What Do I Believe?

I wanted to reflect on an area of my life, and about what I believe. I have spent most of my life partying and living the lifestyle most people live today. Oh yeah Sex, Drugs, Rock n Roll, or in my case Hard Core Metal, and Thrash. Up until 8 years ago, Wow it's been that long?

I finally gave my life to Christ. This may run as a shocker to some of you, but I hated church--the sleepy sermons,the corny people, and oh man, the horrifying sounds of the pipe organ church music. Oops, did I say that? Lol--Yes I did! I had a very hard time with church type people, as the world says Hypocrites! They would go to church on Sunday and live like the devil for the rest of the week. It really took a lot for me to come to Christ.

I was in a drunken stupor, stoned out of my brain, and kept hearing this voice. "You're gonna stop drinking and you will be going to church!" What? What the heck is this? (Well it was other words I had to tone it down. I don't talk that way anymore. lol) Anyway I told my wife. She said, "Don't even say that. You're never gonna stop drinking. I know you, it won't last even a week."

To make a long story short , a guy invited me to church. I accepted and took my wife and kids. The pastor was talking right into our lives. My wife went up to pray as I stood there in tears. Then the guy who brought us came up and prayed with us. We accepted Christ into our lives that night! We loved it.

Then about 3 days later, We went again to this revival. A guy called people up to stop smoking. "Yeah lets see if this works." I said. Then the guy stopped and looked dead at me. He said, " You! " I looked behind me, beside me. There was nobody there. lol He looked at me again, and said "No You!, God told me that if you don't quit that alcohol, that your gonna kill yourself! You know that don't you?" I said "yeah" with a smile on my face. Knowing how my father died from drinking himself to death. (Literally!)

Then he said, " He also told me that you have a good heart! He has special plans for you!" Then these tears came out of no where! The guy went on to preach. Of course piercing my heart, I know this guy had to know who I was. But, he didn't. He was from Vegas! The guy who invited me said "come on lets go." "Your Right! It's time." I replied.

Snot and tears flowing, my body was shaking, something in me was packing up on leaving. Hard to explain, but this is what it felt like. The next day I went to get my daily 40. ( For those that don't know it's a 40 oz bottle of Malt liquor.) I had to have this to get rid of the shakes by noon everyday. I was a full blown alcoholic. It is a disease. I couldn't stop. I knew it, and so did everyone else. As I drank it, It was nasty! The nastiest taste I have ever tasted. So I pounded the whole thing to get rid of the shakes. Cause they were coming on quick. Something that never happened before. It all came right back out .

I can't explain the taste nor do I want to. It was extremely gross.At that moment, the shakes stopped. It was over. The urge along with the taste in my mouth, made me realize it was over. God delivered me in an instant.It shocked the heck out of me.

I told my wife, its over. "Get rid of everything. Now!" She said what about the pot. (Yet another thing I never wanted to stop.) lol I Said "Everything" From that moment we poured out all the beer I had just bought. All the pipes and bongs and weed we had. I couldn't flush it. So I gave it to all my friends. lol Hey I just got saved. It was the courteous thing to do.

I knew what had happened. Jesus saved me from literally killing myself. I went from having a beer in my hand to a Bible. lol This went over well with all of our friends. They all saw this and ran! (Literally) Everyone told me. "Ahh you'll be back in a week man!" "When you come around we are here for you bro!"

A week, months, and so on. I haven't went back since. I haven't wanted to. I started reading the Bible! For the first time it actually made sense. I wanted to know who Jesus really was. It took over a year to go through the whole thing. Then I went back and started again. Finding Jesus in the Old Testament threw me for a loop. We kept going to church. Every time the doors were opened we were there. Yeah I know I'm a freak! Thank God! He allowed me to not only find out that I actually loved my wife. But has kept us together for 12 almost 13 years now. Man God is good.

Awhile after this the church split! The pastor decided he wanted to preach from the Bible instead of what the organization want him to preach. He knew he was held accountable for what he was preaching and teaching the congregation. I didn't know what to do. I prayed. God told me flat out "Stay" though I still didn't know, I Obeyed. (Yes God does speak lol He is very well alive!)

We stayed, over half the congregation left. People trying to quote the Bible to get me leave. But it turned into a money issue instead of God! I had to pray a lot. Confused, but I knew what he was preaching was right! I read it myself! What he is saying up there is right on! As time went on. The church had a new found freedom in Christ. We had fun in church, instead of heavy burdens. The church doubled. Saw many miracles and we loved it. Eventually my wife and I both wound up on the platform helping out with praise and worship. Loving it. Then God started dealing with me on writing songs again. Next thing you know my wife and I are playing music that God had me write and it was touching many hearts. I've been amazed ever since this started.

I'm not perfect, Nor will I ever claim to be. No one is perfect but the Father! God! Why he would choose a low life like me to do this. Is beyond my understanding.
But some friends came up and asked. "Do you want a bass player and a drummer?" I said " Sure! Lets see what happens." Next thing you know in 2002 our band was formed Sanctyfied!

A few weeks later someone gave me an electric guitar still in the plastic and said "Here! God bless you!" a few days after that we went straight into a studio and started recording. When it was done. I decided to put it up in Myspace. After that people started contacting me, saying "Hey can you play here?" or "We would love to air you on the radio!" so stations and places to play started going crazy. I never seen anything like this ever since I first started music. Way back when. But I won't get into that right now.

The special plans that was promise, Is still being carried out by God! Jesus literally turn my life upside down. It went from a downward spiral to Hell! To and awesome Highway to Heaven! We have spent the past few years moving around the country. The full band is no longer with my wife and I. At least for now. They all do have a life as well. lol Through our travels we have seen so much. But, we still continue to do the songs God gave me for Sanctyfied!

We will have more band members and more musicians to record with. It's been an awesome ride with Jesus so far. I don't want it ever end. He has plans for you as well. Talk to Him! He knows you better than you know yourself!

Ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Let him into your heart. Know who He is. Read the Bible for yourself! Don't let a man a platform be your Judge! Let your God be your Judge! Jesus is Alive and Well. I know it to be fact. There is no one that can tell me otherwise. They try, but everything they say cannot compare to what has happened to me. This is a very short version of my testimony. If you would like to know more, just ask.

Most important., when you pray, listen! God will speak to you. He always has. We just tend to ignore it. He created you. He loves you. He is Daddy--to everyone. He is not some mean guy with a stick waiting to bash your head in every time you do something wrong. He cares and Loves you. He wants the best for you. Will life change for the better? We still have to reap what we have sowed! My life is far from perfect. I also still have a bad attitude at times. I'm not Holy than thou art. But, for the most part, I am a lot better than I used to be. God still has to chip away at the old part of me that still likes to rise up from time to time.

Whether you are Christian or not! ( Don't expect Christians to be perfect.) We all make mistakes. Most likely we all will until we die and go home!I just want to share this with everyone. To let people know who I am. I live for Jesus. I play music for my God and love to do so.I Believe it should be a fun thing to go to church. It's a celebrating not a hammer time! lol. I believe what the Word of God says. (The Bible). Not this verse or that verse, but as a whole.

I believe playing music for Him should be fun. Not a time to fight about who's better, who plays bad or worse, or a fight to be perfect. Got news for ya Nobody is perfect.I also believe that God forgives out past mistakes when we ask. Though we still have to reap what we have sown. He does forgive. Thank you Jesus.

I believe Jesus died for all of our sins. Old ones and new ones. Yes I do still sin from time to time. But, I realize it is a sin and I feel bad for it. So I repent. I do my best not to ever do it again. Not as an excuse, But because I am human just like everyone else. Being a musician for Christ, does not change me from being human. What do I believe? I believe Jesus!