Boomer's Story
I have been forever changed by Jesus. This is my story.
I grew up in a Christian home with both parents demonstrating their love for God and for me. We faithfully attended church as a family. While Mom and Dad were in the adult service, I was in Sunday school. I loved learning about different people in the Bible; people like David, Samson and Jesus Christ who died on the cross for people like me. The more I heard about who He was, the more I wanted to accept Him into my heart. One day, while kneeling at my bedside with my father, I gave my life to Jesus Christ.
I continued to grow in my understanding of who He was through my adolescent years, but throughout Junior High and High School I became more interested in what the world had to offer like drugs, alcohol and sex and less interested in Jesus. The direction I choose was to try drugs, sex and alcohol to provide. During this time of emptiness and confusion, I began to listen to the music of Christian recording artist, Keith Green. He sang with conviction, boldness and a broken heart; his music spoke to my heart in a way that nothing else ever had. I could tell he wanted to be like Jesus, filled with God’s Spirit. Keith and I were different because he wanted to turn away from sin, and I was drawn toward it. I simply felt bad about my sin, but Keith was totally broken, crushed and humbled before a holy God.
My life was falling apart when one day I heard the Spirit of God say, “Why do you call me Lord and don't do what I say? Quit calling me Lord or change your ways.” I knew God wanted me to repent and no longer live with this sin in my life. This broke me more than I had ever been broken; so on that day I gave my life over to Him and was baptized in obedience to His command shortly after. I have never been the same since coming up out of the water, being buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life. Hallelujah! I made a commitment to love God with all my heart and do the best I could to live my life for Him.
Since making that decision on October 1, 1986, I've experienced true joy and fulfillment. Because I believe at that time He called me to a life of total devotion to Him, it is my soul desire to live surrendered daily to God’s leading and help others do the same. I have been committed to living a Spirit-filled Christian life by being in God’s Word on a consistent basis, learning from godly teachers, praying without ceasing and walking upright with my eyes focused on Christ. I'm committed to living all for the glory of God, because He loves me and saved me from myself and life without Him.
What is your relationship like with Jesus? Do you know Him and His good news for you? Here is the good news in the most concise way that I can think of...
GOD created you, loves you and desires to have a relationship with you.
YOU are a sinner separated from a holy God.
SIN separates you from God forever and is punishable by death.
JESUS died in your place for your sins, so you can be saved and have a relationship with Him.
FAITH in Jesus alone saves you, not your good works.
ETERNAL LIFE is what He promises you when you turn from you sinful way and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.
If my story has caused you to want to know more about what it means to follow Jesus then please contact us soon and we will do all we can to help you get connected to a church in your area that will help you in your relationship with Jesus.
I grew up in a Christian home with both parents demonstrating their love for God and for me. We faithfully attended church as a family. While Mom and Dad were in the adult service, I was in Sunday school. I loved learning about different people in the Bible; people like David, Samson and Jesus Christ who died on the cross for people like me. The more I heard about who He was, the more I wanted to accept Him into my heart. One day, while kneeling at my bedside with my father, I gave my life to Jesus Christ.
I continued to grow in my understanding of who He was through my adolescent years, but throughout Junior High and High School I became more interested in what the world had to offer like drugs, alcohol and sex and less interested in Jesus. The direction I choose was to try drugs, sex and alcohol to provide. During this time of emptiness and confusion, I began to listen to the music of Christian recording artist, Keith Green. He sang with conviction, boldness and a broken heart; his music spoke to my heart in a way that nothing else ever had. I could tell he wanted to be like Jesus, filled with God’s Spirit. Keith and I were different because he wanted to turn away from sin, and I was drawn toward it. I simply felt bad about my sin, but Keith was totally broken, crushed and humbled before a holy God.
My life was falling apart when one day I heard the Spirit of God say, “Why do you call me Lord and don't do what I say? Quit calling me Lord or change your ways.” I knew God wanted me to repent and no longer live with this sin in my life. This broke me more than I had ever been broken; so on that day I gave my life over to Him and was baptized in obedience to His command shortly after. I have never been the same since coming up out of the water, being buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life. Hallelujah! I made a commitment to love God with all my heart and do the best I could to live my life for Him.
Since making that decision on October 1, 1986, I've experienced true joy and fulfillment. Because I believe at that time He called me to a life of total devotion to Him, it is my soul desire to live surrendered daily to God’s leading and help others do the same. I have been committed to living a Spirit-filled Christian life by being in God’s Word on a consistent basis, learning from godly teachers, praying without ceasing and walking upright with my eyes focused on Christ. I'm committed to living all for the glory of God, because He loves me and saved me from myself and life without Him.
What is your relationship like with Jesus? Do you know Him and His good news for you? Here is the good news in the most concise way that I can think of...
GOD created you, loves you and desires to have a relationship with you.
YOU are a sinner separated from a holy God.
SIN separates you from God forever and is punishable by death.
JESUS died in your place for your sins, so you can be saved and have a relationship with Him.
FAITH in Jesus alone saves you, not your good works.
ETERNAL LIFE is what He promises you when you turn from you sinful way and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.
If my story has caused you to want to know more about what it means to follow Jesus then please contact us soon and we will do all we can to help you get connected to a church in your area that will help you in your relationship with Jesus.
Lisa's Story
Jesus Christ has changed my life. This is my story.
I grew up in a family that didn't go to church and I had never heard about Jesus as a young girl. While I always knew my mom and dad loved me very much, they had significant struggles as my dad had battled with alcoholism since before my sister and I were born. It had significantly shaped my early years; at a young age I didn't know exactly what was happening in our home, but I knew something was wrong and it filled me with a longing for security and peace. I remember not liking myself very much. I wanted to be a better person, think better thoughts, be nicer to others and for my father to stop drinking so my mom could be happy and we could have a "normal" family.
There was a little church around the corner from my house, and I had a real curiosity about what was going on there every Sunday morning. I decided to go there by myself to see what it was about. Shortly after, I was invited to go to Vacation Bible School at another church close to our home. It was there that I heard about Jesus. By the end of the week I knew that I wanted and needed Him in my life...I read in the Bible that Jesus was the Son of God. He had come to earth and lived a perfect life only to willingly die as the sacrifice for the sin that separates man from God--my sin. I learned that He was raised from the dead and appeared to many people before He went back to heaven to prepare a place for me to live forever with Him. Sometimes when I think about this, it all seems so fantastic--so impossible, like only a really naive, simple person would believe it. But something in my heart knew it was true, that Jesus was who the Bible said He was, and that He was the ONLY way to God and eternal life...the only way to the hope and peace and security I longed for.
I prayed this simple prayer that day in the basement classroom of that church: "Jesus, I know now that I am a sinner. Thank you that you died for me so that I can be forgiven. I believe You are who You say You are. Please come into my life, forgive me and help me to be a better person. I want to live my life for You."
This began a lifetime of learning what it means to walk with the Lord every day; years of growing into the decision I made as an 11 year old girl. Little did I know that within a year my dad would leave my mom and sister and I...God knew I would need a father, and He was there with me during those difficult growing up years. I was baptized in that little church, and spent many wonderful years in the youth group, learning about who Jesus was and how I could be more like Him--more like I wanted to be, but couldn't be on my own.
I haven't always made good choices or represented Jesus well. As I got older I did many things I'm so ashamed of...I made poor choices along with the good ones. I wasn't always a good friend or daughter or sister. Many times I've lied and hated and thought things I would never repeat out loud. And yet I know Jesus well, and know that He died for those things too, and has been quick to forgive me and make my heart new and clean...He has always given me a new start.
There have been so many ups and downs in my life...times I have wondered if it were possible to feel another ounce of joy, and times I've been so low I didn't want to live. It's all part of my journey and history--the pages are still being written. As I've walked with Jesus for the past 34 years, I've really come to KNOW Him...through His word (the Bible), through others who have poured His love and Truth into my life, and through the Holy Spirit speaking directly to my heart. The older I get and the more I know and love Him, the more I am in a passionate pursuit to know and love Him more. He has changed my life.
He can change yours.
We all need Jesus to save us...the Bible says that all of us have sinned against God, and that our sin separates us from Him...in our hearts we've all lied, cheated, hated, lusted...the list goes on. As a result we'll be forever separated from a holy God. The great news is that because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins, and his resurrection, we can know that our sins are forgiven and we will live forever with Him, even after our life on this earth is done.
If you see your need for a Savior and want to have a personal relationship with Jesus, it's as simple as recognizing that need, admitting you're a flawed and sinful person and asking Jesus to forgive your sin and come into your life. He'll change you from the inside out. There is no secret formula--it's as simple as that. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9). It's not about the specific words you say, just the honesty of your heart asking Jesus to forgive and change you. It's the best and most important thing you can ever do.
There are so many amazing promises for those of us who know Him...a promise and answer for every need and season of life...a reason for living and the hope of eternal life when our life is through. If you want to know more about having a personal relationship with the Lord or how to get started on your own journey with Jesus, please contact me...I would love to encourage you on your way and help you find a church where you can meet other people on the same journey.
God bless you on your spiritual journey...I pray you find your way to Him.
I grew up in a family that didn't go to church and I had never heard about Jesus as a young girl. While I always knew my mom and dad loved me very much, they had significant struggles as my dad had battled with alcoholism since before my sister and I were born. It had significantly shaped my early years; at a young age I didn't know exactly what was happening in our home, but I knew something was wrong and it filled me with a longing for security and peace. I remember not liking myself very much. I wanted to be a better person, think better thoughts, be nicer to others and for my father to stop drinking so my mom could be happy and we could have a "normal" family.
There was a little church around the corner from my house, and I had a real curiosity about what was going on there every Sunday morning. I decided to go there by myself to see what it was about. Shortly after, I was invited to go to Vacation Bible School at another church close to our home. It was there that I heard about Jesus. By the end of the week I knew that I wanted and needed Him in my life...I read in the Bible that Jesus was the Son of God. He had come to earth and lived a perfect life only to willingly die as the sacrifice for the sin that separates man from God--my sin. I learned that He was raised from the dead and appeared to many people before He went back to heaven to prepare a place for me to live forever with Him. Sometimes when I think about this, it all seems so fantastic--so impossible, like only a really naive, simple person would believe it. But something in my heart knew it was true, that Jesus was who the Bible said He was, and that He was the ONLY way to God and eternal life...the only way to the hope and peace and security I longed for.
I prayed this simple prayer that day in the basement classroom of that church: "Jesus, I know now that I am a sinner. Thank you that you died for me so that I can be forgiven. I believe You are who You say You are. Please come into my life, forgive me and help me to be a better person. I want to live my life for You."
This began a lifetime of learning what it means to walk with the Lord every day; years of growing into the decision I made as an 11 year old girl. Little did I know that within a year my dad would leave my mom and sister and I...God knew I would need a father, and He was there with me during those difficult growing up years. I was baptized in that little church, and spent many wonderful years in the youth group, learning about who Jesus was and how I could be more like Him--more like I wanted to be, but couldn't be on my own.
I haven't always made good choices or represented Jesus well. As I got older I did many things I'm so ashamed of...I made poor choices along with the good ones. I wasn't always a good friend or daughter or sister. Many times I've lied and hated and thought things I would never repeat out loud. And yet I know Jesus well, and know that He died for those things too, and has been quick to forgive me and make my heart new and clean...He has always given me a new start.
There have been so many ups and downs in my life...times I have wondered if it were possible to feel another ounce of joy, and times I've been so low I didn't want to live. It's all part of my journey and history--the pages are still being written. As I've walked with Jesus for the past 34 years, I've really come to KNOW Him...through His word (the Bible), through others who have poured His love and Truth into my life, and through the Holy Spirit speaking directly to my heart. The older I get and the more I know and love Him, the more I am in a passionate pursuit to know and love Him more. He has changed my life.
He can change yours.
We all need Jesus to save us...the Bible says that all of us have sinned against God, and that our sin separates us from Him...in our hearts we've all lied, cheated, hated, lusted...the list goes on. As a result we'll be forever separated from a holy God. The great news is that because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins, and his resurrection, we can know that our sins are forgiven and we will live forever with Him, even after our life on this earth is done.
If you see your need for a Savior and want to have a personal relationship with Jesus, it's as simple as recognizing that need, admitting you're a flawed and sinful person and asking Jesus to forgive your sin and come into your life. He'll change you from the inside out. There is no secret formula--it's as simple as that. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9). It's not about the specific words you say, just the honesty of your heart asking Jesus to forgive and change you. It's the best and most important thing you can ever do.
There are so many amazing promises for those of us who know Him...a promise and answer for every need and season of life...a reason for living and the hope of eternal life when our life is through. If you want to know more about having a personal relationship with the Lord or how to get started on your own journey with Jesus, please contact me...I would love to encourage you on your way and help you find a church where you can meet other people on the same journey.
God bless you on your spiritual journey...I pray you find your way to Him.
About Lisa
Lisa is a 1985 graduate of Seattle Pacific University with a degree in Vocal Performance. She has been a vocal instructor and studio vocalist for over 30 years and has been actively involved in church ministry as a worship leader, vocal coach, soloist, pianist and director. She has provided music for countless conferences, retreats, weddings, funerals and other special events.
Early in her marriage, Lisa began an intense battle with depression and a life-threatening illness that almost took her life. She often has the privilege to share with others, through music, worship and testimony, about her struggle as a Christian woman in the grip of depression and the healing and victory God can bring.
Lisa has a deep passion for leading in praise and worship, out of a grateful heart and an overflow of God’s presence in her life. Her desire is for others to be drawn by the Lord, through the beauty of music, into the deep place of worship where hearts and lives can be renewed, restored and changed by the holy presence of God.
Lisa lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon, with her husband, Boomer, and their son, Jake.
Early in her marriage, Lisa began an intense battle with depression and a life-threatening illness that almost took her life. She often has the privilege to share with others, through music, worship and testimony, about her struggle as a Christian woman in the grip of depression and the healing and victory God can bring.
Lisa has a deep passion for leading in praise and worship, out of a grateful heart and an overflow of God’s presence in her life. Her desire is for others to be drawn by the Lord, through the beauty of music, into the deep place of worship where hearts and lives can be renewed, restored and changed by the holy presence of God.
Lisa lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon, with her husband, Boomer, and their son, Jake.
