Debut "Christian Talk Story w/ Sister Dar" on Braddah Tony's "Da Local Show" 30 Jul 2024 Glory

Bible vss: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jn 3:16

Jesus Christ is the Way, Truth and the Life. Jn 14:6.

God can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. Eph 3:23.

Seek first God's Kingdom & His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt 6;33

I remember a dream as a young child: I was in a round glass vial with two handles on opposite sides of the narrow opening near the top. I was kneeling, dressed in a white robe, looking up into this brilliant white light, shining down on me. All I was doing was smiling back radiantly & moving my hands between fingers interlocking & palms clasped together. Suddenly I woke up. Prayer I knew would play an integral role.

I was born to immigrant parents. I came to Christ after a personal crisis. Fighting and drug use escalated to the point when a family member was rushed to the hospital. Dad & I returned home that early morning, and I knelt next to the bedside & prayed, "God, if You are real, please give us a new home." Three months later, we moved.

Against that backdrop, God sent me 3 Christian schoolmates that year. One gal admonished me in the Lord as we walked to class together. Another one sang a devotional at the school talent show. The other one -- we were in the office when he said, "I feel the presence of the Lord here so strongly here. Jesus loves you!" as he recounted seeing miracles taking place. From the opposite side of the table, it was like I saw the Lord Jesus with wide open arms welcoming me. I was born again at age 16.

Two years later, I attended a Christian conference in Oregon during spring break. The key speaker challenged the youth in that large auditorium -- after explaining the desperate need of those living in the 10-40 window to find Jesus as their Lord and Savior -- to dedicate the next 10 years of their single lives to Him, which I did. I devoted the next decade to God's service. We then prayed for an area: We were assigned Wolof, a small tribe in Senegal.

I began to learn the foundations of faith. "Look to the hills from whence your help comes from." (Ps 121:1) There was a lot to overcome. Yet "godliness with contentment is great gain indeed. (1Ti 6:6)

I remember greeting this middle-aged couple in Illinois at the refreshment table in front of the church steps.
The word of knowledge came to him, "You grew up in a dysfunctional home."
I looked away. With that bit of info, I knew he was hearing from God.
"I'm going to send you a young man. He'll have a way of understanding you. He'll look at you in your very heart."

I started crying. "Start thanking the Lord." I began to thank Him in my heart." And the man affirmed, "That's it."
"Forget the things in the past. The past is the past,' he insisted.
His wife gave me a big hug. As I looked up, there was not a cloud in the clear blue sky.

"Pray for your children even though they're yet unborn," as he said "Asia."

I attended a South Korean-American Christian student conference (some free sessions). Even though I'm not Korean, the 2nd and 3rd generations were experience the same issues: their identity. "Am I Korean? Am I American." I was not born in the mother land; I don't identify with my parents' culture. I was born in America, but I don't relate to the values of the macroculture. I came to the conclusion: my identity is not found in my race, but in Christ. In Jesus, I find my reference point. God planted me in this time period. Historically, from the East, the sandalwood, whaling and sugar industries brought my forefathers here; from the West, God stepped up their technological discoveries, communication and government systems; it converges at this very moment. My Christian heritage goes farther back, and I can live for God with boldness this day!

Years later, I visited a church down the street. They were having their annual missions conference that summer. Their foyer was filled with folding tables of Christian agencies' literature. I meandered about & came across two poster boards joined together at the seam & it read in 12" letters on top: W-O-L-O-F. I had not heard of Wolof in all those years. It was as if God reminded me, "I remember the vow you made 10 years ago, daughter." Only God and I knew. God's timing is impeccable.

I realized: not only is God real. He knows my thoughts. His love for me is unfathomable. And He wanted me to serve Him?! Yes, I know what He saved me from. The before-and-after is apparent. I cannot attribute my transformation apart from a loving, living God Who cares for me, His child. I am a new creation in Christ. Reckoning what Jesus did for me on the Cross, my sins tossed into the sea & if God be for me, who can be against me, I prayed, "God, if You want me to serve You, I will serve You under these conditions: 1) It has to be under the mentorship of godly woman because Titus 2 says, the older women should mentor the younger ones, 2) It has to be outside of church walls, and 3) Utilize my gifts."

Shortly after, God arranged events. Back home, I met Olga, fervently praying for a Bible study group to be formed at the local college. She walks around this new construction, claiming "Building J" for Jesus and that every part of it be done with excellence because God deserves our excellence. Yes, the Bible study was formed; I was a part of it for a few semesters.

Next, an outreach to the Latino-speaking populace was formed & I was so thankful to be part of the tv team.

A few years later, I prayed, "God, I will serve You under a man whose heart is toward you." I figured I'd serve in the kitchen. I didn't know I was indirectly praying for my husband. Integrity, lover of God were characteristics I was praying for, in addition to: he'd speak at a fast rate (an inside joke between God & me because after spending countless hours listening to radio preachers, I knew the ones that captured my attention) & a study buddy.

I interviewed this elderly British lady once who remarked how thankful she was to visit a place where there were no German bombers flying overhead (pointing upwards), threatening their demise. Suddenly I was transported to a time when I was not.

I had no reason not to serve God, my reserves eviscerated, my ill-content distanced. So thankful was I not to be in harm's way.

I began serving God in what little manner I knew -- just like the woman who poured oil from an alabaster jar on Jesus' feet -- and ministering to those younger than me in chat lines, by telling them about Jesus. It was in one of those chat rooms that I met one whose interests paralleled mines, whether philosophy, music, Christianity & culture. The rest is history.

Just to give you some background: About 6 years prior, Marty in Michigan was given a word of the Lord from a Romanian pastor. He was asked whether he wanted to stay single or get married. Marty affirmed the latter. The elderly prophet said, "I see wedding bells ringing for you! Hooray!" He said, "I see you punching buttons. The kind of girl you need lives far, far away so don't bother looking for one nearby. She's going to come up to your shoulders. You're going to make a decision to move. You're going to win a wedding contest over the radio, and you're going to get married right away" -- all of which happened. In 2003, a Christian radio station, 95.5 FM, on Oahu advertised for this wedding contest valued at $25,000. We entered & won. Marty remembers the Romanian pastor concluding, "God is doing this because He loves and cares for you."

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