Covenant Renewal Script

Here is the text of what I shared on Sunday 9/13/09, my spiritual birthday. Ironically, my baptism as a baby was also in September (9/2-ish/83).

Stephen asked me to share my story and I finally agreed. I will never have enough words to truly share my story, so this will have to do. I will share my obstacles to being a “Christian” and the process of entering into a relationship with Jesus.

The obstacles: I was raised Roman Catholic. I stopped believing while I was in college. I didn’t want to attend the non-denominational church on campus—it sounded watered down. I took a class studying the meaning of life and became frustrated with how intertwined the meaning of life was with one’s belief in God. Which God? How can there be so many religions if there’s only one God? Then there’s the issue of homosexuality—the God I grew up with loves everyone. Period. There were a few more issues, including the priest preaching for more money. The moment I stopped believing in God was when I learned the Bible was used to justify slavery.

The process of entering into a relationship with God began when I moved to San Diego. Some of you know Mary Orton. She first invited me to Harbor Uptown for Easter service in 2007. With a Catholic background, I was slightly confused. The pastor didn’t wear a robe, actual bread was used for communion, singing was emphasized, and people would hold up their hands. Strange as it was, it felt genuine. I was moved during the service and enjoyed food afterward. I didn’t return the next week. Mary didn’t give up, rather Jesus didn’t give up. Mary talked about a church plant that she was apart of. She invited me along. It was at the Brewster’s house. We ate lunch and worshipped. I had met Stephen at Uptown, but this is when I heard him preach. He acknowledged how some people do not believe in Jesus. I had never heard such a perspective. He addressed multiple religions. He believed in Jesus. I still wasn’t attending church plant meetings regularly. Then Harbor Mid-City debuted here at Hoover two years ago. Of course I had to go and check it out. Intermittently I’d come and see it grow each time. I’d feel welcome, but I wasn’t establishing relationships. Some time last summer I decided I needed to make a commitment to God if a relationship with Jesus were to happen. It was hard because I liked sleeping in and church was time consuming. I began to notice I was more productive on days I went to church. So I attended church regularly, but I still had issues. I still wasn’t convinced Jesus was real. Less than a year ago today I did not believe in Jesus. I’d have lunch with Stephen to work out some of my issues. He’d answer my questions and help me with the next step. I’m inpatient. It was not an easy process. But Stephen was right. I didn’t believe him at the time. Wrestling with God was the best part of my journey. It’s raw and honest. I’d pray to God—I need to see you in my life. Stephen described God as a playwright. I needed to see His authorship in my life. One of the first times God clearly answered my prayers was my community group. I wanted to join one, but I wasn’t sure how to choose one. I thought I wanted to join the bilingual one. About a year ago, I prayed He would help me find a group to join during the service. After the service, I met Paul and Amy in line for food. They needed new recruits for their group. I said ok. I’ll never forget our first meeting. We’re always laughing together. I also started reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, a former atheist. He presented an argument for Jesus. I responded to that. Once I was struggling with how God could listen to everyone’s prayers at once. The next time I picked up the book I noticed I had left off on the chapter about God and time. It was clear God was providing an answer. I saw Him answering my prayers.

I had lunch with Stephen and he told me “You’re there—you just don’t know it yet.” I think I saw it the last weekend of February of this year. The band played a song for Black History Month, “I don’t know what you came to do.” Everyone in church was out of their seats and clapping. It felt like one of those Black Southern churches you see in the movies or on TV. I appreciated God for giving me a glimpse of something I was always curious about. Shortly after that I began the Curious Discussion Forum led by Stephen. I was less curious and more convinced by that point. Stephen extended it to show us what it means to live as a Christian. I received a Bible—the first one I ever opened to read. Around Easter time I finally learned about forgiveness. I was upset with my sinful nature. I repented, but I didn’t forgive myself. That’s when Jesus dying on the cross and God’s grace finally came together in my head. If God can forgive me, then I can forgive myself.

So in two years I’ve seen Harbor move from a house to a high school. I remember when Leslie was first chosen as the vocalist. I remember meeting Edgardo and his wife before they agreed to join Harbor. Two weeks ago I returned to the Brewster’s house for a youth ministry meeting. I hadn’t been there since the church plant. He remembered one time when I was overwhelmed by Stephen’s message and needed to take a walk. So it feels like I’ve come full circle. As Harbor Mid-City has grown in Jesus, so have I.