I have been in touch today with an old school friend, after around 20 years. His mom used to be a JW, but became a christian years before he was born, i always remember him as having a faith, but it was something that during his teen years he put to one side.
Anyway this brings me around to today. We got in touch recently through Facebook, turns out he only lives 5 minutes away so i went around today to see him.
We had a great conversation, catching up. But then got talking and it turns out he is a leader in a local non demonational evangelical group. I have to say i have not discussed the bible, beliefs, Jesus like this for many years. Initially i was only going for a coffee and had to get back to work, but stayed over an hour. I discussed the JW's with him and why i left all those years ago, i never forget a conversation we had when i was 13 and my mom started studying. From one 13 year old to another, he said it may all seem fantastic to you now, but the hard part comes when you try to leave. I reminded him of that conversation and he remembered. His gran was a JW at the time.
He has always maintained an interest in the JW beliefs, i guess from his mother. But he has had that born again experience that many talk of, i can tell there is something within him, i would put it down to a passion, i guess he would say it's the holy spirit.
Talking to him today was a real eye opener. As kids we never spoke like this, i guess i never spoke JW beliefs to school mates and he never discussed his christian beliefs. Our friendship was always based on the usual lads stuff.
To my surprise all my scriptural knowledge was coming back, along with my critique of the JW religion which i have learnt over the years. I was amazed by his scriptural knowledge and i feel he thought the same of me too.
It has made me wonder as to how many here are born again? How did this make you feel? Did you have that born again experience?
Thanks in advance
Paul