Why I'm a Christian

Niblo said:
I am no longer a Christian, but permit me to tell you of my Paternal Grandfather, who lived in Treherbert – Rhondda Valley; South Wales.

He was taken out of school at the age of ten, and set to work in one of the local coal-mines (this was unlawful at that time, but who cared?).

Using the local Miners’ Institute – these were centres of learning in those days – he studied (among many other things) both Hebrew and Greek. He was a polymath.

His second great passion – Faith and Family together being his first – was music. Able to play both violin and piano – and to transpose written music into tonic-solfa for those who could not read music – he was appointed Musical Director of the local Amateur Operatic Society. His favourite work was Handel’s Messiah. I can see him now, dressed in his black evening suit, white shirt, black dickie-bow, conducting a full chorus and orchestra, with his white baton; every word, every note engraved in his heart. I have his baton, but none of his talent!

In the 1920’s, a number of Italian families moved into Glamorgan and set up shops and cafes. One of these families (the Bassini’s) settled in Treherbert.

When Italy declared war, and joined with Germany, the UK government issued an internment order against those it deemed to be ‘enemy civilians.’ This included the Bassini’s. The husband (I knew him as Jack) was taken away, but his wife and three children were allowed to remain in their home (they had a café and a fish and chip shop, located side-by-side).

One day, my grandfather – returning from work – discovered a mob, hurling abuse (and stones) at the Bassini’s and their home; at people they had once called friends. My grandfather stood between the mob and their target, and told them to stop, and to go home. They did.

Many years later, the family’s eldest daughter (Maria) was accepted as a Carmelite nun; and my grandfather and grandmother were invited to attend the investiture ceremony. A great honour.

My grandfather was an Elder at Blaencwm Chapel. The Elders employed the Minister.

When I was a teenager, one Minister visited my grandfather’s house. He was treated like royalty. My grandfather called him ‘Sir’. Later, I asked my grandfather why he had called this man ‘Sir’ after all, he was the Minister’s boss!

My grandfather smiled, and said: ‘I’m just an Elder. The Minister speaks the Word!’

When my grandfather died, several hundred men – of all ages – attended his funeral (women did not attend funerals in those days). They filled the cemetery chapel, and many were weeping openly.

My grandfather was able to calm a howling mob – and move the hearts of many – not because of any legal authority (he had none), but because of his character; because of the person he was. He lived his Faith as it was meant to be lived. A Christian would say that he reflected the love of Jesus; and that it was this that made him a shining beacon to others.

He led by example rather than by argument. My greatest regret is that I was too young – and, when old enough, too immature – to hold long conversations with him, and to fully appreciate the kind of man he was.

He is, by far, the finest man I ever knew.

Blessings.
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I've read that and re-read and then re-read it again. Wonderful. It sounds as if your grandfather was a great man.
 
Toneboy said:
I've read that and re-read and then re-read it again. Wonderful. It sounds as if your grandfather was a great man.
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Thank you.

Yes. He was something else. Never raised his voice; never abused.

There's the time when he was working underground, drilling holes in the coalface. He had to hold the drill-bar (heavy) while his partner struck the end of the bar with a sledge hammer. My grandfather would then have to twist the bar after every strike, to break the bit, and extend the hole. Hard work.

On this particular day, the striker (name of Alan) missed the bar, and struck my grandfather's hand...breaking his thumb.

Later, my dad spoke to Alan, who burst into tears: 'It wouldn't have been so bad if he had sworn at me' sobbed Alan. 'But all he said was: Oh dear, Alan...what have you done!'

His was a Welsh-speaking chapel. About a year before he died - when chapel attendance was in decline - I asked how things were at his chapel: 'Not too good', he replied. 'We're even having to hold services in English now!' .

One of a kind. A far better man than I, that's for sure.

Blessings.
 
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Some years ago it occurred to me that it's very easy for me to live in this world, but
Heaven would require a level of piety and self control that I was pretty sure I
couldn't keep up forever. Sooner or later I'd mess up and get thrown out. But if it
were just as easy for me to live in Heaven as it is for me to live in this world, then
for sure I'd never get thrown out of Heaven.

In other words: if only thinking, feeling, and acting like God came just as natural to
me as thinking, feeling, and acting like a man; then that would be the cat's meow.

I was very surprised, and excited, upon discovering that something very similar to
the very thing I wished for is contained in a promise that God made to Moses'
people.

"I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land.
Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be
washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart
with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your
stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put My spirit in
you so you will obey My laws and do whatever I command." (Ezek 36:24-27)
_
 
My journey to faith began in a subtle way. I wasn’t raised in a particularly religious household, though I was baptised as a baby. My grandmother was a Christian, and she once gave me a Bible as a gift. I treasured that Bible deeply, and it always felt significant to me, even though I didn’t fully understand why.

As I grew older, I considered myself agnostic and didn’t think much about religion. I went on to marry and have a son. My husband has always been Christian, though he wasn’t practicing. Then, a few years ago, I had a moment of wonder watching a nature documentary with my son. The beauty and complexity of the natural world moved me, and it stirred something within me that made me begin to wonder about the existence of God.

Shortly after, my son brought home a leaflet from school advertising Christmas services at a local church. I remember feeling a strong urge to go, though life got busy, and I put it off. But the thought of attending church kept returning. One day, while on the school run and thinking again about making time for church, I noticed a piece of paper on the ground. On it was a Bible verse: “Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” It felt like more than coincidence. When I got home, I looked up the verse and found myself curious about its meaning. This curiosity grew, and I began reading the Bible.

Since then, my husband and I have become regular churchgoers, and I’ve come to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Embracing the Christian faith has brought a depth of joy and fulfillment to my life that I never anticipated. I feel more at peace and fulfilled than I ever have before, and I am grateful for the journey that led me here.
 
I was born into a Christian family who toured the world in a Christian ministry band for 10 years. Needless to say I was taught that Jesus is real in the same breath that I was taught anything else factual. I wonder today whether this was a good thing or a disservice as it set me up to believe in Christ automatically rather than as a personal realisation. Luckily (or maybe not!) I did come to the faith on my own after years of questioning and I'm still working out the kinks of what that means to me, but it's a journey I'm enjoying and well worth embarking on. I met my wife on a Christian Dating app and I have a lovely little one year old boy, and I hope to raise him to find Jesus on his own terms.
 
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Really when you become a Christian, it is just only the beginning in your Christian walk with Christ. It is about growing as a believer. Sadly I didn't know that until ten years after becoming a believer for real. It is about prayer, Bible reading, fellowship with other believers, and church to make your faith grow stronger.
 
Toneboy said:
Very simply, this thread is a place for you to tell us a bit about your Christian background. Do I have to go first? Oh, alright then. ;)

It all started in my family in 1991. My Gran, who lived in the family home with myself, my Mum and my Step-Dad, passed away in April that year, just a matter of weeks before my 16th birthday.

I remember how my Gran so dearly wanted to see me turn 16, and how I didn't think it was fair. I went through a pretty wretched time emotionally, and was more surprised a few months later when my Mum became a Christian. How could she believe in a God who had been so cruel to my Gran, someone who had led a good life and wouldn't seek to harm anyone.

The following year doesn't seem that dramatic looking back, but off the top of my head I remember it as being quite an emotional roller-coaster. In 1992 my Step-Dad (more of a Father than my actual Dad ever was, or ever will be) also became a Christian. I was a minority of one in my own home.

From that point home life was more difficult. Arguments were more common, although I knew my parents weren't bad parents and I did love them - hopefully they didn't think I was a bad kid.

In September 1993 I began life at University. Moving away from Portsmouth, I was heading to London! I had more freedom, and while I wasn't completely wreckless I did "enjoy myself". Loneliness kicked in somewhat, and I found out the hard way that getting drunk didn't solve your problems.

In December I came home for a weekend for my Mum's birthday. It was my first time visiting back home, but really I had a girl I liked at the forefront of my thoughts. Therefore when I was asked to go to a Christian Youth Group that weekend I thought I would be able to go and be there (saving myself from an argument) without "being there". Instead a visiting American called John Hwang put this thought in my head - "Can you honestly look at nature and not believe in a Creator?" That thought never left me until I became a Christian.

By February I was really lonely at Uni. In April I turned a corner, decided to enjoy the freedom being single offered and throw myself into my passions - mostly watching sports. My favourite football team, Crystal Palace, ended up winning Division 1. I would have a lot of new grounds to visit.

I had started to really enjoy life. Before starting my summer job I had time to enjoy lots of balmy summer days with lots of Christian friends, including some American and Scottish visitors. These people weren't stereotypes, they really cared about me. We could chat about normal things, they weren't boring, the Bible Studies weren't boring, and I had friends who could answer my questions.

I could now see the Bible as something relevant, something true. My preconceived ideas of God being unfair and unloving were being swept aside, as the Youth Group went through the Gospel of John and showed the caring, loving nature of Jesus. God's Word was working on my heart, and other scriptures and studies were working on my mind. Everything was falling into place.

Only one thing was missing. Everything seemed a bit too good. Nobody's life was this perfect, even I knew that being a Christian did not prevent bad things from happening to you. How did these new-found friends react when things didn't go so well?

Sadly I would soon find out. David and Carren, the Youth Group leaders, were expecting their first child. Unfortunately the foetus had begun to develop in a fallopian tube - an eptopic pregnancy. They would lose the baby.

The night they told the Youth Group was naturally a sad affair. However their reiterated their trust in God, and how they still believed in Him. I was impressed by their words, and didn't doubt their own belief in them. The final piece of the jigsaw was in place - it was that night that I became a Christian (August 6th, 1994).

Nine years on, there have been highs, and there have been lows, but I'm still intent on running the race set out before each of us (Hebrews 12:1).
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WHY I'M A CHRISTIAN, I LOVE JESUS MORE THAN I LOVE ANYBODY ELSE ON EARTH,AND THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS THE RELATIONSHIP I HAVE WITH GOD NOTHING ELSE,AND THIS WORLD AND EVERYTHING IT HAS TO OFFER IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT HE HAS IN STORE FOR US
 
Simple but Very Important...Jesus Christ As The One and True Way and ONLY Way to Heaven and Eternity to God. Plus He sacrificed His Life for Us to Accept Him and Have Our Names In the Lamb's Book of Life!
 
Why I'm a Christian

Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

I would add to Peter ...words of eternal life and truth.
 
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