I was an angry & bitter 24 yr old atheist. I was on my 2nd marriage with 3 daughters and heading for another divorce. After Jesus my sanity and marriage were saved. Now I have hope, peace, and purpose in my life. I'm so grateful to Jesus! I thank God the church I got saved at had 3 services a week with Adult Sunday School and Friday night bible studies where I could ask questions. I had a lot of questions! Eventually my husband felt the call to pastor and then to missionary work. Now we are back in the US and he is the pastor of the church where we became Christians 24 yrs ago! God is good!
Praise the Lord! I’d be interested in learning why you were an atheist. I heard someone say recently that people that consider themselves atheists are often really just angry at God. It seems like “angry/bitter” and “atheist” often go hand in hand. Thanks for sharing!
Dawn, you hit it on the nail! Stay away from "all the books" and take responsibility for yourself by reading God's Word. We are living in a world full of false teachings and worldly encouragement and need God's Word to guide us.
I'm so grateful for my Catholic faith! I have a personal relationship with Jesus as my Lord and savior. The Eucharist is literally the bread of life. There's no substitute for meeting Jesus in the Eucharist-literally heaven on earth. I love the fullness of my faith. I have been to charismatic Catholic mass where congregants and the priest speak in tongues and have I have been slain in the Holy Spirit. I'm also grateful that I can go to Mass everyday, listen to scripture and receive Jesus. My pastor is awesome and on fire for Jesus. The Catholic church was founded by JC himself, so that's the church for me!
I was a cradle Catholic, went to Catholic school. I made a Catholic Cursillo which enabled me to become a better Catholic. I am Catholic today and I LOVE our faith. We are to evangelize our faith every chance we get. We are to live our faith outside of church. When we leave mass, we are to go out into the world and spread our faith. In ways such as kindness, goodness, helping the poor, being a servant of God in any way we can. Serving others; reaching out, guiding, loving, smiling, the tiniest act of kindness can change someone's life. I love that a miracle happens at every mass when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and we get to partake in receiving the Eucharist as Jesus commanded that we receive. Thank you for sharing faith path. Thank God for our faith!!!
I was a liar. I was deceptive. I was rebellious. I was dead and separated from God. Jesus showed me how short I fell from His standard of perfection. I cried out to Him and admitted my wrongs. He is faithful to forgive and now I have his help in the form of the Holy Spirit to walk with him each day. Humbling and hard, yet wonderful and better than anything.
I was born and raised Catholic. Have had so many trials in my life. I was about 16 years old and cried to God for forgiveness. I was sitting down when I felt a hand on my head. I opened my eyes I saw the feet of Jesus in his Sandals. His gown was at ankle length. I tried to lift my head. But couldn’t. I cried and thanked him with my eyes closed. I opened my eyes and he was gone. I was able to lift my head. I am not worthy to see the face of Jesus. My faith has to be strong and well planted no matter what storm comes. Born, raised and will die a Catholic. Blessings
So sorry that you didn't experience a personal relationship with Jesus while in the Catholic Church. I was agnostic growing up, and pursued the truth throughout college. I came to believe in Jesus through the Catholic Church, and converted since then. I am a Catholic that is in love with Jesus! I love y'alls love for Christ
I was bound by the belief that I had to be the best at everything to be worthy and loved, then I met Jesus.... Now I know that true love comes not from what I can do, but from what has been done for me and WHOSE I am.
Amen!!! I love that I can love Jesus because he first loved me. (1 John 4:19) And He showed me how much He loved me when He stretched out His arms and died to pay for my sins. And His love enables me to love others. These verses changed my life forever: John 3:14-16 KJV And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I was an alcoholic, full of anger anxiety; then I met Jesus and now I am sober, calm and full of gratitude,❤️🙏. I am praying to meet others to worship with. Thank you ladies for your testimony and prayers
I love you girls so much... all your videos, but this one was the BEST! ❤️ I was raised catholic too, fell away from church in the early 2000’s, and then during 2020 when the world lost its collective mind, felt so lonely and sad. My husband and I started searching for a church. Holy Spirit worked through many people to bring us to a Baptist Church in a nearby town where we met Jesus. Started reading the Bible daily. We felt pursued by God! We are both saved now and were baptized on July 31st. I have a whole new family of sisters and brothers in Christ who we get to spend time with in fellowship and worship. Now I feel so alive and hopeful about our future! God is faithful and so good! Thank you for both for being so genuine!
I once was asked “ are you saved” I answered “ don’t know” I guess I will find out when God calls me. We don’t know the day or the hour. No one knows if they are saved. We will know on Judgement day” one on one. Face to face. Personal in front of Jesus Christ ( God our Father). Blessings
Love seeing all the fellow devout Catholics in the comments! Maybe the Holy Spirit inspired this video to send encouragement for these sweet sisters to come home 🥰🥰🥰
I enjoyed this video so much! No one told me about Jesus until I was 14 -- I became a children's ministry director and have loved telling kids from babies to teens about the BEST LIFE in Him! My favorite comments in this video: Diana explained, "I was ... then I met Jesus ... and now I am!" and Dawn said we need to read our own Bible for ourselves and the amount of time we spend on other resources like books and devotionals, etc. cannot be more than we spend reading our Bible. I love you both! Yea Jesus!
You ladies are so lovely. Fr Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins are doing a wonderful job with The Great Adventure bible and The Bible in a Year podcast putting across how to read and relate to the bible from the Catholic perspective. As a Catholic, Jesus's Presence in the eucharist is the summit of my faith. To have a personal, prayerful relationship with Jesus in the reception of the eucharist or adoration of Him in church is the greatest gift.
I also became Catholic this past April too as Sab L mentioned, I grew up Baptist! Been to several different denominations and feel at home in the Catholic Church. I appreciate Diana and Dawn and their channels. I used to listen to their Sunday videos and enjoy them very much. My experience with the Catholic Church has been a strengthening of my faith. We have women’s bible study and are doing extensive study in the book of Luke. After Vatican II I think they started to encourage more study of the Bible for your self but there are a lot of women in my group that are older than me and did not grow up studying the Bible for themselves in the Catholic Church so they are doing it at an older age! Your’re never to old to read the Bible. :-) So we all have room to grow! Thank you ladies for sharing! Love you both! ❤️
Let us remember that the entire Mass is from the Bible. Before the printing press the church kept a written bible in many churches for people to be able to read it.
I think it's not necessarily catholic tradition to read the Bible alone at home, bc. a) the Bible is read in *every* mass, OT & NT, b) Within this mass and reading/lecture from the Bible, the Gospel/Evangelium/Covenant is exemplified & illustrated ("explained"). c) Catholics are supposed to go to mass *as often as possible.* And not in the meaning of every other week or sth., but at least once a week, if not daily/ 3-4 times!.. (It's a lot! Praying every 4 hours aswell.. 😬) ..Which means they (theoretically) read (hear) from the Bible weekly/daily (regularly) *and* are not alone with it, but in community, with a theologian/exegete to teach/help them understand.. That should probably be the reason too, why there are traditionally no sunday schools in Catholic Church, bc. in some way the mass *is* the sunday school.. 😄 I'm not a hardcore/fundi Catholic & don't believe in every points/particulars, but I *am* catholic and there are many things I like a lot about it. And some points I don't. I think that's "normal". It's like in every (happy) marriage. 😁♡
@@DianaKokku I'm also a Christian and yes I have backslided from time to time but I have a back story no I'm not the perfect Christian none of us are it's just getting to live for him but god was there for me it's Christian baby steps amen ✝️👍🙏✝️
Our testimony has actually been dramatized in 2016 on a radio program called "Unshackled" . It's a two part bc the first one is my story, the second is my hubby's and up to this date. If you'd like to listen it's at Pacific Garden Mission, Unshackled, Joe & Marla Baldwin/2016? It's pretty easy to find. They did a very good job telling our story and we are honored to be featured.
Diana & Dawn, your stories of faith are beautiful and inspiring. I was raised in the Catholic faith and practice today, but my journey was not linear. Don’t be surprised if you are called back to your roots some day. God bless you and your families. Thank you to both of you for your work to help others live better, more peaceful and purposeful lives.
I was Catholic, then I met Jesus, and now I am still Catholic, where I have found the fullness of the faith in the church Christ instituted. All are welcome 🤗
As you are talking about your upbringing in a Catholic church it hurts my heart to know that you had the foundation of such a beautiful upbringing and you left it. I am a devout catholic but understanding the faith and getting to know everything about the catholic church I would never ever leave. I am sorry that we failed in showing you the beauty of the cathoilc faith. I pray that you come back home.
They have so much more now, why would you want them to go back to what the Lord saved them out of? Maybe you should look into what they have? Your comment shows what is missing. The emphasis is on a relationship with a church, not on a dynamic relationship with a saving and loving Lord Jesus.
Beds Nava, Well said. When churches were closed during the pandemic, I along with other Catholics missed receiving the Blessed Sacrament. I often wonder if those who leave the Catholic Church yearn for this.
@@donnawhitmore586 so true! I to was one that would watch mass from home. As soon as I was able to go back to mass my soul was filled with Joy! The lord is truly present in the eucharist. I look forward to every mass to recive his body! I do pray for all those that have left. I belive that part of them does miss the beauty of the church unforfunatley they look to fill that hole with other things.
Our faith is like a planted tree. Our roots need to be strong. For when the wind comes it won’t pull us away. We sometimes search for belonging and being comfortable or the music. Jesus came to this world. Born in a stable. Persecuted, hated and crucified.
Thanks for sharing. Came to the Pentecostal Church in my early thirties. No knowledge of the bible. Received the Holy Spirit as the bible says in Acts. Late thirties joined the Catholic Church. I could never leave the Eucharist. God is good.
Thanks for sharing! I love the reminder that every journey isn’t “dramatic.” Being in a relationship with Jesus - accepting him as your Lord and Savior - can happen in a big, dramatic moment and also in a slow journey. It doesn’t matter how you got there!!
I was living in willful disobedience to God, hurting myself and others. Now I am found because God pursued me and invited me to return to Him, despite how far I had strayed away. I am His.
Im the lost sheep found. I grew up in the Church of Scotland, going to Sunday school, bible class and youth group, however at 18 I joined the Royal Navy and life happened including 10+ miscarriages and divorce. It was when my dad died the new minister visited mum while i was there and i said "you'll never get me in the church " but soon mum asked me to keep her company in church and because I love mum so much I went..... years later I've been Sunday school teacher, started and ran a church cafe to promote fellowship, been a greeter and am now running the church Facebook page. As my health deteriorates my role within the church changes. So I feel like the sheep that strayed from the flock, got lost but was found by Jesus, the church is my family during the good and bad times, and I feel blessed xxxxxxxxxxxx
I was completely broken, messed up as a kid , insecure- & then I met beautiful Jesus- & He healed me from my childhood trauma, set me free & filled me with confidence!!! Now I’m living my best life for Him!! 😊🎉
I was of the world. Following others. Unintentionally sinful and worldly. Then I met Jesus and now I am His. I now feel more mindful of Him, to thank Him everyday, and ask for His guidance. I am confident in my hope in Him. He has a great plan for my life.
Diana, I double like this video! Thank you so much! I am working outside the home and on my missions team at church. My heart is with the missions we are doing and started a new church last year. Please pray that our church takes root and spreads the Word as God wants us to in order to glorify Him.
I was so broken, so lonely, so directionless. Then I met Jesus at 20 years old. He has made me whole, He has made me new, and He has given me direction. He is with me always and I am never lonely. I have walked with Him for 39 years with no regrets! Thank you, Father, for being everything you are!!🙌🏻
I knew it. I just started listening to you all, and I just knew we were sisters in Christ. I love that you see the different aspects of God in the different churches and denominations! He is a multifaceted God!
I was...basically addicted to approval. I sought people's affection, validation, admiration. I craved being worthy, being known, being at home in my own skin. Then I met Jesus. Now I am... alive, living in the freedom Jesus has brought my inner being, nestled in to God's pure love for me, able to appreciate and love other people rather than seeking from them what only God can give! Jesus has given me LIFE.
I was brought up in the Baptist church. I got convicted at the age of 7 and gave my heart and soul to Jesus! I have served him since then! I am now our church 's pianist and love singing to Him. My husband became a deacon of our church and I am a deacon 's wife. We love serving the Lord daily. Thank you for your testimonials!
I treasure my Mennonite heritage, and my faith has only grown stronger as I’ve navigated my adult life. The two of you are such a joy to “know”. Thank you for sharing your stories!
I was raised in an Evangelical, non denominational church. I was about 9 years old when I realized that my parents' relationship with God was not my relationship. God has no grandchildren! So I turned my life over to Christ. I haven't always walked totally in His will, but am determined to finish strong. I have always enjoyed being in the church as pianist, Sunday School teacher, and member of the church "orchestra" (it was a country church 😂) playing the saxophone. In the past years I did jail ministry until Covid hit. Thank you so much for your testimonies. To God be the Glory! 🙏❤️
I was searching for more and I found it when I went through RCIA and joined the catholic church. Now I am a curious endless learner. 😇 loving serving others.
Holy hours with our lord in the Eucharist are some of the sweetest moments on this earth!! He will always meet each of us where we are and lead each of us back to him. I really appreciate how much love he has for his mother and the prayers that she has for each of us. He will obey his mother so when she prays for each of us he listens.
I was a very angry 30 year old with two children whose mom had just passed away from cancer. But then I found Jesus and found that I was not really an orphan in this world. The anger left. I look back now and I see just how God protected me and loved me.
I am a cradle Catholic and still an active member that lifelong faith journey. I love my church community, in fact it is called the Good Shepherd Catholic Community and we are guided by several amazing Franciscan priests. This community is, for me, the best of my traditional upbringing and contemporary Christianity. I, too, have been filled by the Holy Spirit after a retreat called Christ Renews His Parish. It was a turning point for me in my faith, in learning how to pray without mere rote prayers, and in my life overall. I’m still working on myself, of course, and I pray continually for the many people who need this gift in their lives.
I was raised in a Christian family my whole life. When I was 29 years old, I was filled with Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Almost 5 years ago now! It CHANGED my life. My walk with Jesus became so much more real. I was filled with an indescribable love for all people and a fire and passion for God's Kingdom. Ask, seek, knock - be filled! 💓
I, like Jesus, was born Jewish. I, like you two, am an identical twin. My grandparents were Quaker. My husband’s family is Catholic. All sides of my family have always served and loved. I met Jesus and repented , and chose love. I am Jewish and thank you for allowing me to share my testimony. Because all of your followers should get to respond. 🙂
I came to know the Lord as my savior during a Lay Witness meeting at the Methodist Church I attended as a child. I was only 7 years old when I realized I was a sinner, I couldn't save myself, and needed Jesus to do that for me. I understood it in a very childlike way, but Matthew 19:14 says, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” I feel like, when you come to know Jesus at a young age, growing into a true understanding of all that decision entails, is a process. I am now 57 years old, and I am still learning, growing, and maturing in my faith. I am so thankful to my Lord for the lifelong, sometimes rocky and messy journey that he has led me through. God is SO GOOD! Thank you for sharing your stories and for the reminder to stay in the Word. It is our lifeline!
Life is so interesting. I was in evangelical churches most of my life, until our family - my husband and three teenagers - all became Catholic at Easter Vigil 2007. I felt truly at home. Thank you for your honest conversation.
When I heard the good news that God loved me and because he didn’t want me to remain separate from him, he sent Jesus, and he took me to the cross with him, when I was still rebellious, that love won my heart over. I was instantly healed of a very longstanding serious illness, and later of bulemia, and an inoperable club foot. The Lord has been so faithful, and has never left me. He has been there to comfort, and bring peace.
I grew up Catholic but with little in the way of catechesis and community. I strayed from the faith in my late teens but had a “reversion” in 2018. I never saw that coming but I’m so so grateful. Without Christ at the centre of my life, I was self-reliant and proud. Now, I am learning to walk in humility and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Thanks for sharing your stories ladies 💗
I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While my faith tradition looks different than yours, I enjoy hearing you share your faith so freely. I love that we can belong to different faiths but find common ground in Jesus. I always look forward to watching your videos. ❤️
I too belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ❤ and to hear Diana and Dawn speak and testify of Jesus Christ with such love and light just makes my heart sing! I love my Savior and KNOW He loves every single one of us - I can have so much peace even through my trials because of Him 😊 Keep spreading the Good Word ladies!! 👍🏽
Have you both had a time where you’ve placed your trust in Jesus to save you from your sins and take you to Heaven? That it’s not by works that we do that takes us to Heaven, but only by His mercy we are saved? Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us...” It’s so encouraging to hear of your love for the Lord, but also many people need to know Jesus as their Saviour, and need to know how. It’s the foundation. 💕 Just hope you know that for yourselves and maybe would be able to share that topic specifically to help others. Thank you for all you do!
I was religious my whole life and then I MET JESUS and became FILLED with Holy Spirit and now I am WHOLE and completely and totally in love with Jesus AND PEOPLE!!! He completely changed everything and I’m learning to be completely dependent on Him. He’s so real to me! ❤️❤️
“The core has to be reading the Bible for ourselves…” well said. When we pray, we are sharing with our Father in Heaven what is on our minds and in our hearts. When we read, we are hearing, seeing what is on His mind and heart. The Bible is His part of the conversation. There is no healthy relationship when only one of you has the opportunity to speak. Thank you for sharing your spiritual journey. I enjoyed hearing it.
Such a joy to hear your testimonies! Interestingly enough, I grew up as a pastor's kid in the evangelical realm but became Catholic this past Easter. I don't feel that it is any less personal of a relationship with Christ; if anything it has fleshed out my faith and understanding. I'm always happy to hear of people's salvation, regardless of the details! I like that y'all can appreciate the different stripes of Christianity. As for my testimonial "formula:" I was brought up in the church but strayed from age 18 to 25. I tried numerous worldly things and found that they all fell short. I found Jesus (He found me) and now I am married with a baby and an overall sense of peace in my soul. The proof is in the pudding.
Your testimony is so much like my husband! He too grew up catholic and than kept seeking more… and decided to try a new church and got into Lutheran and non denominational church.
I grew up in a Catholic Church too! It took longer for me to find a church that I felt I belonged, growing in my faith, etc. Ironically, I chose my church so I can blend into the background. I am an introvert’s introvert, I don’t want to be noticed at church. I want to help, donate my time, etc. but I don’t want to be recognized, like at all.
So well done ladies! I agree that testimonies are created over a life time and that our beliefs can change based on what we know, like we only know so much at any given moment. Precious sisters, thank you! "Before Jesus, I was a selfish, me-centered sinner, focused on the things of the world and now I'm purposing to stay focused on the things of God and desire to be washed daily by the Word of God and glorify Him above all else in my life - loving Him first and as a by product of a personal relationship with Jesus, loving & serving others."
Before Jesus, I was just going through the motions of day to day life, then I met Jesus! Now, I see beauty everywhere and in everyone and every moment and every opportunity to share the peace and joy that comes with a relationship with Him.
I was a sinner deserving of death. Then I met Jesus, accepted His gift of substitution on the cross for me personally, and now I have eternal life. No amount of repenting or decision to make Jesus Lord of my life could ever have earned my way to Heaven. It was all Jesus' saving grace.
What a great video! I came to know Jesus as my Savior at age 12 at church camp in CA. And as every good Baptist, was water baptized soon after. I found the infilling of the Holy Spirit at the age of 23 - after going down a sometimes dark and twisted path that would be too long to talk of here. I joined a Foursquare church and married a wonderful Godly man at the age of 28. We relocated to Northern CA where we raised our children and were both involved in Prison Ministry for over 20 years. Nearing retirement, we felt led to leave CA in 2018 and move to Ohio to be near our son and his family. Our daughter moved with us. In 2020, my husband went home to be with the Lord. Now I'm at a new season of life. I attend a wonderful church and have tried to keep myself involved in some type of ministry or another. But I will admit that there have been challenges. Covid caused a great deal of isolation - but even more, moving to a place where no one knows my history - having to start completely over has been difficult. I am still searching for my "people". The truth is - God is good and all is well with my soul.
Thank you for sharing 💜 praying for comfort and deep community for you! It would be beautiful if there was a widow/widower ministry or if the Lord led you to start one
I used to be an Uber driver. And I always had a local Christian radio playing quietly in the background. Which started a lot of very good deep conversations with many passengers. I went to a Christian school from year 5-10 and Sunday school with a neighbour when I was young. So I always knew there was a God. I also went to youth group as an older teen. But than got distracted with life/work/ grownup responsibilities and stopped going to church. By my mid 20s I was really struggling emotionally with self confidence/value and worth. Than I decided to go back to church. I learnt to put my identity in who I am in Christ scriptures and that helped me turn around completely. I don’t have any of those discouraging feelings anymore. I know I don’t have to listen to any negative comments I think or someone else says about me/to me.
Diana, thank you for this "formula". I'm a nurse and patients sometimes ask me why I am so different, I always stumbled on what to say. I just watched Dr. Charles Stanley last week online and he talked about this same verse!!
I was angry and, depressed. Then I met Jesus and, now I am so happy. Wishing everyday was Sunday so I could spend time with all my brothers and, sisters and, learn about God more and, more. I pray each day. Try and, read the Bible. If not read the Bible definitely a Christian book. Trying to stay off of social media and, have the TV off as much as possible.
I’m so excited for your obvious excitement about your walk with Jesus! I love the Lord too and go to a small Pentecostal church. I can see that there is room for improvement, but it is such a friendly and welcoming church, I have really come to love these people as family. I was a lonely and lost little 15 year old girl when Jesus saved me and began changing my story and my life. I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost when I was 20. That gave me the power to really overcome the devil and have more victory in my walk with the Lord. It’s been a long road of over 50 years since Jesus found me. He has been so faithful and merciful every step of the way!
I knew y’all were too free and happy to not know about the gifts of the Holy Spirit! Dawn, your help with minimalism helped me clean out more than half of my giant walk in closet so i could turn it into my “prayer closet”. Now my little girl comes and finds me in there when she wakes up most mornings 🥰 My story: I was a self-righteous pastor’s kid trying to please everyone in the church and the world and ended up in a lot of compromise. I surrendered my “righteousness” and my mess to Jesus in the campus church I found in college and my life has never been the same. Now my husband and I are campus ministers and we get to share the living hope of Jesus with students who were lost like us. Love y’all 💕
Couldn’t click on this video fast enough! Loved hearing your testimonies. I was reliant on my own sense of self control and defeated every time that “control” fell apart. Then I met Jesus and placed my trust in His hands that control the Universe. And now I have joy in the sorrow, peace in the unknown and hope in the future. 💜
I WAS lost, self-righteous, critical, and hypocritical. Eventually, I WAS despairing because of my sin and inability to gain freedom or feel forgiveness. I had heard Biblical truth thousands of times without really having it affect my heart. Then, I met JESUS. NOW I am forgiven by the Son of Man who has authority to forgive sins, NOT condemned because Jesus was condemned in my place, and my eyes are open to the beauty of Christ as my only Hope.
Thank you so much for sharing how you encountered Jesus and have personal relationships with Him! That is a glorious thing! Before I was so focused on performance, always trying to impress others and even God with my performance. Then I encountered Jesus at a Catholic event with Eucharistic adoration and praise and worship. Everything changed when I said yes to a personal relationship with Jesus! Now I live in freedom and joy knowing I have a saviour who loves me, not for my performance but because I’m His. Now I work as a Catholic missionary with an organization that works in university campuses to share the kerygma (God created us for a relationship with Him; Sin has broken that relationship; Jesus saves us from the consequences of sin by His death and resurrection; we have the choice to accept or reject this restored relationship with God) and invite students into a personal relationship with Jesus. I want to say sorry that you never encountered the invitation to live out a relationship with Jesus during your time growing up in the Catholic Church. It’s the foundation of the Church, but I know it sometimes gets lost and not all parishes have a strong emphasis on evangelization (even though it is our mission as disciples of Jesus). You said that it’s impossible to find a church that has every type of spirituality, but everything you talked about I’ve found in the Catholic Church. Charismatic praise and worship, the importance of scripture both in communal and personal prayer, daily personal prayer, evangelization, testimony sharing, community, liturgy, sacraments, being filled with the Holy Spirit and receiving spiritual gifts. I know this isn’t the lived experience at every Catholic parish, but it is the goal and we need Christians on fire for Jesus like you to make it a reality. I know a RUclips comment isn’t a great way to share all this - would be better over a coffee! I don’t mean to be pushy or diminish your experiences and encounters with Jesus because I know evangelical churches have so much to teach us Catholics on how to be welcoming and evangelistic. One last thing, you spoke about the importance of reading our Bibles and I wanted to share something I’ve been loving lately. “Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Bible in a Year” podcast. Each day he reads scripture and talks about it from a Catholic perspective. It’s inspired some really beautiful prayer time for me as I dive deeper into the Word. Maybe you’d find it interesting! I love you both so much and am praying for you as you continue to share Jesus through your platforms.
Your challenge to articulate before/after reminds me of a line of dialogue in "The Chosen" show - Mary Magdalene says "I was one way, and now I'm completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him [Jesus].”
Both of my bestfriends are Protestants, I am Catholic. But our 37 years of friendship is one of God's most precious blessings to me. My life's perspectives definitely changed, broadened and was enriched by what we three share together, since highschool, as Christians. The verse "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:19-20) has a deeper meaning for me because of my friendship with them. I agree with you, Diana, that no single denomination can explain everything there is to know about God. I do think, though, that the love of Christ for me is made real by this special friendship. Thank you for this, Diana!
I was…never without the church upbringing & grew up with a relationship with God. Then, in my now late 30’s, having came from a very conservative holiness-movement denomination…I’ve come to KNOW GOD on a new level. I now can embrace that God wants just ME. Not how I look, what I wear, or man-made rules, but that all He wants is my daily surrender to Him! Being a twin myself, I simply cannot get enough of you girls!!! Ha I love you.
Jesus is TRULY present Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity in the Catholic Church, where scripture is read & reflected on at every Mass. Sadly, many Catholics lose their faith in college & most Catholic colleges & Catholic politicians, are Catholic in name only. My hope is that all who listen to this video will seek the Truth, which is found in its fullness in the One, True, Catholic & Apostolate Church✝️🙏
May I agree? When Jesus used the phrase Amen and Amen (double) He was giving double emphasis to the teaching. John 6 When He says you must eat my body and drink my blood to have life within you, so many of his followers said this is a hard teaching and ~ walked away. Then he turned to his disciples and said are you too going to leave? To which Peter responded, “You oh Lord have the words of everlasting life. Why was the water turned into wine at the wedding at Cana? Why was the multiplication of the loaves and fishes so important. To show you nothing is impossible with God. Even turning bread into His body and wine into His blood. Do this is memory of me.” Why was he born in Bethlehem which means house of bread and laid in a manager ( a feeding trough?) To establish from the beginning he would feed us with Himself with bread turned into his flesh. Look up Eucharistic Miracles which have happened throughout the centuries where the bread or Host has turned into cardiovascular tissue and wine has turned into blood droplets. All the miracles throughout the centuries(!) all have the same blood type. Jesus is physically present in every Catholic Church in the tabernacle(like the arc of the covenant) a place of gold beautiful to “Repose” or house the King of Kings, the leftover communion wafers ~ because they are the body and blood of Christ. Many Catholics are unaware and don’t know this. I challenge you to walk into a Catholic Church anywhere and ask Jesus “Are you really here?” You will be blown away by His response. He is after all God, & cannot lie. He said He would be with us until the end of the age. He physically is in each Catholic Church. And He also said the gates of hell will not prevail against her. No matter how hard they try.
I found your experience very interesting. I've gone to a lot of church. I come to understand Salvation is a relationship with Christ. Name of above church door isn't what counts, we can't trust in Church to get us into heaven, it's salvation through the blood of Jesus. I met Jesus as a young child, I never had the security of my Salvation until I was about 25- my church had taught you could lose your salvation. I am thankful that Salvation is through Faith not of works least anyone should boast. Eph 2:8
As a child I never really was took to church , but my mom instilled the love of God and salvation through Jesus always and her faith I seen daily . as young as about 8 maybe younger the holy spirit convicted me , and I ask Jesus into my heart . before being saved even a young child I knew there was no hope and only death for me . after being saved I feel hope and forgiveness. And everyday I'm getting molded (edified) into the person and the roads I must travel . and I'm so very grateful and thankful to God and his son Jesus for it all
I remember when I was told to only read my Bible and no other books. After we switched churches, we were encouraged to read other books also. I remember I could not get enough of those books. They helped me to start connecting the dots, as we say, in the Bible. And now, many years later I am back to mainly reading my Bible. God knew what I needed then and now. And yes, I love how we can find God working in all types of churches....the quiet and the loud.
If you haven't seen The Chosen season 1 Episode 2 Nicodemus comes across Mary Magdalene after Jesus has healed her and he asks her what had happened and she tells him "This is what I can tell you: I was one way ...and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between... was Him."
I was dying and going to Hell for my sins; then Jesus didn’t give up on me and kept letting me know I needed him even when I kept rejecting him by saying no or not yet. Now, I’m never alone, loved even though I don’t deserve it, and cared about in all the little details that still blow my mind every day including bringing you sweet, encouraging, and inspirational ladies in my life. I kept waiting for you both to share the moment you asked Jesus to forgive you and become your Lord and Savior, but I heard it in the prayer. I’ve heard it other times in your stories and the fruit you show too. Thank you both! If I never met either of you here, I will be looking forward to it in heaven.
I love your faith sharing formula! I serve with the youth in our congregation and I’m excited to share that with them. Thanks for sharing your faith journeys, it always inspires me to hear other people’s testimony of Jesus. I was having a self-identity crisis, then I met Jesus and now I have found myself in Him. He has showed me that I’m a child of God and that i find my true self when I’m lost in service to Him 🖤🖤 Love you both!
I was a selfish, lost, prideful sinner and now I am still a sinner, yet convicted by the Holy Spirit, saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, all glory to God alone! He’s not finished with me yet!
I love this!! I was raised catholic and was raising my sons catholic as well. I visited a pentecostal church in 1998 at 36 years old to listento a friend speak. God was working on my heart and He moved me. A lot of people don't quite understand that. But I know my heart just felt a pull and my sweet husband trusted that pull and we both stepped into a deeper faith and relationship with Jesus like we hadn't before. I am so grateful for an earthy father who lead us to church every Sunday and have the warmest of memories from those days. Both my dad and husband passed recently and I miss them more than words can convey but take comfort knowing they are with our Heavenly Father.
I was an angry & bitter 24 yr old atheist. I was on my 2nd marriage with 3 daughters and heading for another divorce. After Jesus my sanity and marriage were saved. Now I have hope, peace, and purpose in my life. I'm so grateful to Jesus! I thank God the church I got saved at had 3 services a week with Adult Sunday School and Friday night bible studies where I could ask questions. I had a lot of questions! Eventually my husband felt the call to pastor and then to missionary work. Now we are back in the US and he is the pastor of the church where we became Christians 24 yrs ago! God is good!
W O W ! ! Thank you so much for sharing! Yay Jesus!! 🙌💛🙌
Praise God!!!
Praise the Lord! Thank you for sharing this powerful account! 🙌
TFS I love your story all glory to God for His miracles love and hope
Many blessings 🙏and much love 💕from California 🌴🌞
Praise the Lord! I’d be interested in learning why you were an atheist. I heard someone say recently that people that consider themselves atheists are often really just angry at God. It seems like “angry/bitter” and “atheist” often go hand in hand.
Thanks for sharing!
Dawn, you hit it on the nail! Stay away from "all the books" and take responsibility for yourself by reading God's Word. We are living in a world full of false teachings and worldly encouragement and need God's Word to guide us.
Have you listened to Pastor Mike Hoggards teachings 'the biblical case against Rick Warren'. Very insightful on false teachings. Highly recommend 🙏
Yes, because some add their own interpretation, and they may be a false prophet.
I agree Dawn reading the Bible for yourself & praying is # 1.
Our pastor just covered this Sunday!!! Careful with "Christian" books- the one true Christ-ian book is the holy word of God!
Yes, we should be seeking the Truth of God’s Word 🙏. Not chasing “ Feelings” or “Entertainment”.
John 4:23 ❤️
I'm so grateful for my Catholic faith! I have a personal relationship with Jesus as my Lord and savior. The Eucharist is literally the bread of life. There's no substitute for meeting Jesus in the Eucharist-literally heaven on earth. I love the fullness of my faith. I have been to charismatic Catholic mass where congregants and the priest speak in tongues and have I have been slain in the Holy Spirit. I'm also grateful that I can go to Mass everyday, listen to scripture and receive Jesus. My pastor is awesome and on fire for Jesus. The Catholic church was founded by JC himself, so that's the church for me!
I was a cradle Catholic, went to Catholic school. I made a Catholic Cursillo which enabled me to become a better Catholic. I am Catholic today and I LOVE our faith. We are to evangelize our faith every chance we get. We are to live our faith outside of church. When we leave mass, we are to go out into the world and spread our faith. In ways such as kindness, goodness, helping the poor, being a servant of God in any way we can. Serving others; reaching out, guiding, loving, smiling, the tiniest act of kindness can change someone's life. I love that a miracle happens at every mass when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and we get to partake in receiving the Eucharist as Jesus commanded that we receive. Thank you for sharing faith path. Thank God for our faith!!!
Agreed 100%
You said it perfectly!
I was Protestant and then I became Catholic, fulfilled and blessed!
I love how they shared their faith path and including the Catholic experience in such a kind and beautiful way. It’s refreshing as a Catholic. ❤️
I was a liar. I was deceptive. I was rebellious. I was dead and separated from God. Jesus showed me how short I fell from His standard of perfection. I cried out to Him and admitted my wrongs. He is faithful to forgive and now I have his help in the form of the Holy Spirit to walk with him each day. Humbling and hard, yet wonderful and better than anything.
I was born and raised Catholic. Have had so many trials in my life. I was about 16 years old and cried to God for forgiveness. I was sitting down when I felt a hand on my head. I opened my eyes I saw the feet of Jesus in his Sandals. His gown was at ankle length. I tried to lift my head. But couldn’t. I cried and thanked him with my eyes closed. I opened my eyes and he was gone. I was able to lift my head.
I am not worthy to see the face of Jesus. My faith has to be
strong and well planted no
matter what storm comes.
Born, raised and will die a Catholic.
Blessings
So sorry that you didn't experience a personal relationship with Jesus while in the Catholic Church. I was agnostic growing up, and pursued the truth throughout college. I came to believe in Jesus through the Catholic Church, and converted since then. I am a Catholic that is in love with Jesus!
I love y'alls love for Christ
I was bound by the belief that I had to be the best at everything to be worthy and loved, then I met Jesus.... Now I know that true love comes not from what I can do, but from what has been done for me and WHOSE I am.
Amen!
Amen!!! I love that I can love Jesus because he first loved me. (1 John 4:19) And He showed me how much He loved me when He stretched out His arms and died to pay for my sins. And His love enables me to love others.
These verses changed my life forever:
John 3:14-16 KJV
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I was an alcoholic, full of anger anxiety; then I met Jesus and now I am sober, calm and full of gratitude,❤️🙏. I am praying to meet others to worship with. Thank you ladies for your testimony and prayers
I love you girls so much... all your videos, but this one was the BEST! ❤️
I was raised catholic too, fell away from church in the early 2000’s, and then during 2020 when the world lost its collective mind, felt so lonely and sad. My husband and I started searching for a church. Holy Spirit worked through many people to bring us to a Baptist Church in a nearby town where we met Jesus. Started reading the Bible daily. We felt pursued by God! We are both saved now and were baptized on July 31st. I have a whole new family of sisters and brothers in Christ who we get to spend time with in fellowship and worship. Now I feel so alive and hopeful about our future! God is faithful and so good!
Thank you for both for being so genuine!
Wow! What a story! Thank you for sharing… and yay Jesus!! 🙌💛
So happy for you!
So happy for you all! Thanks for sharing. Something great that came out of 2020. God’s still working!
This is such a blessing! God is so great!!!
I'm a cradle Catholic. About 10 years ago I found the Traditional Latin Mass. It's my home and I will die a Catholic.
But do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? 💜
@@sarahgrumbine4327 Yes. Why do you ask?
I once was asked “ are you saved”
I answered “ don’t know”
I guess I will find out when God calls me. We don’t know the day or the hour.
No one knows if they are saved.
We will know on Judgement day” one on one. Face to face. Personal in front of Jesus Christ ( God our Father). Blessings
Love what Dawn said about, God's Word is THE most important.
Agreed!
Love seeing all the fellow devout Catholics in the comments! Maybe the Holy Spirit inspired this video to send encouragement for these sweet sisters to come home 🥰🥰🥰
I enjoyed this video so much! No one told me about Jesus until I was 14 -- I became a children's ministry director and have loved telling kids from babies to teens about the BEST LIFE in Him! My favorite comments in this video: Diana explained, "I was ... then I met Jesus ... and now I am!" and Dawn said we need to read our own Bible for ourselves and the amount of time we spend on other resources like books and devotionals, etc. cannot be more than we spend reading our Bible. I love you both! Yea Jesus!
What a beautiful testimony, thank you for sharing! And for your thoughtful encouragement 💛☺️
You ladies are so lovely. Fr Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins are doing a wonderful job with The Great Adventure bible and The Bible in a Year podcast putting across how to read and relate to the bible from the Catholic perspective. As a Catholic, Jesus's Presence in the eucharist is the summit of my faith. To have a personal, prayerful relationship with Jesus in the reception of the eucharist or adoration of Him in church is the greatest gift.
I also became Catholic this past April too as Sab L mentioned, I grew up Baptist! Been to several different denominations and feel at home in the Catholic Church. I appreciate Diana and Dawn and their channels. I used to listen to their Sunday videos and enjoy them very much. My experience with the Catholic Church has been a strengthening of my faith. We have women’s bible study and are doing extensive study in the book of Luke. After Vatican II I think they started to encourage more study of the Bible for your self but there are a lot of women in my group that are older than me and did not grow up studying the Bible for themselves in the Catholic Church so they are doing it at an older age! Your’re never to old to read the Bible. :-) So we all have room to grow! Thank you ladies for sharing! Love you both! ❤️
Let us remember that the entire Mass is from the Bible. Before the printing press the church kept a written bible in many churches for people to be able to read it.
I think it's not necessarily catholic tradition to read the Bible alone at home,
bc. a) the Bible is read in *every* mass, OT & NT,
b) Within this mass and reading/lecture from the Bible, the Gospel/Evangelium/Covenant is exemplified & illustrated ("explained").
c) Catholics are supposed to go to mass *as often as possible.* And not in the meaning of every other week or sth., but at least once a week, if not daily/ 3-4 times!..
(It's a lot! Praying every 4 hours aswell.. 😬)
..Which means they (theoretically) read (hear) from the Bible weekly/daily (regularly) *and* are not alone with it, but in community, with a theologian/exegete to teach/help them understand..
That should probably be the reason too, why there are traditionally no sunday schools in Catholic Church, bc. in some way the mass *is* the sunday school..
😄
I'm not a hardcore/fundi Catholic & don't believe in every points/particulars, but I *am* catholic and there are many things I like a lot about it. And some points I don't.
I think that's "normal". It's like in every (happy) marriage.
😁♡
Love this!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼 I was broken, abandoned, neglected, then I met Jesus, ❤️ healed, accepted, loved by Him!!!
Yeah!! Love this! 🙌💛
@@DianaKokku I'm also a Christian and yes I have backslided from time to time but I have a back story no I'm not the perfect Christian none of us are it's just getting to live for him but god was there for me it's Christian baby steps amen ✝️👍🙏✝️
Amen ❤️ as was I!
@@DianaKokku hello sister in Christ Diana amen ✝️ amen 🙏
Our testimony has actually been dramatized in 2016 on a radio program called
"Unshackled" . It's a two part bc the first one is my story, the second is my hubby's and up to this date. If you'd like to listen it's at Pacific Garden Mission, Unshackled, Joe & Marla Baldwin/2016? It's pretty easy to find. They did a very good job telling our story and we are honored to be featured.
I was terrified.
Then I met Jesus.
Now, I’m brave! 🙌🏼
Diana & Dawn, your stories of faith are beautiful and inspiring. I was raised in the Catholic faith and practice today, but my journey was not linear. Don’t be surprised if you are called back to your roots some day. God bless you and your families. Thank you to both of you for your work to help others live better, more peaceful and purposeful lives.
I was Catholic, then I met Jesus, and now I am still Catholic, where I have found the fullness of the faith in the church Christ instituted. All are welcome 🤗
As you are talking about your upbringing in a Catholic church it hurts my heart to know that you had the foundation of such a beautiful upbringing and you left it. I am a devout catholic but understanding the faith and getting to know everything about the catholic church I would never ever leave. I am sorry that we failed in showing you the beauty of the cathoilc faith. I pray that you come back home.
They have so much more now, why would you want them to go back to what the Lord saved them out of? Maybe you should look into what they have? Your comment shows what is missing. The emphasis is on a relationship with a church, not on a dynamic relationship with a saving and loving Lord Jesus.
Beds Nava, Well said. When churches were closed during the pandemic, I along with other Catholics missed receiving the Blessed Sacrament. I often wonder if those who leave the Catholic Church yearn for this.
@@donnawhitmore586 so true! I to was one that would watch mass from home. As soon as I was able to go back to mass my soul was filled with Joy! The lord is truly present in the eucharist. I look forward to every mass to recive his body! I do pray for all those that have left. I belive that part of them does miss the beauty of the church unforfunatley they look to fill that hole with other things.
Our faith is like a planted tree. Our roots need to be strong. For when the wind comes it won’t pull us away.
We sometimes search for belonging and being comfortable or the music.
Jesus came to this world. Born in a stable. Persecuted, hated and crucified.
Thanks for sharing. Came to the Pentecostal Church in my early thirties. No knowledge of the bible. Received the Holy Spirit as the bible says in Acts. Late thirties joined the Catholic Church. I could never leave the Eucharist. God is good.
Thanks for sharing! I love the reminder that every journey isn’t “dramatic.” Being in a relationship with Jesus - accepting him as your Lord and Savior - can happen in a big, dramatic moment and also in a slow journey. It doesn’t matter how you got there!!
I was living in willful disobedience to God, hurting myself and others. Now I am found because God pursued me and invited me to return to Him, despite how far I had strayed away. I am His.
Without Jesus I was empty. Then I met him and He truly filled me with joy, hope, and peace ❤️
The same! He is so wonderful!!! ❤️
Im the lost sheep found.
I grew up in the Church of Scotland, going to Sunday school, bible class and youth group, however at 18 I joined the Royal Navy and life happened including 10+ miscarriages and divorce. It was when my dad died the new minister visited mum while i was there and i said "you'll never get me in the church " but soon mum asked me to keep her company in church and because I love mum so much I went..... years later I've been Sunday school teacher, started and ran a church cafe to promote fellowship, been a greeter and am now running the church Facebook page. As my health deteriorates my role within the church changes. So I feel like the sheep that strayed from the flock, got lost but was found by Jesus, the church is my family during the good and bad times, and I feel blessed xxxxxxxxxxxx
I was completely broken, messed up as a kid , insecure- & then I met beautiful Jesus- & He healed me from my childhood trauma, set me free & filled me with confidence!!! Now I’m living my best life for Him!! 😊🎉
I was lost and lonely, then I met Jesus and He made me whole.
I was never wanted. Then I met Jesus and now I belong.❤️✝️
❤️🙌🏻
I was of the world. Following others. Unintentionally sinful and worldly.
Then I met Jesus and now I am His.
I now feel more mindful of Him, to thank Him everyday, and ask for His guidance.
I am confident in my hope in Him. He has a great plan for my life.
I was a pleaser. Then I met Jesus and now I know I am good enough. God doesn't make junk.
hi, do you mean like a people pleaser? that's such an interesting perspective, thanks for sharing
Yes, People pleaser .
I was a hopeless, lonely, and broken human. Then, I met Jesus and now I am full of hope and expectation for the present and the future ❤🎉
Diana, I double like this video! Thank you so much! I am working outside the home and on my missions team at church. My heart is with the missions we are doing and started a new church last year. Please pray that our church takes root and spreads the Word as God wants us to in order to glorify Him.
I was so broken, so lonely, so directionless. Then I met Jesus at 20 years old. He has made me whole, He has made me new, and He has given me direction. He is with me always and I am never lonely. I have walked with Him for 39 years with no regrets! Thank you, Father, for being everything you are!!🙌🏻
Yes, Dawn, agree about "other" books and the CORE being our BIBLE! 🕊
I started bible study and volunteering, and that has grown my relationship with the Lord.
I knew it. I just started listening to you all, and I just knew we were sisters in Christ. I love that you see the different aspects of God in the different churches and denominations! He is a multifaceted God!
Thank you, Diana, and AMEN 🕊
I was...basically addicted to approval. I sought people's affection, validation, admiration.
I craved being worthy, being known, being at home in my own skin.
Then I met Jesus.
Now I am...
alive, living in the freedom Jesus has brought my inner being, nestled in to God's pure love for me, able to appreciate and love other people rather than seeking from them what only God can give!
Jesus has given me LIFE.
I was brought up in the Baptist church. I got convicted at the age of 7 and gave my heart and soul to Jesus! I have served him since then! I am now our church 's pianist and love singing to Him. My husband became a deacon of our church and I am a deacon 's wife. We love serving the Lord daily. Thank you for your testimonials!
I treasure my Mennonite heritage, and my faith has only grown stronger as I’ve navigated my adult life. The two of you are such a joy to “know”. Thank you for sharing your stories!
I was raised in an Evangelical, non denominational church. I was about 9 years old when I realized that my parents' relationship with God was not my relationship. God has no grandchildren! So I turned my life over to Christ. I haven't always walked totally in His will, but am determined to finish strong. I have always enjoyed being in the church as pianist, Sunday School teacher, and member of the church "orchestra" (it was a country church 😂) playing the saxophone. In the past years I did jail ministry until Covid hit. Thank you so much for your testimonies. To God be the Glory! 🙏❤️
Love the God doesn’t have grandchildren part. You are right it can’t be your parents’ but you must have your own relationship with God.
Can you say more about God having no grandchildren. I am not sure I understand that.
I was searching for more and I found it when I went through RCIA and joined the catholic church. Now I am a curious endless learner. 😇 loving serving others.
Beautiful Shannon 🥲💛
It gets better. Especially in the holy hour. In the blessed sacrament.
Holy hours with our lord in the Eucharist are some of the sweetest moments on this earth!! He will always meet each of us where we are and lead each of us back to him. I really appreciate how much love he has for his mother and the prayers that she has for each of us. He will obey his mother so when she prays for each of us he listens.
I was lost and lonely and I met Jesus and now I'm a child of God.
I was a very angry 30 year old with two children whose mom had just passed away from cancer. But then I found Jesus and found that I was not really an orphan in this world. The anger left. I look back now and I see just how God protected me and loved me.
I am a cradle Catholic and still an active member that lifelong faith journey. I love my church community, in fact it is called the Good Shepherd Catholic Community and we are guided by several amazing Franciscan priests. This community is, for me, the best of my traditional upbringing and contemporary Christianity.
I, too, have been filled by the Holy Spirit after a retreat called Christ Renews His Parish. It was a turning point for me in my faith, in learning how to pray without mere rote prayers, and in my life overall. I’m still working on myself, of course, and I pray continually for the many people who need this gift in their lives.
I once heard the Catholic Church is like a buffet. Has a variety.
So much fulfillment.
“ Jesus I trust in you”
Blessings
I was raised in a Christian family my whole life. When I was 29 years old, I was filled with Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Almost 5 years ago now! It CHANGED my life. My walk with Jesus became so much more real. I was filled with an indescribable love for all people and a fire and passion for God's Kingdom. Ask, seek, knock - be filled! 💓
I was lost and now the Lord is my center. The Lord God has used ALL things throughout my life to point me to Him my Savior Jesus Christ. ♥️♥️
I, like Jesus, was born Jewish. I, like you two, am an identical twin.
My grandparents were Quaker. My husband’s family is Catholic. All sides of my family have always served and loved. I met Jesus and repented , and chose love. I am Jewish and thank you for allowing me to share my testimony. Because all of your followers should get to respond. 🙂
I came to know the Lord as my savior during a Lay Witness meeting at the Methodist Church I attended as a child. I was only 7 years old when I realized I was a sinner, I couldn't save myself, and needed Jesus to do that for me. I understood it in a very childlike way, but Matthew 19:14 says,
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” I feel like, when you come to know Jesus at a young age, growing into a true understanding of all that decision entails, is a process. I am now 57 years old, and I am still learning, growing, and maturing in my faith. I am so thankful to my Lord for the lifelong, sometimes rocky and messy journey that he has led me through. God is SO GOOD! Thank you for sharing your stories and for the reminder to stay in the Word. It is our lifeline!
I was broken, than I met Jesus and he keeps fixing me ❤️
I was horder, than I "met" Down and Im minimalist now. 😀
Life is so interesting. I was in evangelical churches most of my life, until our family - my husband and three teenagers - all became Catholic at Easter Vigil 2007. I felt truly at home. Thank you for your honest conversation.
When I heard the good news that God loved me and because he didn’t want me to remain separate from him, he sent Jesus, and he took me to the cross with him, when I was still rebellious, that love won my heart over. I was instantly healed of a very longstanding serious illness, and later of bulemia, and an inoperable club foot. The Lord has been so faithful, and has never left me. He has been there to comfort, and bring peace.
I grew up Catholic but with little in the way of catechesis and community. I strayed from the faith in my late teens but had a “reversion” in 2018. I never saw that coming but I’m so so grateful.
Without Christ at the centre of my life, I was self-reliant and proud. Now, I am learning to walk in humility and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Thanks for sharing your stories ladies 💗
I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While my faith tradition looks different than yours, I enjoy hearing you share your faith so freely. I love that we can belong to different faiths but find common ground in Jesus. I always look forward to watching your videos. ❤️
Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God Almighty, 🙏🏻 Thank you
I too belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ❤ and to hear Diana and Dawn speak and testify of Jesus Christ with such love and light just makes my heart sing! I love my Savior and KNOW He loves every single one of us - I can have so much peace even through my trials because of Him 😊 Keep spreading the Good Word ladies!! 👍🏽
That church experience is so much like when I'd visit my grandparents in the midwest.
Have you both had a time where you’ve placed your trust in Jesus to save you from your sins and take you to Heaven? That it’s not by works that we do that takes us to Heaven, but only by His mercy we are saved? Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us...” It’s so encouraging to hear of your love for the Lord, but also many people need to know Jesus as their Saviour, and need to know how. It’s the foundation. 💕 Just hope you know that for yourselves and maybe would be able to share that topic specifically to help others. Thank you for all you do!
I was religious my whole life and then I MET JESUS and became FILLED with Holy Spirit and now I am WHOLE and completely and totally in love with Jesus AND PEOPLE!!! He completely changed everything and I’m learning to be completely dependent on Him. He’s so real to me! ❤️❤️
I love this quote from The Chosen TV series:
I was something else once, too.
Once you've met the Messiah,
*am* is all that matters. 🧡
I was in despair, then he came and healed my pain and gave me strength to walk through the darkest days.
“The core has to be reading the Bible for ourselves…” well said. When we pray, we are sharing with our Father in Heaven what is on our minds and in our hearts. When we read, we are hearing, seeing what is on His mind and heart. The Bible is His part of the conversation. There is no healthy relationship when only one of you has the opportunity to speak. Thank you for sharing your spiritual journey. I enjoyed hearing it.
Such a joy to hear your testimonies! Interestingly enough, I grew up as a pastor's kid in the evangelical realm but became Catholic this past Easter. I don't feel that it is any less personal of a relationship with Christ; if anything it has fleshed out my faith and understanding. I'm always happy to hear of people's salvation, regardless of the details! I like that y'all can appreciate the different stripes of Christianity.
As for my testimonial "formula:" I was brought up in the church but strayed from age 18 to 25. I tried numerous worldly things and found that they all fell short. I found Jesus (He found me) and now I am married with a baby and an overall sense of peace in my soul. The proof is in the pudding.
Beautiful 🥲💛
Your testimony is so much like my husband! He too grew up catholic and than kept seeking more… and decided to try a new church and got into Lutheran and non denominational church.
I grew up in a Catholic Church too! It took longer for me to find a church that I felt I belonged, growing in my faith, etc. Ironically, I chose my church so I can blend into the background. I am an introvert’s introvert, I don’t want to be noticed at church. I want to help, donate my time, etc. but I don’t want to be recognized, like at all.
So well done ladies! I agree that testimonies are created over a life time and that our beliefs can change based on what we know, like we only know so much at any given moment. Precious sisters, thank you!
"Before Jesus, I was a selfish, me-centered sinner, focused on the things of the world and now I'm purposing to stay focused on the things of God and desire to be washed daily by the Word of God and glorify Him above all else in my life - loving Him first and as a by product of a personal relationship with Jesus, loving & serving others."
Love your testimony, so much like mine.
This is beautiful- thank you both❤️
Before Jesus, I was just going through the motions of day to day life, then I met Jesus! Now, I see beauty everywhere and in everyone and every moment and every opportunity to share the peace and joy that comes with a relationship with Him.
I was a sinner deserving of death. Then I met Jesus, accepted His gift of substitution on the cross for me personally, and now I have eternal life. No amount of repenting or decision to make Jesus Lord of my life could ever have earned my way to Heaven. It was all Jesus' saving grace.
What a great video! I came to know Jesus as my Savior at age 12 at church camp in CA. And as every good Baptist, was water baptized soon after. I found the infilling of the Holy Spirit at the age of 23 - after going down a sometimes dark and twisted path that would be too long to talk of here. I joined a Foursquare church and married a wonderful Godly man at the age of 28. We relocated to Northern CA where we raised our children and were both involved in Prison Ministry for over 20 years. Nearing retirement, we felt led to leave CA in 2018 and move to Ohio to be near our son and his family. Our daughter moved with us. In 2020, my husband went home to be with the Lord. Now I'm at a new season of life. I attend a wonderful church and have tried to keep myself involved in some type of ministry or another. But I will admit that there have been challenges. Covid caused a great deal of isolation - but even more, moving to a place where no one knows my history - having to start completely over has been difficult. I am still searching for my "people". The truth is - God is good and all is well with my soul.
Thank you for sharing 💜 praying for comfort and deep community for you! It would be beautiful if there was a widow/widower ministry or if the Lord led you to start one
I used to be an Uber driver. And I always had a local Christian radio playing quietly in the background. Which started a lot of very good deep conversations with many passengers.
I went to a Christian school from year 5-10 and Sunday school with a neighbour when I was young. So I always knew there was a God. I also went to youth group as an older teen. But than got distracted with life/work/ grownup responsibilities and stopped going to church.
By my mid 20s I was really struggling emotionally with self confidence/value and worth.
Than I decided to go back to church. I learnt to put my identity in who I am in Christ scriptures and that helped me turn around completely. I don’t have any of those discouraging feelings anymore. I know I don’t have to listen to any negative comments I think or someone else says about me/to me.
I was … I grew up in church, I found Jesus, still depressed and then Jesus showed me about forgiveness. He made a difference in me …
Diana, thank you for this "formula". I'm a nurse and patients sometimes ask me why I am so different, I always stumbled on what to say. I just watched Dr. Charles Stanley last week online and he talked about this same verse!!
Dr. Stanley was a major part of my tribulation journey in getting me through it. He is a wonderful man of God.
I was angry and, depressed. Then I met Jesus and, now I am so happy. Wishing everyday was Sunday so I could spend time with all my brothers and, sisters and, learn about God more and, more. I pray each day. Try and, read the Bible. If not read the Bible definitely a Christian book. Trying to stay off of social media and, have the TV off as much as possible.
I was lonely and wanted so badly to be loved and special. Especially with a guy. When I met Jesus I found the love I craved.
I’m so excited for your obvious excitement about your walk with Jesus! I love the Lord too and go to a small Pentecostal church. I can see that there is room for improvement, but it is such a friendly and welcoming church, I have really come to love these people as family.
I was a lonely and lost little 15 year old girl when Jesus saved me and began changing my story and my life. I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost when I was 20. That gave me the power to really overcome the devil and have more victory in my walk with the Lord. It’s been a long road of over 50 years since Jesus found me. He has been so faithful and merciful every step of the way!
I knew y’all were too free and happy to not know about the gifts of the Holy Spirit!
Dawn, your help with minimalism helped me clean out more than half of my giant walk in closet so i could turn it into my “prayer closet”. Now my little girl comes and finds me in there when she wakes up most mornings 🥰
My story:
I was a self-righteous pastor’s kid trying to please everyone in the church and the world and ended up in a lot of compromise. I surrendered my “righteousness” and my mess to Jesus in the campus church I found in college and my life has never been the same. Now my husband and I are campus ministers and we get to share the living hope of Jesus with students who were lost like us.
Love y’all 💕
I was….
A drug addict headed for hell as fast as I could get there
I am…. Delivered saved whole healthy healed and loved 🥰
Couldn’t click on this video fast enough! Loved hearing your testimonies. I was reliant on my own sense of self control and defeated every time that “control” fell apart. Then I met Jesus and placed my trust in His hands that control the Universe. And now I have joy in the sorrow, peace in the unknown and hope in the future. 💜
I WAS lost, self-righteous, critical, and hypocritical. Eventually, I WAS despairing because of my sin and inability to gain freedom or feel forgiveness. I had heard Biblical truth thousands of times without really having it affect my heart. Then, I met JESUS.
NOW I am forgiven by the Son of Man who has authority to forgive sins, NOT condemned because Jesus was condemned in my place, and my eyes are open to the beauty of Christ as my only Hope.
Thank you so much for sharing how you encountered Jesus and have personal relationships with Him! That is a glorious thing!
Before I was so focused on performance, always trying to impress others and even God with my performance. Then I encountered Jesus at a Catholic event with Eucharistic adoration and praise and worship. Everything changed when I said yes to a personal relationship with Jesus! Now I live in freedom and joy knowing I have a saviour who loves me, not for my performance but because I’m His.
Now I work as a Catholic missionary with an organization that works in university campuses to share the kerygma (God created us for a relationship with Him; Sin has broken that relationship; Jesus saves us from the consequences of sin by His death and resurrection; we have the choice to accept or reject this restored relationship with God) and invite students into a personal relationship with Jesus. I want to say sorry that you never encountered the invitation to live out a relationship with Jesus during your time growing up in the Catholic Church. It’s the foundation of the Church, but I know it sometimes gets lost and not all parishes have a strong emphasis on evangelization (even though it is our mission as disciples of Jesus). You said that it’s impossible to find a church that has every type of spirituality, but everything you talked about I’ve found in the Catholic Church. Charismatic praise and worship, the importance of scripture both in communal and personal prayer, daily personal prayer, evangelization, testimony sharing, community, liturgy, sacraments, being filled with the Holy Spirit and receiving spiritual gifts. I know this isn’t the lived experience at every Catholic parish, but it is the goal and we need Christians on fire for Jesus like you to make it a reality. I know a RUclips comment isn’t a great way to share all this - would be better over a coffee! I don’t mean to be pushy or diminish your experiences and encounters with Jesus because I know evangelical churches have so much to teach us Catholics on how to be welcoming and evangelistic.
One last thing, you spoke about the importance of reading our Bibles and I wanted to share something I’ve been loving lately. “Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Bible in a Year” podcast. Each day he reads scripture and talks about it from a Catholic perspective. It’s inspired some really beautiful prayer time for me as I dive deeper into the Word. Maybe you’d find it interesting! I love you both so much and am praying for you as you continue to share Jesus through your platforms.
This is such a beautiful testimony. Thank you for sharing.
Your challenge to articulate before/after reminds me of a line of dialogue in "The Chosen" show - Mary Magdalene says "I was one way, and now I'm completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him [Jesus].”
Both of my bestfriends are Protestants, I am Catholic. But our 37 years of friendship is one of God's most precious blessings to me. My life's perspectives definitely changed, broadened and was enriched by what we three share together, since highschool, as Christians. The verse "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:19-20) has a deeper meaning for me because of my friendship with them.
I agree with you, Diana, that no single denomination can explain everything there is to know about God. I do think, though, that the love of Christ for me is made real by this special friendship. Thank you for this, Diana!
I was…never without the church upbringing & grew up with a relationship with God.
Then, in my now late 30’s, having came from a very conservative holiness-movement denomination…I’ve come to KNOW GOD on a new level.
I now can embrace that God wants just ME. Not how I look, what I wear, or man-made rules, but that all He wants is my daily surrender to Him!
Being a twin myself, I simply cannot get enough of you girls!!! Ha I love you.
Thank you Diana! What a concept! 😀1 tradition, one book or even 1 earth cannot contain all the God is!
Jesus is TRULY present Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity in the Catholic Church, where scripture is read & reflected on at every Mass. Sadly, many Catholics lose their faith in college & most Catholic colleges & Catholic politicians, are Catholic in name only. My hope is that all who listen to this video will seek the Truth, which is found in its fullness in the One, True, Catholic & Apostolate Church✝️🙏
May I agree? When Jesus used the phrase Amen and Amen (double) He was giving double emphasis to the teaching. John 6 When He says you must eat my body and drink my blood to have life within you, so many of his followers said this is a hard teaching and ~ walked away. Then he turned to his disciples and said are you too going to leave? To which Peter responded, “You oh Lord have the words of everlasting life. Why was the water turned into wine at the wedding at Cana? Why was the multiplication of the loaves and fishes so important. To show you nothing is impossible with God. Even turning bread into His body and wine into His blood. Do this is memory of me.” Why was he born in Bethlehem which means house of bread and laid in a manager ( a feeding trough?) To establish from the beginning he would feed us with Himself with bread turned into his flesh. Look up Eucharistic Miracles which have happened throughout the centuries where the bread or Host has turned into cardiovascular tissue and wine has turned into blood droplets. All the miracles throughout the centuries(!) all have the same blood type. Jesus is physically present in every Catholic Church in the tabernacle(like the arc of the covenant) a place of gold beautiful to “Repose” or house the King of Kings, the leftover communion wafers ~ because they are the body and blood of Christ. Many Catholics are unaware and don’t know this. I challenge you to walk into a Catholic Church anywhere and ask Jesus “Are you really here?” You will be blown away by His response. He is after all God, & cannot lie. He said He would be with us until the end of the age. He physically is in each Catholic Church. And He also said the gates of hell will not prevail against her. No matter how hard they try.
Diana, Please share your husband’s testimony. How did he come to a “Christian” faith, (and his family).
I found your experience very interesting. I've gone to a lot of church. I come to understand Salvation is a relationship with Christ. Name of above church door isn't what counts, we can't trust in Church to get us into heaven, it's salvation through the blood of Jesus. I met Jesus as a young child, I never had the security of my Salvation until I was about 25- my church had taught you could lose your salvation. I am thankful that Salvation is through Faith not of works least anyone should boast. Eph 2:8
I love you ladies!! Thank you for sharing! God is so good!
This is great God is so good!
As a child I never really was took to church , but my mom instilled the love of God and salvation through Jesus always and her faith I seen daily . as young as about 8 maybe younger the holy spirit convicted me , and I ask Jesus into my heart . before being saved even a young child I knew there was no hope and only death for me . after being saved I feel hope and forgiveness. And everyday I'm getting molded (edified) into the person and the roads I must travel . and I'm so very grateful and thankful to God and his son Jesus for it all
When I was a young child, I was teased and lonely. Then I met Jesus and I now have a best friend who is always with me 😊💜
I remember when I was told to only read my Bible and no other books. After we switched churches, we were encouraged to read other books also. I remember I could not get enough of those books. They helped me to start connecting the dots, as we say, in the Bible. And now, many years later I am back to mainly reading my Bible. God knew what I needed then and now. And yes, I love how we can find God working in all types of churches....the quiet and the loud.
If you haven't seen The Chosen season 1 Episode 2 Nicodemus comes across Mary Magdalene after Jesus has healed her and he asks her what had happened and she tells him "This is what I can tell you: I was one way ...and now I am completely different.
And the thing that happened in between... was Him."
I was dying and going to Hell for my sins; then Jesus didn’t give up on me and kept letting me know I needed him even when I kept rejecting him by saying no or not yet.
Now, I’m never alone, loved even though I don’t deserve it, and cared about in all the little details that still blow my mind every day including bringing you sweet, encouraging, and inspirational ladies in my life.
I kept waiting for you both to share the moment you asked Jesus to forgive you and become your Lord and Savior, but I heard it in the prayer. I’ve heard it other times in your stories and the fruit you show too. Thank you both! If I never met either of you here, I will be looking forward to it in heaven.
Amen
I love your faith sharing formula! I serve with the youth in our congregation and I’m excited to share that with them. Thanks for sharing your faith journeys, it always inspires me to hear other people’s testimony of Jesus.
I was having a self-identity crisis, then I met Jesus and now I have found myself in Him. He has showed me that I’m a child of God and that i find my true self when I’m lost in service to Him 🖤🖤 Love you both!
I was a selfish, lost, prideful sinner and now I am still a sinner, yet convicted by the Holy Spirit, saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, all glory to God alone! He’s not finished with me yet!
I love this!! I was raised catholic and was raising my sons catholic as well. I visited a pentecostal church in 1998 at 36 years old to listento a friend speak. God was working on my heart and He moved me. A lot of people don't quite understand that. But I know my heart just felt a pull and my sweet husband trusted that pull and we both stepped into a deeper faith and relationship with Jesus like we hadn't before. I am so grateful for an earthy father who lead us to church every Sunday and have the warmest of memories from those days. Both my dad and husband passed recently and I miss them more than words can convey but take comfort knowing they are with our Heavenly Father.