True hope is a rare, but essential, asset in life. I am writing to share the hope that I found in a supernatural way in 91' when I crossed paths with a young man on a pedestrian street of Boston. A crowd of approximately twenty people gathered before him. He began to tell the small crowd that the majority of people tend to seek for FULLFILLMENT and SUCCESS in the following things. As he spoke, he stroked a paintbrush, wet with water, over a blank sheet of art paper upon an easel. One by one, words began to appear such as: CAREER, SOCIAL STATUS, EDUCATION, WEALTH, MATERIAL POSSESSIONS, INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS, MARRIAGE, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, SOCIALIZING, GOOD TIMES, RECREATION He explained that all of these things could not truly fulfill. I knew that all of the things listed were essentially good and had their place in life, but for me personally, I was always looking for that "SOMETHING MORE" to life. What really surprised me was that he gave a clear direction to what that "SOMETHING MORE" to life was. As he stroked the paintbrush, the water revealed a painting of a cross with a sunrise behind it. From the very beginning of his presentation, I had experienced a presence around me. I was aware, by the faces of the others, that they were also experiencing this same powerful yet gentle presence. Before the presentation began, the faces in the audience each had their own uniqueness about them. Once the presentation had begun, the faces in the audience all appeared to be the same as if masks had supernaturally been removed. At the end, everyone just stood there frozen. I was amazed that no one thanked him. I approached him, shook his hand, and thanked him. I thought to myself that maybe I should give Jesus a good hard second look. I was very impressed that the young man had known how I felt inside. Later that day while driving, I thought of his words and decided to see if I could find a New Testament radio program on the AM radio band, even though I never really listened too openly to "religious" programs before. I wanted to hear more of what I had heard earlier on the street. As I searched the radio stations, I heard a man speaking about God. The same powerful yet gentle presence that was around me on the street earlier in the day FILLED THE COMPARTMENT OF MY CAR. The man on the radio stated, "God truly does love you and does not want the things you have done wrong, as well as the things you didn’t do that you should have done, to continue to be a barrier between you and him. He is not holding those things against you…… they have all been far removed from the picture a long time ago…… God has already abolished them, and the guilt thereof, when Jesus voluntarily gave his life over to those things to take them out of the picture forever. He has done this through the giving of his life on the cross. When he gave his life on the cross, what he was actually doing was taking upon himself the full penalty for all of your personal wrongdoings, as well as the things you didn’t do that you should have done…… It is not true that you have to pay for those things after you pass from this life……" He also spoke of God raising him from the dead. As I previously stated, the same powerful yet gentle presence that was around me on the street earlier in the day FILLED THE COMPARTMENT OF MY CAR. In that moment of time, I could see in my mind Jesus voluntarily giving His life for me on the cross and I understood that I had been carrying the heavy burden of my sins for the majority of my life, when in actuality - God and Jesus had already taken care of them almost two thousand years ago…… It was revealed to me that God was not counting our sins against us…… He only desires for us to be reconciled to himself…… I don't feel many people can honestly deny that the greatest act of love that a person can perform on this earth is to give one’s life for another. I discovered that Jesus did that very thing for us as part of God's plan to take away the things that keep us from truly embracing and following him. I saw that God’s plan was to draw us to himself through this greatest act of love and that there is no greater way for him to reveal his love for us. I asked out loud, "What should I do?" The man on the radio IMMEDIATELY and CONCISELY ANSWERED MY QUESTION, "THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO - PRAY." I thought to myself, Pray? It couldn’t be that simple… I was amazed that he immediately and concisely answered my question…… as if he could actually hear my voice. I once again inquired out loud, "What should I pray?" Once again, the man on the radio IMMEDIATELY and CONCISELY ANSWERED MY QUESTION, "THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD PRAY..... TELL GOD, WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS IN YOU AND WITH NO RESERVATIONS, THAT YOU ARE NOW RECEIVING THAT WHICH JESUS DID FOR YOU WHEN HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU ON THE CROSS." A battle of thoughts began to arise within me. I knew that which I was hearing and experiencing was of God but something was still holding me back from praying. I did not want to carry my sins any longer… they were wearing me down… I could see clearly that Jesus could set me free from them but something was still holding me back. The powerful yet gentle presence, FILLING THE COMPARTMENT OF MY CAR, helped me through the negativity that was holding me back and I SHOUTED, "NO! GOD?!!!! IF YOU ARE REAL, AND HEAVEN IS REAL, AND WHAT I HAVE HEARD CONCERNING JESUS IS THE TRUTH - THEN I NEED TO KNOW NOW AND I NEED TO KNOW FOR CERTAIN! I DO NOT WANT TO WASTE MY LIFE… IF THIS IS TRUE THEN PLEASE SHOW ME!" And with everything that was in me…… I ONCE AGAIN SHOUTED, "SHOW ME!!!!!!" IMMEDIATELY, AND WITHIN MY ENTIRE BEING, I EXPERIENCED A LOVE GREATER THAN ANYTHING ON THIS EARTH WHICH WAS SO INTENSE THAT I HAD TO PULL MY CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD…… I believe God gave me this experience because I was in such deep darkness and so far away from him that there was no other way for me to be turned around. I admire other believers whom God needed only to reveal himself in a more gentle and gradual way - believers who were more receptive to God's "still small voice" and were not so stubborn as I was for most of my life. I also admire believers that came to know God at a young age. I really wasted a good portion of my life, but I thank God that he helped me when he did. I believe that this was God's way of showing me that HE IS REAL, that HEAVEN IS REAL(although earthly descriptions can't relay a true depiction), that this short life on earth is not the end, that it doesn't matter what we have done wrong, as well as what we have failed to do that was right - God Loves us, that we do not have to wait until AFTER we die to experience God's Love and forgiveness, that salvation is by the grace of God and not by religious or spiritual practices, that we can experience God in a deeply personal and powerful way, that even though Jesus did die by the hands of evil men - it was all part of his and the Father’s plan to use the greatest act of evil that man would ever commit of murdering the Son of God and turn it into the greatest act of love using it as the means to draw us to himself, and that God's Love for us is greater than we can comprehend while passing through this life! Thank You God for being our Hope!
Rider321, Why believe? Beliefs are dangerous because the unwary are easily manipulated. And they are MANY. A true spiritual path will give you back your vision so you can see where it is you need to go. You will no longer need belief because you can see for yourself. Is this not a more worthy goal than endless worship over someone who tried to tell you the same thing I'm telling you now? Get off your knees. Walk. x
good story, here is a similar one. my grandfather was in the hospital. i prayed that he would get better. but he didnt. he died. what does that mean??
i doubt it, his last wish was to see me graduate. but aside from that, what about all the children with cancer that die. their parent pray from them they pray for themselves ect. so whats up with that?
no. and let me tell you why. when you die your brain stops working. without your brain you cant think. so when you die thats basically the end of the line. im not gonna say im 100 percent sure about this, and the only thing holding me back is not really logical but emotional. its just sad to think that when we die its all over. but i cant let my emotions influence my beliefs.
Spirits don't need a central nervous system. Hey, if you ever need someone to talk with about life, share perspectives, etc. - feel free to write me. I usually come on this site once a week to check my private messages, so my responses may take a while but I will respond.
Well I for one believe your story, having experienced something similar myself. I just wanted to say your story was beautiful and refreshing. Thank you for sharing it.
Chuckles, Thanks X. Saved me a post. Yes X believes. You my dear friend are back on the Love Train... you might think there was external forces at work there might be yes X can perhaps enlighten me on this one... but this all took place from within. You thoughts your desires all broke down and rivited back on the only universal truth that matters ... "LOVE" You have had experiences INCREDIBLY paralell to mine. I came to that brdige too where I knew there was something more to life then "the obvious" or what FedUp defines as "reality" (sorry dave, cheap shot). As a result of this internal battle you have walked out of blindness... don't stop on Dogma's and Religions they are part of that "illusion" too man... FLY ... think about it ... you got to where you are right now be desiring to love again... now desire truth more then your next breath. And hold on i have been riding this roller coaster for a 2-3 years. It's awesome. I recommend Gnostic Gospels ... Thomas' to read when you have a chance... You will see that Jesus is ALOT more then what religions have him made out to be... Some type of mediator ... no no no lolz. He was a teacher and perfect one at that. Dogma's and Doctrines are of men. This is what X meant by get of your knees... Don't bow before some false teachings ... your no longer blind man ... walk for yourself
I googled the topic there is some reading and evidence out there that indeed they do ... amazing !! :O
