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Real Life Stories
posted May 8,2009

A couple of weeks ago Pastor Ray sent out a note asking people to share stories of what God has done in their lives.  After a wonderful Easter weekend, we are excited to hear many of your stories.  Below are the first few -- we will post more as they come in.  Be encouraged by what God is doing!


Young and Old

My 92-year old mother grew up in a liturgical church back in Pennsylvania
and has always testified to a belief in Jesus as her Savior. She recited the liturgies, and always tried to be a good person, but her faith "talk and walk" looked a lot different than what we would typically see in a more evangelical church. My talks with her always led me to think she was a believer, but I wasn't absolutely sure if it was real or just ritual.

Two years ago, mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers, which meant that communication about faith issues was now a little harder. But the good thing was that I moved her to San Diego, and she now attends Maranatha with me.

During Easter services when Pastor Ray led the congregation in a salvation prayer, it was really comforting to hear mom saying each word of the prayer aloud and with great feeling. It was one more assurance for me that she is truly God's child.

Somehow, there seems to be a special blessing in hearing both the very young and the very old give testimony to God.

Thanks, Pastor Ray.

Elaine


Jesus is Powerfu and Real

Dear Pastor Ray,
 
Thank you so much for sending me a wonderful note. I really appreciate it. Yes, I would love to share my own testimony with you.  Before I came to know Christ I was a Buddhist.  I worshiped idols for so many years without knowing Christ.  In Sept 2000, I surrendered my life to the Lord and I received Him as Lord and savior.   I was blinded before and now I can see.  After I gave my life to the Lord, He appeared to me in my dream.  I saw the rainbow around His face, in appearance like an emerald, a jasper and sardius stone. In that moment, I cried out to Him and then I was awakened.  
 
Jesus is so powerful and real. He is the prince of Peace just like the scripture has said.  He has changed my heart and my life. I've always shared good news to families and friends every time when I see them.  I led my husband, my children, sister-in law and some of my friends at work to the Lord.  Before this Easter I led two of my friends at school to the Lord also.  I've never felt tired of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ at all.  Thank you again Pastor Ray.  May God bless you!
 
PChan



A Child's Heart
Hello.  I am responding to the request for testimonies below.  While what I have to tell is not of someone coming to Christ but of someone who realized the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
 
My family attended the Good Friday service at Maranatha.  We brought our 7 year old son Noah with us.  I allowed him to bring a notebook to write in because (sorry Lord!) I didn't think he would be able to sit still for the entire service.
 
I was wrong.  Noah sat there and listened to everything Pastor Ray said.  As communion time came Pastor Ray started talking, in detail, about what Jesus went through that day for each of us.  All of a sudden Noah started sobbing.  He grabbed me and put his head on my chest and just cried.  I asked him what was wrong and he replied, "It makes me so sad that Jesus had to die for us!"
 
Words left me...  To see Jesus touch Noah's heart like that was more moving than words can say.  My husband and I started to cry, then my parent's started to cry and I am pretty sure that I saw a couple people in the row in front of us wipe a tear or two.  To see a 7 year old sobbing at what Jesus went through made it so real - that sounds wrong to say but I think many times we focus on the resurrection and how wonderful that is for us and maybe try to just skip by the horrors of Good Friday. 
 
Please don't get me wrong - I like to focus on the resurrection as much as possible and I immediately reminded Noah that we should be rejoicing because Jesus rose from the dead but for those moments it was amazing to see Good Friday from my little boy's point of view.
 
Thank you Pastor Ray for your time, service and wonderfully inspired teachings!
 
May God bless you and all of Maranatha!
 
Shelley Pearson


From Sorrow to Joy

Hello Pastor Ray,
 
I'm glad that you had a "truly amazing time" over the Easter weekend.  Even from where we were sitting, it was pretty incredible, seeing tears etc.  It's nice to know that even one thing can still stand out to you, as this little girl —especially at such an enormous time as Easter Sunday with a huge amount of people coming to the Lord. 

My heart went out to you and your family when you shared the very sad and dear losses of loved ones that you all have endured.
 
Many times we can hear preaching/teaching at church or on the radio and notice that it speaks to circumstances or situations that we are going through at that particular time, well that is exactly what I heard there on Easter Sunday.

In response to your request to share our testimonies.  I was born in Colorado into a Catholic family and grew up there until I was fifteen years old when we moved to San Diego. Just as it is for anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, it has been an amazing journey. As I reflect back to childhood I see where God was drawing and preserving me, as a girl and then as a woman.  I made choices that were not very wise, marrying at the young age of nineteen.  As I learned and matured, I knew that many things were not right, the emotional abuse, with some physical as well. One day, trying and seeing no lasting change, I took my small children and left the marriage.  Then I stepped into a divorced life with all its concerns.

I thought that it wasn't so bad, because I was finally away from all the constant tension and at peace—so I thought.  Trusted God whom I thought was way up there, somewhere. Now being older and somewhat wiser I recall wondering about life and raising my kids alone with the every day issues of home, school, and certain fears about living, eternity, the culture, world events, disappointments, relationships with family and friends, perplexing situations, emotional heart breaks, and so forth. I was and at times am still baffled by how someone can hurt another person so intensely with no regard for their feelings. I understand now that God's Word teaches, 
in 1 John to love one another. "Not to love just with words but in action and in truth." 


Then one glorious day instead of just thinking about a God "way up there'' I prayed as never before as if I was speaking to a person right in front of me.  I asked Him to show me and lead me to a real and true God, to see and know, to hold on to when life can seem so confusing. I was sharing these thoughts and concerns, and reading His Word especially the Psalms, then some of the other books of the Bible.  I felt this powerful, peaceful, delightful excitement and presence like nothing else. 

I remember as my eyes opened spiritually that I felt such hope and peace. It was a miraculous moment for me. To know and learn more about God's love and all His wonderful attributes. I started living with a different perspective and attitude. I finally had someone to go to in a very close, personal, and intimate way, within the core of my being. My spirit was overjoyed, with gratefulness.

Then I was on my way to my part time health care job when I turned on the radio to K-WAVE and heard Pastor Chuck Smith speak.  I needed to go to a church in my area that he was affiliated/connected with.  I loved his calm and gentle voice, speaking clearly, lovingly, teaching with the wisdom and knowledge of a true man of God. Surely, any church and its pastors who are connected to Pastor Chuck had to be as amazing as him. I see how unique and special you all are, and true men of God as well. 
 


My kids are all grown now, still no grand children.  Praise God! that they all know and love the Lord personally. After my youngest one got married I lived alone near Carmel Mountain Ranch and decided to visit Horizon North County because of it's size. I went there several times with my girl friend on Sundays, who is currently serving in Iraq for five months. Because many times she was not able to go to church on a Wednesday, and I did not want to drive that distance, being female and alone at night.  I moved back to Rancho Bernardo.  So we started attending there at Maranatha since February of 2006. I must say that it has been oh, so, quite the great experience!  
I look forward with interest and excitement as we all journey through this life together as a His church body, and walk with our Lord and great, Amazing God—and head toward Heaven to be with Him one grand beautiful day!
 

God bless you Pastor Ray !  Gale