Introduction

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:10-14 BSB


Welcome to my latest blog. Back in 2022, I began Another Rider's Perspective, a blog about motorcycle riding and how it intersects with my life of faith. Included in that blog is my testimony which begins here. It was supposed to be a simple testimony but as I began recounting how God's faithfulness formed and shaped me, it became apparent this was not going to be a simple post. I finally finished recounting my story through my early to mid 20s after 11 posts. So, a blog that was supposed to be about riding had six articles about riding and 11 about my testimony. Now, that's not a bad thing; my stated purpose was to share how my hobby of riding motorcycles intersected with my life of faith. However, given the narrow scope of that blog, it soon became apparent that my testimony requires its own blog.

Now, why am I publishing my testimony in the first place? In over 40 years as a Christian, I have discovered that a believer's testimony is second only to God's Word in importance when it comes to sharing the Gospel. God's Word lays out what His plan for the redemption of humankind is but the believer's testimony makes that plan relatable to others. My testimony is no different. God has been working in my life since my birth as He has for all of us. Each believers' story of God's grace is different, therefore, as each believer shares his/her story, it is going to resonate with someone. I am sharing my story in the hope that it will touch someone's heart and cause them to draw closer to God because of the grace I  have experienced. 

Yet, there is more to this than the traditional scope of a testimony, which has largely been constrained to recounting how a person comes to faith in Christ. Indeed, coming to faith in Christ is the central point of each believer's testimony but the believer's life beyond their conversion bears recounting. God does not redeem humans just because He's a nice guy and He's not willing that any should perish; He redeems us so that we may glorify Him in this life and the life to come. Not only is my testimony about coming to faith, it is my growth in Him; things I have learned, things I am learning. Struggles I have encountered, struggles I am still dealing with. That is what this blog is about. 

The Internet is full of resources for believers. So, what makes this blog unique? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING other than the fact that the issues I plan to address come from my perspective and hopefully as such, they will connect the dots, if you will, for the reader who reads them. I plan to continue recounting my testimony from my other blog but I also hope to share what I have learned from basics of the faith to deep insights from the Word. I am reminded of Peter's admonishment to ...in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect... 1 Peter 3:15, BSB. 

In addition to sharing things I have learned, I plan to liberally share the resources that have helped me in my walk of faith. I also hope to make this blog interactive; I plan to field questions from anyone and give honest answers to all who ask.

I think the next couple posts will address some housekeeping issues such as a basic statement of faith and ground rules for which questions I will address and which I refer to others, so, I invite you all to follow me on this adventure. May God use this blog for His glory and the edification of others.


In Him,

Arnold 

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