The author recalls crying out to God 14 years ago in despair, not understanding Christianity as a Jew. A man named Herman shared intimate details of the author's life and told him about Jesus. The author began listening to Scripture and accepted Jesus as his savior. He immediately felt the Holy Spirit's presence and became sensitive to sin. The author now shares his testimony and faith in God's word as a seminary graduate.

1. The last I remember of my old self I was hyperventilating on my bed 14 years ago, crying out to
God for help. I knew I was sinking in despair and my heart’s cry was to let God know that I
could not live this life by myself anymore and that I desperately needed his help.
The reason I did not cry out to Jesus was because I grew up Jewish and did not have any real
understanding of who Jesus was. When I look back now, I can recall how more than a few
people invited me to go to church with them and others who handed out tracts of the gospel.
I thought it was all religious rubbish and scoffed at the thought of it all, having no idea that God
was actually pursuing a sinner like me.
Although I had been a radio announcer for Lite Fm stations for most of my life, I put together a
start up career coaching company by placing ads in the local paper in an effort to attract new
prospects. The day after crying out to God all night long, a twenty eight year old man contacted
my business and wanted to talk to me about getting career advice. Some twenty minutes later he
began to tell me intimate details about my life that nobody could possibly have known without
me telling them and he brought up the name of Jesus. This young man whose name was Herman
asked if we could meet and we agreed on a nearby Barnes and Noble bookstore in West Palm
Beach, FL.
I was very resistant at first and my usual reflex response was to say that Jesus was not for me due
to the fact that I was Jewish. Even though I had a bar-mitzvah at thirteen and attended Hebrew
school each Saturday morning, I knew nothing at all about God’s message of salvation. I began
to listen about the mercy of God and the grace he was offering through his Son Jesus Christ who
died for my sins on a cross. It seemed that Herman had a real understanding of the pain I was
going through and the Scriptures provided the healing and comfort I needed.
The next day I remember passing by a church with a sign that read, “God Loves You.” I had
passed by that sign many times before and thought nothing of it. This time however I
experienced a warmth and comfort around my heart that I had never felt before. I could not stop
looking at the cross high up on the building and it even appeared to be glowing or illuminated. I
vividly remember feeling something wet like oil slowly dripping over my head.
After three days of meeting with Herman and listening to the Scriptures we visited T.G.I.
Friday’s restaurant. I am aware that God has a sense of humor and “Thank God It’s Friday” has
more meaning than I will ever come to realize. Herman explained that by now I might be
convicted that I have lived a sinful life. Without going into too much detail that life consisted of
going to bars, meeting women, and living only for self. I suffered from depression for many
years and eagerly sought after every self help book I could find, to no avail.
I realized sitting across from him that I had no answers and knew in my heart that the only thing
I had to offer God was my sin. When I understood that my sin had separated me from God and
that my sins were upon the body of Jesus who paid for them with his blood, I was pierced to the
heart. I knew that it should have been me on that cross and welcomed the grace and forgiveness

2. that God was offering through his Son Jesus Christ. As Herman led me in prayer I knew I was
leaving my sinful past behind and believed that those sins were crucified with Christ on the
cross. I wanted to live unto Him and believed that the power of the resurrection that raised Jesus
from the dead would provide a new life to live for God and break the stronghold sin had over me.
The moment after I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior I felt the loving presence of the
Holy Spirit touching me from head to toe. Every fiber of my being was experiencing the healing
presence of the Lord and I could especially feel my heart and eyes being operated on. (I did not
know who the Holy Spirit was but Herman assured me what I was experiencing right there at
T.G.I. Friday’s…praise the Lord!) Shortly after, I became extremely sensitive to sin. If I heard a
curse word it felt as if someone stuck a needle in my ear. If I looked at a woman with lustful
eyes, I experienced the rebuke and chastisement of the Holy Spirit who turned my head in the
other direction.
Herman advised that I buy a study bible to which I could hardly put down. The invitation to
know God through his Son Jesus Christ was and is the greatest offer I could ever imagine. Every
page was a continuation of this wonderful invitation and a revelation of His grace that required a
continual walk of faith. God was giving me a new love and dependence on his Word and I was
thirsting to know more of Him each and every day. Almost immediately I began sharing Christ
with just about everyone. I shared my testimony of how I came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior
and read back whatever Scriptures I knew. Every day the Lord was putting people in my path to
share the gospel message that saves. God set up the appointments and gave me the assurance that
His word would never return back void. Speaking boldly for Christ is just as exciting today as it
was then.
The next question usually is, “What does my family think now that I am a Christian?” Although
my Dad and sister are non-practicing Jews, they assumed I had lost it. However, after witnessing
the changes in my life and a strong faith in the Scriptures, they see that my new life in Christ is
for real. One day I believe they will both come to know Jesus as Lord and Messiah.
My faith is grounded in the Word of God first and foremost and that is why Jesus called me for
further training at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where I received a Master of
Divinity in Pastoral Ministry. Among all the courses, God has given me a love for Hebrew and
Greek.
Your Servant in Christ,
Michael James Lorin, MDiv.