Last Sunday evening was really exciting for our family. Eric was baptized and it was an awesome time for us! Thank you so much to all of the family and friends that came out to support him. It was really special. Rather than give a terribly abridged version of his reasons for being baptized, he said I could share with you the email that he used to share his story with some family and friends. God has been doing some neat things with our family and it's exciting to see what he has in store for us. So, here's Eric's email.
So… It all started when Monica asked me to be in a small group with the Motts and Fuentes. I was very reluctant b/c I was just tired of the same old Bible study/small group thing where we go, act all good and Christian, and don't actually live out what we talk about. It wasn't something new that I was frustrated with - my whole life I've really struggled with doubt, disbelief, and just had serious frustrations with all things Christian. I've "tried" to figure things out, but never really got anywhere was just kind of stuck in a place where I said I was a Christian, went to church, and outwardly acted the part - but didn't really believe, love God, or have him as part of my life. Basically I was not a Christian. (I think many people take issue with me saying that and more think that I really was a Christian but was just struggling, but I disagree). I feel like the Bible is full of passages that say if you're actually, truly, really a Christian, you'll live like one (James 2:14-26, Lk 6:26, Mt 7:15-21, Jn 8:31, and on and on). Anyway. About 6 months ago I came to the point where I basically set out to really make a choice. I can either believe, or not believe. Be a Christian, or not. But I was done faking it. (Which isn't such an unbiblical idea - see IICor 13:5 and Phil 2:12-13 - I definitely "failed the test" as it says in II Cor 13:5).
I started meeting with Rich Sparling, just so I could get off my chest all the questions, objections, doubts and frustrations I had. I read a lot of books, a lot of the Bible, and trying to figure things out. I didn't think that I could ever just figure it out on my own - and really, I couldn't. But there are two verses that just kept sticking with me (one of which, ironically, I saw in your downstairs bathroom) Jer 29:13 - "you will seek me and you will find me when you seek with all your heart." and the other, James 4:8 "Come near to God and he will come near to you." All this time I had been expecting God to just magically open my eyes and make clear all that I didn't get - sort of just snap his fingers and make me believe, and I was frustrated, like it was all his fault that I didn't get it. The more I tried to get it on my own, the more frustrated I got. But as I started to truly seek him (not just seek ways to prove or disprove his existence) and draw near to him something amazing happened. I was able to read passages like Romans 9 (the predestination chapter) and be able to say, "It doesn't make total sense to me, I would probably have done it differently, but God is so beyond what I can understand - and like vs 20 says - who am I to talk back to God?" I was finally able to read the Bible with the purpose of drawing near to God - and not just being a skeptic, pulling out anything that didn't make sense to me in my flawed human mind.
So I guess in the end I came to believe (probably around 2 months ago was when I really came to grips with it). It wasn't like I had thought it would happen - like a light switch going on. But more of a slow process. (an exciting process for me none-the-less).
I thought the natural next step when you become a Christian is to be baptized - and I didn't want to wait 6 months, so Sunday it is! I hope this all makes sense and that you'll let me know if you have any questions.
Now, Monica and I are both evaluating our life to see where we've cut God out, and how we can better live our lives for him, not just for ourselves. It's definitely a process, but I'm excited about where we're headed.
Thanks for listening, and sorry for being long-winded or not so clear.
Cal survived the heat, but man it was hot!
We don't know this person, but I thought it was a neat picture with the parents watching and holding hands. What a cool moment for a family!So… It all started when Monica asked me to be in a small group with the Motts and Fuentes. I was very reluctant b/c I was just tired of the same old Bible study/small group thing where we go, act all good and Christian, and don't actually live out what we talk about. It wasn't something new that I was frustrated with - my whole life I've really struggled with doubt, disbelief, and just had serious frustrations with all things Christian. I've "tried" to figure things out, but never really got anywhere was just kind of stuck in a place where I said I was a Christian, went to church, and outwardly acted the part - but didn't really believe, love God, or have him as part of my life. Basically I was not a Christian. (I think many people take issue with me saying that and more think that I really was a Christian but was just struggling, but I disagree). I feel like the Bible is full of passages that say if you're actually, truly, really a Christian, you'll live like one (James 2:14-26, Lk 6:26, Mt 7:15-21, Jn 8:31, and on and on). Anyway. About 6 months ago I came to the point where I basically set out to really make a choice. I can either believe, or not believe. Be a Christian, or not. But I was done faking it. (Which isn't such an unbiblical idea - see IICor 13:5 and Phil 2:12-13 - I definitely "failed the test" as it says in II Cor 13:5).
I started meeting with Rich Sparling, just so I could get off my chest all the questions, objections, doubts and frustrations I had. I read a lot of books, a lot of the Bible, and trying to figure things out. I didn't think that I could ever just figure it out on my own - and really, I couldn't. But there are two verses that just kept sticking with me (one of which, ironically, I saw in your downstairs bathroom) Jer 29:13 - "you will seek me and you will find me when you seek with all your heart." and the other, James 4:8 "Come near to God and he will come near to you." All this time I had been expecting God to just magically open my eyes and make clear all that I didn't get - sort of just snap his fingers and make me believe, and I was frustrated, like it was all his fault that I didn't get it. The more I tried to get it on my own, the more frustrated I got. But as I started to truly seek him (not just seek ways to prove or disprove his existence) and draw near to him something amazing happened. I was able to read passages like Romans 9 (the predestination chapter) and be able to say, "It doesn't make total sense to me, I would probably have done it differently, but God is so beyond what I can understand - and like vs 20 says - who am I to talk back to God?" I was finally able to read the Bible with the purpose of drawing near to God - and not just being a skeptic, pulling out anything that didn't make sense to me in my flawed human mind.
So I guess in the end I came to believe (probably around 2 months ago was when I really came to grips with it). It wasn't like I had thought it would happen - like a light switch going on. But more of a slow process. (an exciting process for me none-the-less).
I thought the natural next step when you become a Christian is to be baptized - and I didn't want to wait 6 months, so Sunday it is! I hope this all makes sense and that you'll let me know if you have any questions.
Now, Monica and I are both evaluating our life to see where we've cut God out, and how we can better live our lives for him, not just for ourselves. It's definitely a process, but I'm excited about where we're headed.
Thanks for listening, and sorry for being long-winded or not so clear.
Cal survived the heat, but man it was hot!
1 comment:
Hello Eric,
Thank you for being couragious enough to share your heart and thoughts. I used your testimony as a devotional to close out my week: You had some powerful, thought-provoking passages of Scripture! I was hugely encouraged by the action of the verses as well as how you put into play II Cor 13:5. I also found Lk 6:26 and Phil 2:12-13 sobering. I will continue to pray for you as you work out your faith, discerning the course of action God is setting before you. You have done well and will continue to do well if you keep working out God's purpose behind saving you, Eric Mangin. Keep lifting up the Word of Life so that you can rejoice at Christ's return knowing that you have not run in vain nor laboured in vain.
Thank you again for sharing.
Love in Christ,
David
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