Prologue
Right! Finally here's the first part of what I've teased you guys so much about since last Saturday. I know some of you have been asking me about when would my full write-up about my church camp come out. To hear and read those comments from Steemians who are interested to know about my personal life have really made me look forward to writing this post. I've never been so encouraged actually. But in order to give you all a well-deserving post, I needed to make sure I was in my right mind to actually pen this all out.
As some of you may know, I've been working around the clock ever since I got back from camp. My company have just started a movie and requires from me a lot of attention to details on the animation. Hence, coming back at 2am every day isn't the best feeling. Tired and hungry makes a bad day too.
As I'm now recuperating and feeling much better today, I'm ready to share with you my personal life. A part of me that guides my perspective of life and the way I live it out. It is the most important thing and it will be the center of everything I do and that is my belief as a born-again Christian.
Before I start, I will be sharing much about my Christian walk in this post series that will come in two parts, so if at any point you feel uncomfortable reading, you are free to walk away. After much hesitation on posting an article like this(I know many have hesitated for the fear of what people might think or say), I've decided to just go ahead with it because I can't deny that God has been very real in my life and at different seasons, He showed himself true and faithful to me.
A Camp of this Sort
Truth be told, I honestly didn't want to go to this church camp. I actually have already decided not to go due to my busy schedule and the upcoming movie production schedule, I knew it was going to be tight. I didn't want to spend my weekend outside. I wanted to stay home and hibernate and rest before my work gets busy.
During this camp registration period as I was contemplating back and forth whether to register myself, I was reminded of what happened 11 years back when I went for my first church camp which was an 'Encounter Camp'. Encounter Camps are camps where you attend and expect for an encounter with God. Usually, these camps are filled with a lot of revival and breakthroughs for many individuals for their life and most of the time, their life would be transformed. That was what happened to me 11 years back and I can still remember vividly how it all went down.God showed Himself real to me when I was 17 years old. Being born in a Christian family, I only knew that Sundays was a routine, Sunday school was where I MUST attend but all these never meant anything to me. I only go to Sunday school weekly because my parents asked me to. My parents were converts from another religion. They were non-believers a while back and they accepted Jesus in their life right after their marriage. My dad was a little more skeptic but when he accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior, he was on fire for the Lord that he threw out all his shrines of idols and cleansed my whole house with prayers. That is another story for another day.
Coming back to my 17 years old self, it was all a religion routine for me.
I went week after week to church services, sing praise and worship songs, pray and go home. My extremely introverted self never got me any friends from the youth or Sunday school. I was always alone in a corner or with my parents. (Hard to believe ey? I'm now VERY different from where I once was)
Until one day, I remember that I was going to sit for a major exam in high school. It was one that would decide my educational future, whether I can get into a good university or not. I remembered praying for peace when I studied and God did give me peace throughout the whole exam. My friends were all panicking after every single paper but I wasn't. I somehow felt that God was with me and my future was decided.
That was one of the first time I clung onto God for something. Remember, being an introvert and a routine going Christian, I didn't expect anything to happen. This was just a start for me.
At that time, my church started a second service and it was on a Saturday night. I've decided to attend that service alone without my parents. I needed to be alone to worship because I somehow felt always wary when my parents are around. After going to the Saturday service a few times, I felt more freedom to express and worship, to a point summing all up from the peace God gave me throughout the major exam, I felt the urge to share the gospel to my friends. I know the bible always asked us to go out and share the good news to the world and I wanted to fulfill this.
So I went ahead and began inviting all my friends because I wanted them to feel the peace I felt since they've all been panicky about the exam. I was so excited and was like a little fireball bouncing about.
Until one Saturday Night, I was hopeful for four friends to come to the Saturday Night service with me, they all rejected me. One even told me that, 'Hey, believe yours and I'll believe mine'. It was pretty upsetting for me because I was so hopeful. At the same time, I had a growth under my arm that's been bothering me to a point I can't even lift my right arm properly. I kept this a secret because I didn't want anyone to worry.
So there I stood alone at the corner in the Saturday service. Oh, I sit alone btw, because I'm super introverted.
If you can hear me.... why would you ask me to share the good news when none of them would come. It's hard to face a rejection yet alone face 4 of them. Why Lord? Why? As you can see, I was still pretty naive back then and I probably would've annoyed all my friends with my constant wanting them to join me to feel His goodness but God is a loving God. It was during this time when He spoke to me for the first time.
As the night of the worship started and progressed, I couldn't lift up my hands in worship because my right arm was really painful due to the growth under it. I was upset, angry and hurt. Despite all that, I told myself this, 'You know what Lord, no matter what, I will lift my hands in worship to you'. I raised my arms up high in worship. When the worship was ending, the pastor came forward to open an altar call. An altar call is a time when you can come forward for prayers.
Being an introvert, the last thing I would expect myself to do was to go forward but the pastor spoke something that really nudged my heart. He said that he sensed that someone in the sanctuary was very disappointed and God wanted to talk to that person. He called out a few times and the Holy Spirit nudged me to take that 'step of faith' forward. I was very hesitant but a still small voice nudged me.
I walked to the altar. Till this day, I never remember what the pastor had prayed upon me, I just know that it was my very first encounter with God. When I stood up there, head bowed, eyes closed, I heard this from the Lord.
Me : I'm so tired of everything, why would they reject me and why would they do that to me? why would YOU allow that to happen?
God : My son, I love you with an everlasting love, I bring you Joy and not harm. There is a reason why I didn't allow them to come.
God : If they were all able to come tonight, who is going to take care of them all? When they feel left out, how would they feel?
At that moment, I knew that God has His timing for everything. Not mine but His. He revealed to me the reasons why this happened and all I needed to do was to trust in Him and to plant the seed.
That year, my church was having an encounter camp at the end of the month. I signed up for it, and it changed my life forever. Oh and the 3-inch growth under my arm? It disappeared right after that altar call encountering God. It never came back. Just vanished and healed.
Back to Present Day
Because of all that happened and how camps of this sort have given me such life-changing memories and experiences, I signed up for this church camp even when it was out of my way.
This is me carpool-ing my pastor's car on the way to what would be an amazing camp at a resort in Port Dickson. In my next post series 'Meeting with God at Church Camp', I would share lots and lots of photos from the camp and experiences. Till then, Be blessed!~
Thank You
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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://zord189.vornix.blog/2018/08/25/personal-meeting-with-god-at-church-camp-part-1/
What a wonderful post.
Although I do not go to church anymore, I believe and am a born again christian and some years ago I had a very spiritual experience which took away any doubts that I may have had back then.
When I hear people arguing about faith I am able to listen but for me, their arguments do not touch me as I know in my heart that God touched me and babtized me with the Holy Spirit - and that is good enough for me.
That 'encounter' would always be part of us ey? Agree with you, when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, it changed me 180!
Thank you for dropping by :)
What a beautiful testament to your belief and your heart @zord189. Knowing and "seeing" what I see of you I would never assume you an introvert - but then most people say the same for me. You are an incredibly strong man and also one in a million! I am blessed to be able to call you my friend. My life is a LOT richer with you around and a lot POORER when you are not.
I am VERY glad that despite your initial reluctance that you went! Sometimes that is PRECISLELY what us "introverts" need to do so that we can get the bloody hell out of our heads and into our hearts.
Love you to the moon and back hon and I am so glad you shared this! I know I am not always around - but I promise you something.... I am ALWAYS there for you.... ALWAYS! No matter WHAT even if its just to irritate you ;)
MWAH!
Couldn't agree more though sometimes we tend to be very stubborn at that. Hehehe, you know how it is :)
You have impacted me with blessings more than you realized it and I'm not saying that just cause u gave me such loving compliments. I really do mean it. Thank you for being part of my life and have chosen to stay.
Cheers to many more years together!!!
Now THAT is something I will cheers to on repeat!!! hahahaha :) MWAH!!!!!
I have had my own journey with Christianity - which I may or may not write about in time. I now walk my "own" path. That said, when people find what for them is The Way, The Truth and the Life, I not only respect that, but it makes me glad that they have found something that gives them the comfort, peace and meaning they need. I am so glad for you @zord189 and also for that healing - I do believe in miracles. I salute you. This was a brave post. Look forward to your next one.
Thank you for being so supportive all the time and for your encouraging words! Means a lot to me! <3
what a great testimony of your encounter with God, @zord189! Can't believe I missed it when you posted but I came back to read your part 1 and I'm so glad I did. It's so real and it's your story with God, so it is very special ! :) Heading to part 2 now!
Hehe waaaa ur purposely go read back ah. Thanks thanks. It is indeed my life testimony. That's how I was transformed and had an encounter with Him. :)
What an amazing post! So encourage! keep the stories coming!
Great post! I do not go to church, but I had a very spiritual experience which confuses me. I live outside of religion, but this does not mean that it does not exist))))
Thank you @amalinavia for dropping by. It is always good to have someone(God) who knows you inside out, that no other man/woman can ever know.
wohoo awesome stuff Zord... ive been away from steemit for 2 months now.. busy with various task here... haha..
but as soon as i saw the title of the post, i felt that i need to read it.. and did so..
He's definitely a God who knows the best, and a personal touch like that would be a part of your life that will always bring u remembrance of His love and how much He really cares for us :)
Thanks for the edifying post, keep writing ;)
Oh wow! Are u a Christian too? It has indeed changed my life to who I am today. Thank you for taking the time to read through everything! :)
yeap i am... attending the same church as daniel n connie :)
I love the part where your father threw out his idols and prayed once he converted. Awesome! Never give up. Never quit. Keep your focus. Take personal responsibility. Grow in Christ! God bless you and your family.
Thank you! God bless you too!
That's a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you @tripswithtam :)
Great write up bro. Anyway I am fullly understand your workload. Take care bro..
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Thank you bro! @bboyady, I know you also very busy dy with ur workload and borneo blockchain
Ya bro. Hopefully all fine. Cheers
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His timing is perfect and His plan is perfect. I grew up in a Christian school and grew up attending Sunday school everyday Sunday. I am glad it has changed your life. Church camps is a great opportunity for everyone to connect with God.
Amen! Agree with everything you said. Jeremiah 29:11!
Exactly. Although sometimes He say to wait and all will come at the right time.
Great post @zord189. Courageous. I'm glad you went to the camp despite how you felt. These are often the times when God speaks the loudest.
Couldn't agree more. Indeed God was there and His presence was overflowing.
You should never feel hesitant to share your life and your story. It took me back to my church days and reminded me about my experiences when I felt God in my life.
Thanks for the encouragement :)
God os everywhere...just need to feel their presence...lovely ppst dear..👍
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True, thank you for supporting :)
Good job 👌 you are excellent and you can handle any situation.
God bless you. .....
Thank you! You are awesome.
Thank you for sharing a part of your story. I'm also born Christian and I go to the church every Sunday. I've never been to such a camp but I'm helping with the church administration and also with charitable activities.
I'm glad that you signed up for the camp despite all what happened!
Looking forward to the next part! :)
Ohhh didn't know u were a Christian!!! Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe u can organize one! Usually revival takes place in these sort of camps.
I normally don't talk much about me in my blog so I don't blame you! :)
Oh, if I would just have more time... maybe one day :)
Hehe, there's a lot of preparation that actually goes into all this. Especially having to pray A LOT and maybe fast for the camp.
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Am glad you met with God at Church Camp! No words can truly express an encounter with God. Keep the faith burning!