all about jay
all about jay
Name: Jay Heilman Jr.
Position with CMR: Founder, Webmaster & Reviewer (9/2004)
Born: October 11, 1980 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Born Again: June 26, 2003 in Bushnell, FL
Hometown: Zephyrhills, FL
Married: Shannon (4/22/2005)
Children: 3; Mariah (1999), Hannah (2006) & Aaden (2009)
Position with CMR: Founder, Webmaster & Reviewer (9/2004)
Born: October 11, 1980 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Born Again: June 26, 2003 in Bushnell, FL
Hometown: Zephyrhills, FL
Married: Shannon (4/22/2005)
Children: 3; Mariah (1999), Hannah (2006) & Aaden (2009)
--Testimony--
I can start by saying that I didn't grow up in a Christian home. Saying
that, I have always believed in God's existence and have felt His presence,
but didn't know Him like I do today. The only 'religion' in my life, if you
want to call it that, would be the occasional attendance of mass at the
local Catholic church, but other than that, there was no spiritual guidance
in my life.
It wasn't until I was in high school where I was really introduced to the
church (Baptist). A friend of mine invited me to a youth group function
and I guess I can say now that that was what planted the seed within me
(thank you Greg). It wasn't until I was in my early twenties though when I
truly discovered the Lord and His will for my life. It was April 2003 and
my girlfriend Shannon (now my wife!) invited me to attend church with her.
I was reluctant at first but eventually agreed to go. I felt extremely
uncomfortable at first insisting that we sit in the back pews. That way I
could be the last to enter and the first to leave, and no one would even
know I was there. But God knew I was there and knew I need Christ.
After attending for a few months on and off with Shannon, the Holy Spirit
was really tugging at my heart as if it were saying, "You know how to be
saved, why don't you come forward and accept Christ as Savior?". I kept
putting it off and putting off. I'll get saved later. I have time. I
remember the pastor preaching a message on the very subject. "If you were
to die this very moment, would you awake in Heaven? Or would you awake in
the depths of hell? What are you waiting for? Tomorrow may not come. Today
may be the day that the Lord's given you. Are you going to wait and say
'I'll get saved some other time'? What if there isn't another time? Don't
take a chance with your eternity. It's just that. Forever. Forever in
Heaven or forever in hell. Your choice. Make that decision now."
I didn't wait another moment. I walked the isle of that small country
Baptist church on a Wednesday service in June 2003 and surrendered my life
to God and asked Christ to come into my life, to forgive me of my sins and
transgressions against God and to become my personal Lord and Savior.
That was the single most important decision I could have ever made in my
life. The second, being the day I decided to ask my wife to marry me. I'm
glad I was accepted both times!
My wife and I have been together for over 6 years now and married for 4,
and have three beautiful children. I owe all to the Lord and the blessings
He has given me and my family. To God be the glory for everything we do!
If I could meet anyone in the present day, who would it be and why?
I have always wanted to meet Chuck Norris. I am a huge fan, hoping that
maybe someday I would be able to meet him in person. I have always been a
fan of his films and the TV show 'Walker, Texas Ranger'. Who knows, someday
I may be able to meet 'The Man' in person! :)
If I could meet anyone from the past, who would it be and why?
Horacio Spafford. After hearing the hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul" and
reading the tragic story behind the song, I was deeply moved. I asked
myself the question about this 19th century Job, 'had this happened to me
and my children and everything I held dear were taken from me, could I
truly praise God still and say it is well with my soul?' I don't know. I
hope never to be in that situation, but for now I praise God for stories
like this that encourage me to stay steadfast in my faith in Christ and
never take for granted the things that the Lord has given me.
I can start by saying that I didn't grow up in a Christian home. Saying
that, I have always believed in God's existence and have felt His presence,
but didn't know Him like I do today. The only 'religion' in my life, if you
want to call it that, would be the occasional attendance of mass at the
local Catholic church, but other than that, there was no spiritual guidance
in my life.
It wasn't until I was in high school where I was really introduced to the
church (Baptist). A friend of mine invited me to a youth group function
and I guess I can say now that that was what planted the seed within me
(thank you Greg). It wasn't until I was in my early twenties though when I
truly discovered the Lord and His will for my life. It was April 2003 and
my girlfriend Shannon (now my wife!) invited me to attend church with her.
I was reluctant at first but eventually agreed to go. I felt extremely
uncomfortable at first insisting that we sit in the back pews. That way I
could be the last to enter and the first to leave, and no one would even
know I was there. But God knew I was there and knew I need Christ.
After attending for a few months on and off with Shannon, the Holy Spirit
was really tugging at my heart as if it were saying, "You know how to be
saved, why don't you come forward and accept Christ as Savior?". I kept
putting it off and putting off. I'll get saved later. I have time. I
remember the pastor preaching a message on the very subject. "If you were
to die this very moment, would you awake in Heaven? Or would you awake in
the depths of hell? What are you waiting for? Tomorrow may not come. Today
may be the day that the Lord's given you. Are you going to wait and say
'I'll get saved some other time'? What if there isn't another time? Don't
take a chance with your eternity. It's just that. Forever. Forever in
Heaven or forever in hell. Your choice. Make that decision now."
I didn't wait another moment. I walked the isle of that small country
Baptist church on a Wednesday service in June 2003 and surrendered my life
to God and asked Christ to come into my life, to forgive me of my sins and
transgressions against God and to become my personal Lord and Savior.
That was the single most important decision I could have ever made in my
life. The second, being the day I decided to ask my wife to marry me. I'm
glad I was accepted both times!
My wife and I have been together for over 6 years now and married for 4,
and have three beautiful children. I owe all to the Lord and the blessings
He has given me and my family. To God be the glory for everything we do!
If I could meet anyone in the present day, who would it be and why?
I have always wanted to meet Chuck Norris. I am a huge fan, hoping that
maybe someday I would be able to meet him in person. I have always been a
fan of his films and the TV show 'Walker, Texas Ranger'. Who knows, someday
I may be able to meet 'The Man' in person! :)
If I could meet anyone from the past, who would it be and why?
Horacio Spafford. After hearing the hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul" and
reading the tragic story behind the song, I was deeply moved. I asked
myself the question about this 19th century Job, 'had this happened to me
and my children and everything I held dear were taken from me, could I
truly praise God still and say it is well with my soul?' I don't know. I
hope never to be in that situation, but for now I praise God for stories
like this that encourage me to stay steadfast in my faith in Christ and
never take for granted the things that the Lord has given me.
--Favorites and Not-So-Favorites--
Favorite Chapter/Verse(s) of Scripture:
Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 4:3 (this scripture explains why we hold
out 'message-first' approach); John 14:6 (Jesus is the only way!);
Ephesians 4; Galatians 2:20 (Christ gave everything for me) and of course
the scripture that got my attention, Romans 10:13.
Favorite Book(s) (other than the Bible):
Non-Fiction: "Revolution in World Missions" by K.P. Yohannan - This was
such an amazing book! I felt so convicted after having read it realizing
just how thankful I am to have been born in the USA and not in a third
world country. K.P's story will move you and make you appreciate everything
you have more!
Fiction: Oh man, I haven't read fiction since I was a kid! I used to love
any books by Beverly Cleary, the "Encyclopedia Brown" series and Garfield
comic strips.
Favorite Film(s)/Series:
My all-time favorite movie would have to be "Shawshank Redemption". It's
definitely not a movie for younger audiences, but it's story of
encouragement, struggle and redemption often times reminds me of how God
took me out of the bad situations in my life and brought me out on top. I
also love Chuck Norris' film, "Firewalker" and my favorite cartoon movie
would have to be "The Emperor's New Groove", classic! And I can't forget
Masters of the Universe (cartoon) and of course the Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles (original cartoon series and movies).
Favorite TV Show(s):
CSI:NY, Without a Trace (Cancelled! ugh!), Numb3rs & more
Favorite Style of Music:
Alternative & Hard Rock, Pop and just about anything catchy. Not too fond
of rap music though.
Favorite Artist, Group(s):
This is always a hard one to answer, but I would have to say artists that
stick out in my mind would be: DecembeRadio, John Waller, Disciple, Decyfer
Down, Skillet, Third Day, Scarecrow & Tinman, Needtobreathe and so many
others that would take me forever to name!
Favorite Song(s):
"Reign In Us" by Starfield; "Our God Reigns Here" by John Waller; "Hosanna"
by Brooke Ligertwood (Fraser); "Good Fight" by Hyper Static Union &
"Through the Fire" by The Crabb Family.
Color:
Blue
Food:
Oh man, dieters need not to look at the following... :)
I love pizza and tacos. I could eat these both everyday if I weren't afraid
of becoming Fat Albert. Hey, Hey... No, I'll pass on my second helping...
Likes:
Spending time with my wife and kids, Listening to new music, Tampa Bay
Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Attending Concerts
Dislikes:
People who take God's name in vain, broccoli (and most green vegetables),
Soap operas; telemarketing
Favorite Chapter/Verse(s) of Scripture:
Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 4:3 (this scripture explains why we hold
out 'message-first' approach); John 14:6 (Jesus is the only way!);
Ephesians 4; Galatians 2:20 (Christ gave everything for me) and of course
the scripture that got my attention, Romans 10:13.
Favorite Book(s) (other than the Bible):
Non-Fiction: "Revolution in World Missions" by K.P. Yohannan - This was
such an amazing book! I felt so convicted after having read it realizing
just how thankful I am to have been born in the USA and not in a third
world country. K.P's story will move you and make you appreciate everything
you have more!
Fiction: Oh man, I haven't read fiction since I was a kid! I used to love
any books by Beverly Cleary, the "Encyclopedia Brown" series and Garfield
comic strips.
Favorite Film(s)/Series:
My all-time favorite movie would have to be "Shawshank Redemption". It's
definitely not a movie for younger audiences, but it's story of
encouragement, struggle and redemption often times reminds me of how God
took me out of the bad situations in my life and brought me out on top. I
also love Chuck Norris' film, "Firewalker" and my favorite cartoon movie
would have to be "The Emperor's New Groove", classic! And I can't forget
Masters of the Universe (cartoon) and of course the Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles (original cartoon series and movies).
Favorite TV Show(s):
CSI:NY, Without a Trace (Cancelled! ugh!), Numb3rs & more
Favorite Style of Music:
Alternative & Hard Rock, Pop and just about anything catchy. Not too fond
of rap music though.
Favorite Artist, Group(s):
This is always a hard one to answer, but I would have to say artists that
stick out in my mind would be: DecembeRadio, John Waller, Disciple, Decyfer
Down, Skillet, Third Day, Scarecrow & Tinman, Needtobreathe and so many
others that would take me forever to name!
Favorite Song(s):
"Reign In Us" by Starfield; "Our God Reigns Here" by John Waller; "Hosanna"
by Brooke Ligertwood (Fraser); "Good Fight" by Hyper Static Union &
"Through the Fire" by The Crabb Family.
Color:
Blue
Food:
Oh man, dieters need not to look at the following... :)
I love pizza and tacos. I could eat these both everyday if I weren't afraid
of becoming Fat Albert. Hey, Hey... No, I'll pass on my second helping...
Likes:
Spending time with my wife and kids, Listening to new music, Tampa Bay
Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Attending Concerts
Dislikes:
People who take God's name in vain, broccoli (and most green vegetables),
Soap operas; telemarketing