I struggled deeply with my faith in Christ; I was just 24. I came to Christ at a very early age (when I was 3), and walked with Christ even at a young age. I led my first person to the Lord when I was 5, and learned what it was to be “in the ministry” from my dad who was an ordained Conservative Baptist pastor. I walked with the Lord all the way through high-school. Then I fell into a time of apathy and luke-warmness for Christ; this happened in the years just out of high-school (class of 92), and ended in Las Vegas (a long story). The Lord began to do a work in my heart, at around the age of 24 that I have not yet recovered from! A part of that work was to walk me through deep and dark valleys of what seemed like death. There was a sense that over-came me that seemed to make life without the reality of God, tangible; this was literally hell it seemed. This season (which lasted probably for about 6 years) was full of deep deep depression, and doubts of all kinds; including in God’s existence (even though I loved him), and about my salvation (even though I trusted him with my life). I communicate all of this simply to introduce a preacher whose writings and sermons served to comfort me (not so much intellectually, but spiritually). The man, The Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon is one of those whom the Lord used to minister to my mind and heart during this time. Marc Cortez just turned me onto a movie about Charles Spurgeon’s life; I have only watched half of it thus far, and this half has been excellent! I commend it to you:
Athanasian Reformed
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I’m glad to hear that it’s a good one. I still haven’t watched more than a few minutes, but I’m looking forward to it.
And, thanks for an intriguing summary of the role Spurgeon played in your journey. Unfortunately, Spurgeon was just a name to me until fairly late in my own development (after seminary). Better late than never!
Marc,
Thanks for sharing the link to the movie to begin with! I still need to finish the last half, but if it is like the first half it will be good.
Reading, Spurgeon, esp. in the past, was like reading Scripture (the way he communicated in some of his writings). I’m surprised you hadn’t heard of him until later; I’m glad you know of him now π . I haven’t read him for awhile; I need to do that again.