Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Ronnie's Story

Four years ago I had reached the end of my rope, the thread was frayed and my grip was expiring rapidly. I opened an old worn out book, which had been laying around my house for years, as I read the pages one after another I could not stop the flood of tears that emptied from my soul. The chaotic life I had been living seemed aimless and the turmoil that I had learned to accept as normal – it flooded out of my body. I wept with tears of blood into a pool of Salvation, and hit my knees with a determination to find the source.
It was in that moment that I met God for a second Time in my life, having run from him when I was 18. I saw a pasture, and I was standing at its gate. Below me down the hill was a house with soothing lights that seemed to almost pull you toward them and a serine music that emanated into the very pores of my existence. You could fell and see joy pouring from all the corners like a wave of serenity, it was a celebration festival and you could since the joy and peace that abounded below, but I knew I could would never be welcomed at a place such as that, I was a worthless thief and killer of man.. I could see a man at the entrance to this house, with his arms spread, and I called to him and ask him to come talk to me but he would not come up the hill. I bellowed Sir I am filthy and tired and cannot come onto the light where you can see my rags, I cannot walk into the light where you can see my face and the shame I hide within so I begged him to come talk with me but he refused. When he spoke it seemed as if the mountains themselves were shaken from their foundations and he said do not be afraid for I have been expecting you, come for I know you are thirsty and I have water, sit for I know you are hungry and I have much for you to feed upon. I said sir I cannot enter you house, you do not know me and I have no place at you table, and simply said I do know you, please come home son, come home.
It seemed like days this festival kept going and my hunger grew, but I could not make the journey across the pasture. Each time I would look down the hill, he was still there — with arms open saying, I am still waiting for you, I will not leave so why don’t you come home son, just come home. I looked at my feet and saw that I was now chained to the ground with shackles of self pity, the chains were heavy and each time I tried to free myself from them they tightened around my ankles. I looked around me and there were wolves circling and growling with pieces of meat hanging from their blood thirsty jaws and teeth that seem to glimmer in the moonlight and had the edges of razor blades. Each time I pulled to free myself I became more entangled in the past, my worthlessness, my addictions, the harm I had caused this world, the hearts I had broken, the lives I had shattered, and the people I had ruined. I could see hands at my feet putting on more chains; I could hear voices calling to me from behind the hills to my back you cant leave us, you are one of us, that house is a trap, if you go you will be forever trapped there, you will become a slave to the one that beckons you, I could see eyes peering at me through the darkness, I could hear others just like me coming and I heard more chains dragging the ground I knew I would never escape and I turned to walk back into the woods and the darkness where they were calling my name.
I looked one last time back toward the house and saw the Man, arms still opened, as he spoke again, “Come home NOW son, it’s time for you to come home.” I finally replied, “But sir, I am worthless, I have wasted my talents, I have thrown my life to the wolves, I have lied, stolen, envied, falsely accused my friends. Sir I have done things from which I cannot return. I have lived in the darkness so long I can no longer see the light, I have wallowed in sin and it now exudes from every pore of my existence, I have danced with the devil and drank from his cup of damnation.” There was a long silence, Time seem to stand still, I was watching the man but it seemed he was getting further away, the light was fading and night was again upon us.
A cold chill crept through my very being, I felt again alone and desolate, and I could feel the chains at my feet pulling me back into the woods while the voices echoed changed into sinister laughs.
It was at that moment a light brighter than anything I had ever seen appeared. It blinded me, I had to cover my face but it’s warmth was indescribable, and the peace that dwelled within it was unquestionable, and then a loud voice bellowed from the house. “I DO NOT CARE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, I DO NOT CARE WHAT YOU HAVE BECOME, JUST COME HOME, BECAUSE I STILL LOVE YOU .” As I raised my hand over my eyes to strain to see where the voice was coming from I saw an object coming toward me, I reached into the air to catch it as I brought it down and opened my hand I realized it was a key.
He then said, “You in the hills, release my child, for he is coming home.” Reached down toward the locks on the chains that had held me for so long, and as soon as I put the key in The chains exploded from my ankles, the weight of the world fell from my shoulders, the past seemed to not exist, I realized I was free and no longer bound and I turned and ran toward the pasture, I blew through the gate and sprinted as fast as my legs would move toward the house. I could hear the deafening screams behind me urging me to turn around and come back, begging me to give them another r chance, trying to fill my mind with the thoughts I was being lied to and was not worthy to cross the pasture, and then the wolves begin to howl as the ranting faded and I could see the Master just a few more yards away. I ran into the master’s arms, speechless and with tears careening down my cheeks. He simply said, “Welcome home son, welcome home, your room is already prepared and a feast awaits you.”
With that he steeped in front of me and held his hands up toward the heavens and I could see blood flowing from them, and I fell to my knees behind him and looked down to see blood flowing like new springs from his feet. He stood between me and the pastures with the hills on the other side. I could hear screeching and gnashing of teeth and he said, “This is my child, and his name is forever written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, his sins have been paid for by the blood that flows from my body and he is now forever sealed and a son in my Father’s house. He now has the power over you Satan and all your dominions, over the principalities of darkness and from this day forward there is no condemnation for him, his sins are forgiven and his slate is washed cleaned by my crimson blood.” He put himself between me and the pasture. I could see a blood stained cross now at the gate on the top of the hill, and it was the lock that kept the past and the demons associated with it out of the pasture, I could see them shuddering at the sight of the mighty cross and non dared to approach it, for they knew it held their final death while given me life He held up his hands and said, “Father, your son has come back home. The one sheep was again found, and snatched from the mouths of the wolves, he is scarred and battered, but he is home and now he is whole.”
I looked up again and I had fallen to my knees, crying like a newborn baby. My wife was by my side praying tears careening down her face. My children were speechless but you could see a glow protruding from each of them. My wife looked at me and said Ronnie, We are finally all going to be going home together.
So now through my job, I help run The Eastern Chapter of Dirt Church. We stop in the fields, homes, and workplaces to preach the gospel and bring one sheep at a time back across that pasture. We go into the hills with the protection of our God and snatch victory form the well clamped claws of the enemy’s grip.
NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE BECOME, YOU CAN COME HOME.
GOD made dirt and Dirt should not hurt. Live the message and preach the blessings.
Lizard Lick Dirt Church and Revelation Ron

60 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Ronnie that was an awesome testimony. I am glad to call you my brother. Amy, keep him in line, the world is tough, but as you said the battle is already won. Satan has no power over us unless we allow him to have it. Remember, prayer is the answer, in God's Time...not ours...Wm Dean Collins

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    2. Thanks for sharing! Brother Ron! i watch your shows lizardlick towing. i knew you were a Christian from your jersey shirts you wear on your show. Great idea! Praise Jesus! Praying for you and your family,brother. God is using you. Keep shining the Light of Christ and growing in His Spirit. The days will get darker and we must be spiritually prepared for what's ahead of us. But either way, victory through Jesus! Amen! Jesus bless you brother! (Brother fred) i have my testimony on my YouTube channel, here's the link http://youtube.com/Freddymack1000

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  2. Thanks for sharing that.I believe there are a lot of people who have felt that way in their life and still do.I have myself had ups and downs and questioned a lot of things.Done things that I am not proud of.Isn't it wonderful to know that God loves us no matter what and that his grace and mercies are new everyday?There is nothing that can't be forgiven.Looking forward to more of your blogs.

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  3. This was beautiful; this reminded me of that song from Big Daddy Weave( REDEEMED).....all my life have been called unworthy Named by the voice of my shame an regret but when i hear u whisper Child lift up ur head... i remember oh God ur not done with me yet.... I am redeemed you set me free so I'll shake off these heavy chains wipe away every stain now im not who I use to be..........this is a great dong...thank God,Redeemed

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  4. Ron, Thank you for posting this. Alot of people say they've been saved. It's easy to say but the real saving comes when something like you described happens. If you believe in God and look up the meaning of savior then you will see there is always hope no matter what you've done. But it has to come to a person by a revelation. A heart stopping experiance. You seem like a great guy and I'm really happy for you and your family. I'm still waiting for that day for me....I know it'll come, when the time is right...Keep up the good work !

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  5. Thant was great I just finish reading your story. Now I am crying like a child. I to had walk away from God and now I am back. He has done alot for me in my life. I am also a 7 yr cancer survivor and with out the Lords help I really don't think I could have over come the cancer. I praise you for all that you do and for all the work that you do. Keep the good work up!!!!!!

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    Replies
    1. God always gives us the strength. We just have to reach out for it.

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  6. Thank you for sharing this Ronnie.

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  7. Wow! Just some awesome and powerful words Ronnie. God Bless you and your beautiful family. You're all in my prayers for success, love, SAFETY and peace.

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  8. thanks ron i am like you were man i am there and i am chained with shackles on my legs and cant get to that house and that is where i want to be is there with my family and friends and need some words of advice in how i need to go about that i am like the salmon swimming but dont seem like i am going anywhere and feel like giving up totally if you have any advice or anyhting that can help if possible email it to me at dustinfreeman33@gmail.com thanks ron want to come there and see yall live in bay minettte alabamathanks for all the words of incouragement that you give

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    1. Dustin, the key is to get the focus off of yourself and onto others.

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  9. Ronnie it takes a strong man to confess out loud your testimony and because you have you may have opened the doors for others. I know it took me going to a place I NEVER want to go again to come back to GOD. I thank you for your story because it has helped me to open my ears to Gods message and know I am not alone.

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    1. We all need to share our stories, because really we're all the same. The enemy likes to isolate us to make us feel like we are all alone.

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  10. wow those were some very powerful words,i too have lived a not so very clean life but with the help of my beuatiful wife and the good lord above i have taken a step in the right direction,thank you for sharing that and i am not ashamed to say i was in tears when i finished reading your testimony,my name is jamie and i would love if there were a dirt church here in N. Myrtle Beach,thank you and keep on keepin on

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  11. Tears streamed down my face as I read this. Very beautiful

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  12. This touch me so. Thanks Ronnie for sharing

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    1. God put it on my heart. I'm glad it touched you Jeanne.

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  13. Absolutely amazing Ronnie as I sit here reading every word through tears it made me realize that I can have the kind of life God wants for me no matter what mistakes and wrongs I have done THANK YOU SO MUCH WE LOVE YA'LL

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    1. Taunya, God wants all of us to have that life, to reach our full potential.

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  14. Awesome testimony God bless you and your family

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  15. This is a great testimony I was looking at my facebook page while on my vacation and saw your blog .Its hard when your running from GOD and know the whole time he loves us ... Now you have a family full of love but better yet full of Gods love .GOD don't leave us we leave him . And no matter how much we have done ,what we have done to others , or how bad we have messed up GOD is still waiting with his arms streached out saying come home child I forgive you and love you .Our GOD is an amazing GOD ...

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  16. Ronnie, you reached me today. I too walked away from God when I was 19. I knew everything, heard everything and done everything. A mom at 17 (now 54) I needed no one . . I kept faltering, failed marriages x3, relationships, financially bust but I still didn't need anyone or anything. Then I met my husband now married for 22 years, he was not raised in a Christian environment. He picked up that same Bible that you did and ask, "what's this?" I balled and said "the way of life!!" He then said , "we need to get on that road!" We've been on that road ever since . . God wants us to be his ambassadors and to be examples! Thank you for the affirmation! We love you, Amy, babies and yes . . BOBBY!!
    -Kim, Michigan

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  17. Wow Ron that just blew me away glad you made it Home Brother God Bless you

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  18. that was good and may God use you and your wife to bring people back to the Lord may God Bless You and your family

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  19. I am a recovering addict. I have been clean since May 9, 2011. I watch your show every week. One reason I enjoy it so much is because I read your bio once and saw that you had also faced struggles in life. To find out that you are a preacher and to read this blog about how you turned your life to Christ further inspires me to stay sober and to continue to live my life for Christ. Thank you for sharing this. One of my goals is to meet you in person one day. I hope that I get to fulfill this dream. My fiance is from Mount Olive, North Carolina. We live in Hamilton, Georgia, but we will be traveling to his family's home in NC before the end of this year. I am planning on coming to Lizard Lick to try to meet you because you are one of my greatest heroes. Again, thank you for sharing your story.

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  20. Very powerful message my dear friend. Ive been having a hard time here lately and this has given me a better outlook or should i say outcome on my problems. Thanks my brother in christ and may god send you and your family many more blessings.

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  21. Wow, such beautiful, powerful words, Ronnie! God is Amazing, and works wonders. Thank you for sharing your story!

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  22. Theres alot to be said about someone who can choose the harder, more difficult path over the easy one... Not only does this show the true measure of one man, but more-so the measure of a selfless heart that being his wife Amy. Through trials, yes, they have been down some bumpy roads to say the least, but to be so selfless even after all that they've been through.....WOW! If I had to sum up what this post means to me after reading it, I'd have to choose the word...Humbling. I respect the choice you and your family have made and would've repected it had you chosen to go the other way. I am honored to be a part of the Lick Nation. I am honored to read fellow Nation comments too, because it truly does remind me that although we are from all parts of the country or world, we CAN still come together. We may not say hi or whatever out in the world each day, maybe it is just like Ronnie says.... "We all manicure a facade", but at least in the Lick Nation, we can & do come together.....It's a great start is't it? :)

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  23. You know Ron, I have been in a major slump lately and GOD has been dealing with my heart on a daily basis. I kept dealing with all of the doubt about myself and letting the devil regain his hold on me, all the while feeling helpless and defeated. I was never able to see it in proper perspective until tonight. GOD has no doubt brought me to this point because HE knows I've been seeking HIM. Much like you, I met the LORD at a young age and then allowed myself to enter into a life of sin. I did some awful things during my life. I have been one of the most undeserving people you'd ever meet. Thank GOD that HE does forgive us and still accepts us no matter what we've done or who we've become. I'm thankful that HE brought me to this post. Your words have really touched my heart tonight. I haven't cried like this in years. I have been a dedicated fan of your show all along and now I'm proud I can now call you my brother as well. Sincerely, Vince

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  24. Ron
    First off I love your show and how it is one of the few shows on TV that incorporate Christian values. After reading this story I have been moved to reach out to other people that do not have a personal relationship with Christ. This post also got me to look at some of Paul’s writings (Ephesians 6:10-10-18). With the Armor of God I know the Devil cannot hurt me and I need to share this with people that are hurting. Thank you for sharing this. God bless and may god keep you safe.
    Zach Roberton

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  25. Ronnie, I had to comment on this blog. It really touched my <3 (heart) in many ways. I love to hear when a grown man can admit that first and foremost he loves GOD and is saved by him. I had chill bumps all over me because of the testimony you have shared with all of us (your fans). I too can testify with my testimony GOD is awesome when we call upon him. My husband dealt with addictions that were ruining our marriage and family and I finally hit the ground on my knees, and ask GOD, "what are your plans for me in this relationship, why are you putting me through this GOD". And within a few hours my husband came to me and said he was going to rehab to get clean, that he wanted to save his family and marriage. Today marks 3 months and 3 weeks of soberity. AMEN. Not only has been clean, he got saved back in Nov 2011 and now attends church and CR (Celebrate Recovery). God truly does show us that he will never foresake us nor leave us, and if we call upon him he will be there to answer, we just have to trust and have faith in him. I commend you Ronnie for your blogs and testimony, I love reading them.

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  26. ron this story was very moving it made my dad grow up and do better

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  27. Ron I was very moved by your post and I AMA very big fan of u Amy and bobby as I will tell u about 2 years ago I was walking home one night from seeing my girlfriend and I got run over by a full size pickup truck so now I have 4 disc in my back messed up and I will never be able to work again and I was told that I am very lucky to be walking today because if she had been an inch more over it would have turned out much worse than it is now so I pray to god everyday that I am able to still walk and that he still has plans for me here on earth because it could have all ended that night right there and then

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  28. Ron your testimony had me in tears cause while reading that it describes me to a tee cause that is the very same things I have done and I feel so ashamed and unworthy to come to him and I live in fear of God not forgiving me. How do I break this hold Satan has on me and break these shackles off of my life that is holding me down

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  29. Dirt Church. I love watching the show, you all crack me up. I've been seeing the Dirt Church T-shirts you've been wearing and the jersey's with Bible book names and scripture. I love those and that is the whole reason I ended up on here was to find out where you get them shirts - The ones I can remember seeing you wear were Romans 8 and Obadiah 1. What I found was an amazing, inspiring testimony from you. I was saved and baptized when I was 30, but after some troubles in my life backslid, now at the age of 44, I'm getting my life back on track and trying to reconnect with God. Thank you for sharing. May God continue to bless you, Amy and your entire family.

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  30. Thank you Mr.Ron.I woke this with a hevay heart and a worried mind I ask God to lead my way and He took me to your testimonial.Sa I read it it brought tears to my eyes.Your words lifted my heart and gave my peace.Thank you for giving me people like me hope.I know that God is Good and God is real.Its people like you that give people like me hope.Soon I to will go home.I know he's waiting.Thank you

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  31. Wow!!! This is very powerful for me!!! I feel like I am in that pasture fighting that battle for myself!! I know what is right and what I should do!!! I really needed to see this! Oh How Great God Is!!!!

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  32. wow...now this is what I really wanted to hear the night you stepped into our ministry trailer at the Cleveland County fair and I asked how you became a preacher! Of course it was soaking raining outside and we were quickly having our trailer surrounded by Ronnie and Amy fans so there was no real time for us to hear your testimony then. I am greatful to know that we serve the same Savior! I looked on your events page and didnt see any dates that you were preaching near NC, maybe I missed it, I will go back and look. May God bless you and your ministry, we do love your show...but a show is a show, when you are sharing Jesus you are making an eternal difference and we are glad you have chosen to do that!

    James and Sherry Gibson
    www.ceffoothills.homestead.com

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  33. This brought tears Ronnie and touched my heart. I was once in your spot when I lost my sister thank you fro sharing your testimony

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  34. Hey Ron this is John Orton Jr. That was very touchy. I just want to let you know that you have inspired and my family to open a repo and towing company here in Fulton, Missouri.

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  35. Love it Ron thanks for sharing

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  36. Wow Ron. Very very touching. Brought tears to my eyes. Love your testimony.

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  37. I like your tv show, but you should show more like our LORD Jesus at least like DOg bounty hunter who prays in the show, maybe your young in christ,

    but if you read bible, you need show how much you love GOD by acting on his love. we christians need to repent every time again not just once when we 're first saved. For life time we need to repent and show how much you love GOD and act in love to neighbors, if we just say love GOD but sametime love money and self-wellfare and ignore neighbor's interest , that is not GODLY AT ALL!

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  38. I'm not from the south but I LOOOOVE Lizard Lick! Your show is so addicting and every day you ALL put your lives on the line to feed your family. I'm glad you are still living and breathing so that you may share more of your everyday life with others. I respect and appreciate you and your dedication to your trade and the others you help! God Bless from the Pacific NW, Vancouver, Washington

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  39. Wow what a powerful message you just sent. Words cannot express how much this just affected me. Thank you so much for sharing this.

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  40. I am deeply touched! Never imagine you had such spiritual depth. Found out just yesterday that you were ordained. Hooked on LIZARD LICK. OMG!!!! YOU WILL CERTAINLY REAP IF YOU FAINT NOT!!

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  41. WOW is all i can say truly spoke words of wisdom. i think if the preacher at the church i went to was like you i probably still be going to it.

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