Testimony of Michael Braun

Given during his baptism in the June 8, 2008 Worship Service

There was a time when my faith seemed it could not hold up under conflicting messages pertaining to baptism. God was gracious. At other times his Spirit spoke clearly about the matter and I chose not to listen. Lord Forgive me!

In some ways it doesn't seem that long ago, the day I was finally cornered; I simply ran out of time to stretch out the chase.

God you lovingly called out, "come to me, trust me, believe in me. Oh, how I secretly yearned too. How I hoped that you might be true. But I was so stubborn, so very determined to let my anger burn, and pay back pain with pain.

You placed believers in my path. Some causing me to confront what they said, and others whose joy and love permeated their life, something I desperately wanted.

Daily I listened to your Word preached, for hours on end. Months went by listening, hearing your voice, and then turning away. God your Word pierced so deeply at times I teetered on madness.

Each time it was all I could do to stop myself from answering you, running to you. Each time I stuffed my thoughts down, regained my composure and returned to my own reasoning.

Ah, the HOPE, the blessed hope haunted me. I had to listen again and again to your word, to your faithful servants speaking of you, dissecting what was written, your attributes, your character, and your forgiveness.

During the same months, my anger raged, feeding upon itself, growing, replaying the injustices of my youth, seeking a fierce confrontation with the offenders.

The anger was winning and I hastily prepared to leave town and hurt many people close to me. Lord you intervened, surrounding me, cornering me. I heard a preacher call out once again, "You can know Jesus, he calls out to you, he cares for you, repent, and accept Him."

I thought I would burst at the decision before me: Know Jesus or Know Vengeance. AHHHRA! "Jesus, Jesus, forgive me," I cried. I ran to you and you found me there.

Thank you for your forgiveness Lord Jesus thank you for your "rest."