I never used to go to church regularly. As a little kid, I went to church occasionally, with my parents. The summer before high school, my parents told me to start going to church. I agreed to go. I started going to a church that was two blocks away from my house, and on September 3, 1995, I was baptized and joined the church. At first, I felt different and thought I would be a Christian forever. I was wrong. I kept on hanging out with my "stoner metal" friends and listening to heavy metal music and used filthy language. At the same time, I felt like an outsider in the youth group. I had a passion for music but I thought everyone else wasn't listening to anything other than Christian music. I soon found out that I was wrong again. Many people were listening to secular music, so I eventually made friends. But, I still did not have Jesus, the greatest friend of all. I believed, but I didn't pray on a regular basis or read the Bible so I was stagnating my growth.

In 10th grade, I changed for a little while. I went to a youth rally and felt God's presence. I began to try and live as a Christian. I joined a Christian band and began wearing a WWJD bracelet. The guys in the band were two faced, though. They prayed with the same mouth they cussed with. I searched for other "Christians" to hang out with, but could find no one real. I kept going to church but just going through the motions. I contemplated quitting church, but I didn't. I went back to cussing and bad music. I let my WWJD bracelet collect dust.

My senior year, I began using drugs. My stoner friends offered me drugs and I took them. I had no self-esteem and I blamed my girl troubles on God. This was foolish. On September 30, 1999, I became 18: I started buying pornography with my money. I didn't buy any drugs, but I didn't turn down offers. I thought that everyone hated me and that I would never have a girlfriend. I thought my life was terrible. I didn't realize how lucky I was in life. A whole lot of people had it worse.

On March 3, 2000, I went to a Third Day and Jennifer Knapp concert. I'll admit I went for the music only because I still was going down at about ninety miles an hour. That night, Mac Powell asked us to take a look at our lives and make decisions. When we all prayed, I felt God's presence again and I came to realize I had to live my life as a Christian. This time, I have people who are real Christians to hang with and I'm playing with a Christian band called Floodlight. Now I'm trying to listen to nothing but Christian music. When I go to church now it is impossible for me to not burst out into tears of joy. I've pretty much stopped cussing and I don't blame God for anything. I realize there is a reason why he has kept me single. I pray every day before school and before I go to bed. I occasionally slip but I'm no where near where I used to be. I gave up porno and I'm about to start reading the Bible.

Bottom line; Jesus died for your sins. If someone like me can be saved by his merciful grace, you can too.

--Chet Smith

My Commentary

Chet met alot of his problems when people weren't being real. They would curse with the same mouth that they spoke to God with, as he put it. Even a little musical compromise to accept some music that tears down can trip some one up as it did for him. If we say something, we better be just that. Be real, as Chet has decided to be. I promise you'll grow, and not only that, but you'll allow other people to grow as well.

He's an awesome guy to know, and very passionate. His is, I think, the most inspiring of the testimonies I have posted, and can apply to all our lives on so many levels. Some of us are two faced, and some of us are "stoners." I hope Chet's story could convict you, as well as give you hope.

--Kevin