Conversion stories are always thrilling and enlightening. That’s why God gave us several in the book of Acts and why they still resonate today. Unfortunately, many modern “testimonials” sound nothing like Bible conversions, but instead reflect popular errors of the day. They involve salvation supposedly received through bizarre visions, subjective feelings or the “sinner’s prayer” with little or no influence from the word of God. Until recently, most modern biblical conversion stories have simply been passed on orally with little available in written form.
Brent Lewis, motivated by a suggestion by his wife, Joy, has written an insightful book, Was Blind But Now I See, which helps fill the void. It is the story of five people from different backgrounds, who heard the gospel in different ways, but obeyed it the same way, the biblical way. The subtitle of the book is “How Real People in the Real World Finally Found the Real Truth.”
* Joe Rodriguez suffered various types of abuse as a youngster in Central Florida, but he persevered through life until he came to know a number of Christians, especially Kerry Keenan, who were good influences in his life. Gary Ogden was finally able to baptize him into Christ.
* Keith Stonehart was an out-of-control and drug addicted rock musician, whose wife’s family and several gospel preachers were finally able to reach with the gospel message. Keith is probably the best known of the converts mentioned, preaching now for a congregation in Fultondale, Alabama.
* Ray and Louetta Hilt were truth seekers from Pennsylvania who were discouraged that none of the churches they attended seemed to be anything like what they read about in the Bible. They wondered if anyone in the world followed the Bible until a letter to the editor of a newspaper in York, Pennsylvania, opened doors to a contact with Denny Freeman and disciples in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Denny taught them and they were baptized into Christ.
* Bubba Caudill’s life took him from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky through a number of intermediate stops to Shelby County Alabama where he came to know Christians through his work in law enforcement. A tragic traffic accident drew him even closer to them and that association helped him see the truth and obey the gospel.
* Paul Gregory was a criminal and highly manipulative con artist who spent most of his adult life in the Florida state prison system. There he met two gospel preachers, Daryl Townsend and Denny Freeman, whose Bible studies and those of others made him come face to face with the emptiness of his life. He obeyed the gospel and since being released from prison has married and serves God faithfully.
The first chapter is a sermon by Paul Earnhart and gives a number of motivating thoughts and anecdotes. The most riveting parts of the book are in the five chapters about the conversions. They are well written by Brent Lewis who captures well the different personalities of the protagonists, even occasionally using some “local lingo” in doing so. The book helps remind us that there are still truth seekers in our shallow world.
Thanks for the book should not only go to Lewis, but also to the subjects of his sketches who were willing to reveal painful details of their past lives, in the hope that others who are going through the same type of trauma, can see that God can give them peace as well. Their openness greatly encouraged me.
I highly recommend the book for young readers, new Christians and for all who could use an encouraging boost. It is available at the CEI Bookstore, Florida College Bookstore, Religious Supply in Louisville, Kentucky and One Stone Publishing. I notice that One Stone has the book listed on Amazon.com.
Brent Lewis, motivated by a suggestion by his wife, Joy, has written an insightful book, Was Blind But Now I See, which helps fill the void. It is the story of five people from different backgrounds, who heard the gospel in different ways, but obeyed it the same way, the biblical way. The subtitle of the book is “How Real People in the Real World Finally Found the Real Truth.”
* Joe Rodriguez suffered various types of abuse as a youngster in Central Florida, but he persevered through life until he came to know a number of Christians, especially Kerry Keenan, who were good influences in his life. Gary Ogden was finally able to baptize him into Christ.
* Keith Stonehart was an out-of-control and drug addicted rock musician, whose wife’s family and several gospel preachers were finally able to reach with the gospel message. Keith is probably the best known of the converts mentioned, preaching now for a congregation in Fultondale, Alabama.
* Ray and Louetta Hilt were truth seekers from Pennsylvania who were discouraged that none of the churches they attended seemed to be anything like what they read about in the Bible. They wondered if anyone in the world followed the Bible until a letter to the editor of a newspaper in York, Pennsylvania, opened doors to a contact with Denny Freeman and disciples in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Denny taught them and they were baptized into Christ.
* Bubba Caudill’s life took him from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky through a number of intermediate stops to Shelby County Alabama where he came to know Christians through his work in law enforcement. A tragic traffic accident drew him even closer to them and that association helped him see the truth and obey the gospel.
* Paul Gregory was a criminal and highly manipulative con artist who spent most of his adult life in the Florida state prison system. There he met two gospel preachers, Daryl Townsend and Denny Freeman, whose Bible studies and those of others made him come face to face with the emptiness of his life. He obeyed the gospel and since being released from prison has married and serves God faithfully.
The first chapter is a sermon by Paul Earnhart and gives a number of motivating thoughts and anecdotes. The most riveting parts of the book are in the five chapters about the conversions. They are well written by Brent Lewis who captures well the different personalities of the protagonists, even occasionally using some “local lingo” in doing so. The book helps remind us that there are still truth seekers in our shallow world.
Thanks for the book should not only go to Lewis, but also to the subjects of his sketches who were willing to reveal painful details of their past lives, in the hope that others who are going through the same type of trauma, can see that God can give them peace as well. Their openness greatly encouraged me.
I highly recommend the book for young readers, new Christians and for all who could use an encouraging boost. It is available at the CEI Bookstore, Florida College Bookstore, Religious Supply in Louisville, Kentucky and One Stone Publishing. I notice that One Stone has the book listed on Amazon.com.
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