I'VE NEVER FELT SO GOOD

Keith Dennis (Sarasota, FL)

My name is Keith Dennis, and I did not want to go to the Encounter. My wife, and my next door neighbor, Stephen Genser, who is also a server, set this up months ago. As I was packing my bag on Friday afternoon, I was telling her I wasn’t going. God had other plans. I went. I own a small lawn service company in Sarasota Fl. I normally work 6 days a week, the week of the encounter, I had to get everything done in five. I didn’t think I could do it. God had other plans.

Over the past year I’ve been slipping deeper and deeper into depression. About four weeks before the Encounter, I hit rock bottom. I didn’t want to fight this depression any more. I gave up. I unhooked my lawn trailer from my truck and got on the Interstate headed north. I was going to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. I was going to drive to the top, park my truck, and take a very short walk. God had other plans. As I started up the south side of the bridge, “something” told me, wait. Think about your wife who loves you. Think about your three boys. I have something in store for you. I drove over the crest of the bridge and turned around in the rest area on the north side. I was a mess. I just didn’t care any more ,but I felt that there was something else out there . There was. It was the Encounter Weekend.
 

When I went on Friday night, The Lord just opened my eyes to his love for me. I ended up on my knees sobbing, but I wasn’t ready to open my heart to the Lord. I went to sleep that Friday night with a longing in my heart.
 

Saturday afternoon, we were praying, and I opened my heart. The Holy Spirit hit me with such force. I felt like I was on fire from the inside out. There was a blinding white light, and I couldn’t see. I felt such peace, such joy. In my entire life I’ve never felt this good. I can’t put into words the overflowing joy I felt. People at the Encounter said my entire demeanor changed. There was something different in my eyes. God, through the Holy Spirit, healed me. The depression was gone. Praise God.
 

It’s been a couple of weeks since the Encounter. My wife Debbie keeps asking , “Who are you?” The change has been unbelievable. People keep asking what is different about me. Now I have an opportunity to tell them . I am truly a” New Man in Christ.”

There are certain moments in your life that you’ll always remember. When you first saw the women who would become your wife. When your children were born. The Encounter Weekend.

I’ve had a taste of the Holy Spirit. Now I want the whole meal.
 

May God Bless you.