Post by mandapanda on Jan 14, 2005 20:23:32 GMT -5
Hi, I'm Miranda, and I'm new in this community. I'm a college student at California State University, Long Beach, and I am double majoring in English and Music Education. I'm creative and an introvert. My interests include music, literature, ballet, theology, apologetics, philosophy, cultures, and specifically that of Japan.
Brief version of my testimony:
I grew up in the church, but really began to follow Jesus on my own initiative at age 16, the turning point being Romans 6, which God used to speak powerfully to me. He opened my eyes to the truth that no matter what I would be slave to something, whether it be to sin, to myself, or to Him... and that what an amazing freedom would be found in being His, for I had known all too well the horrible bondage that sin and self-service was in my life. So yes, following that I embarked on a study of the Great Commandment: Love. This changed my life and my entire way of thinking.
In college I face challenges I never knew I was plunging into. Mostly intellectual challenges that I find against Christianity. I am a great question-asker, as you will no doubt find... but sometimes I feel that my life is one big Question. Now, questions can be good, and lead to Truth... but like anything they are tools and can be used for good or evil. I have struggled with the negative things that my questions have brought: doubt, using intellect as a screen to block my heart, pride... it is no small thing to fight a generally atheistic/agnostic philosophy around here and not getting brainwashed into thinking and believing like they do. So I might as well be honest up front and say that yes, I have had a life-changing experience with God, and deep in my heart I will always hold to Jesus, for I could not live or breathe without Him, but at the same time, this world has had its effect on me and I have developed a side to me that is quite the skeptic, and not easily satisfied with pat answers or anything cliche.
Ah, so... there you have it... more about me than I intended upon, setting out on writing this post.
Blessings!
Brief version of my testimony:
I grew up in the church, but really began to follow Jesus on my own initiative at age 16, the turning point being Romans 6, which God used to speak powerfully to me. He opened my eyes to the truth that no matter what I would be slave to something, whether it be to sin, to myself, or to Him... and that what an amazing freedom would be found in being His, for I had known all too well the horrible bondage that sin and self-service was in my life. So yes, following that I embarked on a study of the Great Commandment: Love. This changed my life and my entire way of thinking.
In college I face challenges I never knew I was plunging into. Mostly intellectual challenges that I find against Christianity. I am a great question-asker, as you will no doubt find... but sometimes I feel that my life is one big Question. Now, questions can be good, and lead to Truth... but like anything they are tools and can be used for good or evil. I have struggled with the negative things that my questions have brought: doubt, using intellect as a screen to block my heart, pride... it is no small thing to fight a generally atheistic/agnostic philosophy around here and not getting brainwashed into thinking and believing like they do. So I might as well be honest up front and say that yes, I have had a life-changing experience with God, and deep in my heart I will always hold to Jesus, for I could not live or breathe without Him, but at the same time, this world has had its effect on me and I have developed a side to me that is quite the skeptic, and not easily satisfied with pat answers or anything cliche.
Ah, so... there you have it... more about me than I intended upon, setting out on writing this post.
Blessings!