Our Stories...
Ian Woode
Place of Salvation: Date of Salvation: 28/09/2003
My Story
I was an arroget proud individual. I always believed in a God but was unconvinced he was good or even cared about us. I knew the evil that dwells deep in every man's heart mainly because it was evil that ruled mine. I truly believed i could fight any battle any opponent and win. "I will never lose for the day i lose is the day i die...the problem is in recent days i havent been winning!" I said this quote in the months leading up to the day i fought an opponent i could not beat, GOD!
I always believed God existed. But as my life fell apart around me i would vent rage at my creator, i would blame the very one who had power to save me, the innocent perfect King of kings. It took me being run over, by my ex-girlfriend telling me never EVER to contact her again, losing my friends because i had a fight with them and realising if my life was a film then I am the villan, the one who the audience is waiting to see vengance taken against him. I realised God is real and vengance is coming for every punch i've thrown, every hurtful word, every drug taken, every woman i slept with, used and disrespected but worst of all for every word of evil, every curse and disrespect word i have said to and about God...i was headed for hell!
My sister,her boyfriend and i went church and i would spend houers talking about God. I would defame and pull down his character. Yet I always knew somehow i was wrong even though i was too arrogant to admit it.
The day God defeated me was in a battle of love not brute force. I was in Sweden on holiday in Feb 2003 and had dinner with a couple who were both Christians. It was such a wonderful evening and they didn't even talk God they were just peaceful. After that time i began to see God with a different attitude, i realised he was good. In those two people along with the words my sister preached to me i saw God and smiled because he was not my enemy after all. Despite the evil things I'd done he loved me, he really really loved me. I then said this to him "God if you give me the joy and peace i see in this couple (the Swedish couple) i will serve you for the rest of my life". I tell you the truth within one week my violent behaviour changed and i was happy. I stopped smoking, drinking and i was FORGIVEN, knowing I would not go to hell. Jesus saved me from death. My first emotion towards God was that of respect. You see i spent my whole life an enemy of God i even once challenged him to a fist fight, but he always smiled and was loving towards me, he is the better man. My story is ongoing and i am more in love, awe and respectful to my God the more i know him. He is all powerful and yet a gentle father. I love Him and pray you see Jesus as saviour as well.