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Elijah Lofgren
Dr. Brent Ellis
LETU-1101-04
September 13, 2006
Interview with Victoria Lofgren
When and why did you become a Christian?
I clearly remember being at a large opening meeting for our Sunday school classes and we were going to sing the song which includes the words, "Into my Heart, Come into My Heart Lord Jesus." The song leader said that if we invited Jesus to come into our hearts as we sang, that Jesus would come in the that He would NEVER leave... That's the part I liked as well. I was rather lonely as a child and I can remember being put to bed (what seemed like to me was very) early and was glad to know Jesus was always with me. I was probably around 6 years old.
How have you grown as a Christian?
When I was about 10 years old I read in my mom's old Bible and believed every Word but didn't understand some things. Then when I was in confirmation class at about age 13; everyone had the opportunity to ask the pastor questions in his office one on one. My question was regarding what I had read in the book of Acts and in I Corinthians 12 and 14 wondering why these kind of things didn't happen in our church. Our pastor wisely said that someday he believed we WOULD see God FULFILL His Word in such ways. He did not quench my yearning to believe.
At the age of 18 I visited in Texas and asked Jesus to FILL me with His Holy Spirit. After I did that, He gave me a prayer language (unknown tongue) which continues to build me up as I Corinthians 14:4-5 describes, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, he who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues. but I would rather have you prophesy." I have also been seeking ever since to prophesy and to understand what that means.
My hunger to read, understand, and believe God's Word increased dramatically after that prayer to be filled with The Holy Spirit. The Words seemed to "jump" off the pages of my Bible. The next year I read the Bible through in 3 different versions.
After I married I taught in schools and shared Jesus' love and His Word with students. When I had a child of my own God showed me how to teach His Word to our son, putting it to music and I have continued to do so with the next 6 children. and and to share these songs with my friends. You (Elijah) have helped me visualize God's Word with the computer. Every time I work on a portion, I understand MORE what God means by His WONDERFUL WORDS.
Learning God's Word this way helps me to hear and to see more than I did just by reading it. God has BLESSED my life so VERY MUCH in this way.
Worshiping my Savior and my God is such a JOY ! I love to join in prayer with other Christians.
What do you do to maintain your discipleship?
Staying in God's Word daily in a quiet time, fellowshipping with my family and other Christians. Putting God's Word in banners or printed portions and putting them in my home or on the wall so I don't forget His Truth when I am tempted to despair.
What is your greatest struggle as a Christian?
To be obedient to God's Word even when it's difficult. Also, to let The Holy Spirit live through me and not try to do God's work in my own strength.
What role do other people play in your spiritual growth?
I love to listen to Christian teaching on the radio or on t.v. The 700 Club has been a great encouragement to me with the testimonies of what God does in other people's lives. Gathering with other believers to worship and to pray and to fellowship is important to me.
What advice would you give to a growing Christian?
Ask God to FILL you with His Holy Spirit "BE FILLED with The Spirit, speaking to yourselves, with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to The Lord" (Ephesians 5:18b-20) and be WILLING to RECEIVE any and all gifts that God wants to give you to equip you to live the life He has called you to live. The POWER to live as a Christian comes from "Christ in us The Hope of Glory." (Colossians 1:27) John 15 has been a foundational chapter in my life--to LIVE IN Jesus and let His Word LIVE in me.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER ! Rejoice ALWAYS, PRAY CONSTANTLY, give THANKS in ALL circumstances for THIS is The Will of God in Christ Jesus for you ! Do JUSTLY, LOVE MERCY, walk HUMBLY with your God.
Interview with JP Lofgren
When and why did you become a Christian?
I grew up in a home and theological atmosphere that does not emphasize being able to name the date and circumstances of becoming a Christian. Under the Lutheran theology I became a Christian at the time of my infant baptism and confirmed my faith during the two years of confirmation classes during 7th and 8th grade with my public confirmation of my faith at the end of these two years. To those who do not believe this is valid, I would say that I became a Christian very early, at a date a do not remember. I do not recall a time when I didn't accept God's salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. I do not remember a time when I did not accept the Lordship of Christ. I view my salvation as a gift of a gracious God rather than a decision that I made.
How have you grown as a Christian?
I understand better what God thinks through what is written in the Bible and understand better the meaning of Christ's atoning death.
What do you do to maintain your discipleship?
Through regular attendance at worship/teaching services with other Christians (generally on Sunday), through regular Bible study and prayer (generally daily with more frequent short prayers when I am mulling problems or see people), through family devotions (generally 5 days per week) and discussion with mature Christians.
What is your greatest struggle as a Christian?
I view certain aspects of life as indicators or symptoms of the state of my faith. I don't feel that I love to read the Bible as much as I should, I don't pray as much as I should, I don't love others as much as I should. I feel all of these show that I really don't love God as I should. My prayer is that I desire to know God better.
What role do other people play in your spiritual growth?
Through discussions, they give me new insight and challenge me. Actually a lot of the influence of other people is through books or magazine articles that have been written. But people's opinions need to to square with the Bible.
What advice would you give to a growing Christian?
Read the Bible often, praying for God to use it to reveal His heart. Pray about everything, more in the vein of seeking his will rather than having God fulfill our will. In seeking God's will, put your trust primarily on discerning what the Bible says about the issue, secondly use advice of godly mature believers and lastly depend on trying to discern God's will through prayer and the "feeling of peace and guidance" one gets there after. Prayer should be done throughout your seeking for God's will, that God would speak through His Word, that God's would help you listen to the right counselors and discern the correct advice.
What I learned
My parents have given good advice. I need to pray about everything and seek God's will instead of trying to persuade God to to fulfill my own. I am thankful to God for my parents and to my parents for the love and wisdom that they give.