I attended and graduate from Midwestern Baptist College, Pontiac, Michigan)While I never was as strict as some of our ibf brothers ( I listened to The Imperials, Amy Grant and attended their concerts, I went to the movies and played cards, my hair was always just barely within regulation and I used the New American Standard Version. “The hair code is inexorable and will be enforced rigidly”-Dr. CharlesMcNeely, circa 1982). I was still IBF to my core. I believed that the local, independent fundamental baptist church was the one that the Saviour started and was officially organized on the Day of Pentecost. I was also rabidly anti ANTI CALVINIST-“from the pit of HELL”. However, I was never a Baptist Brider, but certainly believed that we “had it more right” than ALL of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The most ridiculous thing I ever did or said during my years as an IBF, was when I joined the Army 1985. (Yes, I had forsaken my call to preach) and was asked what my religion was for my dog tags, I stated, with ungodly pride and arrogance, “INDEPENDENT FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST”. The soldier making the dog tags said, “That won’t “Fu#$ING fit, you dumb ass. So, I “Settled” for Baptist. Actually this was not the most ridiculous thing I ever did, come to think of it. When I finally got to my first duty station, in the Federal Republic of Germany, I found a fellow believer who worked in the orderly room, where they had a dog tag machine, and made my own thusly, “IND FUND BAPTIST. What an ass, indeed. I was also sexually immoral from age 18-to my conversion on 1-1-1988, with my girlfriends, prostitutes, pornography. I cannot leave my name because it would embarrass and humiliate some precious and beautiful ladies who have grown up and become wonderful wives, mothers and grandmothers, whose husbands are well known among IBF circles. This is to my greatest shame and I can say this: I am paying the cost of that sin in my own marriage today. My wife and I have lived platonically for the last 10 years. Should any of those ladies are reading this, please forgive me. I was indeed wicked and sinned terribly against you. Please forgive me. While in West Germany, where prostitution was legal and well regulated, I spent a lot of time in the “hotels”. Once, I was sitting at the bar and had bought the lady I was with (please forgive me, Maam), an expensive bottle of champagne. She poured some for me but I REFUSED TO DRINK IT, as it as a “SIN”! Now, tell me what was worse, sitting with a naked lady who was not my wife or drinking a glass or two of champagne.? I was a down and out depraved reprobate whose hypocrisy stank into Heaven and was no more a true Christian believer than the devil himself. However, I had “prayed the sinner’s prayer”, was baptized, went to church 5 times a week (Sunday School, Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday night and visitation on Thursday) and attended a private Christian school, from 8th grade to graduation. I was lost and undone. However, GOD began to draw me to HIMSELF( opps, here comes Irresistible Grace). I kept telling myself that I was a believer, based on the sinners prayer bit. I was miserable. I kept trying to ignore the Great Shepherd and finally told myself, by going through the so called John’s Journeys to Assurance”, that I was , indeed, a born again believer who was struggling with my flesh for close to 30 years. I was even told by my pastor and Midwestern Baptist College graduate and later, an instructor there that “If you’re going to do something wrong, go a long way away so you get caught and hurt your ministry”. Some advice, huh? Anyway, on 1-1-1988, I was reading my Bible-“I sure looked and sounded like a believer”, and read Proverbs 30:12 “There is a generation that pure in their own eyes and yet is not washed from their filthiness”. Oh, my brothers and sisters, my soul and body trembled and I knew Hell was “my place”. However, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, was impossible to resist and I fled into His Arms and cried “God forgive me and save my soul for I am wicked. Peace flooded my soul and like Wesley at Alder’s Gate, my heart was strangely warmed. I cannot say that I have not struggled with my sins and failed. However, my sin grieves me and the Saviour always picks me up. HE is faithful. My soul has been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb and, with HIS help, I am working out my salvation. In closing, I’d like to state that I am a Calvinist who witnesses regularly, have read through the Bible at least 6 times. am a member of a Reformed Baptist Church, have a beard, wear my hair in a pony tail, smoke cigars at times (4-5 times a year, drink fermented alcoholic beverage ( 3-4 times a year), goes to the movies and give tithes and offerings. My stand on the King James Bible is a scant whisker to the left of Peter Ruckman and a scant whisker to the right of Dr. Ian Paisley. Thank you for allowing me to tell my story. There is a whole lot more but for now, I am
Accepted in the beloved because of our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ
A truly Reformed Baptist and a new creature in Christ,
Your brother from somewhere!
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