My Week Of Hell
Have You Had One?
My Week of Hell
By Larry E. Whittington
Junior High was my growing up years. I was leaning even though I didn't realize it. Our family attended church quite often where my Grandparents went. There was always a lot of singing, preaching, and Bible studies. I remember that all they did for one series of Bible studies was take turns reading through the Bible. Sometimes, the Old Testament Bible reading sounded weird as some would say "skip it" for every OT name they couldn't pronounce. I know my Father only went through the eight grade.
Earlier, while I was in grade school, I remember a vacation Bible school time where my Mom taught the creation story. We made little story booklets of the seven days of creation. After 65 years, my 97-year-old mother probably still has my story booklet somewhere as she kept all her kids’ projects and school work. (My Mom lived to her 101th birthday. I could not go back when she passed away to look for things she had saved of mine.)
In the church services, Grandpa was called upon regularly to lead in prayers. He also would pray before mealtimes at home. In my mind, I can still hear the resonant sound of his voice. He was one who lived what the Bible taught.
Just before I started high school, our family moved. There was no similar church there, so Mom and Dad chose not to attend church regularly unless we were visiting my grandparents. Mom didn't like missing church assemblies, though, so, at times, on Sundays, she would gather us kids into the front room, and we would have a short session of some songs and Bible reading. I am sure the songs were not always in tune, but we could read the words from the old songbooks we had. At times, I was not eager for these sessions even though, in my heart, I knew it was a good thing to do.
After high school graduation, I was able to attend college and was now also able to attend a church like we had attended in junior high days. I believed in God and the Bible stories. I knew Jesus was God's Son, and he had died on the cross for our sins. I grew up knowing the Lord's Supper was for baptized believers, and it was to be remembered when Christians met together.
During one Sunday evening service, after I had been home from college for the weekend, one older lady in the assembly noticed that I had not taken the Lord's Supper. She knew I had not been to any other service that day, so she asked why I hadn't taken the Lord's Supper.
I knew I needed to be a Christian before I took the Lord's Supper, but I hadn't been baptized yet. In answer to her question about why I hadn't taken the Lord's Supper, I replied, "I wasn't a Christian."
Her simple reply was, "You know what you need to do, don't you?"
To that, I replied, "Yes, I know."
With this, she returned with, "Why don't you do it next Sunday?"
I don't remember what I said in reply to her, but in my heart and mind, I knew I would yield my will and obey what the Bible taught. I would be baptized for the forgiveness of my sins. (Or remission of my sins.)
Hell week began.
I knew those who didn't believe in God and didn’t obey the Bible's commands would not go to Heaven. Because I decided to follow Jesus, I admitted to myself that if I died before I confessed that Jesus was Lord and Christ and was baptized, I would not go to Heaven.
During that week of work, I feared dying because of God's word. I spent time reading the Bible each day. I was in continual prayer that whole week. This week was my time of repentance.
The following Sunday, I yielded to the invitation song, made the good confession that Jesus was Lord, and was baptized for the forgiveness of my sin.
Faith and obedience to God and his word finally brought peace to my life. But it might not have come if it were not for a little old lady who was curious enough to ask that simple question. "Why didn't you take the Lord's Supper?"
God’s Holy Spirit still works for the good of those He has been calling to Himself. Has God been calling you?
Have you answered his call?
Why Not?
If not, do it this week in the last week of 2024 or the first week of 2025.
Or My Conversion Story
(This took place in the Summer of 1957)
Larry E. Whittington
When I was in high school a group of girls sat in the cafeteria with their Bibles and tried to convert a few cute boys. I sat with them and heard them talking about baptism. I had not been baptized. Finally, one day I told one of the girls that I wanted to be baptized. She said, "Oh, we weren't even thinking of you!!" She arranged for me to be baptized that night. Their words to those boys did not return void.
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