Lynn Halverson
Salvation Experience
I was raised in a little town of 5,000 people. Cloverdale was parochial in many senses, a strong Catholic and Italian majority, and a couple of Protestant churches. Neighborhood Church was one of these. Yes, just like here. Pastor Vold told me he knew some of the people of that congregation. I was not raised in either denomination. We celebrated the Christmas tree and the Easter basket but had no real connection to the meaning. As a child, I was not happy at home for many of the social reasons that still plague the present day. I coped by being athletic, a good student, and spending a lot of time at my friend's houses. I was blessed in many ways as I had a horse my entire childhood, a pool in my backyard, and great teachers who provided me with a solid education. I worked at a drug store, convalescent hospital and an open-air hamburger stand in my teens. One day at that hamburger stand an itinerant youth pastor came and invited me to a church youth event at Neighborhood Church. Truth be told, if he wasn't as cute as he was, I wouldn't have gone. That evening after hanging out with other kids, there was an altar call in the tiny chapel. I looked up at the cross and I saw God patting his lap and say," Come here, I'll be your dad". And I ran forward and accepted Jesus into my heart! It was the best day of my life. He has guided me through many years of acceptance of His love and forgiveness towards others. In my adult life, I have encountered many of the same social issues my family was challenged with and have been taught great mercy and forgiveness that I am so grateful to have reached. Without Him, I know I would not have. Thank you Jesus, everyday!
If I were to say something of use to a younger generation, I think I would focus on the Lord's Prayer. Always, always go there if you need His presence and don't know what to say or to ask for.
Key Scripture
Facing past pain or present pain or just how to start your day, always go there. His presence and the Holy Spirit's presence will arrive as you say or sing these words:
“Our father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Matthew 6:9-13
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