"I wasn't always a Christian, although I guess I had the right start in life.."
By Greg Kroehnert
History:
Born in Sydney in 1960, my mum was a Christian and my dad a "truckie" I grew up with three sisters and
a
brother, and occasionally went to Sunday School.
By the time I was nine my family had moved to the country, where dad worked with his brothers cutting
timber. Mum used to take us kids to the local Anglican Church, and we learned a fair bit at Sunday School,
more than I would have thought really, and things that really helped along the way.
I was a normal kid, and as I grew up I started wanting to break loose from the slow country life.
I left school at the end of fourth form, when I was 16 years old, and went to work in the bush with Dad and his
brothers. This turned out to be hard work and I soon noticed that I was still stuck in the same rut as before -
stuck on the farm with little hope of getting to town,or seeing friends on a regular basis.
I left home in 1977, and moved to Sydney where I joined the Police Force,being sworn in as a Constable in
1979. I worked in the City for awhile and over the years I was stationed at Bathurst, Moree and Singleton,and
moved back to the Sydney area in 1990.
The period from 1990 to now is quite remarkable really, and if you read on, you'll see what I mean...
Self Reliance and Inner Strength:
I was always a big fella. I remember when I was fourteen I grew at a phenomenal rate, something like five or six
inches in height just that year and I was taller than my dad. I played football at school, and because of my size
and speed I could play in the forwards or the backs. I never had to worry about being beaten up either
because like most country lads I was pretty strong. Like most young people I felt invincible.
All of this, and my new job gave me popularity, self confidence, and I didn't think I had to rely on anyone.
Looking back I really didn't have much to be "smug" about, although that may have been a family trait.
I always admired my dad. Most young fella's do. My impression of my dad and what he was really like are
probably quite different things. My impressions of my dad were that he was reliable and strong, someone to
be feared when he was angry, and someone capable of great gentleness. I wanted to be like my dad, but I
also wanted to be better than my dad. Sound familiar? I loved my mum and I knew where she was coming
from...She wanted me to be a Christian - but Christians were so... pathetic! I wasn't like that, I didn't need
anyone to look after me. I could look after myself. How wrong was I? LOTS!!
Who Moved the Goal Posts?
In about 1987, when we were living in Moree, we used to visit my Parents regularly. Dad started to tell me
about Jesus Christ, and as it was Dad that was telling me, I started to listen! I was concerned, and at the same
time I respected my Dad's opinion so I didn't dismiss what he was telling me without checking it out first. Dad
was telling me that Jesus Christ was sent by God so I could be forgiven for my sins,and that to get to
Heaven I needed to have a personal relationship with Jesus or I'd spend eternity in hell! He told me hell
would not be a debauched party either, that it would be solitude, pain, torment and fire in complete darkness
forever, scary stuff. I started to check out what he was telling me. I read the Bible. He sent me a subscription
to the Creation Science Foundations "Creation Ex Nihilo" which offers sensible explanations to things
like
evolution in layman's terms,and the pieces began falling into place.
The Bible is reliable. Jesus Christ is who He claims to be. God's great plan for salvation is only available
through Jesus Christ. So I'll do it when I'm nearly dead, methinks (me not too bright even then).
A Gentle Nudge:
It's funny how things can all go your way. Never expect your 'luck' to hold out until you get everything you
want though.
Once you've heard the truth and accepted it, it's funny how things can change. O.K. So I knew Jesus Christ was
the
Saviour, I needed to know Him as my Saviour! I'd already said I was going to do it. So many times since, I have
learned that things don't happen when I want them to, but when God wants them to.
Things happened at work that showed me that my life could end in the blink of an eye, my relationship with my wife
became strained, and my answer to all of this was to turn to grog? Well that was stupid. I resisted for a long
time, and
all through these times God knew what was in store for me and I was spared on many occasions. It wasn't until our
children got very sick, and my son nearly died that I realized that I couldn't do it alone! I prayed and I prayed
- I had
nothing left. A dear old lady whom I had met only once or twice opened my eyes and told me how simple it was to
accept Jesus into my heart, and that I could leave my troubles with Him. I simply had to "open the door"
for Him to
come into my life, and then trust Him. God further blessed me when my wife, and life companion, Jenelle prayed
with
us: "Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God. That you died for me,so my sins could be forgiven. I need
you in
my life, and I open the doors of my heart. I ask you to come into my life. I love you and I thank you for what
you have
done."
A Happy Ending, Right?
Well, since that time we've had more ups than downs; but there's no guarantee that things will all go your way,
is
there? Sure God's going to keep His word, but He never promised "Easy Street". God has saved us from
tragedy on
more than one occasion, and I thank Him and glorify Him for that. We have had our trials, and still have many to
go
through I'm sure, but I TRUST HIM TO GET US THROUGH THEM!
Some promises God will always keep, to provide your needs; That HE will never desert YOU, That no matter what happens
it
will be for the good of those that love Him. Jesus Christ said, "I am the way,
and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me." John14:6 and
"...you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." John 8:32
Greg Kroehnert, a.k.a. Kroey
This page was last updated on 01 January 2001
A new millennium, yes. A new Jesus, no. For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.