Carl Emerson
Well-Known Member
I was raised in Christendom and believed what I was taught until I was of age to think for myself…. too many things bothered me, and no one had answers to my many questions…..it made them uncomfortable that I asked.
Only when I spoke to JW’s was everything made crystal clear. No question was too hard or off limits. Studying the Bible with them was the most exciting thing I have ever undertaken. I had so many questions and they were all answered from the Bible. For the first time in my life I understood the Lord’s Prayer! I never knew what I was praying for even though I had uttered that prayer countless times.
Just out of curiosity, do you belong to a brotherhood who believe what you believe….who all arrived at the same conclusion as you did, just from studying the scriptures for themselves?
God has always provided teachers for his people…..they all had to believe the same truth. (1 Cor 1:10)
Unity is a product of God’s spirit…..if it was the same spirit moving all those who claim to have studied the Bible for themselves, and coming to their own conclusions….all would be drawn to the same conclusions…..but that is not the case….there are as many conclusions as there are people. Why? Who has found the needle in the haystack?
JW’s are over 8 million brothers and sisters, found in all nations, who all believe the same things and follow the same program for Bible study each week. Over 8 million people, who regularly meet together, and who have no beef with doctrine or in following through on what Jesus commanded us to do…..to “preach the good news of the kingdom in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations” before “the end” of this wicked world comes crashing down on all of earth’s inhabitants. (Matt 24:14)
Where are Christendom’s churches following through on the great commission? (Matt 28:19-20) It was a command, not a suggestion.....
Must be someone else’s job….
What is your big picture Carl?
Big picture...
I knew God existed by the age of about 4.
I went to Sunday school and from an early age and my faith was so intense and personal that I asked my parents please could I not go.
My mum was born Catholic and my father was in the Salvation army - both were excommunicated from their families so there were 5 at the wedding and the taxi driver had to be the witness. Neither were church members.
At about 8 - after throwing a dart into my sister's leg - Jesus appeared to me and said "there is nothing you will do in this life that I will not see"
At 13 I attended a Christian camp and saw kids going forward at the meetings to confess Jesus as their Lord, repent of their sins and receive forgiveness and His indwelling presence. However I knew because my faith was so deeply personal I couldnt do that. So I went for a walk on my own beside a lake and knew that 'my time had come' so I lay down on the gravel and prayed like this... "God I know I have always been yours, but there comes a time when I have to give you my all and let you take over my life - sorry for the mess I have made of it, forgive me and take over..." Well at the time I heard someone walking towards me on the stones but when I looked up there was no one in sight, but He has been with me ever since.
So I was baptised at 16 and very active in a Baptist Church.
Then at 18 I met the wrong lady and had 7 years of incompatibility in a marriage during which time my life went down the tube - she moved in with my best friend. - drugs, fringes of occult, eastern philosophy, psychiatric hospital, ECT reduced to vegetable state.
But... The still small voice spoke, and I knew I had to return to my Christian roots.
So I took off up country to find Him and recommit. Then it happened, on a wharf watching the sea it was like He grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and gave me a shake saying "There are the rails - stay on them" He also said that the Bible was to be my only source of Truth. This was a turning point and 7 years of prayer and ministry followed - then I felt restored again and ready to serve Him. He taught me much in those lonely years.
I consumed the Scriptures and fed my soul with a deep love for Him.
There was a special move of the Spirit at that time, hundreds came to faith often in quite miraculous circumstances.
When I was ready He called me to go to Israel. I needed $2.6K for the airfare - It came in from who knows where 1 hour before the tickets needed to be paid. So I left with just $150 for 10 weeks.
When I landed I found some Christian accommodation and the next day to my amazement there was a conference for Christian musicians from all over Israel - being a musician myself, I was in heaven.
But the rub came - my little money was soon running out - why on earth was I here anyway ???
So I found the King David Hotel and it's big leather chairs and prayed three days solid. I got to the point of saying "well if you wanted a man of faith you got the wrong one, I haven't a clue why I am here, I might as well fly back to New Zealand.
Then two people walked into the hotel and pointed to me - The Lord is saying come with us... This was the breakthrough I was waiting for.
They were giving refuge to Jews who converted to Jesus and were excommunicated from their families. So I stayed with them until the day the lady had a heart attack and the Lord led me to be there at exactly the time to pray for her and see her healed. She is well to this day and leading an important Pro Life work there.
From then financial support poured in from strangers, I also went to China before returning home - everything was paid by Him.
That is enough - my life is now punctuated with the miraculous - you can read more here. Jesus's Ministry
All glory to Jesus having given me a second chance in life and blessed me more than I could ask or think with a lovely wife and 5 children all grown up.
Love you all...
Last edited: