My Testimony

I was the average messed up kid/guy that has gathered a lot of junk throughout my life.

It wasn't unitl after high school that I surrendered and allowed God to change me by His Grace and Mercy!

Crazy thing is, He is not done with me yet.
I believe that we are all life long works in progress.

Nor is He done with you; irregardless if you are a Christian or Not.

Again, I stress that I am just an average guy, not a minister, not even a very good speaker...really.

And, as you can see, not particularly gifted in writting either.

I am still shocked at how/why God is using me!
But, I told Him that I would do what He wants...and...well...

I also believe that God can, and will use anyone who yields to Him as Lord and Savior.

My “more detailed” testimony I am cautious of sharing here.

First; I try to respect the privacy of the other lives that are, or have been, a part of my story.

Possibly offending or hurting anyone, in the name of helping others, is not what I want.

At the same time, I can not keep silent of what God has done in and through my life.

Sharing my story, one on one or in churches has been a blessing to others and myself.

The World Wide Web is a different approach that I am still cautious of.

It (the web) is a tool, a powerful tool. And if not handled with care, can do a lot of damage.

So putting that kind of delicate information out for the world to; see and use, makes me...cautious.

I must also consider the adult nature of events that I experienced from a young age, for those who might read this.

When I share in a church I take great pains to illustrate as much as I can about how God has healed me without offending or upsetting those listening.

Obviously I speak differently at a VBS program as compared to say an adult retreat.

Sometimes I never speak about my past. It might be; that the program is set up for other purposes, the setting just isn't right, or by God's leading.
I have learned not to try and "force the Spirit".

Generally I share my story through the visual arts, primarily the potters wheel.

Though I temper what I have gone through at the times, I do not want to take away from what God has brought me through.  

So that others may know that they are not alone, and that there is healing in Jesus!

My condensed Testimony:

I will just say that I come from a broken home, just ike many others.
My father was an alcoholic who had a temper. 
He regretably passed away while I was in college.

In addition, I was also molested by a variety of females/women and have been exposed to a lot of adult material from around the age of six well into my teen years.

For a time during high school I lived in; shelters, with a relative, or stayed in hotels,...
on the run from dad.

Through it all, God worked through a variety of people to plant seeds of; love, forgiveness, rebirth, purpose and spiritual truths so that I might eventually accept His Saving Grace!
I accepted Jesus as Savior a little over a year after high school, the summer of 1989.

I have shared this story before, but honestly; it almost seems surreal writing this down.

As I reflect back, now it is like it couldn't have happened.

God is doing a new thing in my life, still not sure where it is going to lead. It may sound strange, but my memories/wounds seem to be...almost new.

I seem to be more emotional when I share.

I sense a greater need to share, there is so much hurt out there. As a teacher I see so much pain, emptiness, and anger.

Somehow people are being blessed by hearing how God took a messed up kid, who thought God would never be able to use him, and with some clay or paint, now touches peoples lives.

Praise God, He has allowed me to turn Satan’s attacks and schemes against him.

I am still the average guy, I love God, Family, People, and am blessed with being able to use art to help others and Glorify God in at least a small way. 

For those who would need to contact me for more information, please feel free to call or email.

765-517-1651

dtak@swayzee.com

Thank You for Listening

And Thank God for His saving Grace!