went through a time when I KNEW I did what He said to do, and I felt like I got hammered. I married the man He told me to marry and entered into a family that operates in heavy demonic witchcraft. I experienced emotional and spiritual torment and oppression to a level that I had never felt. I questioned why God would lead me “astray.” I now know He didn’t! Of course, He didn’t! He was preparing me for the war ahead, and He never left my side in the battle. Thank You, God, for the valleys where we learn more about who You are!

Q: If I could thank God for just one incident in my life it would be ______ and why?

A: Maybe just because it’s kind of fresh, but, ironically, I would thank Him for the incident I talked about in Question 3! I certainly didn’t enjoy any of it, and I wouldn’t relish going through it again, but I learned more about who I am in Him through that tremendous struggle than through anything else in my life. Sometimes I was a slow study! And I handled a lot of it very badly! But He never left my side and through that extremely deep valley, He set me on a mountain in my spirit that the valleys of the world have lost their ability to touch.

Q: If I could thank God for just one person in my faith journey it would be _______ and why?

A: God has blessed my life with so many amazing people who have poured into me on my journey! My daughter would definitely say I should say it is HER I am most thankful for! And I’m super thankful for her and her brothers and my grandson, for sure. If I have to choose one person to be MOST thankful for, I would say my husband. He is the person God created to be the one walking closest beside me in this world. He has taught me so much about love and freedom and covenant relationship. He is definitely the biggest physical blessing in my life!

Q: If I could name a turning point in my life for my relationship with God it would be ________ and why?

A: I have a theme going in my answers! I refer you back to the aforementioned battle with witchcraft. So much changed in my life all at once during that time. In the midst of all that, God led me away from the Methodist church and brought me to Kingdom Rising. Thank Him for it! I couldn’t have fought through without the support and teaching I received there. That whole season of my life was horrible and beautiful and messy and healing-all at once. I have come to a completely new level in Him through all of it. I was always headed toward Him, so I don’t know that it “turned” me, but it DEFINITELY set me on a higher road!

Q: If I had to tell someone why I am a Christian I would have to say. . .

A: This question would take a novel to fully answer, but the simplest way for me to put it is: I am a Christian because I have been so bowled over by His love for me, that I just could not make any other decision!