Forum First Timer -- Shhhaaking in my boots!

[Only by Grace]

I have never been (and never plan to be!) a member of the “LC” – LSM version or otherwise, but I am a born again believer in love with our Lord Jesus Christ, so I trust I will be “received” here. I feel like I “know” most of you, as I’ve been a lurker on the BARM LC sub-forum for several years. I’ve been wanting to join a community of Christians to chat with, and since I’m already comfortable with y’all, I decided to hop over from the BARM and jump in with a tentative toe in the water! This is my first participation in an on-line forum, so be kind! You guys (and gals!) get a little rough and tumble now and then, and, though I’ve been a Christian for over 35 years, I don’t think I’d want to get into a deep theological tangle with many of you. However, I can hold my own when it comes to following the Lord Jesus Christ with my whole heart, and my life! I thought I could maybe offer my occasional two cents on how “we” (or at least some of us "outside of the LC") might look at things from the perspective of never wearing LC colored glasses. (I don’t mean that disrespectfully, just as a matter of fact).

VERY brief testimony: Grew up in dysfunctional non-Christian home, came to know the Lord Jesus Christ when I was in my early teens shortly after I started attending a little Baptist church with a friend. I was overwhelmed with the fact that the creator of the Universe was also a loving Heavenly Father who wanted to have fellowship with me. Even as a young teen, I had a “knowledge” of my sin (and resulting guilt)…even with never holding a Bible in my hand! Hearing that evangelical pastor preach the salvation message was a vehicle the Holy Spirit used to convict my heart and show me my “need” for a Savior. I cried when I heard that God had given his Son to die on the cross – to take MY sins upon Himself! How could I resist such a love? I committed my life to the Lord Jesus Christ and have never looked back. And, frankly, if Heaven and eternal life weren't "part of the deal," knowing the Lord in THIS life would be enough for me, truly. I’ve been attending “churches” in a couple of “denominations” the past 3+ decades (churches that I never even thought of being denominations!) I never thought of myself as a “Baptist” – just a Christian. When we moved a few years ago, I left a Baptist church, and didn’t set off looking for another one (nor was I looking for a “non”-Baptist church!) I just wanted to find a group of believers in our new community where the Bible is the first and last WORD, the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ is preached, where Christians can mature in Christ, and where each member’s spiritual gifts are recognized and used for the body of Christ and as light and salt in the community. Turns out, it’s not a Baptist church this go ‘round! The local congregations I have been a part of have never been controlled by a headquarters, but have been churches in my community where I felt that I fit…local congregations led by elders, solid grace-based Bible teaching, believer baptism, communion, singing/music, and other folks like me who want to worship the Lord together as a group, and who want to follow Him in their lives beyond Sunday. It’s funny (not ha-ha funny), if I were sharing my testimony anywhere else, I would probably not even be sharing about “where” I attend “church,” but rather just about my relationship with the Lord. But, being that I’m entering this LC forum, I know this is probably of importance to the gang.

My interest in joining this particular forum is that I have some “friends” who are already here! (That takes away a little of the fear and trepidation! ) I look forward to engaging in occasional discussions with you all…who I sense are just like my “real life” friends – lovers of the Lord Jesus Christ, who remain amazed at His extravagant love for us, and who are seeking to know and to be known, to learn and to share, to exhort and encourage, and to sharpen and be sharpened! Blessings to you all!

Only By Grace (or, you can call me Gracie for short!)

PS to YP...I thought the comic strip was pretty hilarious...which might give a glimpse of my personality...So...say good night, Gracie!