Alexa PenaVega on her heartbreaking loss

On Godtube, I just watched this touching testimony from Alexa PenaVega (she's in my favorite Christian movies of all time, Do You Believe?, and one of my favorite TV shows, The Middle).  

I had no clue she had gone through such a tragic loss in her life (in 2024, I think) - the death of her newborn baby.  Heartbreaking!

I haven't experienced the same kind of loss she did, but I totally appreciate that she's sharing her story, from a heart full of faith.  May God bless her and use her story to encourage others who've gone through loss, too.

[One thing that caught my attention is that she quoted a verse - one verse - and it happened to be one (of about 5) that I had just written down shortly before I watched her video.  Out of all the verses in the Bible, I encounter the same one twice within a couple hours... coincidence?  

I know that it's a verse I need... and maybe someone else out there needs it too: 

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25

Anyone else weary?  Faint?  

You might also like the songs Worn and Hold My Heart and By Your Side and Healing Begins from Tenth Avenue North...

and Oh, What Love and Fell Apart and Honestly and Praise the Lord from The City Harmonic.

Some of the songs that helped me get through so much!  Sometimes songs and God's Word can do what nothing else can.]

Totally cool!

I just gotta share this one...

I have always LOVED watching baptisms (and even more so when people share their testimonies too).  It's a special once-in-a-lifetime moment when someone vulnerably stands up in public and declares their faith in Jesus.  And it's a moment we should all celebrate and feel honored to witness.

Well, today my neighbor - whom I've been doing Bible study with (along with her aunt) for the last few years after she became a believer in 2020 (see here) - decided (rather spontaneously) to get baptized during a church service at the beach.  

And not only did I, her aunt, my husband, and my son get to go with to support her, but I got to get in the water with her (in my jeans, because I didn't know this was going to happen), pray with her, and help submerse her in the water too.  

Totally cool!  And I am so honored and humbled to be a part of this amazing moment in her life!

(And now we keep praying for her husband.)

Celebrating with Danica McKellar!

 "... there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10)

Let's celebrate the new birth of another celebrity who recently-ish came to faith in Christ: Danica McKellar (best remembered by those in my generation as Winnie Cooper from "The Wonder Years")

"'The Holy Spirit Came to Me': Hollywood Star Danica McKellar Embraces Christianity, Finds 'Amazing Freedom'"

(Click on the video in the article.  She's such a darling.)  

God bless her!  And...

Calling Out High-and-Mighty, Holier-Than-Thou Judges in Defense of Kat Von D

I read a post from a Christian the other day that bugs me so much I've gotta address it.  It's a post from the Rapture Ready website called "An Artist's Testimony or Agenda?"  And it's basically a Christian calling a newly-born-again celebrity a "false convert."  

And the "proof" that this Christian uses to support their case are things like the celebrity said she wasn't planning on changing her goth looks, that she didn't burn her witchcraft books but merely threw them out, that she's "BFF's" with a satanist, that she thinks skulls are beautiful, that she recently released a song with some nasty lyrics (and yes, I agree they're nasty), and that she said she refuses to talk about her faith on her social media accounts anymore, etc. 

And because of things like these, this Christian "judge" (named Candy) declares the celebrity guilty - a "false convert" and possibly one of the "Satanists/Luciferians" who are "God-haters who use every chance they get to mock our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, even to the point of using 'Trojan Horse assimilation' into the church."

But do you know what I think?

Celebrating with Rob Schneider!

"... there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  (Luke 15:10)

I don't really pay attention to the personal lives of actors or actresses, because I don't really care what they do.

But I do pay attention when anyone comes to the faith in Jesus Christ, because I really care about people and want everyone to experience the forgiveness, healing, hope, and eternal life that can only be found in Jesus.  And I especially enjoy the testimonies of people who come to Christ as adults.  They usually have such rich stories to share, such thoughtful reasons for why they left the life they had to turn to Christ.

And so today I am writing this in honor of actor Rob Schneider who recently came to faith in Jesus.  

The angels are celebrating his salvation right now, so let's celebrate it too!

(And I had no idea he had such deep thoughts about some really significant things until I read this message from him on X.  It's really good!  Thank you for sharing, Rob.)

Congratulations, Rob!  God bless you and guide you on your journey of faith.  And welcome to the family!

Keep it simple

Just wanted to pass along this quick, wonderful testimony from someone who came out of a commune/cult (the 60's!): 

Why I Believe in a Biblical Worldview (A Testimony) by Rick Segoine. 

I loved it when he said "... along with all of the study and knowledge that comes with it, my dear and precious Jesus always reminded me along the way to never forsake the simple things. The simple faith of a child. The gratefulness for my salvation and what He did for me. My heart filled with His love..."

This resonated with me because after leaving our church (because of Calvinism - lofty, convoluted, contradictory, soul-deadening, love-destroying, faith-suffocating garbage), I have been longing to get back to the simple things.  

Simple truths.  Simple joys.  Simple relationship with God.  Simple Gospel.

"For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."  (John 3:16)

"Spiritual Warfare" series: My Story

I'm gonna do a series on Spiritual Warfare, reposting some relevant older posts, adding new things, and sharing some good resources.  The world is growing dark and the spiritual battle is getting serious, making it a good time for a series like this.  (I figured since I'm posting it on my other blog, why not post it here too.)

You don't think that the world is getting dark, that the spiritual battle is ramping up?  Here are some articles I found just this week:

Christian Testimony about Spiritual Warfare (Jessica)

I've linked to this woman's testimony before, about how she became a Christian after being an atheist (click here to see it).  But I recently stumbled across her YouTube channel again, and I saw that she had posted some videos on spiritual warfare, and so I watched them, and they're good.  And she speaks from experience - her sister and mother are practicing witchcraft, and it pours over into her life and family.  It's a shame that she had to put up some strong walls with her sister and mother because of it, but she is right in doing so.  For her own spiritual protection and that of her children.  

[Update: While I like and recommend her testimony video and the one on spiritual warfare, I am leery of the current ones she's posting about dreams and prophetic messages.  I am very wary about that kind of stuff, especially when it's about earthly blessings or opportunities.  Personally, I'd stay away from (or at least be very cautious and discerning about) messages and promises that come from other people, since they are not directly from God or His Word.  Anytime we get our messages from other people, we can be led astray.]

Two Sweet Christian Testimonies: Hailey and Mia

Here are two sweet, honest, heartfelt testimonies from a couple of Christian women on how they came to faith in Christ.  Thank you, Hailey and Mia, for sharing your stories, for opening up your beautiful hearts to us.

My testimony - Hailey Bleau (14 minutes long)

How Jesus saved me from anorexia, anxiety, and depression - Mia Dinoto (14 minutes long)

Christian Testimony: Young Don Reborn

I recently began looking up videos again on other Christian's testimonies of coming to faith in God, in Jesus.  (I find it helps bolster my faith, especially in these dark times.)  And I found this guy.  I've never heard of him and don't know anything about him except these three videos I watched ... but I gotta say, I really like him.  Not only is he an enjoyable guy, but for being such a young-ish Christian, he's really got a lot of wisdom, boldness, and spiritual maturity.  And I appreciate his humility and honesty.  May God bless him and his ministry.  

(And I can totally relate to the nighttime demonic harassment he went through.  Been there myself.  Non-Christians will call it "sleep paralysis," chalking it up to purely physical/mental causes, but we Christians know what it really is.  See my post on it by clicking here.)

Young Don on why he became a Christian (28 minutes long)

Demons are real, and I was attacked by one (46 minutes long)

How to be truly saved from Hell! (27 minutes long)

And one more interesting one: "This is why I believe Jesus is coming back soon" (17 minutes long)

My Testimony

I’ve scattered bits of my story all over my blogs, but I’m gonna pull it all together here, about how I became a believer and some things I’ve gone through and how my faith has been affected.  (I’ll include links to posts where I explain things more fully.)

Starting the journey:  I became a believer when I was eleven years old.  (I am now getting close to 50.  I don't know how that happened.)  At a Christian camp, on one of the last nights, they gave an altar call.  I wanted to go up but was nervous about standing up in front of everyone.  But being more nervous about the window of opportunity closing, I felt myself stand up and walk to the front.  I knew exactly what I was doing, that I was making a commitment for life.  And I meant it.  I really meant it.  I knelt down, asked Jesus into my heart, and have never turned back.  It hasn’t been an easy, carefree journey (as you’ll see), but I haven’t turned back (though I did contemplate it and kinda briefly wished I could've, during one terrible summer). 

Ever Wonder About Jesus?

 Did you ever wonder about Jesus?  Was He real?  Who was He?  Does it really matter what you think about Him?

Here is a good, hour-long video from a former journalist who sought to disprove Jesus but ended up believing in Him as Lord and Savior: The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel

[Also see my post "Support for Jesus and the Bible"]

Christian Testimony: Brian Welch of Korn

 A short, powerful testimony from Korn's lead singer, Brian Welch (8 minutes).

No one is beyond the reach of God's grace and love, of forgiveness and healing.

Christian Testimony: Evangeline - "Lust, Drugs, Depression, Heartbreak, New Age to Jesus Christ"

 This is Evangeline's 23-minute testimony.  This is her first YouTube video, posted October 27, 2020 ... so let's show her some encouragement!

In this video, she shares honestly and openly about how she grew up in a Christian home but drifted from the Lord, getting involved with drugs and men, making mistakes along the way.  She shares how she realized that her self-worth was wrapped up in these relationships but that they were not truly fulfilling to her.  At least not in the way we need to be fulfilled deep in our souls.  Only God, only Jesus Christ, can do that!

Christian Testimony: Isabella - "How I Found Jesus"

 Here is Isabella's 17-minute testimony: How I found Jesus.

I think many of us can relate to it - about the struggle of trying to relate to the Lord, of drawing near but then falling away.  She understands that a relationship with God takes time and effort.  It doesn't just happen.  You have to work at it.

And you can tell she has a heart to lead others to the Lord, to help them in their relationship with God.  She gives a short, sweet "sinner's prayer" at the end, for others to follow.  (Drink some coffee to keep up with her.  She's a fast talker.)    

[However, I do not agree with her that we can pray to the earth/universe.  That's the mark of a false religion.  But I understand what she's trying to say.  She's trying to say that we shouldn't let not knowing how to pray or what to pray stop us from praying, from calling out to God.  She's saying that God can meet you wherever you are, if you call out to Him.  We don't have to know what to say or how to say it or polish ourselves up first.  He meets us in our mess and confusion and brokenness.  We just have to call out to Him, reach for Him, and He'll find us, wherever we are!

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  Psalm 34:18

"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy... I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.  Then I called on the name of the Lord: 'O Lord, save me!'  The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.  The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me."  Psalm 116:1-6]

Thank you for sharing your story, Isabella!

"Becoming a Christian" and "Steve McQueen's Christian Testimony"

 A great, quick video from Pastor Greg Laurie on "Becoming a Christian" (4 minutes long)

And a 2 1/2-minute one from Tony Evans: Salvation Through Jesus Christ

Yes, it's that simple!  Eternal life, salvation, is that simple to get.  All of the work has been done for you by Jesus Christ on the cross.  And all you have to do is accept it.

[Keep in mind that it's not the prayer that saves you, the words you say.  It isn't a "magic spell."  What saves you is your choice to believe in Jesus, your decision to make Him your Lord and Savior, to believe that He is God and that He came to earth to die on the cross and rise again to pay the price for your sins so that you can live, so that you don't have to pay the price for your sin.  You can live eternally in heaven because of what He did for you on the cross.  And all you have to do is accept it, believe it.  If you will believe (if you will accept it as truth, even if you don't "feel it" yet) that Jesus is God, that He died for your sins, that you are a sinner and that you need Him to save you, if you will turn from your old life and embrace Him as Lord and Savior, you will be saved.] 

Christian Testimony: Tatenda - "How I Met Jesus"

 Tatenda's ten-minute testimony: How I Met Jesus.

A simple, sweet testimony about being in the pit of depression and loneliness, and then along comes someone who sees you - who really sees you - and they pull you out and help you find healing and wholeness.

Thank you for sharing your story, Tatenda!  God bless!

Christian Testimony: Catharina - "How I Met Jesus"

 This is Catharina's 19-minute testimony:  "How I met Jesus: The Moment My Life Changed Forever."  (It's hard to hear, so you have to put in headphones or get in a quiet spot.  But it's worth it.)

She's been through a lot - dealt with judgmental Christians, bullies, bad relationships with her parents, hated her life, faced the "Why Me's," dealt with repressed pain, etc.  And she learned that sometimes God might take away the things we rely on in this life, but He does it to save our souls, to drive us to Him.  And that's what she did, she let the pain drive her to the Lord, instead of away from Him.

Her testimony is very real and very touching, and I think a lot of people can relate to it their own way.  

It's okay to not be okay .. because that's where Jesus meets you and takes over, if you let Him!

Christian Testimony: Joshua - "How I Met Jesus"

This is Joshua's testimony about meeting Jesus (25 minutes long).  And it's a really good one.  It's not extremely dramatic or out of the ordinary or anything like that; it's just very real and touching.  From the heart.

In his testimony, he takes us on his journey from being an aimless young teen with no sense of purpose or fulfillment or joy, trying to fill the void inside with drugs ... to how he found purpose, fulfillment, and joy in Jesus when God reached out to him in his pain, calling him to draw near.

And he urges people to remember that one day we are all going to die (unless Jesus comes back first).  Do you know what matters most?  Do you know why you're alive ... who made you ... who your Father is?

Finding God is not about religion; it's about relationship.  And no matter how lost you are, God knows where you're at.  He's calling you.  He's pursuing you.  He's been trying to get your attention.  Because He loves you (enough to die on the cross for you, so that you could live) and He wants a real relationship with you.

Do not resist Him or ignore Him too long.  You might not get another chance because you never know which day will be your last.  But even if you do live a long time, if you resist Him for too long, He may hand you over to the hardness of your heart, finally giving you what you want - a life without Him!

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts..."  (Hebrews 3:15)

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near."  (Isaiah 55:6)

Christian Testimony: Jen - "Why I Am A Christian (Former Atheist)"

Jen is a relatively new believer (about 2 years), currently living in South Korea.  In her 17-minute testimony ("Why I Am A Christian: Former Atheist Conversion Story"), she shares with us how she started out life as an atheist, with basically no one ever talking to her about God or the Gospel, how she lacked love and a good family, how she was filled with depression and loneliness, wondering why she was even here and wishing she wasn't anymore.  

And then, out of nowhere, even though she had no real knowledge of Him and no one to show her the way, God reached out and touched her and called her to Him.  And it changed her life.    

Thank you, Jen, for sharing your story.  May God bless you and guide you on your walk with Him as you get to know Him and His Word more and more.