Pam

This was my first time to attend the Come to the Fire. I knew that I needed to get before the Lord in a 'REAL' way for some time. Six years ago I married my husband who was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Columbus Indiana. I was involved in my own church during our courtship, and WE determined that WE could remain with the same type of separate church attendance after we got married. I had my own ministry at my church (women's small group leader, deaconess, worship leader-singer...the list could go on). I'd been a part of some of my church family's lives for over a decade. There was no way I was going to change churches to go with my new husband who also was very involved at 1st Church (treasurer, men's ministry & board member..etc.).

Well this went on for about 5 years.....until God worked through many situations and circumstances to clearly reveal to me that I was to resign all my positions at my church, and start attending 1st Church with my husband. This process actually began after our home was flooded during the 100 year flood that ravaged central and southern Indiana in June 2008. 

When I became aware of God's plan for me, I was very upset over it. I did not want it (it was not fair...why didn't He make my husband quit his church and come with me to mine!?) Oh, my attitude over this past year...Horrible! Yes, I'd do it because I knew it was what God wanted....HOWEVER....I was not going to like it, I was not going to get involved, I was not going to open my heart to the people or to learn why the Lord called me 'from my perfect and wonderful comfort zone'.

Needless to say the past 12-15 months has been miserable. I grew bitter, aloof towards others, closed off and lonely. But the worst of all.....I was no longer was an instrument of God (my precioius Jesus could not even talk to me because I would not listen).

When I learned about the Come to the Fire, some of the ladies at 1st Church encouraged me to sign up.(Praise God they were loving me even when my attitude should have driven them away!) There had been a couple Sunday night services where they showed a few of the sessions from last year's Come to the Fire. I KNEW I needed to attend.

So, when I signed up, I offered my will to the Lord and deep inside my spirit I asked the Lord to do a work in my heart....to change the rock that it had become...to plese turn it back into being soft and pliable.

Oh, and how He did. How His mercy is ever new! My Lord is so faithful to me, while I deserve it not!

I offer my sincere thanks to each PRECIOUS person involved in the 2009 Come to the Fire. I am ever appreciative to each speaker and those who gave personal testimony. I needed to hear each one!

God used everthing and everyone as the vehicle I needed desperately to restore my relationship. My Friend and Lord allowed me to come to a safe place where I could seek forgiveness and receive it; to search my heart for unforgiveness towards others..and then to forgive from the bottom of my heart; and to be healed....and in Jesus Name...I have been HEALED. I am now walking in restoration and freedom. Glory to God!

Thank you and all the others who prayed many months in advance for those who 'would be coming'. I am ever grateful!