I am just beside myself about something. The LifeWay event team (in charge of all the Living Proof Lives, Going Beyonds, Abundance events, etc) thought up such fun ideas for the booklet that participants will get at the LPL Simulcast on September 15, 2012. One of them involves you. They want to hear testimonies from you about how you are living proof that God’s Word is alive and active and that His Son redeems. (This is not meant to have anything to do with me or with this ministry. It’s about YOUR own personal story with Jesus.) They are going to go through each one of them, find a great cross section of testimonies, select 5 stories and add them to the booklet for the whole simulcast community to read! And, that, Sister, will be a batch of women from all over the place. Â
Here’s what you do: In a comment to this post, write a 200-250 word testimony about how God has accomplished a work in you or through you that leaves no other viable explanation (in your eyes) than Himself. Use your words carefully and save them all for your testimony! You might consider doing it on a word document then cutting and pasting it into a comment so you can really think about what you want to say. Your participation through a comment will act as your automatic release for the publication of your testimony if yours is selected, SO, be sure, Sweet Thing, that you don’t say more than you mean to. You know your blog mama’s trying to protect you here.
Listen, these will be such a blast because, even if only 5 get to be selected for the booklet, just think how we are going to encourage one another and build up each other’s faith! NOT ONE STORY WILL BE WASTED. Thousands of eyes see these posts and comments. Girlfriend, T-E-S-T-I-F-Y! I will be sitting on pins and needles to watch these come in. Let’s call the deadline for your entries midnight on Thursday, April 26th.
The five who are selected will be contacted by LifeWay and will win the following:
- Free registration of the 2012 Living Proof Live simulcast for a small group of 7-14 of your friends!
- Free copy of Praying Godâs Word
- Free James member book (I realize lots of you may already have one of these but I’ll get these five signed if you want.)
- A special section in the Living Proof Live simulcast listening guide including YOUR story, Girlfriend! (We’ll want your picture, too, if you’re willing to submit it to us. You’ll be contacted and asked for it if you are selected.)
One of the things we’re so excited about this year for our Living Proof Live Simulcast is that, for the very first time, small groups and INDIVIDUALS are able to participate. If it’s anything like previous years, women will be joining us from church buildings, military bases, and prisons, but this year for the FIRST TIME, also from living rooms and couches. You can watch all day in your jammies if you want to!
If this event sounds fun to you, go ahead and get that thing on the calendar: September 15, 2012. We are believing God to permeate walls, embattled minds, and rock-hard hearts and speak words of life, freedom, redemption, ministry. AND UNITY, for crying out loud.You game??
 I love you guys so much. Can’t wait to hear from you!
From LifeWay:
If you would like more information about the simulcast or how you can be a host, visit www.lifeway.com/lplsimulcast.Â
In my mid-twenties I became anemic and began to have serious digestive issues and deep unending facial acne. My weight was dropping and I could not seem to find a solution. One evening as I cried out to God for wisdom, direction, healing and to know what I should do; I declared to Jesus that, âYes, I wanted to be made wellâ. Like a flood, answers started coming from many sources. Through continually seeking His Word and asking the Spirit to lead and guide me to Godâs truth and having the faith to pray and believe that He did have a plan and purpose for my good and His glory; I obediently began to make changes to fuel my body and tend to it as a temple of the Lord so that I could be healthy and able to do the work He has prepared for me to do. After several years of seeking, praying, changing and growing physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and learning the balance between faith and works (something Iâm still learning), I have been blessed with a story of hope and healing. For the past year I have been symptom free, the scars are healing and my hope for the future and joy in the present are restored. Truly His Word does have everything we need for life and peace. He is my Jehovah-Rapha, my Healer.
What a blessing!
Thank you for sharing. So happy to know you are doing so well.
When I entered into my marriage nearly 12 years ago I was an emotional, immature train wreck who used manipulation to get my way. After two years of a mistake filled marriage, I was ready to call it quits. Though I had grown up in the church and given my life to the Lord years before, I had never grown up in my relationship with Him and let Him do His work in me. The verse 1 Corinthians 13:11 described me well. âWhen I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things (NKJV.) At that point, I had yet to, âput away childish things.â I am blessed to testify that God used the Godly women of my church to model for me emotional healing, maturity and being a Godly wife and mother! The word of God became alive to me in the form of in-depth Bible studies and changed me from the inside out. I began a passionate relationship with Jesus that transformed me and my marriage. I look back on that girl of 12 years ago and shake my head, unable to recognize her in me today. I praise Him for the mighty work He did in my life! I am not who I was, and I pray that each day I will continue to be less of who I am today and more of who He is!
Praise the Lord for a saved marriage!
At 7 years old I was saved at a small church in Augusta, GA; all I knew was I needed Jesus in my heart because He loved me enough to die on the cross for my sins.
At 13 years old my eyes were opened at summer camp to âquiet times,â and began a more personal, growing walk with Jesus.
Through middle school and high school I stayed in church–pretty normal Christian girl in the South.
College proved to be a wonderful time of growth with the Lord where I also met my dear husband. We married in 2001.
Life rocked along beautifully as we welcomed the ânormalâ stages of American life; new job (2003), first home (2003), baby #1(2004), baby #2 (2005), and baby #3 (2007) all while attending church, teaching Sunday School and following the Lord fully–in our opinion.
In 2008 we began purchasing land and building a âdream homeâ where I planned to live forever and ever, Amen. In 2010 life was divinely interrupted as the Lord used restlessness in my husbandÊŒs and in my soul to drive us to Him. Nothing we thought would be satisfying was. He clearly showed us in a sermon one morning from James 4 that we were to sell our âdream home,â the one we hadnÊŒt lived in even a year! Through a painful process of dying to dreams God never intended us to dream, He sold our home. The journey was filled with God making Himself so personal to me; He has shown Himself to be gracious and compassionate as we have laid at His feet our squandered money, time, and misguided dreams.
As I believe He is doing in so many believersʌ lives, He is blowing a fresh wind of His Spirit in our souls. I am seeing in a new way, hearing in a new way and desiring to obey. He has graciously given us a reality that pales in comparison to our small, shallow dreams.
I am living proof that the Lord is gracious and compassionate and does not deal with us according to what we deserve! (Daniel 9:18)
Kristy Dorminy, 35 years old Woodstock, Georgia
My Testimony
Sometimes you donât realize you were on the wrong road until you look back and see that you were picked up and put on the right road. Thatâs what my story is about.
I was raised in a born again home; I gave my heart to Jesus at age twelve. I had a passion for GOD. But at fifteen I moved and I found myself in a new place, without the connections I had before. Church was now foreign and I drifted. I didnât choose my friends, desperation chose them for me. For 17 years I drifted further, deeper, darker.
My desperation led to a betrayed heart and a hopeless brokenness. I would tell the LORD, âI know I am going to Heaven, now would be a great time to goâŠbecause I donât get it, I donât know why Iâm here.â
I remember crying and talking to HIM one night and I reflected how every scary and dangerous place that I insisted on being around, never damaged me. I would have taken my life or someone would have taken it for me. HE had kept me safe. âYouâve always been thereâŠâI said and at once, HIS PRESENCE FELL and I cried, banging on my wall, âAnd youâre here now.â
I am Living PROOF of GODâS LOVE, GRACE and MERCY; HIS Providence and HIS Provision.
GOD will never leave you nor fail you! ~Joshua 1:5
In December 2006, my 23 year old son had brain surgery and was diagnosed with Stage IV brain cancer.  He was a year out of college, working, single, and given the typical 15 months to live.  However the Lord saw differently.  His dad and I came alongside him as caregivers.  John was treated at the brain tumor center at Duke University.  He was on continuous chemotherapy and suffered many horrible side effects as a result.  We knew the Lord was in control so, He knew the plans.  We went to every chemo, MRI, dr visit, and trip to Duke with him.  John lived much longer than the 15 months.  In fact he lived 5 years and 3 months, going to his heavenly home on March 29, 2012.  It was a long, hard 5 years full of ups and downs.  Life was not normal for any of us.  During this extra time with John, the Lord showed me how important prayer was. Out of this was born a prayer ministry  called Sweet Sleep Ministry.  Pillowcases signed by prayer warriors and given to the recipient  symbolize the prayers that are lifted up on behalf of the individual going through a difficult time.  Prayer warriors are given a  prayer card to remind them who they are praying for and why.  A visible reminder that someone cares and is lifting them up to the Father.  The Lord turned the ashes of cancer into an outreach for Him.  Started in honor of John, it still continues in his memory.  What a marvelous Lord we serve!
Joy I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our 12 year old son,Zack, to liver cancer last year. No parent should ever have to live in this wilderness we both find ourselves in. Thankful for my faith. Thankful for yours. I will be praying for you sister.
I grew up emotionally and physically abused. I hid in my closet to cope. My parents divorced and I fell apart. I began to skip school, do drugs and prostitution. I was sexually assaulted, and spiritually empty.
I violated probation after crashing my momâs car. I served 1 year in jail and I read The Purpose Driven Life. I wanted to turn my life around and felt this was it! God said he would take care of me and he would be the Father I never knew.
The court ordered my release during the day so I could finish high school. My diploma enabled me to join the military. In the Army I attended chapel and while singing a Christian song, I felt the Holy Spirit come powerfully into my heart and I couldn’t stop crying.
Following God was the right thing to do. I tried everything and nothing satisfied me. I felt secure in his presence and the grace to forgive others and myself.
During my tour in Iraq I asked God to find me a husband. I was working as a chaplain’s assistant. I looked up when a soldier passed in front of the office. God spoke to me “this is your husband.” God answers prayers; we have been married for 1 1/2 years!
God’s given me a new life, better than I could ever imagine. I’m living proof; God’s Alive, Active and Delights in Redeeming the lost soul and broken.
Every day, first thing I ask our Father is to guide my every step, and draw me closer in my walk with Him. He is faithful to me and at the close of day, I am wiser and more insightful. Today I have been in prayer for wisdom and discernment, and thankful for another day. Reading through the Bible with my husband, is a great joy to my soul, it enhances our faith along with prayer. we read aloud together seven chapters a day, this is our third time through, and each day brings new insights. Today, I pray, asking the Holy Spirit to intervene so each one will be blessed through the testimonies of so many, bring us closer to you, strengthen our inner man as we grow through the water of the word. …ânothing will ever be able to separate us from the Love of Godâ Romans 8:39, as we have been taught, we are bold to pray, OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US, LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER AND EVER AMEN. I have many stories of God in my day, how about the man in the boat, a red kayak, who made the journey, & through God’s grace lives to kayak another day, we are all like that man afloat on the river of life aren’t we? Which is why I sing along in Joy the Solid Rock-MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS THAN JESUS’ BLOOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS; I DARE NOT TRUST THE SWEETEST FRAME, BUT WHOLLY LEAN ON JESUS NAME. ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND, ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND-ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND, ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND. WHEN DARKNESS VEILS HIS LOVELY FACE, I REST ON HIS UNCHANGING GRACE; IN EVERY HIGH AND STORMY GALE MY ANCHOR HOLDS WITHIN THE VEIL. HIS OATH, HIS COVENANT, HIS BLOOD, SUPPORT ME IN THE WHELMING FLOOD; WHEN ALL AROUND MY SOUL GIVES WAY, HE THEN IS ALL MY HOPE AND STAY. WHEN HE SHALL COME WITH TRUMPET SOUND, O MAY I THEN IN HIM BE FOUND, DRESSED IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ALONE, FAULTLESS TO STAND BEFORE THE THRONE. AMEN AND AMEN
Great way to start a day!!! I want to start mine that way!
Coming from a broken home several times over and alcohol-abusing and people abusing parents, I felt of very little worth. Eventually marrying a wonderful man from a fine home, I was still seriously handicapped to make it in this life. But that very brokenness and a caring friend who offered to fish me out when I was going down for the 3rd time, I met the Great Fisherman. My life has been so completely changed! From ulcers at the age of 7, I have become a woman of peace and security in the Lord. I am celebrating my 41st anniversary June 12 this year and have a fine son when the doctors had told me for 10 years that my husband and I would not be able to have children. I am also completing 40 years of teaching as a Christian educator. I have been blessed to have been born again at a Bible-believing church where the Word has been faithfully taught and it was there about 14 years ago I was introduced to Bible study with Beth Moore! We have been privileged to have seen many family members come to the Lord, including our parents and siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. I am living proof of God’s Almighty Grace and Goodness. Praise to His Holy Name. Sincerely, Connie
I grew up in an alcoholic home. The gene for alcoholism seemed to skip me but the gene for anger, resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness did not.
In 2003 at age 45 I decided to give all this anger, resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness up. I had been called to be a bible study leader in my church.
Iâve raised my children from birth in a Christian home. Weâve talked about drugs, sex, smoking and alcoholism. Everything a Christian mother could think of to protect my children I did because this nonsense was going to stop with my generation.
My daughter had other ideas. She tried it all and she was pregnant at 19 in 2009. There I was a leader in my church with a drug dependent, pregnant daughter. My heart was broken. How could you let this happen to me Lord? How could you let this awful pain and embarrassment come into my life?
What did I do? I stood firm like Godâs Word told me to do. 2 Chronicles 20:17 was my battle cry for 3 years. I believed Godâs Word, His promises. I prayed without ceasing, I wrote my cards and memorized scriptures, I prayed scriptures over her. My faith was not dependent on these circumstances. My faith was in God Almighty! I have a beautiful 13 month old granddaughter whom we adore. My prodigal is coming home. I can see her coming down the road. And my Jesus is Glorified because He can do what His Word declares He can do. Deliver!
Christie
All of my life, I have dreamed of being a wife and a mother. I waited thirty-five years for God to bring the man of my dreams into my life and shortly after we married, He blessed us with a baby on the way. My wildest dreams were coming true and my walk with God felt unshakable.
However, halfway through my pregnancy with my son, Luke, we learned that he had a condition that would prevent his survival outside the womb. My heart was broken wide open and I know part of my heart died the day of that sonogram. We carried him to term and loved him as much as possible while he was alive and well inside my belly. I felt betrayed by God and knew I needed reconciliation if my relationship with Him was to endure, but I just wanted to let go and drown in my sadness.
Shortly after receiving Lukeâs fatal diagnosis, I began doing the Believing God study and found myself, little by little, despite my doubts, fears, anger, grief and agony, believing that God is who he says he is and can do what he says he can do…even if He was choosing not to perform a miracle in Lukeâs body. My blue cord signifying my belief in Him was around my wrist every single day of that study and beyond – right up until Lukeâs birthday, when I cut it off in the hospital and tied it onto his tiny, newborn wrist as he breathed his final breaths in my arms.
In the years and months since Lukeâs Homegoing, I have wrestled with, loved, cried out to, been comforted by, worshiped and reconciled with the Lord. It has not been easy and at times it feels as if I have put down roots in the proverbial desert. However, despite the difficulties that life has thrown my way, I am somehow still laughing, loving, worshiping, and seeking after Him which can only be credited to the healing salve of His faithfulness. He never lets go. I am living proof.
My heart goes out to you, Sarah. I pray for healing and hope in your life. We lost one baby by miscarriage and another by ectopic pregnancy, and I grieve for them years later, but “not without hope” for surely we will see these precious babies in heaven some day. I trust God to care for them until then.
Thank you for that beautiful warrior image of the blue cord of belief staring right in the face of the bitterness of death. Praying for courage for you.
Your story really touched me. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your faith. I am so sorry for your loss…we lost our 12 year old son, Zack, to liver cancer almost a year ago. I’m so thankful God gives me strength to find joy in each day so I can continue living without Zack.
Yes it is cancer said the doctor. A rare cancer that only affects about 100 people a year. LORD BE WITH ME as I am comprehending these words. He has not only been with me but has carried me every step of the way in my journey giving me His perfect peace. There is a reason, there is His perfect plan and whatever He chooses for me to deal with I am not alone.
I had the surgery and the incision was so big it took 10 months to heal and I was cancer free for a year and it has not only returned but has spread to my lymph node and both lungs. I am thankful for the Clinical Trials that the Lord has provided for me to be part of. I pray for complete healing and if it is in His will to do so it will be. If not my healing will come in Heaven. All glory to Him!!
God offers us a hope that defies death, sickness, and the worst of circumstances. When we hope in Him, we know that all our trials are temporary and that He stands beside us in the midst of it all.Â
Praying and believing with you for complete healing. Praying supernatural strength, peace and faith in your life today. Listen to His word. Stay in His word. Draw strength from His word and promises.Â
Love and hugs! Stay strong sister.
Labor Day 2001 Visiting in Mississippi, I washed my face staring into the mirror. What’s
that? Was I seeing things? A large hard knot was under my chin; not sore just there!
The doctor at the emergency room had never seen anything come up over night. I was not sick. My vital signs were all good. There was a rising family opinion to fly me home to Ohio, leaving my car in Mississippi, which made me decide to head North on the two day drive. I arrived home in Youngstown safely Friday tired, but not sick.
By Monday I was sick, with fever and upset stomach. The Doctor said, “Couldn’t be cancer since it came up overnight” as he felt the large knot under my chin.
“Cancer?!” Who would have thought? Subsequent surgery and biopsies analyzed at two labs confirmed this was a rare lymphoma. “Begin radiation immediately on your throat, but first a mammogram,” the Doctor said.
Diagnosis: “Breast Cancer– carcinoma.” Not metastatic, but two different cancers within two months. A lumpectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy followed.
2006 Cancer Returns: Surgeon predicts, “You’ll live two months, if chemo doesn’t stop it.” But God is much bigger than cancer.
“I’m ready to die,” I said; but God was not ready for me yet. He’s allowed me to live at home, continue to teach Sunday School and weekday Bible Studies. Never give up when you’re diagnosed with the “Big C”! Trust God–HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT!
God is amazing, and may He continue to bless you mightily!
Mary,
Thank you for sharing this! I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in January. Currently I’m under treatment and learning so much about God’s grace. I love to hear survivor or as some of my friends say, overcomers, stories!
Over the past few years going through my twenties and now early thirties the strain between me and my brother grew strong enough in resentment and anger that I moved my whole life all the way from FL to Hawaii to escape it.
While I was living in Hawaii my brother had his first child, a little boy, Mason. Bragging to me about how he and his wife had the perfect life, made me even angrier that God was blessing him. I was the Christian, not him, why is he blessing them so much?!?!?
While in Hawaii that August, I heard God clearly tell me to move home and get to know Mason. I needed to move passed my hurt with my brother, as this little boy didnât deserve my resentment. Literally, 3 days later, Mason at 4 months old was diagnosed with Leukemia. I quit my job, flew home the next day and was able to spend the next six weeks at the hospital with him before God took that little boy home. Because of my selfishness and anger, I only have photos in the hospital with Mason.
God used that little boy to heal many people and many things. I now see my brother , almost too much, and I live only a mile apart. God blessed him and his wife and our family with a little Girl named Mia Mason exactly 9 months and 6 days after her brother passed away. That is living Proof!
Our full God Story can be found at this website if anyone really wants to read it⊠http://www.Masonnorvell.blogspot.com
I went to the blog and was brought to tears. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading it. It was my only way to work through it. God allowed thousands of people to follow it and touched so many we later found out through it. Thank you again!
“Things look very grim.” With those words, a doctor told us our unborn baby had numerous health problems and I had a condition that made carrying the baby dangerous for me. At one of the best hospitals in the world, they were telling us our precious baby was going to die and we had to end her life to save mine.
It was the worst moment of my life with an awful decision to make. I remember praying so earnestly for God to direct our steps and hearing God say, “Hold on.”
We decided to continue with the pregnancy and let God work however he decided. Doctors questioned our decision and even told me, “If you are waiting for a miracle, it isn’t going to happen.”
But we knew that God was the God of miracles and if he chose, he could heal our baby. We did not know if God’s plans included her healing, but we so earnestly believed we just had to give him the opportunity to heal her. And whatever he decided the outcome would be, we would accept.
So, we held on. To him.
I had no idea we would become living proof of God’s power and purpose.
On June 3, 2008, Isabella Grace was born…miraculously healthy!!!!
That miracle changed my life. And I left my career and started a ministry to encourage women in all of life’s impossible. We are living proof nothing is impossible for God. We must just follow him and hold on!!
It was so hard to fit this into 250 words (and I still went over) but I am believing and trusting that it is going to speak to someone who reads it!
I grew up in a Christian home and always considered Jesus to be my first love but somewhere along the way I stopped allowing Him to be my everything and got very comfortable. I also did not even realize it but I had been filling my life with other things that were taking the place that only Jesus was meant to fill. Based on many different circumstances I began to realize that Jesus had so much more planned for me. So I began to pray that the Lord would give me more ability to trust Him and would do something in my life that would stretch my faith and boy did He ever answer my prayers. He began to ask me to part with things that I had been looking to for so long to find my identity in. So I walked away form sports, then threw away all my bathing suits, gave away a paycheck and then gave away my entire closet. These were not easy tasks for me and at the time I didnât fully understand but I knew I had to trust Him. And then it all became so clear. I had been bound by all of these things in my life and the Lord was asking for these things because He loves me and has so much more planned for me than I can even imagine. I am free and even though that would have been enough He has graciously been returning each thing back to me. But the best part is that He has over and over showed me that this story isnât even for me. He is writing this story for other women to come to know Jesus better!
I was so full of joy at age 7 when I invited Christ into my heart that I skipped everywhere. A wise pastor once said “rules without relationship brings rebellion ” and in my teens I rebelled. I left home at 18 an angry, bitter person. At 21 I was alone and pregnant. Abortion didn’t fix my problem, it just created new ones that haunted me for 27yr.s. I battled drugs, alcohol, thoughts of suicide and many fears. By God’s grace I stand healed today. Restored and ready to give God the praise..” Like Esther the enemy wanted me destroyed, but God sustained me and brought me to this season.” And like Luke I tell this because “it seemed good to me also “. My mess is His message.
Life with chronic illness is unpredictable at best, but the last two years of health challenges have been perhaps the most difficult of my life so far. Because of Godâs Spirit in His Word, however, this season of thorns has blossomed with real joy and blessing. When the doctors run out of solutions, the Scriptures point me to Godâs hope and good purpose for my days. When isolation threatens to overwhelm, the Lord draws me close, reminding me He knows how lonely feels. When I grow frustrated with limitations, His promises make room for sufficient grace that squeezes out pride. When body and spirit ache, He sends comfort, often through the community He has gathered to the blog my husband set up for me. Though I have never met a single one of these dear folk, as we fellowship together over His breathed-out Scriptures, we have become true friends who intercede and remind each other of truth when we are tempted to lose heart. The living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, working powerfully in His written Word and His body the church, sustains me and gives joy I canât explain otherwise. Every time He gives me a smile for the pharmacist, a kind word for a nurse, or a listening ear for a hurting friend, it is living testimony that His promises are true and His power indeed perfect in weakness.
Thanks for sharing your story. I too am living with a chronic illness, your story sounds so similar to my own. I agree the living Word is the best place to be and helps me everyday.
Blessings,
Andrea
I said to God that I would repent, that if I ever saw the sister-in-law left behind by divorce over 37 years ago (she whom I hated and thought hated me),that I would make it right, that I would make it right with 2 brothers I hadn’t associated with in over 25 years (but who’s counting). The words no sooner left my lips and my thoughts, then 2 weeks later I heard her voice in my ear from across the room at the veternary office. I froze in my shoes, the pen in my hand, it was like hearing his voice for the first time. Every inch of me knew what I had to do but I was so scared, the easy thing was to leave quickly before an encounter might happen, but I felt his eyes upon me and his love urging me on. From that moment on, we’ve been friends, both reconciled the broken relationship, both repented. And the brothers – God only had to whisper to me once.
This is not the testimony I intended to write, but it is what came out.
Mine is a story of Love. Godâs Love for me. He knew me and called me before the world was formed. He had plans for me, to give me a future and a hope. Unimaginable Love. I was saved during Vacation Bible School. My family had never gone to church. My recently divorced father didnât know what to do with us â so he enrolled us in VBS. The VBS volunteers had no idea of the door they opened for me. I accepted Christ as my Savior that week. Fifteen years later, I realized my children were also growing up with no knowledge of God. I sought and joined a wonderful church â there I meet my Lord and my Master, The Holy One of Israel, my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I joined a church so my children would know God, not realizing that God was calling me to know Him. I had no idea it was possible to have a personal relationship with God. Through His church He gave me Christian women who mentored me in life, in being a wife, a mother, a servant, a God seeking woman. I am so blessed to have four precious women who âI have lived a lot of lifeâ with. We have raised our families together, laughed together, cried together, served together, passed through rivers of difficulty together, and stood together. God has gifted me with these precious pearls. He has great plans for me; He supplies all my needs before I even know I have the need. He loves me so.
My big âbutâ nearly cost me my joy for Jesus. I love music and finally grabbed a local opportunity, became a one-woman PR firm: manager/merchant/tshirt-album cover-web designer/media coordinator. Was good at it too; we won awards/had #1 hits/saw sales increase. But it so consumed me that I volunteered …yeah, no pay necessary, just recognition please.
Jesus wasnât amused with excuses for my âbut,â like “well, yes I’m in bars every night, but I’m saved and my Christ-light still shinesâŠeven there.” Eventually I grew more self-righteous and shortened my whine to just “But…” Godâs deal, though, was that I had created what was for me an addictive, idolatrous lifestyle. Worse, when He told me to move my âbutâ, I just sat on it and ignored Him…so He picked me and my âbutâ up and moved us Himself. Hurt â and sickened by my disobedience, iIt took a full 18 months to really believe I could get back to where I had previously been in my walk with Him. Even now Iâm paralyzed with occasional guilt and separation anxiety when I think how I pulled away from Jesus and His Holy Spirit. This weekâs been shaky, in fact.
Iâm living proof of the devastation that ensues when as Christ-followers we put our âbutsâ between us and God. Praise His Name, though; Iâm also living proof that Christ and Christ alone will restore His children to right relationship and more with Him. Heâs there, even when our âbutsâ turn back to bite us.
Iâm not trying to win a contest, but I canât pass up an opportunity to share what God has been doing in my life. Hereâs a lesson Iâve been learning lately, following a 3-year dry spell:
There could be 101 reasons why a child of God winds up in a spiritual desert, but I believe that there is only one way out: through complete surrender and brokenness. Recently I had a spiritual breakthrough that brought incredible joy, peace, and refreshing of the Holy Spirit. However, that experience was preceded by complete brokenness before God. There is a place and time that I can point to and say, âThat is where I surrendered everything to Him â my desires, my fears, my very self.â I believe there is only one path to spiritual renewal, and that path leads back to the cross. How can we expect to have the resurrection life and power active in our lives without first being willing to die to our own desires and will? If you are reading this and you feel spiritually dry, I challenge you to take another trip to the cross. Come to Jesus with your brokenness, hurts, fears, confusion, or whatever else it may be, and lay it all down before Him. It can be painful because you might find, just as I did, that God exposes things in your heart that you didnât even know were there. But it is so worth it! There is so much joy on the other side!
Yep, I can agree with that. Sherrie, I love that you are using your experience to teach! We all have so much to learn from one another.
Thanks, J! This is a lesson I need to remind myself again and again. This makes me think of Romans 12:1 which talks about offering ourselves as living sacrifices which is our spiritual act of worship. Someone once said, “The problem with living sacrifices is that they keep crawling off the altar.” I can certainly relate to that. It all boils down to the choices we make on a daily basis. I’m so glad for God’s grace through Jesus and for the enabling power of the Holy Spirit! When we are weak, He manifests His strength.
So I commented back on the first day, but I had to come back again and declare the Lord’s goodness to y’all. I’ve been struggling through a dark time this past winter and have been stuck fast in the grip of anxiety, fear and the idolatry that comes with that. Just this morning I was reading in Psalm 107 and saw the beauty of the Lord’s deliverance. I saw my own story in the four scenarios presented in the Psalm: the desert wastelands where I starved myself of true spiritual food, the deathly prison of captivity and spurning the Lord’s counsel, the deathly folly of sinful choices that despise the bread of life, and the terror of overwhelming circumstances.
And in each I discovered this resounding truth: “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” And indeed He is shattering the chains, setting the straight path before my feet, sending out His healing word, and bringing me to a desired haven.
You all have probably read these verses before. Shoot, portions of them are underlined in my Bible from years long past. But I wanted to share them today, because today they are MY verses. That’s MY Lord who shuts up the mouth of wickedness and raises the needy out of affliction. That’s MY God who establishes cities in the middle of deserts, and causes fruitfulness where there was desolation. That’s MY Lord who has filled my soul with good things. That’s MY Jesus who has burst the bonds of death apart. That’s Him – and my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude.
Today Psalm 107 tells all of our stories AND each of our stories. I was struck by the beauty of that – the corporate testimony of His bride filled with each individual voice saying, “And He did…! And He said…! And He is…!” – where all our stories together “thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” And I’ve been “Amen-ing” and tear-ing up as I read through all of our testimonies to the Lord’s goodness, and, when I read this Psalm this morning, I couldn’t help but add my voice to the redeemed of the Lord saying, “Hey Everyone! Look at this! See the steadfast love of our Lord!”
On June 27, 2012, I will celebrate 12 years of sobriety. Praise God!! Alcohol first became a problem for me shortly after the death of one of my twin daughters. After the funeral, we went to a restaurant and someone said, have a glass of wine, it will relax you. And, that was the beginning of the end for me. Alcohol, which had never really been an issue for me, now became a crutch and a way to relaxâŠand with the death of my daughter, became my escape.
My life continued to unravel, on every level, personally, financially, relationally and professionally. I was pretty much drinking all the time, in the carpool line, after work, after church, you name it. We were attending church at Valley View Christian Church in Dallas, Texas, and I saw a testimony in the newsletter that was so similar to my background, I think I might have actually stopped breathing for a moment. The story recounted very similar circumstances and this particular person was just about to lose everything, as was I, and he made a vow with God. He told God he would never drink again EVER if God would remove the desire. The next day, he woke up and the desire was gone. At first I didnât believe it, I carried this article around with me for a year, reading and rereading as if there was a catch. At one point, I even told myself it wasnât possible because God had already worked that miracle with someone else.
On June 26, I hit rock bottom. Sitting in my room, I pulled out the paper, and with tears in my eyes and on my knees, I ask God to do the same miracle for me. I vowed never to touch one drop EVER if he would remove the desire. The next morning, I woke up and I was free! The desire was gone. My husband could not believe it! He was very cautious and doubting at first, but 12 years later, we both know who was responsible for my miracle.
To this day, I am not sure why God chose to remove my desire, while for others it remains a daily struggle. On my five year anniversary, I actually contacted the gentlemen whose testimony inspired me. He was beyond joyous! He appreciated knowing that God not only worked a miracle in both of us, but that by sharing his testimony, God was able to use it to touch my heart and set another soul free!!
Tami – Columbus, Ohio
Over the last few years, the world and events in my life have pulled me down. During a sleepless night last summer, I had a long talk with God and found myself on the computer, searching for some events where I knew I would feel Godâs presence in a big way!
Beth Moore, Lubbock TexasâŠCheck! God has perfect timing. I was not disappointed, The Holy Spirit ministered to me in such an amazing way. Deuteronomy 4:29.
God is such a hoot! He knows I love themes and He gave me one. You spoke about Acts 1:3. After Jesus was raised from the dead he was on the earth for 40 days and gave MANY CONVINCING PROOFS THAT HE WAS ALIVE! Those words played over and over in my mind for months. The state of my spirit had been far less than convincing proof that anyone was alive!!
So, on to Russell, also known as âVan Manâ because he lives in a van near my home. He came on my radar almost 2 years ago. There are few homeless people in our neighborhood and I began praying for him when I drove past him.
I could not get my mind off of Van Man. I will spare you the details in between, but after being in Lubbock and hearing your words, I knew it was time to step up to the plate to do more for this man who God put on my radar. I eventually put on my big girl panties and got the nerve to talk to him. He has a name, Russell. He has a story and he is precious.
Not coincidentally, at my church, we planned a series, 40 days of being âconvincing proofs that Jesus is aliveâ. God is so cool! One day, while my pastor and I were tossing around ideas for this sermon series, God prompted me to throw an idea out to him. âI think we are supposed to build Russell a house.â He smiled and said, â I think you might be right!â Over the next few weeks, the plans fell into place perfectly. Russell was blown away and said that if we felt it was Godâs will for us to do so, he accepted our offer.
After the New Year, in Godâs absolute perfect timing, we began the James study at church. It didnât take long for me to realize that this was no coincidence. Wow! We have been transformed by the life of James. I loved it when you talked about the disbelief of James that Jesus was who he said he was, untilâŠ.CHRIST APPEARED TO HIM AFTER HIS RESURRECTION⊠CONVINCING PROOF!
God tweaked our plans. On Easter Sunday, the challenge was issued to our congregation, to love the ones in humble circumstances and to build Russell a house. We have started working on preliminary details and will be starting his house soon. We plan for it to be finished within 2-3 months. Russell will have a cool place to beat the West Texas heat and will never have to live out another cold winter night in his van! God perfectly orchestrated these events to take care of Russell and I have been so blessed to be a part of God’s amazing plan. HE IS SO GOOD!
Am I some living proof? Sisters, let me take a deep breath and shareâŠ.
If you had asked me three years ago if I was a Christian I would have said âOf course, I believe in God.â I thought thatâs all there was to it. But the God I believed in wasnât the âBig Gâ God, it was a âlittle gâ god. A god I had created in my image. This god was one who I ran to in times of trouble and who I thought was simply there to meet my needsâno make that my desires. I didnât really serve him, he served me.
Then, two years ago, the âBig Gâ God came to seek and to save! I found myself in a church hearing the gospel preached in a way that made me uncomfortable, angry, and even a little sick. It was offensive to the image of god I had created. Die to self? Die to live? Get to the end of me? Brokenness? Repentance? What?!! To say that it rocked my world would be putting it mildly!
For the first time in my life I opened a bible and read. And there He was, waiting for me on the pages of those ancient sixty-six books. Jennifer, meet God. The âBig Gâ God. There to be worshipped, to be served, to be feared and adored. I said goodbye to a life that included sins from stealing to adultery and a great deal in between; a life that I once tried to end out of desperation. I was no longer a slave to sin, but a servant to my Lord. I was redeemed and transformed.
If it finished there I would be blessed more than I could ever imagine. But one year later, God saved my husband, a professed atheist all of his life. Shortly after that, He saved my oldest son.
âThe steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.â Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
My parents adopted me at the age of 9 months—65 years ago They were wonderful parents. The problem came from the comments of others as I was growing up about adopted children. Somehow I developed the idea that I was BAD, even though my outward behavior was that of a “goody two-shoes.” By the time I was 14, I was sure that I was “unforgiveable” even though I believed in Jesus and that He died on the cross for people’s sins, but that I was too bad to be included in that hope.
When I was 34 He arranged for me to be on a Walk to Emmaus where I was finally able to quit saying, “Yes, but. . .” when told that He died for even me and said, “Yes, thank you!” For the next 26 years I lived with that assurance. Then at the age of 60. the old feeling that I surely didn’t think someone as bad as I was could be saved returned.
This time God sent me so many messages to prove otherwise, and I believed/believe them. One that I love to remember is the 24-hour period in which I heard on the radio the hymn “Jesus paid it all”, saw it quoted by MckMama on her blog, and then in my daily devotion book saw again the words “Jesus paid it all.” I have every confidence that I’ll live in the joy of that assurance the rest of my years.
As Iâm growing and maturing in my walk with Jesus I am learning two things. One, everything God does is my life requires a miracle to be accomplished. Two, I am a lot of work. At some point in my journey with Christ â I am pretty sure it was when baby number one came along â I became so much more aware of my own sin and the impossibility of changing my behavior by effort, will power and just good olâ wishful thinking. More and more of my self needed to be placed in Godâs hands for reshaping (or downright getting rid of). Iâm a âworker,â and I like to get my hands dirty and get the job done. With those efforts I can only accomplish what is humanly possible, and that isnât enough for God. He wants me to change into the likeness of His Son, and no amount of my own effort can get that job done. Anger, pride and harmful words have been part of my parenting, and I count it a miracle every time I am able to see my own sin and give it over to God to deal with. Somewhere down inside where Sin and the Holy Spirit battle over my heart, I am a participant in prayer and willingness. Only He can change my heart, which I think it the greatest miracle of all.
Diane
I have broken through the silence, awakened from a slumber, have been set free from the shackles and light now penetrates the darkness that surrounded my life. My rescuer is… God, his word and his redeeming spirit!
For years I lived under a mesmerizing spirit of deception,illusion and manipulation. It was so numbing and “dumbing down” that I had no idea how held captive I was. In this trusting relationship, the word of God was used as a weapon instead of love, light and truth. This of course was NOT at all what God intended!
In his perfect timing,Gods mercy and justice so lovingly and gently penetrated the darkness. The hand of God orchestrated a rescue of my soul and spirit from deception… into Gods truth.
God is my HEALER.He knows what I need and how best to heal my scares. When I am in his presence, God gives me the strength to work through the fears, doubts,hurt and pain.
Gods word NOW is a glorious and trusting proclaimation of his love and truth! A promise I cling to often is found in Isaiah 61; for the Lord loves justice. He hates robbery and iniquity. He is bestowing on you a crown of beauty instead of ashes;the oil of gladness instead of mourning;a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
I now know that I am a daughter of the king! His FREEDOM and justice reigns in my life! Wendy
I gave my life to Christ as a teen and had such a hunger for my Bible and a desire to serve others. I made mistakes of course, but my heart was madly in love with God. However, a series of events slowly chipped away at that closeness and I lost that fire. Between collapsing lungs, surgery, miscarriage, a big move, complicated pregnancy, colicky infant with an illness that hospitalized her, a second baby, and developing chronic fatigue syndrome after a bad illness, I felt completely empty inside. I still loved God and remained involved in ministry, but my personal relationship with Him suffered and the chronic fatigue was taking its toll on my perspective. I prayed that God would reignite the fire in my heart, longing for the closeness I used to share with Him. First, He nudged me to open my Bible regularly again though a Lenten devotional offered at my church. Next came the book study in my MoMs group…God was practically screaming at me! Finally came an amazing retreat. I was fighting back tears the entire weekend and left with a changed heart. It was amazing how God worked through all of this to remind me how much I need Him and how much I need to be in His word every day so I will be better equipped to handle whatever may come my way. I still battle chronic fatigue, but His power has truly transformed me and equipped me for my present circumstances.
In 1988 I was 21 years old, alone, pregnant and standing at the door of an abortion clinic telling God that I knew this was wrong but that Heâd left me no other choice so Heâd just have to forgive me. Iâd grown up in and around church all my life. I was a Christian. I knew this wasnât real repentance. Yet I was desperate, afraid, and ashamed so I walked through that door.
I had no understanding of the destruction I set into motion in my own life by choosing my life over the life of my child. I walked out the back of the clinic that day knowing Iâd done an unspeakable thing and so it remained just that. For the next 15 years I died a little at a time, piece by piece until I was finally empty. I continued on with my life but just waking up and breathing another day isnât really life.
During those years I got married, gave birth to 3 beautiful children, and appeared to have the life Iâd always wanted. Yet the emotions, the rage, the depression, all of the things Iâd worked so hard to bury inside me, were beginning to effect my marriage, my relationships with my children and everyone else. I believed God was eagerly waiting for any opportunity to crush me, to pay me back. But after losing a child to miscarriage, He showed himself as a tender, compassionate, and loving father. It was His kindness that led me to a real repentance. It was a few more years before I understood that healing was a separate, and very necessary, part of full redemption and complete restoration.
The Lord used His Word like a surgeonâs scalpel on my heart, cutting away what was dead and infected. He bound up and healed the deep wounds of my heart. He gave me a mentor to teach me how to walk out in freedom in the life that Jesus came to give me. Today I am living proof that there is redemption – because Jesus made the way.
He has saved my soul from death, my eyes from tears and my feet from stumbling so that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living Psalm 116:8-9
I am Living Proof of Christâs power living through me.
He put an end to a family memberâs drug use. After finally and fully surrendering it to Him, He provided a miracle that ended the addiction and another in restoring the relationships with one another.
He is and has been walking with me through my 18 years of infertility. When I feel I am at a breaking point and can take no more, the peace that surpasses all understanding melts into my bones. He has shown his grace and mercy by providing a loving and caring husband, one who has lived out his vows and put his marriage before all the pressure of not being able to have children.
His tenderness engulfed our family after my fatherâs diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He gently gathered us together as we savored the last nine months of his life here on earth. As we sat at his bed side the night he took his last breath and entered into his heavenly home, we were able to say goodbye and we love you one last time, precious time and closure only provided by Him.
âMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.â Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christâs power may rest on me. 2 Cor 12:9 NIV
On May 1, 2001 I received a Fed-Ex letter. I was surprised to see that it was from my parents and eight siblings. As I read it, my heart sank with every word. This was a letter of heartache and sorrow. A traumatic end to what had been known as my life.
This autographed letter ended my relationship with my family whom I so dearly loved. It was the second time in my life that my family had rejected me, but this time, at age 27, it was different.
I was abandoned.
I recently had ended my long-term relationship with my lover and best friend. I was now completely alone with no one left in my life. My identity and sense of belonging was destroyed. I faced extreme rejection, fear, depression and hopelessness. I hit rock bottom and had no idea how I would survive.
By the grace and miracle of the Lord, He opened my eyes to His love for me. Instead of turning away from Him, I turned toward Him.
The Bible, which my dad had used my whole life to control and manipulate me became a love letter from my heavenly Father. A beautiful love relationship began as the Lord set me free from a life of legalism, control, abuse and strongholds of sexual sin.
The pain and tragedy of being abandoned would lead me to abandon myself to the Lord and resulted in an unexpected journey to joy.
I used to struggle believing God answered prayers, but now I have no doubt. God has answered many prayers, some by saying âwait.â Iâve always wanted to lead a Bible Study in my apartment. Last year, a Bible Study I went to ended and they needed a leader. I figured this was Godâs answer, so I stepped up with a friend. The door closed as quickly as it opened. I was a bit disappointed, but considering I had no peace during the process, I knew it was the right answer. In the fall, some of us wanted to start up a young adult group at a different church. I ended up leading a Bible Study with another girl. Again things didnât work out; I felt another door shut. In January, our Thursday night group started studying Romans. My friend, who I hung out with on Wednesday nights, asked if she and I could study Romans together so we could prepare for Thursdays. A little bit later, a mutual friend of ours found out about this and asked to join us. We said yes, so I invited a new girl in town to join us as well. The mutual friend ended up not coming, but the new girl showed up every week. We had never thought that we were supposed to start a Bible Study, but God opened doors and has continued opening doors. We are now planning to invite 2 more girls to join us. The best part is that itâs in my apartment.
This has proven to be my most cautionary tale to date. I tell it from time to time mostly to help myself remember how quickly I can slip from daily fellowship with the Lord to letting my sinful nature run the show. Thirteen summers ago life was hectic on an unusual scale. The week before we were to move into our newly remodeled home I had the opportunity to help care for a close relative with failing heath. It was only for a week and so I reasoned I could roll up my sleeves and pitch in.
It didnât take long for me to decide I would just practice âquiet time lightâ while helping out. I was, after all serving and surely the Lord would understand. Instead of my usual Bible study and prayer time, I did what I later heard Beth describe as âsplash a little water on my spiritual faceâ and go on with life after feeling duly refreshed. But no âknee deepâ time was spent in the Lordâs presence or in His Word for that whole week. Did I mention my family was moving? So that week quickly tumbled into two.
Then something unprecedented happened: nothing. It had been my experience that whenever I had missed even a day or two of concentrated time with the Lord, the backlash was immediate. Temptations to sin ranged from moderate selfishness and irritability to bouts of greed and pride. Any of these being enough to chase me quickly back to the Lordâs side: the only place where sin can be overcome. But in this case, no irritability, no raging temptation, nothing.
And then I had what I consider to be my all time dumbest thought. Ever. I believe Iâm blushing at the memory, itâs that DUMB! I concluded that since Iâd know the Lord for several decades and had loved and obeyed Him for most of that time, perhaps I just didnât require as much time with Him as I previously did. I know. I warned you. It was that dumb. Now, I believe in retrospect that what was really going on was that the enemy was biding his time. Watching and waiting for me to get good and malnourished, spiritually speaking.
What happened next I can only describe as an attack because temptations began to be unleashed with such fervor and frequency that I can come up with no other name. The temptation du jour was anger followed rapidly by resentment and grudges, which when left in the fridge overnight tasted much like bitterness. Yes, by this time I was scrambling back to the Lord, begging for His help. But I had allowed such anemia into my soul that the fight got ugly with my family bearing the brunt of the worst of it.
If it had taken two weeks for my spiritual muscles to atrophy dangerously, it took that long and longer for my habits of harsh sarcasm and selfishness to fall by the wayside. And that occurred one and only one way: allowing the real life medicine of Godâs Word empowered my His indwelling Spirit to bring the healing and nourishment that comes from no other source. Does God work through His Word? Praise Him, He still does. And by His mercy, I am a different person for one reason and one reason alone: because He does.
I can so relate to that foolish of choice of trying to coast on spiritual fumes – to live off of yesterday’s manna. Thanks for this!
I really like your post! A great account of the spiritual war we all face…thanks for the reminder, wonderfully said!
May I offer a quick disclaimer? After posting this, I reread Beth’s tremendously clear directions: “200-250 words.” I truly thought she said 500 words (which, btw, I still squeeked past). I think I confused the required length of my son’s psychology paper that was due this week đ My bad. My apologies.
Thank you for letting us testify to what God and only God can do
First of I am loving proof because I know that God pulled me from the pit of self destruction , I was Layed off from my job of almost 5 yrs in 2009 and at that point and time just didn’t know but the Dear Lord was faithful to me He kept me depending on Him. he kept me from falling into a deep depression which if I was living in the flesh I would have fallen prey easily to the depression but I know it was God that kept me strong thru all of 21/2 yrs of being unemployed He was my Firm Foundation He was my Rock and I know it was God, Then in Jan 2012 found a job and that one ended 21/2 months into it and I started doubting why is this going on. So to make a long story short I just know God has been all over my life and very thankful for memorizing scripture with Mama Beth hiding the word in my heart has helped me to hold on to Jesus and not let go I just know God saved me from myself because if He hadn’t I would not be typing my testimony today . There has been many bible studies that have kept me grounded to in God word I Am Living Proof Because Jesus Saved My Soul
Carol
I am replying to my own comment in the beginning I typed I am loving proof should have been living proof
I laughed out loud when I read my comment after I submitted but I am loving proof to because Jesus Loves me this I know
Carol
Don’t go changing, Carol. I’m claiming “Loving Proof” too!
Iâve known the Lord since I was 6 years old. I grew up in a Christian home. At an early age I experienced a childhood trauma which caused a lot of identity damage in me. God allowed me to leave my country as a young adult and move to the USA. My desire was to serve God and I married a pastor. My identity was wrapped up in finding value in what I did. When we decided to take a break from ministry, I found myself not knowing what to do. I turned to a business and buried myself trying to find worth and significance in that. All I found was dissatisfaction. I was miserable, depressed, and with little desire to live. I remember begging the Lord many times to take me home, but God came and pulled me out of that pit of dissatisfaction and gave me a purpose to live and a ministry to fulfill.
God has changed my life and has filled me with hope. He has also given me a ministry to Hispanic women called: âEl Rinconcito de la Pazâ (Little Corner of Peace), which is having great impact around the world as I share the hope God has given me. Psalm 40:1-3 has been my experience. âHe set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.â Thank you Beth for sharing your life and giving me hope that I too can be a living proof of the power of God.
Hi Beth, my story began fourteen years ago when I was pregnant with my second child. I had gone to my OB-GYN for the usual check-up, I was six months along, and that day I was to have another ultrasound. My husband normally would go with me but this day was so routine and I had told him its fine, just another check-up stay at work and I’ll bring more baby pictures home from the ultrasound. He finally agreed and waited for me to call and tell him everything is growing as scheduled.
Checking in everything is going well, I see my OB and knowing each other well we greet in the hallway on my way to the ultrasound room. The young assistant helps me get ready and we chat like old buddies while she is running the little wand over my pregnant belly, and suddenly she becomes very serious and quiet. I said, “what”?! She says, I’ll be right back as she runs out the door. Well by now I’m panicking! My OB comes back with the assistant close behind him and she starts the process again. He says to me, ” Karen I want to send you to Houston for a level three ultrasound.” “why”, I asked. “Well your baby possibly has birth defects and I need to be certain.”
And he adds if you want to terminate the pregnancy we have to hurry. I never wanted to hurt someone as badly as I wanted to strangle him right there in that room. No way would I do that and was shocked at the suggestion!
I got out of there as fast as I could and was headed to my husbands office as fast as legally possible. As I was driving out of the parking lot and bawling my eyes out that I could barely see to drive I HEARD a voice! GOD said to me “it will be ok”. I immediately stopped crying and felt such a peace fall over me that could only come from the love of GOD.
Well I’m probably out of space for “the rest of the story” but it has a happy ending.
In January of 1995, life drastically changed. Just 8 short months into our marriage my husband was diagnosed with a chronic illness. I was faced with the harsh reality that I would now be living out the âIn sickness and healthâ portion of my wedding vows. As my husbandâs health declined, the enemy came after me with a familiar form of attackâŠFEAR. I was full of it. I hid my fear by attempting to be strong. The last thing I wanted others to know was that I was consumed by fear. During a Sunday evening of worship, God showed me He had not been caught off guard by this disease. Since this illness had been filtered through His hands of love, I could trust Him. From then on, when fear would consume my mind and heart, I put this verse into action: we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5. Godâs Word became life to me. God used this illness to teach me that He really is enough. Through the power of His word we had what we needed for each day. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 tells our story. While the outward seemed to waste away, God renewed us day by day, teaching us that we could trust Him! He has been faithful to us every day for the last 18 years! Sweet friend, I am living proof that God is enough. His Word is enough. Will you let Him be enough for you?
In anticipation of our first child, I devoured the book âWhat to Expect When Youâre Expectingâ, but nothing could have prepared me for what I actually experienced. During my 20 week sonogram, my Obstetrician noticed that our daughter wasnât growing at the rate she should, and by 26 weeks, an emergency C-section brought our 14 oz. baby girl into the world. She spent the first 9- Âœ months of her life in the NICU, and therefore, so did I. There were times when I thought I would lose my mind while trying to save hers.
My husband and I had met on the mission field, and returned to the States to begin our family, and I couldnât believe that God was allowing this to happen to us! When our daughter was finally able to come home from the hospital, she required 24 hour care. As her physical challenges improved, it became apparent that she would have lasting mental impairments. I felt betrayed by God, and overwhelmed with what He was calling me to doâŠparent a special needs child.
I had many dark days, and cried out to the Lord, âI either need you to change my circumstances or change me, because I cannot go on like this.â And so began the slow process of Him changing me!! Our daughter is 15 years old now, and still has many challenges, but she is my daily inspiration. I am living proof that God can turn your mourning into dancing once again!!
How can I pen in so few words how I have been so wonderfully blessed by God?
After a 25 year absence from serving God, in 2005 our family began to attend a small country church. Our younger son was saved and baptized, and the older one made a profession of faith and was also baptized. As a family, we became very active in the church. My husband struggled with insecurity in our marriage because he felt like I was spending more time with God than I was with him.
Despite prayer and counseling, our 26 year marriage dissolved in 2008. I was forced to leave the family farm where I had grown up and had lived for 35 years. As I moved to a new town, I felt like Abrahamâa stranger in a foreign land. My sons stayed with their Dad, and I was by myself for the first time in my life. I was sad, broken-hearted, and lonelyâŠbut I was never alone. God was always with me.
I became immersed in Godâs Word, and He took my hand and began to write. We have written Bible studies and lessons, which I teach to a youth group on Sundays and adults on Wednesdays. God took a useless lump of clay and molded it into a beautiful vessel for Him. I have gone from someone who didnât attend church to someone who cannot live without it. âWith God, all things are possible.â I am living proof!
Our lives forever changed June 9, 2010. Our 12 year old son, Zack, fell and within minutes of arriving at the ER was in cardiac arrest. An unknown cancerous tumor had ruptured in his liver, causing him to bleed to death. Twelve minutes of resuscitation brought him back to us.
For the next year, Zack, who suffered brain injury during cardiac arrest, would learn to talk and walk again. He would also battle liver cancer; endure countless surgeries, chemo and transfusions.
Zack went to live with Jesus in May 28, 2011. I was heart-broken for myself, my husband and our 6 year old Nick.
People are sometimes confused about my ability to continue living life, finding joy in moments and continuing to praise our King. The only way I breathe, much-less climb out of bed each morning is by the grace our mighty God. No doubt, my strength comes from the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:11 says God knows the plans He has for meâŠto give me hope and a future!
Even if I understood the plan for my sonâs short life, it wouldnât take away my pain. But I do trust Godâs plan is perfect. His plan is not about everything being wonderful. Itâs that we seek Him.
When the plan seems unbearable, I am reminded that His plan for me is about me knowing Him. No matter whatâs happening, His ultimate plan is that I would come to Him, seek Him, trust Him.
My only hope is in HIM.
(Sidenote: You can find out more about our familyâs journey at our blog – http://wendymayo1.wordpress.com/ Blessings to all of you!)
I watched the world below, feet dangling over the side of the women dormitoryâs roof.
Life stood still, but somehow flew by. Images of the past year flashed through my mind like an old film reel. The sinister, mocking voices in my head drove me there, looking for a way to find peace, or quiet, or nothingness.
âSo, this is what you get for serving God? Much good your prayers or the years of trying to obey God did! You donât have enough faith, otherwise your brother wouldnât have killed himself; your family would be whole, but look at the mess; alcoholism, strife, divorce, custody battles, deceit, incest, mental illnesses. Give up! Your life will always be like this. Hopeless. How could you have the audacity to think your life could be any different?â Relentless voices.
The news of my brotherâs death reached me as I left a prayer meeting; catapulting me into doubt, despair and rebellion. Shame and condemnation were added to the accusations from hell.
âJump! Fly!â
But God.
He rekindled the ambers of the near dying hope left by His hidden Word in my heart, blowing Life giving breath on the ashes.
I REMEMBERED.
I saw the golden thread of His love woven throughout my life. A believing Mom. A caring teacher. Salvation at age six. Blessings. Opportunities. Church. His Word. Grace for a 1000 generations who choose Him. New beginnings. Broken yokes.
Seventeen years passed since that September day, and God has redeemed every bit the enemy intended for harm by using it to comfort others with similar pain.
For the record; Satan lied.
Life can different once Jesus takes hold of it.
The fact that youâre reading this is living proof.
10 years ago this month, I sat on the other side of the phone with a lawyer and their team ready to draft and serve my husband divorce papers. Looking in from the outside, we had two beautiful children, sat in church every Sunday, and were active members of our community serving on boards and attending numerous local fundraising events. We appeared to be the âAll-Americanâ family.
On the inside, my husband and I we were emotionally separated from each other and had been for years. We got so busy with kids and other activities we lost sight of each other and what we gave to the relationship. I remember being asked by the marriage counselor I had agreed to see, âon a scale of 1-10, how willing are you to work on this marriage?â My response was â1â. I was completely emotionally unattached and ready to call it âdoneâ.
I remember the day the Holy Spirit quietly prompted a thought to ponder. âJuli, what would happen if you surrendered to me and let me guide you thru this and heal your marriage?â That is exactly what happened, I feel flat on my face weaping and telling God âhealing is what we needâ.
God has been faithful to see that thru and we celebrated 19 years together this month. We had two more amazing children after reconciling and renewing our vows. We continue to date and place our marriage first within our home and established a new foundation in which God has done a work like none other.
When I was 13, I became friends with a girl named Becca who led me to the Lord. Her father was a pastor and her family quickly adopted me. While I was so thankful for their love and acceptance, I wanted my family to know Christ. So I prayed.
Iâm now 28 and last summer I fell playing tennis. I ended up with torn ligaments in my right ankle and a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. CRPS is a chronic pain disease thatâs triggered by an injury like a sprain. It causes a whole host of symptoms along with unrelenting pain and muscle spasms. I had to quit my job and for the first six months I couldnât take a step. My husband carried me in and out of the shower.
My world is pain, day after day of unrelenting pain. Muscles spasms wrack my leg and cramps leave me breathless. I donât know how many times Iâve begged God to take it away, to make it stop hurting. Sometimes though, God says no to healing. So I ask that He would bring purpose from my pain. And He has. This has broken my momâs heart like nothing else could and in her distress sheâs turned to God. I now have a mom who prays.
âMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.â 2Cor 12:9
I am Living Proof, first and foremost, simply because I am âliving.â I have struggled with major health issues requiring many rushed ER trips; multiple times I completely stopped breathing and had to receive life-giving CPR and Intubation. God always covered me and allowed me to continue to live this life. These struggles led to a time in my young adult life when I didnât want to live period. I was utterly depressed, saw no chance of healing, and it prompted me to attempt to take my life. Again, God was faithful; He healed me and allowed me to continue to live this life. At the time I did not recognize the gift I had been given, I simply existed in this life.
Now, God has made me âProof.â God has healed me and filled me with the Holy Spirit. I now live my life to truly let my light shine for Him. I am off medication, no longer struggling with health issues, I am out of the dark pit of depression and singing His Praises. Through Godâs direction I now lead Bible studies at my church and share writings from my heart. I am living life to the FULL in Christ! There is absolutely NO other explanation for the 180 degree change of my life â it is God. The old me is gone and I am a new woman in Christ. I am Living Proof of His Faithfulness and Grace; I am here for His purpose. Thank You God!
I know what it feels like to have no hope. To live day after day in polite silence in a marriage with a wonderful man who also lived with hopelessness and sameness. We both offered a sad empty ring to each other with every I love you. We were beaten down, afflicted by our own unbelief. Filled with anxiety instead of joy. Going through the motions for the sake of our five children.
To say there has been major break through in my life is an understatement of the highest degree. Iâm coming out of the most powerful stronghold known to women. My precious Jesus has come for me and set me free. I have never been so in love with my husband of nearly 40 years. Our prayer lives have come alive along with every other aspect of our relationship. We long to make a difference, begging God to give back the years the locusts have eaten.
As I pound the pavement on my prayer walks mile after mile; I hear from Him now like never before! In many beautiful ways, but one that speaks volumes to me about my deliverance soars over my head in the form of a red tailed hawk who I fondly call âfreedomâ. I am a hard-headed woman, like my friend Beth, thank you for all your words spoken and written in grief, tears and victory.
Never give up! I am that hopeless lady, rescued with resurrection power! Because of Him!
This is my story of Liv’n Free…
My name is Marsha Neufeld. I grew up in the church. As a
teenager I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I was
actively involved in church life – sunday school, youth groups, church activities as well as christian groups in college. I married and had a family, but “life was hard” and “things” happened. My middle name was Marsha “I don’t
understand” Neufeld. Hurt and unforgiveness began welling up inside and bitterness began spilling out.
Ten years ago I began my journey when the WORD spoke to me, and became alive and active and transforming my life.
The WORD became a “breath of fresh air” to me. I began
changing my perspective on life. I began “hanging on to God” instead of “hanging on to my hurts”. I began looking at life from God’s projects to God’s projects, strength to strength, blessing to blessing instead of looking at life from hurt to hurt. I, also, believed God at his WORD and not just believed in God. God’s truth hit me hard, I was a “daughter of Thunder” (referring to
James and John, the sons of Thunder) and I had some “Pharisee” in me. The Son of Man came to save man not destroy. Again, God’s WORD transformed my life.
When I started this journey 10 years ago, I was held captive by my hurts, unforgiveness, and bitterness. But with God’s saving grace and mercy, I began breaking free and now I am walking free and Liv’n Free.
Now if you see me, I would be a grin’n, and a danc’n to the tune of my favorite song…Shackles.
Hope you will be too…
Marsha Neufeld
My testimony? Simple, really. Itâs rained; Heâs opened the umbrella. Iâve pedaled on the same old stationary bike only to find that going nowhere can result in catastrophe! Through my failures and successes, God has taught me to humbly connect to His word. For example, Iâm a lot like Rahab (Josh. 1-6). Like her, Iâve done things I regret. Iâve made poor career moves. Iâve been used by other people. Iâve taken advantage of other people! Another likeness to her has ultimately proved to be the turning point of my life: I too, have kept things hidden. She hid Israelite spies; I, through listening to negative self-talk and a few people in the world, have unfortunately convinced myself to hide my God-given attributes. When I realize Iâm flipping the switch on the light God wants to shine in and through my life, I remember that I have been through battles before and have, like Rahab, emerged intact amidst chaos. Doubt, temptation, and full-blown scandal threaten power outages, but God has taught me that all is bright in the upper room of faith, the room with the scarlet cord hanging from the window. When the world says Iâll fail, He says I have a purpose. Iâm thankful for the testimony God has given me, the privilege of gleaning from a girl of ill-reputation whom He used in a big way. I can just hear her whisper, âPress on, girl. He is real, and He is so worth it.â Indeed, He is!
I was reading the parable of the prodigal son this morning and saw myself in this parable. I accepted Christ at a young age and had a pretty close and strong relationship with God. A long series of trials and afflictions in my 20s-30s slowly drew me away from God. I didn’t feel angry at God. Instead, I still loved Him and desired to serve Him, but over time subtle changes occurred. My prayer life became more infrequent. Daily time in my Bible became non-existent. I started relying on my friends, family and myself instead of God. I hardly recognized the woman looking at me in the mirror. My life felt empty without God closely involved. My head knew that a renewed closeness with God would greatly change my life and help me battle a chronic illness, but initially I tried so hard to accomplish this on my own. God knows that I am stubborn and value my independence, so He certainly didn’t ease up on me. Finally, I broke down and earnestly prayed that God would renew our relationship, relinquishing control to Him. Over the course of several months, He chipped away at my heart through various people, books, and events. At times, the change wasn’t happening as fast as I wanted and I was tempted to give up. However, God had a plan and taught me so much during that time and I am so excited to share that my heart is on fire again and all aspects of my life are changed.
Your story has blessed me so much today, Rebecca. Thank you.
My entire life Iâve struggled through Bipolar Type Two Disorder which until this year was undiagnosed. My life was a rollercoaster of emotions growing up as I faced rough things in childhood and after. I entered college in 2008 wanting nothing to do with the Lord. I had grown up knowing of Him, but after the death of a close friend I decided I was done with anything that had to do with God. I was severely depressed, and harmed myself whenever I could and in whatever way I could. By the pure grace of God He led me to a campus ministry and into a small group bible study, and for the first time in my life I really saw the gospel lived out among my friends there as God began to grab a hold of my heart. I spent my first two years of college in and out of suicidal ideations, and emergency rooms for threats to my life. It was at a Passion Conference in 2011, when the Lord broke down my stony cold heart and brought me right to the cross and said âJenna, I died so that I could take all of this for you.â It was at that moment I truly fell in love with Jesus. So many times it was my desire to die, but today I am living proof that God can redeemed anyone and pull them from a pit into his marvelous light and freedom!