My Testimonial
Posted: Saturday, July 30, 2011
by Chad VanRyn
My journey to this place in life has been filled with many obstacles. I've been a thief a crack head, a liar. I have picked up prostitutes. I was a bad dad and maybe even a worse boyfriend. For some people that's what it takes to find God.
I can tell you this because only God can judge me in the end. I am filled with the Holy Spirit and I am in love with this feeling. I will not allow anyone to tell me this is wrong either. I owe this Church (Canaan Church Coatesville IN.) and many of its members’ my eternal life. Thank you Canaan Church.
I have learned from Cindy Ware and Susan Deyo that no matter your devotion you will be tested and life can be trying but you have to keep your Faith. I watch Brenda Anderson work so hard and with such devotion to this church it inspires me. Her husband Steve made me understand that you have to be proud of being a Christian. There’s no room for shame in your Faith.
I met Ron Kowalski while working at the Wass's home. He came across so kind and genuine I was intrigued. Ron invited me to attend Alpha meetings and there he gave me the first Bible I had picked up in quite a while. Thanks for helping me get here.
I have friends and Family here who knew how my life was without the spirit in me. They see the differences in me and with my attitude towards life. It’s not a long road in my opinion. I think of life like I465. We get going so fast we miss our exits. God slows us down and does the driving but only if we let him. I know with God in my life I can do anything. I’m losing my house my family is split in half my life is in turmoil but its all ok. I have a relationship with God that no one can take away from me, not the banks or Judges no one.
I want to connect to those who are where I’ve been, God willing I will. This is hard to do but if I can be real with myself and with God I can be real with anyone else. The truth has set me free and only God’s judgment matters to me. All sin weighs the same in the eyes of the Lord. The only unforgivable sin is denying Jesus Christ as your Saviour. We all have demons and skeletons in our closets. I want anyone who hears me know you can be forgiven by god but only if you take off the sin like a dirty shirt lay it on him and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Repent and be baptized. Sounds easy it’s not it takes time, it’s worth the effort. We all teach no matter if you know it or not you teach. You set examples for people in your life whether you try to or by accident. That being said I realize a responsibility to try and be a good example. We all must forgive to be forgiven, but never forget. Never forget the lessons lest you repeat the same mistakes.
I came up to Canaan to talk to Pastor Kevin about doing this after an extremely tough week. My soon to be ex-wife, had been gone for about 3 weeks. Chad and Hannah my son and oldest Daughter were going to their Mom’s for her half of summer vacation. My kid’s mom has custody of Emily my youngest daughter. Three kids same parents Amen for that at least. I came home Tuesday to an empty house that used to be our home. No kids, no woman, and hot out it broke me down. I couldn’t sleep and I found myself talking to God. I did this for three nights. Tuesday Wednesday Thursday. I would work come home break down scream at the walls sleep 3 or 4 hours get up and do it again. Thursday night really Friday morning. I decided enough is enough I am going to see my baby girl Emily. I had not seen her for almost a year. My life got so far away from me that I let that happen. I drove down to Patoka Lake. Emily was with Grandma, so Emily and I got some good one on one time.We needed it.Its a good 2 hour drive to Patoka Lake. I spent the whole time talking to God I thought I was losing it. Spent the day and night with Emily and headed home. I wanted to stay longer but I didn’t want to impose, Grandma and I had a good relationship but it became strained when I got married. She made me stay the night. I headed home Saturday still thinking I’m a wacko. I spent another 2 hours driving talking to God. The first thing I did when I got back to Heritage Lake (Home) was stop and talk to Pastor Kevin. I felt such an awakening I needed a reality check. Kevin reassured me that I hadn’t lost my mind but I have found it. I feel obligated to reach people in order to repent of my sins. This is the first step in a series of steps.
Through all this I have found truth with my family I needed for thirty years. I have found my biggest regrets are not knowing the truth. I never knew my real dad. I know realize I have but 1 Father and he has been here for me every day. I never knew the truth about my father. I now know I only had to open the bestselling book of all time. It’s all true life is easy we make it hard, that’s real. You have to be real with yourself first before in my opinion you can be real with God. If you’re real with God the rest is just details. Give God what’s right not what’s left. When I first got this spirit I told everyone. Some people thought I was drunk, some thought I was high. Most though I had finally lost my mind. It’s crazy especially for me to feel this good sober. Don’t get me wrong I still drink some beer, but it doesn’t consume my life, God does. I love life and if that’s a crazy viewpoint than yes I am crazy. If you are unhappy about things in your life and you accept that to me that’s crazy.
Man made laws are made by men. Gods’ law was made by God, although some are the same some are not. As Christians I feel we must abide by both but when there is a choice to be made the choice is simple. I don’t mean law’s per say I mean rules. We think we must conform to society first and then God, but true freedom comes only from God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Let’s be real look at the sacrifices made by the true believers in the Bible. It’s a struggle for sure, but it’s worth it to me to try and be the best I can be. I only have a short time today so let me wrap it up. I just ask to be judged by the man I am now not the man I once was. You have to be real with yourself before God will be real to you. I‘ll be here if anyone wants to hear more of my story. If you hear what I’m saying and don’t want to talk but would rather read. Read Proverbs Chapter 24 out of the NIV Bible for a little help and understanding. Thanks for your time, lets pray.
Dear Heavenly Father
Thank you for giving me this voice. We all have gift’s I ask you to be with the people here today and help us all find our gifts, they are all different but priceless the same. Lord I promise honesty to you, myself and anyone else for life. I ask you to help anyone that needs that in life. We are all sinners and when we get that we can do something about it. I ask only for truth Father, Amen.
Oh by the way Happy Fathers Day Dad. Sorry I didn’t get you anything I been busy man.
I did this on Father’s Day 2011. If you want to see the video, I got most of it , the beginning was missed, check me out on Facebook Chad VanRyn in Indiana.
This Article has been viewed 298 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Chad. The tears of joy run down my face. So real, so vulnerable, so full of praise. Keep moving forward. May you be strengthened with wisdom and understanding in God's word and may you continually be filled with the Holy Spirt - keep the fire burning! Thank you for sharing you! In Jesus name, Amen!Thanks Teresa God Bless You!
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.