Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised! I say this today with all confidence and faith, despite all that has happened in my life. I was brought up with my maternal grandparents. My Nana had come from such godly roots, but even so I would say the biggest gambler this side of the Mississippi!

But God had His hand upon my life.  I always knew from a very small child of God’s existence. So I always prayed, but not understanding why. Nevertheless I found great comfort in doing so.

I married at a very young age and quickly had my first child. Four years later there was a further addition. My marriage was a very up and down relationship and also very unhappy. Sadly it ended in a very unpleasant divorce.

Nevertheless there is always a “but” with God. Through my upset and unhappiness and a desire to find a better life I looked, searched and eventually found the God to whom I had prayed for years.

I began attending Church, took the children to Sunday School and met my Sunday School teacher whom I had known years previously. She was a wonderful Christian, who loved and taught me so very much. I will always praise and thank the Lord for her. Take note, Sunday-School teachers! What a privilege you have with these young children that the Lord has put into your care! You could be teaching a future Billy Graham!

Through this fellowship I found a totally new life. New friends, new relationships and a new joy in my heart. I was confirmed, after which I took part in many areas within the Church. But I still found something was missing. But what?

One Tuesday evening I attended the prayer meeting and heard a young Deaconess from St. James’ Church in Rhosddu teach a course called “New Life in the Spirit”. There were twelve of us in her Bible study class, and she taught us for six weeks. During the sixth week there was a special prayer time when she laid hands on us and prayed for us individually that we would really meet with God. Then we went home. Some of us were actually baptized in the Holy Spirit there and then, but some had to wait for a few weeks. Personally I had to wait but only till about 1.00 o'clock in the morning!

It is wonderful and so exciting to have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. My Christian life was changed, and my walk with the Lord has taken on a new dimension. I now have a hunger for the things of God and a deeper desire to serve our wonderful and precious Lord. I was never to be the same again. 

Many years have passed since that initial experience, but I still love Him with all of my heart. Life isn’t without its problems and hurts, but I have a wonderful Friend who helps, leads, guides and never lets me down. I couldn’t live without Him, and wouldn’t want to!

I would like to end by saying, "Taste and see that the Lord is good!"

                                               Christine Chasty