Bren’s testimony - Here I am for the coffee

This is the testimony I gave when I was baptised on 9 July, 2006.

I have been coming to this church for high-days and holidays for quite a while now, but until recently I never believed in God. It doesn’t seem logical for God to exist it’s really quite foolish to think he does. And if he doesn’t exist, there is little hope for his son.

When I was about 15 or so, my best friend at school was a Christian and we took O’ level Religious Instruction together, we did Luke and Acts of the Apostles. I managed to pass the exam even though I didn’t believe in God. For the younger ones out there O’ levels were a long, long time ago and were a bit like GCSEs.

In quite a few of the jobs I have had, I have worked closely with Christians. The person who sits opposite me at work at the moment is a Christian and most days we work together. We have talked about Christianity but I didn’t change my mind it is illogical for God to exist.

My daughter Yvonne became a Christian when she was about 14 and brought Jesus into my house. A teenager and a Christian in a house full of non-believers must have been quite an ordeal for her, especially if they were saying God does not exist it is just foolishness to believe.

About 10 years ago my wife, Dorothy, became a Christian. So there is my daughter and there is my wife - Jesus was firmly established in my house - but still I did not believe.

Six or so year ago, Yvonne married Steve and that brought yet another Christian along.

My Mam started to come to church on Sundays and when I was at church on the high-days and holidays I could see it was full of good people, all trying their best to be kind and loving.

Everywhere I looked to the right, to the left, up or down - there were Christians. I began to have doubts maybe God does exist.

Four or so months ago Dorothy asked me if I wanted to go to the Christianity Explored course. To her surprise I said yes, I am not sure why I said that, but I did.

I missed the first week of the course but was told that one of the questions was: If you could ask God any question and were certain of getting an answer, what would it be?

I though; what would I ask? maybe:

  • What numbers are going to win the lottery next week? or
  • What will it take to get Newcastle United to win the Premiership or the FA cup or even just beat Arsenal? or
  • Well it doesn’t really matter what I ask. If God doesn’t exist there will be no answer.

As the weeks went by on the course I started to get a feeling inside of calmness and tranquillity. I felt at peace. It was a nice feeling that stayed with me. I started to hear-feel a still small voice inside me saying: I am here where are you Bren? I thought mmhh and did nothing.

The feeling of peace stayed and as the days went by I heard the still small voice again. It said Yoo-hoo, Yoo-hoo Bren, I am here, where are you? I thought: yes, I know God exists and that his son is alive, but I did nothing.

It was not until a few weeks later that I asked Jesus into my life and became a Christian.

If you were here on Easter Sunday you may remember the story about the alumni, the coffee cups patterned with selfishness and consumerism and the choices people make. They are more interested in the bonny cups than in the coffee itself.

We all have choices:

We can choose instant coffee that has little taste and no aroma. We can add extra sugar by pressing the button on the vending machine or even adding artificial sweeteners.

or

We can choose real coffee, one that is rich and authentic; that has a satisfying fullness; that is natural and full bodied; one that can find its way into every taste; that is harmonious, yet at the same time vibrant with a sweet tingle.

By God’s grace, you can choose the unmistakable aroma of Christ and by doing so gain the refreshing fragrance of life everlasting.

It has taken me a long time but I’ve woken up and smelt the coffee.

If you would like to know more, contact Bren.