My Story

On December 9, 1972, when I was 12 years old, my grandmother asked me to attend a concert at church with her. I had promised I would but it was a Saturday, and my dad's band was playing at a lodge that night. I liked going to hear my dad. I was friends with the other band members children, and they would be there. So I tried to back out of it, but I had promised,so my mom MADE me go!

I was so angry. I was filled with rage. The group used songs and skits. The skits, and the songs began to overwhelm me.Then a song Jesus came along moved me. I did not know what I was FEELING!!! I wanted to cry, but I was a tom boy, and too tough to cry. At the alter call, many of my friends went forward. BUT NOT ME. I held to the back of the pew until my knuckles were white.

We left, and my Grand-mom dropped me off at the lodge . ( A photo of me at 16. )

It seemed so dark, and evil. I had never thought of it that way. I went to play pool with friends, and I felt sick, and like I was some where I should not be. So I asked my mom for the keys to the car, and said I felt bad and needed to lie down in the back seat.

Once I got in the car, an overwhelming presence filled the car. All of a sudden I felt so dirty, and so shameful. I felt such a need of a Savior ! I began to weep, and moan weeping. I had NEVER cried like that. It lasted about 2 hours before my parents came out, then I turned my back to them and pretended to be asleep. Once I got in my room , it continued. I asked forgiveness for my sins! I asked Jesus to take my life and do what He wanted to with it. I asked Jesus to come into my heart.

I felt better, but I still felt I needed some thing. The next morning I went to the Sunday school teacher, and said Miss Prickett,"" I asked Jesus into my heart last night. She patted me on the head , and said " that's sweet." Then she began talking to someone else about the Friday night football game. Well, now , I am from Odessa, the place where the book Friday Night Lights , was written about, and Movie made about, and now has a weekly TV series , which I have not seen, I might add. So you may sort of understand that in Odessa, High School Football, may well over ride Jesus.

But it dismayed me.

I was not sure what I was suppose to do. So I quit that church, and began calling churches in the phone book asking for a ride to church. I went to the Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, several Baptist, one non denominational, a Catholic youth meeting, First Christian Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints. I called the Jehovah's Witnesses and asked for a home bible study. When the 2 ladies came , my mom was furious, and when they realized it was a child interested, rather than my mother , they dropped it . I could NOT find what I felt in the car anywhere!!!

I was a part of a theater troop at a local play house, so I inquired about God there with the adult actors, and actresses. They served an evil god. They led me into satanism. Why satanism after such a touch from God in the car? Because I could FEEL something powerful. Also, it intrigued me with its mystery, and magical nature. It became a nightmare. For 3 years it was a nightmare.

Then THANK GOD Brother J.T. Pugh , and Brother Marvin Walker opened the CARPENTER'S SHOP!!!

I called one of the Carpenter's Shop young ladies and tried to put a curse, or spell on her. She began to plead the blood of Jesus over herself, over me and asked God to save me. I laughed at her. Then the spell came back on me!!! I knew she had a powerful experience with God, for that to happen. I thought this may be powerful enough to get me out of what I was captive in. And it did.

The Walkers left in just a couple of weeks after I first came. Then Bro.Monte and Sis. Dianne Showalter came. THANK GOD FOR THE SHOWALTER'S!!! They loved me, and led me into truths, and taught me with such wisdom. They still do.

I felt a need of a Savior again. I felt defiled, and tainted. I repented, and God filled me with the Holy Ghost, and in a few weeks I was baptized in Jesus name. It has been a life long quest since then to follow Jesus, and serve Him.

Copyright © 2009 Lori Rose. All rights reserved.

Rev. J.T. and Sis. Pugh and my daughter Amber!