The day I almost died.

[CitizenIreland]

It was an ordinary Saturday that Saturday on the 4th of March 1972. No reason to think anything otherwise. I was a young lad of 20 and enjoying life. Although the troubles in the north of Ireland had been going for nearly 3 years, where I lived 12 miles from Belfast had remained relativley untouched by them. A friend and myself had arranged a trip to Belfast by train that day. It was to be an enjoyable day out round the city centre. The kind of stuff young lads did while enjoying a time of relaxation after a weeks work. Browsing round the shops etc. Belfast at that time, was going through a period of terrible violence and uncertainty. But, what about it? We were young, invincible, nothing was going to happen to us. At this stage of my life, I was yet unsaved. Salvation in Christ was not to happen till 5 years later in 1979. I remember the time exactly as my friend and me made our way through the city centre to the train station to return home. It was 3:40 pm as we walked through the Cornmarket. The friend I was with, stopped. "Fancy going in here for a pint of beer, they play live music i the afternoon?" he asked. I looked at me watch, and as I stated previously, it was exactly 3:40 pm. "Nah, it's 3:40, theres a train in 10 minutes if we hurry, we'll just catch it". The idea behind me thinking, was if we caught the train, it would save us hanging around later for another one, and we could get a pint whe we got home. As we walked further through Belfast, we heard a huge bang. It was exactly 3:45pm. I looked at my friend, and said "I bet thats a bomb". We continued on, caught the train, and got a pint in our home town. Later in the evening, before going out on the town for the evening, I was watching the 6 0'clock news. The bomb we had heard earlier in Belfast was in the Abercorn bar. That was the bar my friend and me were almost going to go into. I learned that numerous people were killed and maimed that dreadful day. The simple word "no" saved me from a lost eternity. I'm convinced, that God, seeing 7 years up the road, knowing I was to come to new life in Christ gave me a second chance. Normally, I would not have passed up a chance for a pint. I am convinced, if I'd said yes instead of no that day, I would have been in hell, instead of sharing this. I still shudder to think of the consequnces if I had replied OK instead of no. It's too horrible to comtemplate. But praise be to God through His mercy in His Son Jesus, I am here today to tell the tale. Many others might not get the same chance. Now, I'm not going to ask you for a pint, but I will ask, "ARE YOU SAVED"? If not why not? You may not get the chance I got. Gods blessings on all who read this, Regards, Steve.

 

[josejyothis]

it is one of of His interventions

I t was a providential escape for sure. Believers see miracles happening in every day life. If u belive you shall see the glory of God. It is a blessing to be able to see with our eyes the wonderful ways of His intervention in our life. Let us Keep Jesus as a constant companion in life and watch his wonderful care and concern for us and be happy in His presence

It was an ordinary Saturday that Saturday on the 4th of March 1972. No reason to think anything otherwise. I was a young lad of 20 and enjoying life. Although the troubles in the north of Ireland had been going for nearly 3 years, where I lived 12 miles from Belfast had remained relativley untouched by them. A friend and myself had arranged a trip to Belfast by train that day. It was to be an enjoyable day out round the city centre. The kind of stuff young lads did while enjoying a time of relaxation after a weeks work. Browsing round the shops etc. Belfast at that time, was going through a period of terrible violence and uncertainty. But, what about it? We were young, invincible, nothing was going to happen to us. At this stage of my life, I was yet unsaved. Salvation in Christ was not to happen till 5 years later in 1979. I remember the time exactly as my friend and me made our way through the city centre to the train station to return home. It was 3:40 pm as we walked through the Cornmarket. The friend I was with, stopped. "Fancy going in here for a pint of beer, they play live music i the afternoon?" he asked. I looked at me watch, and as I stated previously, it was exactly 3:40 pm. "Nah, it's 3:40, theres a train in 10 minutes if we hurry, we'll just catch it". The idea behind me thinking, was if we caught the train, it would save us hanging around later for another one, and we could get a pint whe we got home. As we walked further through Belfast, we heard a huge bang. It was exactly 3:45pm. I looked at my friend, and said "I bet thats a bomb". We continued on, caught the train, and got a pint in our home town. Later in the evening, before going out on the town for the evening, I was watching the 6 0'clock news. The bomb we had heard earlier in Belfast was in the Abercorn bar. That was the bar my friend and me were almost going to go into. I learned that numerous people were killed and maimed that dreadful day. The simple word "no" saved me from a lost eternity. I'm convinced, that God, seeing 5 years up the road, knowing I was to come to new life in Christ gave me a second chance. Normally, I would not have passed up a chance for a pint. I am convinced, if I'd said yes instead of no that day, I would have been in hell, instead of sharing this. I still shudder to think of the consequnces if I had replied OK instead of no. It's too horrible to comtemplate. But praise be to God through His mercy in His Son Jesus, I am here today to tell the tale. Many others might not get the same chance. Now, I'm not going to ask you for a pint, but I will ask, "ARE YOU SAVED"? If not why not? You may not get the chance I got. Gods blessings on all who read this, Regards, Steve.

 

[CitizenIreland]

Typo

I noticed I made a mistake in my maths in the original post. I was saved 7 years later, not 5 as stated. Is there a way to edit the posts, rather than make a fresh post? Regards, Steve.

 

[mounty]

i edited it to 7 years, brother for you ,

Thank you for sharing your story with us :girl_hug:

God Bless brother xoxoxoxox

 

[joshuamclean]

That's an amazing story. I do believe God is watching over everyone. I, myself, had many close calls too...

The most amazing non-death experience I had, was about 2 years ago. I went with a group of friends for fireworks. We had lots of "10 shots", narrow long tube that shoots mini balls into the sky.

Well, then we called a firework fight. We use the "10 shots" to attack each other and we have to dodge them - scary. It was 1 vs 1 per round and everyone was watching. I took one (Boys will always be boys eh?), and it was my first time. Now, while I was holding it, I lit the fuse which was located at the bottom of the stick. I was confident that when I light it on the bottom end of the stick, it would shoot out the other end. So I was aiming it to this guy, and the fuse was burning. And the bottom end of the tube was pointing to my face.

Then, something inside me (i can't explain) knew something wasn't right, but I don't know what. I was confused, and I was still aiming at the person, back end of stick pointing to my face. (something inside me) was urging me to drop the stick.. urging... urging.. time flew slowly.. then i gave in... I dropped it without knowing why... Then studdenly, as the stick hits the ground, the "fire-balls" started shooting out from the back end of the stick!! I was so shocked.. I was speechless..

...If I did not drop the stick, the balls would have went into my face and burnt my face... or my eyes..

I don't know what happened, but I believe it is the work of God.

"He will order his angels to protectyou. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone" - Ps 91:12-12

I will never forget that moment. It was so... unreal.