Im Alan and I got saved on January 21, 2008. Before I was saved I was very bitter, angry, and negative because I come from a broken home. My mom and dad got divorced on September 11, 2001 (The BIG 9/11). Before they got divorced my dad never did anything with me or anything, he wouldnt spend time with me and he barely even talked to me which was the weirdest thing. Every time there was something at my school that I was involved in hed tell my mom to take pictures because they lasted longer then watching the event live (whether it was sports, a concert, or a play). So initially when my parents got divorced, I was thrilled because my mean dad was finally leaving; I couldnt have been any happier at the time. Ive spent my whole life looking up to other people trying to get their approval because my dad never gave me his. Every time Id show him my grades or something good I did all hed say was Thats good, uhuh, or cool. I just realized I spent my whole life looking for approval a little before I got saved or a little after I got saved and it hit me like a ton of bricks. My dad was treated very poorly as a kid and I guess thought that he should treat his kids the same way as revenge or something. Ive spent my whole life hurting people I care about as well; Ive always been so negative and still am today and I cant stand it! I was hit by a car when I was nine-years-old; even before I got saved, I knew that coming out of that without any broken bones (when the cop said that every time he sees something that bad the person is usually dead) was because God sent angels to save me; I didnt know anymore than that at the time though. Now I know it was God saying He had a plan for my life and my life wasnt over yet. Having all this happen in my life and more before I was saved, makes being saved so much better! When I got saved I just finished watching the Vancouver Canucks lose to the Minnesota Wild for sixth lose in seven games. I went in my room and cried out to Jesus and said Im tired of doing things my own way, Im tired of living my life without You, and I need you in my life ever since then Ive been a changed man! God has worked in my life so much already its unbelievable! I dont swear anymore, I dont use His name in vein anymore, I dont live a worldly life anymore, Im not as negative anymore, Im not as angry anymore, and Im not as bitter anymore (I still miss my dad and wish I could see him, hug him, and tell him I love him). I went to Tucson Conference this summer and came back a changed man after hearing a sermon on how privileged we are by Pastor Carnegie. How we need to preach to people and I met a friend of mine there as well (George from Stockton, California). I also went to Boot Camp and learned how theres no reason to back slide, how people tend to have there eyes wide shut, how we think freedoms being free from everything, when its actually having restrictions on our lives, and how we need to respect our elders more than we do. I recently went to a Youth Rally in Tucson where they talked about how we need to be willing to fight, how we need to watch what we say because words are powerful, and how we need to get purity in our lives and maintain purity in our lives. God has done miracles through and I continue to thank Him for that every single day (I also read The Bible every single day now108 and counting now). God is continuing to work through me with issues like negativity, being rude, eavesdropping, and more. I thank God for all Hes done in my life everyday! If youre reading this and youre not saved, repent of your sins, accept Jesus Christ into your life, and you can be set free just like I was.
God Bless!!
Alan Machek
