|
Hello, my
name is David Weaver. I am 38 years old. My wife's name is Debbie and I have three
children: Rachael, Melissa, and Joshua. I am a Born Again, Spirit filled
Christian who is in Love with Jesus, who saved me and dramatically changed my
life 18 years ago. |
|
I want to take
this time to tell you about myself and give my testimony of what Jesus has
done for me. I was born and raised in Bryn Athyn |
|
I was born
and raised in this religion. When I was about 12, my father walked out of our
lives, never to be seen again, leaving my mother with five of us kids to
raise by herself. I dropped out of high school in my senior year. By the time
I reached 20, I was already a alcoholic living on 18-20 beers a day. My life
so far had been one of fear, depression, confusion and anger. I tried to
escape through drugs and alcohol but to no avail. My family didn't know what
to do with me and even suggested that I commit myself to an mental
institution. By May of 1980, I had pretty much hit rock bottom. I was so
depressed and I felt so all alone. Drunk and depressed I really felt like my
life was about over and that the only way to end the misery was through
death. |
|
One day in
a violent, drunken rage I destroyed my room. I then drove off in my car with
a case of beer on the floor and a loaded 12 gauge shot gun beside me. I kept
thinking this would bring about an end to my misery. (It was at this time
that my family wanted me to "check in to the hospital"). The
ministers of the Swedenborgian religion either couldn't or didn't want to
help me. They didn't know what to do with me. Then one of them said he had a
relative who had changed religions and left Swedenborgianism. He told them
that this man also had many of the same kind of problems and when he changed
to this other religion he seemed to be happy now. So he suggested that I talk
with this guy. |
|
One day
shortly thereafter a man named Jim Davis called me. He told me that he had
heard I was having problems and might be able to help. He had a private
pilots license and asked if I'd like to go flying with him. I agreed and went
to see him. After we went flying we went back to his office. He began to tell
me many things I had never heard before. He told me how he was once a drunk
and trouble maker. How he had many other problems like mine. Then one day he
saw a show called the 700 club on T.V and had gotten "Born Again."
After which his life was dramatically changed. He said Jesus had delivered
him from alcohol and depression. He showed me things in the Bible that I
never knew were there. He told me that if I would give my life to Jesus that
I too would also be delivered and set free. Now after spending my whole life
in the Swedenborgian religion it was hard to just say I would give it all up
to follow Jesus. Especially since Swedenborg's are supposed to have the best
religion. I mean if they really have the second coming of Jesus Christ then
any other religion would pale in comparison to it right? Yet here was a man
who was living proof to the contrary. He testified to me about the power of
God, that you can have a real and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So
why did I feel so empty inside? Why all the hurt, guilt and pain? |
|
Jim then
asked me if I would pray with him to received Jesus Christ into my heart. But
again a life time of being a Swedenborgian and also being a bit embarrassed,
I said no. He said he understood and asked me if he could pray for me? Now
the only way I knew to pray and the only prayer I had ever heard any
Swedenborgian pray is "The Lord's Prayer" you know the "Our
Father who art in heaven...." So I said O.K. thinking that's what I'd
hear. Jim then began to pray out loud and from his heart. He talked to God in
a powerful and personal way. I had never heard anyone pray like that before.
Here was this man praying for me with such feeling and heart and as he prayed
tears were streaming down his face as he wept for me. This man didn't even
know me and yet he prayed like he really cared. He prayed that God would
reveal himself to me in a personal way, that I too would come to know Jesus
as Lord and Savior. I then felt a little something break in my heart. This
was the first time someone had shown real compassion and love for me. Though
my heart was hardened by my life of sin, I felt it soften a bit then. |
|
When he
finished praying he wrote down a prayer and told me that if I would pray this
prayer God would answer it! I put it in my pocket and left for home. Later that night as I lay in bed thinking
on the things he had said and how miserable I felt I decided to try and pray
that prayer. I got out of bed, unfolded the little paper and read it out loud
to myself. I still remember it to this day. "Dear God, I am a sinner, I
confess this to You. Please come into my life and be the Lord of my life. In Jesus
Name Amen." That was it I then went back to bed and cried myself to
sleep. |
|
The next
day I went to work. Then suddenly at around |
|
All that
time I was thinking that death was the only way to end the suffering, and in
a sense I was right. It wasn't physical death I needed though but a spiritual
one. For the old me truly died the night I received the Lord Jesus into my
life. 2 Cor |
|
Are you
hungry to know God? Are you hurting or depressed? Does life seem empty?
Religion can't answer your questions. Religion can't fill the void you feel
within. Religion has NO power to help when you need it the most. But Jesus
can!! Please continue on. To any Swedenborgian's reading this, I pray that
you read this with an open heart and mind. Maybe you too feel that emptiness
inside? I pray that THE Spirit of Truth will lead you into a wonderful
encounter with Jesus Christ. Don't let the fact that you have spent all your
life in it, or what you have been taught to keep you from reading any further.
I have seen the * |
|
God Bless
you |
|
|
|
Your
Servant in Christ |
|
|
|
David
Weaver |
|
E-mail: david_weaver@cynet.net |