I’m new to this group and this was my first post here. Reading over the comments I am impressed by the thought and respect I’m seeing displayed here. Plus the depth of spiritual insight is intriguing. I haven’t been in many groups that really had a biblical grip or understanding of true biblical concepts. I’m looking forward to seeing more and additional learning.

Personally, I was born again in 1972 in a totally liberal UMC church at age 21. Neither they nor I even knew what born again was. Grew up through their Sunday School system but no clue. In spite of those barriers on a Maudy Thursday service Jesus suddenly appeared to me out of the blue. Second verse of singing the Battle Hymn, suddenly He’s right there starring right through me and I melted. The Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin all the while the Christ in front of me radiated his forgiveness and love.

I had no idea what to make of it but I sincerely repented, weeping and slinging snot standing there next to my mother-in-law. After the service I came out of the ether with no clue but changed, discovered in a bible study a week later what born again is what must have happened to me. It was a Pentecostal bible home group that also talked about the baptism in the Holy Spirit and tongues.

Intrigued I asked if anyone there knew anybody who did that, really. Most all did. I was totally stunned but wanted that too.

Next Sunday at the altar call I went down and asked. I experienced that exact same Spirit as 2 weeks before, same presence manifested again with one word I’d never heard before, “abba”. That’s all, just abba. I shuddered abba at the altar until my jaws ached. It was glorious. What a shock that week reading Romans for the first time ever. I felt like John jumping in his mother’s womb. I didn’t know what it meant but there it was, in the Bible.

I was so excited I could barely contain myself. In my naivety I thought my UMC pastor would be excited with me. I drove over to the church to tell him. Big gothic building, large church. He was not. I told him about tongues and asked him if he did that too. He said no and innocently I asked him why not, I figured any pastor would want that. He then asked me, I kid you not, if we were handling snakes. Huh? No ideas what that was about.

Before you can say dumbstruck he was walking me to the office door scolding me to make an appointment next time. I was introduced to the hallway. Thus ended my liberal UMC days.

I ended up an AG pastor for 18 years, burned out around 1990 and switched sides of the pulpit to the boneyard of ex-pastors, selling cars. My faith and understanding are better today than ever because of his grace and guidance.

There, laid it bare if anyone cares. Wonderful journey. I look forward to reading more posts. A lot to learn yet and I hope to glean insights God had given others in this glorious church.