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The Testimony of Ralph Strom
My testimony is going to be similar to the radio unshackled I’ve been walking with Our LORD and in the light for 5 years now I’ve had it put on me to tell my story. As all of you should know we have 2 lives the 1st is what I call BC or before Christ and the 2ond I call AC or after Christ. As I start just remember Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in JESUS CHRIST. Or Hebrews 8:12 for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. And Romans 14:10 so why do you condemn another Christian? Why do you look down on another Christian? Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of GOD.
I was raised in a small farming town back in MA. My family went to a Congregational Church. There I saw small clicks if you didn’t have money, the right clothes or married to the right family you didn’t fit in. I believe my family were tolerated because my grandparents and uncle were respected people in the community. I didn’t know until I was in my late teens that my dad was an alcoholic. The only religion teaching I got was in church and Sunday school. Nothing at home but grace was said at meal time. Now as far back as I can remember I was plagued or chased by dark shadows in the night. For some reason at a very early age around 7 or 8 I began dabbling in immorality. This followed into my teens and into manhood. When I left home and went into the service I started drinking and going to bars. That is was where I meet my 1st wife. When I got discharged I still keep up my drinking. Those dark shadows stayed with me all this time. While I was still out in CA after I got discharged I got a letter from the church I grew up in saying I was no longer a member because I was not giving money to them so I turned my back on religion. I got boastful, arrogant and self-reliant as I got older. I keep drinking, smoking and even tried drugs. I don’t know how sometimes I didn’t go to jail. I would fight now and then and also steal stuff. I used to say to someone I was mad at that my wrath was greater then God’s. You talk about being arrogant. I all most killed a couple men in anger with my bear hands.
When I started driving truck I continued down my dark road of immorality. Those dark shadows were with me all this time, even after my divorce and after I married Gert. When we moved out here approximately 16 yrs ago the dark shadows became less. Then in the fall of 1999 we were in a bad accident and Gert was driving. She was having a bad time dealing with it. One day we were in Omaha, Ne. at our main terminal, while we were there we went to the t/s to do our laundry and eat. While Gert was in doing the laundry I sat out in the truck watching a movie or reading a book. It seemed like it was taking her a long time to do a wash. Just as I was getting ready to go in to see about her she came out. When she got in the truck she told me not to get mad but she had been over at the chapel talking with the chaplain about her accident. She said we were invited to services that night and she would like to go so reluctantly I said ok. You see I left the little teaching I received when I was younger. I was looking for a different belief. I tried meditation, reincarnation then I looked at the American Indian belief that different animals and objects have spirits. I was at this point when I went with Gert to the chapel. As we entered I was greeted with a big hand shake by the chaplain and a hug from his wife. After services he started to talk to me about my life. I told him some of it but not to much at that time and he talked to me about Jesus. I told him about my dealings with church and he told me it wasn’t the church but Jesus I’d have to deal with. While we talked he peaked my interest. I asked him if he had the bible on tape so I could listen to it and make up my own mind about Jesus. By the time we got back to Omaha and the chapel I was ready to accept Jesus. So after services and supper I told the chaplain I’d like to talk to in private so we went back to his office and he lead me prayer to Jesus.
After that I started to change my way of thinking and when I started to stay I got convicted right away. I’ve been on his potter’s wheel a whole bunch of times. One day as I was driving John 3:1-5 came into my head were the Pharisee Nicodemus went to Jesus by night. Jesus told him most assuredly; I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD. Nicodemus asked how could a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? Jesus answered Verily Verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD. This Keep popping in to my head. It was like Jesus was telling me it was time to have my water baptism. It keep coming to me till we got back to Omaha. When we got there we went to the chapel and I told Chaplain Dave about what happened. I said its time for my water baptism. So we talked about it he told about a state park not to far from the chapel. It was on the Platte River. It had pond feed from the river, so I said that sounds just right. So we made plans for it to take place in May when they have their spring clean up at the chapel. As normal Werner couldn’t get us in on time. So we were a day late. The day we should have been there was a nice day, but I think Jesus planned it that way. When we got in on Sunday morning it was cloudy with showers and cold. Chaplain Dave told me we could use a baptism tank at a local church. I said no it was my belief that I was to be baptize in the river water. So late that afternoon Chaplain Dave , his wife Laura with 6 other drivers and Gerts brother George went to the park with us. We went to a pavilion and had services and praise and worship. Just as we were finishing up a clear spot appeared and the sun peaked through. As we got up Gert had it come on her to be baptize also. When we got to the little beach we could see the sun but it was still kind of chilly. So Chaplain Dave did both of us at the same time. When Chaplain Dave put me underwater it was the 1st time I keep my eyes open underwater and it was beautiful seeing the bright light above me and the warm feeling that came all over my body inside and out. Everyone was cold and shriving but Gert and I.
After that the dark shadows went away. We started to look for a bible believing church here in Helena. In April of 2002 we came off the road. That’s when we started to come here to the Last Chance Chapel in May I believe. I remember the first day. We were greeted like family, with hand shakes and hugs. I feel the need to say the following because its part of my walk with Jesus. Look at Acts 2;17 and it shall come to pass in the last days says GOD that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions; your old men shall dream dreams. The same is said in Joel 2;28. The first dream I had was shortly after I was born again. It started with dark gray clouds and there was a fearsome battle going on. Good against evil. When the last blasphemer of GOD was slain a bright spot appeared and the clouds rolled back it was beautiful. There appeared fruit trees with big delicious ripe fruit on them for ever one to eat. There was also beautiful old quaint cottages for every one to live in. But some argued about which one they wanted. Then a loud voice said be of pure heart. The next morning the same few argued over who had the largest fruit. Then the voice said “ I said be pure of heart” then the ones that were arguing shrived up and disappeared into the earth. This was GOD telling me and you to be pure of heart in our walk with him. Here awhile back Les reminded me of this while we were discussing about certain people and Viet-nam. Thank you Les for reminding me and I got it settled in my heart now. The next one came to me here in the chapel on a Sunday. We were singing open the eyes of my heart Lord I want to see you. I had my hands raised and head lifted up with my eyes closed. When all of a sudden I started to see all different shapes, sizes and color faces. It showed me that Jesus is in everyone that accepts him. The next two Pastor John edited because he said they were to graphic for the sisters as he did of my BC years. So here is what I got from them. The 3rd dream showed me that the pleasures and joy of the world is nothing compared with the joy and pleasure we have knowing Jesus. The 4th was the night before I got the virus in my leg. Jesus showed me that all my sexual sins and desires had been lifted from me. When I was in the hospital it came on to do this testimonial, as I was writing it it came to me that I had never had any trouble with sores on my ankles until I accepted Jesus into my heart. I believe that they are a attack on my body from Satan just as was the virus that got in the calf of my leg. There was a brother there at the hospital that goes around with notions for the patients. He came in and was talking with me. I told him about the pain I was having in my leg. It was like it had swelled up under the ace bandage that was on it. So he lead us in a healing prayer. A short time after he left the pain went away. When the Dr. came and took a look at my leg the swelling had gone and he said I could go home the next day.
The last vision I seen and still see is of a bright glow around the brothers and sisters up here on the platform. It started the Sunday that Pastor John had anyone that wanted to come up and tell why we are thankful for what Jesus has done in our lives. I believe that it’s the glory of the HOLY SPIRIT that is in us and is here in the chapel. I’d like to thank all of you for your fine and wonderful fellowship and Chaplain Dave and his wife sister Laura of The Transport For Christ Chapel in Omaha,NE and Pastor John and sister Gloria for all they have done in my walk with the LORD Jesus Christ. When I’m here I’ll be around with a hand shake, a hug or a brotherly kiss or just to fellowship. GOD bless you all and above all Jesus is our LORD and SAVIOR. Thank You
Last Updated ( Friday, 25 March 2005 )
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