In my six-or-so weeks since arriving at ShoutLife, I have very much enjoyed those things we all do within this place -- signing guestbooks ... greeting new people ... establishing acquaintanceships -- so on and so forth. Nevertheless, above all else, I came here to tell my story ... first and foremost, a wonderful tale of God's truly amazing Grace ... but also an account of Satan's considerably evil influence, where worldly matters are concerned.
My profile page contains an admittedly rather verbose 12-part blog-story {ten chapters, plus an intro & prologue} entitled "The Girl I Never Knew" wherein I offer a heartfelt testimony of how I came to find The Lord ... a marvelous event that just occurred in relatively recent times. The concluding chapter of this tale clearly states that the next phase of my overall testimony will, by unfortunate necessity, deal with certain dark-themed aspects of fallen human nature.
Truer words, have I rarely spoken.
I've been many things in life -- boy scout ... high-school dork ... happy hippy ... proud marine ... lifelong bachelor {though not by choice} ... armchair philosopher ... online activist ... angry man ... isolationist -- and, as I must now acknowledge ... even a convicted felon. Yes, it is true, we are all sinners ... but sin can come in many forms, with some types being more grave than others ... at least to my way of thinking.
A very long time ago ... in the early days of my always highly impressionable adolescence ... I was exposed to a somewhat "special" form of pornography ... one which played a substantial role in setting me on a devious path through life's darkest corridors. Furthermore, thirty years ago this Summer ... shortly prior to when I lost the only girl I have loved in all that time ever since ... I was fated for a brief encounter with someone named Ted Bundy ... one of our nation's most notorious serial killers. Soon thereafter he escaped from a Colorado jail ... an event Satan chose to use, in an effort at wielding his power on me in thoroughly nefarious ways.
Though specific details of this whole situation shall have to wait for my next blog-story, I will emphatically stress here and now that I've never taken a life ... nor been even remotely involved with such, regardless of definition. In fact, I wouldn't harm an animal. I merely say that the Devil once had horrible plans in motion ... by which I very nearly became a honed instrument for his hand ... and yet a plan which God Himself ultimately came to thwart.
I shall wait a few more weeks before beginning "Phase Two" of my overall testimony. The first phase is that aforementioned "Girl I Never Knew" story. A third effort will complete this process ... with all three phases serving together as a Reader's Digest-style condensed version of the book I plan to write, and hopefully finish by year's end. My real-world Sister-in-Christ, Anita ... who permanently occupies the #1 spot on my Top-12 Friends list ... has helped me realize this project is something with which I've been charged by God. For the first time in a long while, I feel I can serve a valuable purpose. I believe that for once in my life, I actually have something to say which might conceivably help someone.
Yet, as I've already stated, I will wait a wee bit longer. What I'm offering today could quite possibly raise a few eyebrows here and there ... stir up some dust, that sort of thing. I've little doubt that my intention will soon hereafter capture the attention of those who govern ShoutLife affairs. After all, I've alluded to issues such as "pornographic proclivities" and "serial killers" ... topics which, to the best of my knowledge, don't normally appear here on a daily basis. I merely want everyone to have an adequate period for contemplating these matters ... including my own self. This is a somewhat uneasy endeavor ... as the Good Lord's work can be, on occasion.
Now then, if I may ask but one small favor ...
This is the point where I really could use a little support from my peers. Should everyone remain completely invisible once this item has appeared, that silence could prove downright deafening! I sincerely need some sort of positive feedback, if only from two or three people ... letting me know that things are okay ... that I may share all I have, without fear of widespread rejection. I just spent the last eleven years buried in my cave-of-a-house. I'm not sure what the effect would be, were I to lose all my newfound friends ... here, in this wonderful place.
I'll be offering this "notification" in a three-fold manner -- on my blog page ... as an open bulletin ... and in one of my discussion groups, where such material seems appropriate -- so as to ensure maximum awareness prior to when it all begins. Everything will be kept suitable for our G-Rated, family-friendly environment. Still, considering my story's nature, I think it best that everyone receives plenty of warning well in advance.
May God guide me, in telling this tale. ---
| Daniel - aka - StarShadow |
1 comment:
Daniel,
In reading your blog, I can definitely tell that you have something on your mind and you would like to be able to tell some one that cares and will listen.
Well I believe this is exactly the place where you will find that and I would be more than willingly to listen to what you have to say
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