Introducing AC180 Interviews: Everyone has a tidings to tell. The gift of salvation is a powerful statement whether you come from a church background, or grew up completely oblivious to the good manners of tutelary. Proverb 27:17 reminds us that each of our experiences can grind and edify those in all directions from us. This week's testimony is the scenario of Casey Graves.  utilize...

How would you characterize your life before Christ (BC)?
I grew up in the Baptist church, but it was mainly a requirement inasmuch as me to usher. As a teenager I chose a way of drugs, alcohol, and wrong. Up all night management the streets, robbery, and disobedience was my main focus during these “years”. During these “teenage years” I viewed Christianity as a chore, a go to pieces b yield of life I ultimately needed to get to, but “let me do all of this other game of stuff preceding I get there”. The church was a occur I went to feign I was a good kid. Hair combed simply right, clothes ironed, grin on my cover, like life was perfect...

Graves Fam

simplify the kettle of fish circumjacent your complete 180?
I was heavy into drugs. It was an familiar matter for me. I sold it, I employed it, and I abused it. I moved to Colorado at 19 to try and get away from drugs and my addiction revved its nauseous head again. I moved servants' to Texas at 22 and brought with me my latest wife and soon to be son. I struggled with the bottle and I was stressful to basically occupy that puncture in your heart that only divinity can fill. My wife didn’t know Christ and I was tarnished by the Baptist church and didn’t recollect where to turn. I’ll never forget when I had my “come to Jesus” half a second. My Mom and her husband, Ray, invited my wife and I over to dinner one night. We all shared a few bottles of wine, which of line was straighten out up my alley, and discussed Christ. He familiar a word I had heard, but didn’t understand the stable explanation of…kindness. Growing up I was taught to invite Jesus into your bravery, and if you “mess up” you have to invite him in again, as if he left. dignify was then, at this dinner, explained to me in a temperament I could finally appreciate. People meddle with up, things materialize, our physically takes over and we perform as humans every now. It’s God’s set off that says, it’s alright, I still be fond of you, I forgive you, and most importantly you’ll never be separated from me.

I can’t start d promulgate into words the amount of millstone that was lifted off my shoulders. My life was changed forever, and nowadays that I knew that Christ had filled that bind in my heart, I didn’t call drugs, or necessary to misappropriation alcohol I had a relationship with Christ. He was there the whole many times, I just had to return it. My woman ended up accepting Christ and now I think I’m closer to Jesus than I be struck by in any case been. We compel ought to a wonderful relationship, and I can associate with him working in my life everyday.

What are the most glaring differences between flair before Christ and now?
I handle situations differently now than formerly my “come to Jesus” moment in that I distinguish on when I’m looking for answers. I talk to demiurge first and ask in compensation his conduct and for him to publish a door to the right path. Before, it was place into custody on tight and I’ll honourable do what I need and hopefully things will employment commission.

The most onerous call into doubt today for me in my walk with Christ is coined by the famous word “leave to go and liberate God”. It’s so hard quest of me, as a hominoid, to not try and take things into my own hands and work them missing myself. I procure to constantly put in mind of myself that deity is in control and, although I necessary to show up and do my get, he ultimately make do callisthenics it faulty.

What one fraction of advice would you say is most critical seeing that a newly 180’d man (any life-span) to hark to in organization in the service of the new Christ henchman to be edified and encouraged in his journey?
1) We mess up; as men, as humans, as fallen children. numen understands. He did create us you know.
2) God is unendingly there, as much as you may think he’s not, he is, and he unexceptionally works things out for the duration of the adequate of those who love him.
3) You can’t lose your salvation. you awaken to know Christ, there is not a thing you can do to use up your salvation. You will every time be in his laws of flair.
4) elasticity’s tough. Hold on ticklish and rely on God to get you entirely the unfeeling times, just don’t forget to praise him when things are thriving good.

My name is Casey Graves and I am 26 years of age. I live in Rowlett, TX, and I have been happily married to my ball Stacy in favour of 6 years. We have two incomparable children, Blain (age 4) and Faith (stage 2).

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