The Lord changed me.

[TonyB]

The Lord changed me.
Now, I’ve been on this ship for over 2 years with this guy and he said something tonight that got me to thinking. He was talking about the last patrol we did, it was the patrol when I got saved. (but he didn’t know that until tonight) He said I stopped by his office and talked to him for about 20 minutes, now that in it’s own right is not out of the norm. (just chit-chat, nothing heavy or even about God.) But the fact that I had been stationed with this guy for almost 2 years and never said boo to him, that’s kind of strange. (my disease kept me in a shell) Anyway, he said after I was done talking with him he remembered saying to himself “something is going on with Chief”
Well tonight as we were sitting together with a couple other guys, reading scripture and talking about it, we had a pretty good laugh. That got me to thinking. The Lord has changed me. My heart is less hardened than it was. Not all the time, I don’t claim to be a saint. But apparently enough that the people around me notice. Before, I would have said this is one of the gifts of sobriety, which it is. But there is more to it than that. It’s the love that Jesus Christ has given me that shines through. It was through His love that my heart began to soften. Here is the secret…. All I had to do was become willing. It was there all along! “Paid in full” I just had to be willing to accept His love. Once I did, I was filled with it.
I love the Lord and give thanks for His graces. Man I know He loves me!
I think it’s cool that the love of Jesus Christ shines so bright that others can see it. That’s awesome! I just thought I would share.
TonyB

[aasharon90]

Thanks Tony B. for sharing an inspirational post.

Hi im Sharon and Im an Alcoholic.

By the Grace of my HP and people like u here in SR I havent had a drink of alcohol since 8-11-90. For that im truely grateful.

It's nice to have that special connection to ur Higher Power.
As i was born Catholic and was brought up with that upbringing,
I have always known that He ..God....has always been there for me.

Thru the good times and bad...

As a child when my life was pretty bad with physical abuse,
I had prayed that i could have been born a guy, just because my
brother was serving as an alter boy at the time....Back then girls were not allowed on the alter.....i always thought it was neat that the guys could do that and be that close to Him up on the alter.

Anyway...since I made that wish...an wishes have come true for me....
the closest to being an alterboy and working that close to God or
doing His Will is being right here in AA...recovery....

I try to remember THY WILL BE DONE AND NOT MINE.

Now i feel not only honored to be one of His Children but to also be of Service to Him right here in SR.

May u always have guidance and protection from ABOVE where ever u go.

[best]

I think it’s cool that the love of Jesus Christ shines so bright that others can see it.

When I hear of others who have that happen to them, I keep waiting for it to happen with me.

You have no idea how big a smile you gave me with that post. Then again...maybe you do.

Thank you Tony.

[cmc]

Tony,

Here is the secret…. All I had to do was become willing. It was there all along! “Paid in full” I just had to be willing to accept His love. Once I did, I was filled with it.

Thanks for sharing that... and it shines right through cyberspace as well!!!

[TonyB]

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys. I’m a “young” Christian, so everything that happens to me makes me feel like a kid doing something for the first time. I get so excited some times I just want to run around and shout it out. Some of my brothers told me they love to see the enthusiasm of us “youngsters”.
It’s funny they envy that in me, because I envy their wisdom and fortitude. Maybe He brought me to them for a reason. So that we all may benefit by His grace and the gifts He has given each of us.
Now, listen to this because I speak the truth. I have no idea what I’m doing, none at all. I’m only following what is in my heart and I really try not to let my head get in the way. My head would tell me that this “faith” stuff is a bunch of malarkey. But in my heart I know God had a plan. I don’t need to understand all of it. I just need to do what is in front of me. So simple it’s almost profound.
All I know is that I have developed a thirst for the word and a curiosity that can only be given by Divinity. He’s calling me to Him. For what purpose I don’t know. But all will be revealed in His time. I know that’s true.
It’s like the people that are in my life, some of them for years and some of them after I got saved. But I believe this, they are there for a reason and it seems way to strategic to be happenstance. He was grooming me way before I knew anything about Him. Many of my trials were nothing more than development tools to make me the man I am today. Now that I’ve stepped into the light, I just look around and say WOW! Wondrous are the works of the Lord!
I am seriously considering going into ministry. It just feels that strong to me. It all just seems to fit, I can’t explain it. It’s like turning my entire life into a 12th step and that’s nothing short of amazing to me. I thank God for AA, it saved my life and brought me to Him.
TonyB

[sugarssweetpea]

Originally Posted by best

When I hear of others who have that happen to them, I keep waiting for it to happen with me.

Best,
That has happened to you ~ with me. On more than one occasion. I have seen the light shining right through your words on the computer screen. So much that I have had to turn the brightness level down And yes, you continue to bring a smile to my face.

[angelgirl]

I am seriously considering going into ministry.

Wonderful post Tony!! What a truly wonderful calling!!

Prayers my friend in Christ,,
Love,
Becky