You might find yourself in this story as well... So thankful for the person of Hope and how He indeed changes everything. My friend, John Boring, is back. I'm thrilled that you all get to hear from him again during our Blog Party 2011! (To read John's other post click here.)
My Story
I considered myself to be a Christian for as long as I can remember. I believed in God, had no doubts that He existed, but I felt He was an elitist, favoring some while ignoring others. I fell into the ignored category but that did not stop my belief that there was a God. I simply did not rely on Him for much and He was certainly not a deity I could trust. To my mind, my life was mine to control and if I was going to survive it would be because of my actions, not God’s.
This God I believed in was not a kind God, quite the contrary. He was vengeful and angry. He promised us things but He had doubts any of us could measure up to His standards enough to earn those rewards. This image of God was the one given to me through the various churches I attended. It was not a God I wanted to look up to if these preachers were right, and I eventually quit going to churches altogether. Instead, I found God in the great outdoors, in the magnificent scenery of mountains, streams, lakes, sunrises and sunsets, and in the perfection of his creations such as birds and animals. I found the peace and contentment I sought from churches in these outdoor delights. Here was the church of the God I could look up to, the God of my childhood; the kind of God I could worship; a kind and loving God who could take time to create such wonder and beauty.
Then, in April, 2005 we lost our 24-year-old son, Dan, to cancer. During his five year fight, I had tried to help by being there for him and offering advice about treatments and procedures to try, but I never once called on God to intervene. That job fell to Suzi, my wife, whose life-long and steadfast faith in God never wavered. After Dan passed, I thought about her faith a lot and how I had not ever supported her in that area. I did not attend church with her, did not join her in prayer. Those thoughts shamed me and I announced I would be in church with her in the future, regardless of the preacher and what he had to say about God; I would be there to support Suzi.
She was thrilled by my decision and in an effort to make it easier for me knowing how little I liked her pastor, she gave up her church and looked for another one for us to attend. It ended up being Open Door Fellowship Church in West Phoenix . On our first visit there in the summer of 2005, just a few months after Dan’s death, we walked through the doors into this small, window-less auditorium. No stained glass, no silk banners, no gold trappings. Just a bandstand and a podium. But, the place hummed with conversation as the congregation trickled in and took their seats. People were greeting each other with hugs and kisses, laughing and talking. When seated, many of the women moved close to their man as lovers do in movie theaters. Others hugged children close to them as the worship music began. Something inside of me began to stir, emotions began to rise that were unfamiliar and foreign. There was something in the room that I could feel, a presence I had never before felt or experienced. The emotions I was feeling quickly overcame me and I began to cry; huge, racking, sobs that had nothing to do with Dan’s death and everything to do with feeling God’s presence and His arms around me. Along with this release of emotion came a sense of peace and contentment. A feeling of coming home.
Then John Lynch began to speak and the words he delivered seemed to be aimed straight at my heart. Doors opened that had been closed since my childhood and I understood for the first time that our God was indeed a loving and caring God, that loving me was one of His highest priorities. It all made sense and in that clarity of thought I was changed inside forever. I had also found my home, the church I had been looking for and the preacher I had longed to hear. It was the combination of the love I felt in the room and demonstrated so clearly by the congregation, as well as the theology preached from the pulpit in that little church that did it. And, one other ingredient: It was God who directed me there and it was God who decided it was time for me to meet His son on that particular day. It was God, who put His arm around me that morning and led me home.
That’s my story and it’s an ongoing love affair. ODF is my church for life and loving God, and loving others in His name, is now my lifetime mission.
John Boring
P.S.
When Christ rolled into my life one special Sunday in 2005, three things happened almost immediately: I received the gift of grace, it became easier for me to love others and I developed a big appetite for pie. This means that I am a grace-filled, pie-eating, hug-giving man. I live in grace because God gifted me with it. I eat pie as often as I can because I’m addicted to them. I give hugs because I can’t help myself; it’s the purest way I know to demonstrate my love for others. I’m also an elderly dude who will become wise and respected when I turn 80 this November. Can’t wait.
When Christ rolled into my life one special Sunday in 2005, three things happened almost immediately: I received the gift of grace, it became easier for me to love others and I developed a big appetite for pie. This means that I am a grace-filled, pie-eating, hug-giving man. I live in grace because God gifted me with it. I eat pie as often as I can because I’m addicted to them. I give hugs because I can’t help myself; it’s the purest way I know to demonstrate my love for others. I’m also an elderly dude who will become wise and respected when I turn 80 this November. Can’t wait.
