A Patch from My Past

Last week, I shared part of my mother's miraculous story with you. The Lord has been prompting me for almost a year to write my part of the story, or at least a brief version of it.

I've chosen to post it first at the Internet Cafe. I hope you'll join me there today, and see what lies behind these glasses:

Brook Howell Shares Her Story

It's day number ELEVEN, out of all eleven salvation testimonies shared on Selah these past 2 weeks. I am so truly thankful for each and every guest contributor, and I hope it has caused your heart to pause, ponder and praise the Giver of eternal life in Him!

Meet Brook. Her heart for outreach and discipleship shine through her story, and I can't wait to share it with you...

A New Creation
by Brook Howell

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; 

the old has gone, the new has come!" 

2 Corinthians 5:17

As the weather has turned from cold and dreary to sunny and breezy, my mood has changed from depressed to hopeful. As I was pondering this change today and how much I was acting like my "normal" goofy, off the wall odd-ball self, I thought of the verse above.

Sixteen years ago, there was an even bigger shift in my life. A shift that gives new meaning to "the old has gone, the new has come!"

I grew up in a small town in Northeast Nebraska of approximately 600. There were 15 students in my graduating class. For generations, my family had attended the Lutheran church. I went to Sunday School, learned many Bible stories, was confirmed and intellectually knew all about God. But I didn't "know" God in a personal way.

After I graduated from high school, I moved to Lincoln and attended the University. I was so blessed to move into Love Hall on East Campus with 40-50 other women where we cooked and cleaned for ourselves so that our expenses were less. Many of the women I lived with attended Bible Studies and rallies through the Navigators. The Navigators are a Christian outreach ministry to many different places such as university campuses. Their mission is to help bring people to Christ and equip them to serve and grow in their walk with the Lord.

During my first year of college, I attended Bible Studies, rallies and church with several of the women from Love Hall. As the weeks and months of my freshmen year went by I began to see that my life was different from these women. I wasn't exactly sure how or why, but felt a strong desire to have what they had.

That winter I remember being sick of my negativity and the judgmental way I responded to people. The day after attending a formal with a group of people from Navigators, I sat in my room contemplating. My mind whirled with thoughts and as most undergraduates do, I focused on my future. What did my future hold? Did I want my life to continue on the same path I was on at the time?

I considered what knew about God. In my mind, I knew that God had sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sin of the world. But I didn't take that promise personally.

As I thought about what was going on in my life and what I saw in the new friends I had, I knew the time had come to ask the questions out loud that I had been chewing on for months. In Love Hall, we had big sisters or mentors. I went in search of my mentor, but she was out. Instead I talked to her room ate, Jodi.

Jodi listened as I talked about what was going on in my life. I don't remember details of what happened in their room that day, but I do remember how I suddenly came to realize that God loves me - Brook - and that He sent Jesus to earth to die for my sins. Wow! How could I not accept this great gift?

Jodi led me in the sinner's prayer. It went something like this - Lord, I am a sinner and need you to forgive me. Please come into my heart and help me to live for you. On March 16, 1993, I became a new creation! The old was gone, the new had come!

I can't say there were fireworks after that moment, but my life did change. Like the metamorphosis of a butterfly, I felt like I had escaped my cocoon and was free to fly! I was no longer a plain colored caterpillar or pupa, but a beautiful butterfly. I no longer had the heaviness of being bound, but the lightness of being free.

When we open our lives and our hearts to God and let Him transform us, the results are so much more than we could ever dream or imagine.

Some Bible verses that I clung to during those first days were these:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

and Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Have you made the personal decision to ask God to transform your life? Have you asked God to come into your heart, change you and make you? Have you asked Him to forgive you and cleanse you of your sins?

If not, why not make a decision during this time of renewal, of new growth, in this season of spring?

If you haven't made God Lord of your life and you'd like to, simply follow the steps that I did sixteen years ago. Open your heart and speak words to God from your heart. If you need help, you can use words like these...God, I know that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness. I believe that your Son, Jesus, came and died for my sins. Please forgive me, come into my life and help me to live for you. Amen.

If you made this decision right now or anytime in the past, welcome to the kingdom! Please know that whether you share this decision with me personally or not, please find a church and get plugged in. Following the Lord is the most amazing journey you will experience and it has eternal benefits!

God's Word also holds so many promises for you as a new believer. If you don't already have a Bible, please find one in a translation that's easy to understand like the New International Version (NIV) or New Living Translation (NLT) and begin reading in the book of John in the New Testament. I would also suggest reading a Psalm or a Proverb a day for encouragement.

During the next few weeks I will be sharing the ways that I have used to draw near to God. No matter where you are in your relationship with the Savior, I hope these resources will help and encourage you to draw near to God as He draws near to you. (See Brooke's blog for these resources...)

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of Jesus. I cannot image how it grieved you to give your only Son for the sin of the World. Savior, please work in our hearts and help us to be mindful of this great gift each and every day of our lives. Help us to seek you first in all we do. Love us and grow us to be more like You. Motivate us to spend time with you in prayer, in your Word, in worship and in many other ways that increase our love for you. As we seek you, let us know your will for our lives so that we can live and serve in ways that bring you glory always. In your name we praise, Amen

Brook Howell is a child of God who desires to know Him, to encourage others in their walk with the Savior and to live up to the high calling of a woman of prayer.  Raised in Nebraska and transplanted in Missouri, Brook has been married to her "techie" husband for nine years and together they have journeyed through infertility, loss, and Brook's battle with depression.  Brook is a former teacher, current foster mother, future West Highland White Terrier breeder and professional counseling graduate student.  The promise she clings to is Isaiah 58:11 (NIV) which says, "The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

Stina Rose Shares Her Story

It's day number TEN out of eleven salvation testimonies to be shared on Selah the days leading up to and just after Easter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His resurrection than hearing God-stories of souls raised from death to life. So pause. Ponder what He has done. Then praise Him!!!!

I love the salvation testimony that Stina Rose published, because it gives the perspective of how she came to know Christ as a young child. It is such a precious testimony and made my heart melt picturing her little face and body racing to her daddy. I hope that it blesses and enriches your faith as well. Praise the Lord!

My Salvation Testimony

by Stina Rose

You’re jealous. The words came unbidden as I looked at my brother lying in his crib. Why would I be jealous of a little baby? He was too small to eat candy, ride a bicycle or go to school. What was there to be jealous of? No matter how hard I tried to ignore that little voice, I knew it was right. I was jealous, just like Joseph’s brothers in the Bible. For my whole life, I had been the center of attention, but now everyone wanted to see the new baby. They had all forgotten about the older sister. Yes, I was jealous. I knew that jealousy was a sin and sinners went to hell.

I was going to hell!

Terror seized my heart. I took off down the stairs as fast as my five-year-old legs could carry me. My dad was napping in the worn green chair across from the stairs. I ran to him and flew into his lap. He jumped as my boney knees made contact with his unsuspecting stomach.

“Daddy,” I cried before he could yell at me for my rude awakening, “I’m going to hell! I need to get saved.”

Dad’s eyes got wide at my straightforward announcement. He picked up my little green Gideon New Testament and shared with me the simple plan of salvation. On my father’s knee, with his thick moustache tickling my ear, I repented of my sins and received God’s gift of salvation.

Though it was over twenty years ago, that day is forever burned into my memory. The road from there to here has been a great adventure of growth and learning to trust the Lord in every situation of life. Am I perfect? Far from it! But, with God’s grace, I am perfectible.

Christina "Stina Rose" Banks spends her days herding dust bunnies, checking facebook, day dreaming, reading blogs, playing SuDuko, practicing trumpet and running errands. Every once in a while, she even gets some words down on paper. As an aspiring writer, Christina dreams of seeing her work in print. Always looking for ways to use her God-given talents, she is most content when she is busy working with children in the church. Happily married for the last 394 days, Christina makes her home in the beautiful little town of Deep River, Ontario. You can find more of Stina's writings at her blog, The Scroll Bag.

Karen/Irritable Mother Shares Her Story

It's day number NINE out of eleven salvation testimonies to be shared on Selah the days leading up to and just after Easter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His resurrection than hearing God-stories of souls raised from death to life. So pause. Ponder what He has done. Then praise Him!!!!

I was excited when Karen offered up her salvation testimony, first of all because I thought it was AWESOME to have a story from someone whose profile name was "Irritable Mother," lol (later to find out that she has a book with that in the title), but mainly because I think there are many people out there who think they believe who haven't truly started a relationship with Jesus Christ. I'll zip my lips now, and let Karen tell her story. I was blessed.


My Love Story
by Karen Hossink
I grew up in the church. Attended worship services most Sundays (Except when I could convince my mom I was just too tired to get up), participated in the youth choirs, went to summer church camp seven years in a row, and was active in the youth group. Somehow, though, I missed the memo that I needed to receive Jesus personally.

I knew the Christmas and Easter stories. I understood that Jesus came to earth to be the Savior of the world and that He died to pay the price for our sins. I believed He was resurrected on the third day and later ascended into heaven. I "got" all that. And I thought that was enough. Thought I was covered and good to go, because Jesus did what He needed to do.

And that is all Jesus meant to me for the first 18 years of my life.

He was God and He was Man. He was the Savior of the world, even. But to me, there was nothing personal about Him at all. Jesus was more like a fact of history to me. Someone who lived long ago and did a wonderful thing, but who really wasn't relevant to my life "today."

Oh, there were times when I paid more attention to Him. Like when I had a couple different boyfriends in high school. One was a pastor's kid and another was a nice "church boy." And when I was going out with those guys I certainly had a greater interest in God things.

With the pastor's kid, I learned lots of nice Christian songs and went with him to a senior center to sing them. We did stuff with his youth group and I was happy to sit and listen to the leader's talk about God. When I was seeing the church boy, I went with him to his church and Sunday school. I talked the talk, and thought I was a nice church girl, too.

But when those relationships ended, so did my attention to "God." (I put His name in quotes, because now I know I wasn't truly paying attention to Him.)

Then I went to college.
And I met a guy.
And he was cute.

He asked me if I went to church and, of course, I said yes. OK, so I hadn't been to church since college started, but that wasn't what he asked. And when he asked if I would like to go with him sometime, of course I said I would love to. I mean, he was cute, and I'd been through that drill a couple times before. The guy likes God, so you do church things with him, and everyone is happy.

I had no idea my life was about to turn around.

This guy wasn't like the others. He didn't just "go" to church. He talked about why he went. He asked me questions about why I attended church. He read the Bible with me. And talked about it. I had no idea you could have a conversation about what the Bible says!

And this is the part that really threw me for a loop. This guy seemed more interested in me - I mean, Karen. The person inside my body. - than in this cute little body I was walking around in. (Trust me, it was cuter 19 years and three kids ago!) So there I was, blown away by this guy who seemed to really believe in God. Whose faith in God mattered outside of Sunday morning. And who looked at me differently than any other guy I'd ever known. I was falling in love with him, and I wanted to hear what he had to say about this church thing.

As I listened, I came to understand I was missing something. While it was true that what Jesus did on the cross was "enough," I finally realized there was something I needed to do. I needed to respond. I needed to confess my sin and admit my need for a Savior. And I needed to receive Jesus into my life as that Savior. I already knew He was the Savior of the world. Now I needed to accept Him as my Savior.

And this is where I like to say the love of my life introduced me to an even Greater Love.

But remember? I had been through the drill before. Like the guy, like his God. But when you break up, so goes the God thing?

Not this time.

Several months - maybe a year - later the thought occurred to me, Even if he and I break up, this relationship I have with God through Jesus is not going to end! Our relationship was personal. He was finally real to me. I cannot describe the joy that understanding brought to my heart.

In the end, breaking up wasn't an issue, anyway. I married that "guy."

And so my love story continues...

When she isn't dealing with pre-teen drama, looking for lost socks, or solving third-grade math problems, Karen Hossink likes to spend time speaking and writing. Karen's quirky sense of humor, life experiences, and honest confessions - combined with the goodness of God – have been encouraging audiences since 2005. Whether you're reading her books or her blog, or listening to her speak, after spending time with Karen you will be assured of two things: You are not alone, and God is good!

Joanne Sher Opens Her Book to Share Her Story

It's day number EIGHT out of eleven salvation testimonies to be shared on Selah the days leading up to and just after Easter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His resurrection than hearing God-stories of souls raised from death to life. So pause. Ponder what He has done. Then praise Him!!!!

How perfect that Joanne's salvation testimony is published on Good Friday. Prepare to worship the One who saves after reading her powerful story. Every time I read it, I do.

In Old Testament Black and White

by Joanne Sher

I didn’t have much experience with Christianity as a kid. I was Jewish, Bat Mitzvahed at 13, born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Though my high school wasn’t closed for Jewish holidays, a quarter of the students were absent for the High Holy Days.

My father was raised orthodox; my maternal grandfather was a former cantor; my great aunt still kept kosher. My Jewish roots ran deep, and were important to me.

I do remember, however, my first church service. I was eight or so, and we were visiting my aunt and her family. I don’t remember the service, but I recall the pastor saying something disparaging about Jews, causing me to run out, quite upset. I still don’t remember what he said, but I did not enter a church again for 10 years.

The next one was Catholic. I was in college, dating a Catholic who brought me to Mass. I remember looking up at the front of the church, seeing the crucifix, and feeling more uncomfortable than I ever had before. I kept my eyes down for the rest of the service. That cross haunted me for quite a while.

I had other minor "encounters" with Christianity, but it wasn’t until I was married and living in the Midwest twelve years later that that cross grabbed my attention again.

My husband was nominally Jewish and we both followed our faith for a while. We soon stopped attending synagogue, however, neither of the local ones being to our liking. We still celebrated the major holidays, but nothing more.

I was working as a freelance writer for the local daily paper, and the religion editor had taken a liking to me, so I was writing for him. One day, he called and asked if I would cover a Christian women’s conference the following Saturday. I agreed skeptically, assuming it would be a bunch of fake, mushy women screaming "Hallelujah" and praising God for their wonderful lives.

Was I ever wrong.

The moment I walked into the arena, I felt a camaraderie among the women there, and a peace I simply couldn’t explain. The speakers, who I normally would have dismissed as hokey, resonated with me, and I felt myself filled with the same camaraderie and peace as those around me. I didn’t want to leave.

Unfortunately, I had no choice - I had a deadline to meet! And, as I left the building to walk the three blocks to the newspaper office, I felt that peace leave me just as suddenly as it arrived.

A myriad of questions ran through my mind.

What did those women have that I didn’t?

Could I find that kind of peace in Judaism if I was more devout, or was this a Christian phenomenon?

I decided I needed to start this quest of mine with my own faith. I found my copy of the Hebrew Bible and read the entire Old Testament from beginning to end in two weeks. I also typed out about 20 pages of notes.

Those two weeks brought several things to light, including my lack of obedience to God’s laws, and the emphasis throughout the Old Testament on vengeance and justice.

I knew what I had to do next. I began reading the New Testament. And there, it seemed, were answers to all my questions, comfort from all my fears. I finished the NT in another week, and added another dozen pages of notes to my collection.

Yet, I had some serious misgivings. I saw Jesus as a wonderful man, someone to emulate, but as God? As Messiah? My Jewish background and teachings were digging at me - "God is One," "Christ was a Jew-hater," and other mantras reverberated in my mind. I MIGHT be able to accept Jesus as Lord, but Savior?

Still, I started attending a bible-believing church, and began reading the bible through again. I got many new revelations on the Old Testament the second time through, but none as monumental as the one I received about 5 months after the women’s conference, from Isaiah.

But he was wounded because of our sins,
Crushed because of our iniquities.
He bore the chastisement that made us whole,
And by his bruises we were healed.
Isaiah 53:5 JPS

There it was, in black and while - in the Hebrew Scriptures: Christ’s death on the cross as payment for my sins. At this point, I had no choice. I embraced the cross, and have never turned back.

Joanne Sher is a wife, mother of two, and devoted lover of Jesus. She was saved out of Judaism ten years ago and has a passion for writing, encouraging others in the Lord, and caring for her family. A writer by calling, she enjoys writing devotionals, at Exemplify Online and at her blog An Open Book. She is currently working on editing and polishing Ailing Body, Nourished Soul, a non-fiction book on God’s workings through her husband’s serious health issues. She also loves to write short fiction that glorifies God, and has several novel ideas on the back burner.

Marita Thelander Shares Her Story

It's day number SEVEN out of eleven salvation testimonies to be shared on Selah the days leading up to and just after Easter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His resurrection than hearing God-stories of souls raised from death to life. So pause. Ponder what He has done. Then praise Him!!!!

Today, Marita Thelander shares her salvation story. I love watching her go through the process of owning her faith, but to see her personality shine through it all is an added bonus for sure. It will be obvious to you as you read that one of her many God-given gifts is writing stories. I pray this ministers to you. May God receive the glory!


I CHOOSE
by Marita Thelander

At nine-years-old, I nervously picked at my fingernails in the front seat of the Grand Torino station wagon as my mom drove me to the church on a warm August morning. The car pulled up the little slope of the parking lot and my tummy did a flip-flop, somersault, and then landed in a thud when she stopped near the bus.

Sandy and Carol ran to greet me. “This is going to be so much fun,” Sandy exclaimed. She always had a flare for the dramatics. Tall and skinny Carol just smiled. Her eyes showed the excitement more than Sandy’s mouth blabbed it.

My mom handed the adult in charge my permission slip and the driver whisked away my belongings. My friends waited patiently as I gave my mom a hug and accepted her last minute “behave” talk.

On the bus, Sandy opened a duffle bag stuffed full of a variety of snacks. “The food at camp is gross, so my mom sends me with stuff she knows I like so I won’t starve.”

“If you would learn to eat real food, you wouldn’t starve,” Carol spoke for the first time.

I turned to wave at my mom as the bus pulled out of the parking lot. Being the youngest of six kids, I had seen all my siblings get to go off on adventures. This would be a new experience for me. Excitement, mixed with fear of the unknown, threatened to cause tears to slip down my face.

Camp had a lot of fun things, and, like at home, I blended into the background, unnoticed.


From as early as I could remember, I had been a compliant child. At the end of my Kindergarten year, my teacher told my mom I should be held back a year. “She is so small and I don’t think she has learned anything,” Mrs. Anderson had told my mom over the phone.

“Are you sure?” My mom asked in disbelief. “She reads out loud to me when I’m ironing or doing dishes.”

After some persuasion, Mrs. Andersen agreed to have me tested. Not only could I read, but my math and reading skills were mid to post first grade level.

On the way home from the test, my mom asked me, “Why didn’t you tell Mrs. Andersen you could read?”

I shrugged my thin shoulders and simply answered, “On the first day of school she told us to sit down and be quiet. So I did.”


So, the words of the speaker one night in chapel, caught my attention. I sat up straight and tried to focus on what he had to say. “If your mama makes it to heaven it is because of a choice she made to accept Christ as her Savior. You can’t make it to heaven on your mama’s apron strings.”

I sat on the edge of my seat in an attempt to ignore Sandy’s constant whispers and doodles.

“Your parents make choices for you. What to eat. What to wear,” he continued, “but choosing Christ as your Savior is a choice only you can make.”

Being the youngest of six, I always did what I was told. I had three sisters that were nineteen, eighteen, and sixteen and two brothers that were thirteen and eleven. Everyone made my choices for me, and not always good choices, either. Good or bad, I complied.

“Tonight you can choose to accept Christ,” the speaker began his altar call.

I had accepted Christ before in Children’s Church…and Sunday School…and VBS…and Missionettes. Pretty much, anytime the sinner’s prayer had been offered, I prayed it.

He invited those who wanted to accept Christ to come forward, and instructed the adults to leave us alone. “They are old enough to make this choice on their own. They are old enough to say the words themselves.”

I knelt near a post at the far end of the altar area and found my own words to ask Jesus to forgive me and become my Savior. I didn’t want to leave the sweet presence I experienced for the first time ever.

I searched for new words to express myself to God. Tears slipped down my chubby cheeks. I heard myself speak louder with boldness and raised my hands in simple praise.

A woman slipped her arm around me and asked, “Is this the first time you have spoken in tongues, Sweetie?”

I wiped my face. “In what?”

She gently hugged me and whispered, “Stay close to Him. He has a special purpose for you.”

When I went home, I told no one of my camp experience. I had been a good secret keeper all my life. My commitment to Christ had been my choice. A choice no one could take away from me.

Marita is a middle-aged woman who thrives on her husband’s love, mixed with generous portions of good chocolate and daily lattes. She serves beside her husband as they pastor a small church in the mountain community of Randle, nestled among the Cascade foothills in Washington.

Married for 27 years, she has three adult children, two of which are married. While she never liked the title of mother-in-law, Marita does enjoy the new season of life called Gramma-in-luv. With five grandchildren under the age of three, Marita feels she taught her children the concept of loving their spouses quite well.

In the past year, Marita began to pursue a long hidden desire to write. She has treasured friendships that have developed over the internet that share the same passion for writing and sharing God’s love. If she can get her ADD, middle-aged, menopausal mind to focus once in awhile, she may actually accomplish something.

You can find more of her written works at Faithwriters.com or at her blog, Mari-flower.

Bernice Shares Her Story

It's day number SIX out of eleven salvation testimonies to be shared on Selah the days leading up to and just after Easter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His resurrection than hearing God-stories of souls raised from death to life. So pause. Ponder what He has done. Then praise Him!!!!

My precious sister in Christ, Bernice, shared her story through the posting of some of my questions. I was incredibly moved by her life of courage and faith.

How old were you when someone first told you about Jesus?

To believe in Jesus Christ and to look up to God for help and guidance in your life was learned to me just like learning to read and write.This is a huge blessing and privilege. I got awesome examples by strong, godly women ( My grandmother, her sister and"Nene Dina") and a godly man, my grandfather. I was always prayed for, even when i left my birthcountry all by myself. The BEST advice my grandma gave me was "ALWAYS take your Bible and pray"!

When did you become open to the gospel?

I was always open to the gospel as a child. God was my living reality. I love reading and telling stories, so the stories from the Children's Bible, I could tell out of my head. I remember as a teen i wanted to read "the real Bible" from beginning to end. My grandfather frequently read passages to me and we talked about them.

In my teen time i went to Youth services in other Christian denominations, because i started coming up against the "kind of set liturgic services" and the common songs from the 17th and 18th centuries......

What compelled you to give your life over to Jesus?

It was a vibrant experience of God's Spirit in a youth group in the same denomination i was baptized as a child, but now living in Holland. I left my birthcountry when i was 18yo age. I made my commitment to follow Jesus when i was 21.

What Scriptures were particularly meaningful to you?

My favorite book is Isaiah, which is about HOPE to me.....
Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
I was and am always intriged by the HOPE we can have as Christians for living this life out of restoration, and after this Life with Him and All who died in Him!

When did you finally start living out your faith?

In my married life and this last year I was compelled to hold on to His Promises for His Children more.

What changed inside of you?

I accepted Jesus Christ when I was active in the Youth group because I realized that God's Spirit lives in people. I saw it, I felt it, I accepted the gospel that "He is the only way to God." I realised also around that time that I embraced other thoughts in my teens going to adolescent that were not endorsed by The living God the God of Jesus Christ.

How do you think your life is different since you made Jesus the Lord of it?

When I started living it, it was the moment i stopped ONLY believing in Jesus Christ and began to confess and realize that I need a SAVIOR. I can't live Godly out of my own strength. In that season of my life as a mother ( of toddlers) and married, I felt I came totally short. I found a verse of Apostle Paul and realized then the depth of it....

Romans 7:21-23 (The Message)
"It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge."

Gods spirit urges me to grow...to pray without ceasing for myself for my family. I felt totally inadequate, and I was "housebound," only in loose contact with my church family.

But in the midst of this my relationship with the Lord began to grow, and He started to "weed" in our lives and plant new seeds.

I found a book along the way, "The Power of A Praying Wife" from Stormie Omartian....and praying those Scriptural prayers helped me to focus on GOD's PLAN for me, my dh's and my family. I was directed to His WORD, and I can testify that God is faithful. He answered in His time each and every prayer that I sent up to Him......and also the prayers sent up by my "Granny," who followed and blessed me through my whole life.

My marriage is stronger than ever, my husband is drawn to God more than ever, my kids love the Lord and learn about Him-- and I'm challenged now more than ever to become the P31 woman, the best I can be for HIM who restored me and gave me HOPE for now and everyday!

Bernice is 42 and went to live in Holland all by herself when she was just 18-years-old to study becoming a beautician. Her parents had  their own beauty business in her birth country, Surinam ( above Brazil), and she was their only child. After some years, Bernice changed her mind and chose to study for nursing. She works now part-time with the elderly in a home facility in Holland for already 18 years. Along those years she met her dh's, who is a "nail artist" (stylist). Beside working part-time, they opened a "head to toe" beauty business in the "Heart of Amsterdam." They worked together until their second child was born and he had all his beauty diplomas. Presently, Bernice is working with the elderly alone part-time and spends the rest of her time being a mum and housewife. You can find her blog at My Journey.

Melissa Shares Her Story...Tissue Warning!

It's day number FIVE out of eleven of salvation testimonies to be shared on Selah the days leading up to and just after Easter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His resurrection than hearing God-stories of souls raised from death to life. So pause. Ponder what He has done. Then praise Him!!!!

Meet Melissa, aka Multi-Tasking Mama from The Feel Chic Boutique. Her testimony brought me tears over tragedy and tears over triumph. It moved my soul to see the Lord's provision through her circumstances. Grab a kleenex and prepare your heart for some yanking...

***
Last year I did a Beth Moore study called "Believing God." That study changed my relationship with God in so many awesome ways that I don’t have room to list here. But one thing that came to mind, when the Lord asked me where did He and I start, is a section in the book called "Believing God Has Been There All Along." I was able to really heal in so many ways, especially unresolved anger towards God, through that specific chapter. Beth and I had a lot in common in that there were so many things about my life that I would rather not remember, that caused me inexplicable pain and that made me angry at God for many years.

And just as Beth taught in the study, if you internalize such experiences they will only stay submerged for so long. Trauma will surface in all sorts of ways- anger, physical illness, relationship issues, the list goes on. So the study taught us to allow the Holy Spirit to support us as we go back and look at those experiences through a different lens. (Psalms 77:11-12) We can find treasure in the midst of mud. Do you know how many rocks have to be turned before they find gold?

I do not want to in any way suggest that this process is easy or quick- in fact I am still going through it- but it is so worth it to look back and realize that our Savior was watching over us long before we realized it. I hope my story encourages you to go back and review the testimonies of your own life- it will strengthen your faith walk immensely.

I was born in 1979 to parents who had issues. Join the club, right? My dad was mentally ill and un-medicated, or I should say self medicated. My mom did not have the emotional capacity to stand up to him. So the early years of my life were an unpredictable roller coaster of experiences I was too little to control.

When my father was in an overly religious phase we wore skirts to our knees, hair to my waste and grew our own food. When he was not in a religious phase he was doing drugs and acting psychotic. He took the concept of helping people to the extreme (as he did everything else) so instead of giving money to the homeless on his way to work in DC he would bring them home to live with us. There were dangerous and scary people in and out of my home on a regular basis. Those people were not always kind to me and my little brothers and we were subjected to sexual abuse by more than one of the people. This went on until I was nine years old and we ended up moving to West Virginia because one of the men that lived with us at the time tried to kill my mother and kidnap my brothers and I.

That takes me to believing and knowing that God has been there all along. One of the ways I know this is that my mom and dad were not the only two people in the room when I was born. My paternal grandfather was also there and my grandmother was on her way. He says I looked right into his eyes and I have been his little girl ever since. God knew that my parents wouldn’t have the ability to parent me adequately and so he sent me the two people that love me most in this world- my Mommom and Poppop. They have proved through so many seasons of my life to be the love of God in physical form! God was also in my house.

The human mind is an awesome complex creation that allowed me to escape feeling physical pain from things done to me as a child. I had a special place in my head where I could just feel like I was an observer rather than a participant. Only God can give a gift like that. In addition, the night that Ed tried to kill my mom, my dad wasn’t home and we were alone in the house with this man. But I had left something at school that day- I think I was in the third grade- and since I went to a small private school my teacher knew where we lived. When she didn’t get an answer on the telephone she came over. Her ringing our doorbell saved our lives and I know that was God.

We moved to West Virginia not long after that. When I was 12, a young kid off the streets moved in with us. My parents said his parents didn’t take good care of him (hello?). My mom was in another deep depression at that time so having another mouth to feed really didn’t affect me that much, but I was jealous of how much time this boy spent with my mom. We had to leave her alone because she was so emotionally fragile and I was taking care of my two little brothers and myself and the house and he got to go in my mom’s room all the time. It made me really mad. You have to understand that my father kept us very sheltered from the world- we lived out in the middle of nowhere and we were “homeschooled”, etc. The only people we knew were the people we went to church with when we went. And God was there-

Even though doctrinally I know now that church was erroneous, God was still there and I got to volunteer in the nursery, sing in the choir, sing special music, play the piano and play the hand bells. That was the only time in those years I got to be me. I really believe that maintained my composure and sanity through a difficult time and God gets all the glory for that.

Then one day my dad announced to me that my mom and this young boy were going to try to have a baby together, that the baby would call the boy Daddy and my dad Papa. I had always been the one to stand up to my dad when he acted nuts and this time was no exception. I told him all the ways that this was morally wrong and that I didn’t understand why he was talking like this. He told me that if I didn’t like it I could find somewhere else to live. I was 13. He said that if I told anyone what was going on he would kill himself.

That was a chance I was willing to take and I ran away when my dad was at work and called my grandparents to come pick me up. Once again God provided and they were there for me. I reported to a counselor they took me to what was going on- not knowing that what was occurring was a crime and that my family was about to implode.

My dad got wind that the cops were coming to arrest him and my mom and they left town. I was put in foster care. The foster family were Christians and their church accepted me with open arms and again I was singing and going to youth group. God provided.

My grandparents fought like crazy and within a year had custody of me. That was the time in my life that God gave me the opportunity to be a kid. I got to have sleep overs with my friends, go to the movies, eat meat, wear pants! It was great and I am so thankful I had that experience.

However, when I was just about to turn sixteen I found out my mom was getting ready to have a baby with the same young man (thankfully it hadn’t materialized before then). I was an adolescent girl that harbored a lot of anger and resentment towards my mom for choosing a relationship over her children so I left my grandparents and ran away to try to force my mom to be a mom. That lasted two weeks before she threw me out. And I was 16 and on my own.

God provided and I had a place to live with an ex of my dad’s. I got a job and thought I had everything figured out. I used guys for money, food and drugs and ended up pregnant. That was the first time in a long time I prayed. One of those God if you get me out of this mess I will be perfect forever prayers. I didn’t think God answered but now that Jared is here I know He was in control the whole time. Able to make all things right with His omnipotent power.

When I was pregnant with Jared I met Mike. We have been married for 12 years and have had Matthew as well. Mike adopted Jared and we ended up getting custody of, and I adopted Mike’s son from his first marriage in 1999. God orchestrated every move of that custody battle that started with a phone call from neighbor.

In the years that followed I faced cervical cancer- (God provided best doctors), life with my bonus son went downhill due to trauma and abuse he had suffered at the hands of his biological mother (strength to survive that only comes from God),and in the last two years we have faced the death of close loved ones (young and old), and my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in January 2008. Through it all God has been faithful.

My illness was God’s way of trying to get me to slow down and allow the Holy Spirit to do one of his most important jobs- (John 14:26) Allowing the Holy Spirit to be your counselor is one of the most healing things you can do. Slowly but surely- God will only reveal to you what you can handle- God is creating opportunities for me to remember, know that God remembered me then and he is remembering me now. I am better for all of it.

At this point in my life He has helped me realize that I am enough because He created me. I am loved, accepted and forgiven. I am an heir of God (romans 8:16,17) And the thing God has helped me do the most is forgive myself. I had shame, feelings of failure, if I coulda, should, woulda’s. God doesn’t do that folks and neither should we- there are no might have beens. God deals with our present and holds our future in His hands. Forgive yourself- it does NOT matter what you have done, what has been done to you- if he can send His own son to die on the cross for ALL our sins- yes even the ugly ones- the least we can do is offer that same forgiveness and mercy to others and ourselves.

I have recently reconciled with my father after thirteen years of not speaking, my mom and I have a great relationship and there will be more moments to come that He needs to reveal and shape and mold me into His will. Life is a journey- we don’t reach our final destination until heaven, so a year from now I will have a whole new testimony to share.

Allow God to continually work on you, if he reveals something that needs to be fixed be willing to do the work (whatever it is) to fix it. Do you need to form a new habit? Do you need to let bitterness go? Do you need to focus less on yourself and more on others? Whatever God reveals don’t fight it- let Him do His good work in and through you.

Psalm 27 is always of comfort to me and it tells us that God is always setting the stage for something greater in our lives than we are able to see through our momentary circumstances.

If you go back through the annals of your life you will see that God was and is there. This realization allowed me and it can allow you to really lean back into that love and trust that He will do what He says He will do. Nobody else in our life can offer us that- just God. Please, dear ones, whatever you are going through recognize that God is there with you. Lean on him and hold fast.

Melissa Smallwood (aka Multi-tasking Mama) has worked with seniors and families as a professional organizer for several years and is the owner of Organized Life by Design, LLC. She has an extensive human services background. She is also the mom of three active boys (one of which has special needs). She enjoys helping people get their lives, calendars and homes organized so that they have time to see and enjoy their blessings! Melissa also has a passion for cheap yet chic home décor and has many resources available for decorating your home on a budget. Melissa has written many articles on organizing for various websites and organizations including Online Organizing.com, Show Mom the Money, Ask Baby Kid, Dr. Mommy Says, Sassy Mamas, Pink Lemonade of Life and more.

Laurie Ann Shares Her Story

It's day number FOUR out of eleven of salvation testimonies to be shared on Selah the days leading up to and just after Easter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His resurrection than hearing God-stories of souls raised from death to life. So pause. Ponder what He has done. Then praise Him!!!!

Laurie Ann from A Magnolia's Heart BeatALWAYS blesses me with her in-depth teaching as well as her vulnerable and genuine heart for Jesus Christ. Her testimony made my heart want to beat for Him all the more...

***

My Story/His Story
By Laurie Ann

I grew up in a Christian home. My mother sang of Jesus and read to me of Jesus before I even knew who she was talking about. I never remember a time of "not" knowing Jesus. I grew up singing of His love for me, my love for Him, Him having the whole world in His hands, Him loving the little children, loving him because He first loved me, and I never doubted that He did that. I don't ever remember "not" being in church. Mother and Daddy both made sure we were there every time the doors opened. They taught us about giving - I was always excited to put my quarters in the offering plate or in the envelope at Sunday School, and although I knew I was supposed to do it I didn't know why.

I grew up in the church. Sunday School, Mission Friends, GA's, Acteens, Youth Group, Church Choir, you name it, I was into it. I loved church. When I graduated from children's church to big church I remember the first time mother let me go to the sanctuary. The preacher preached on Isaiah 55 and when the preacher read, "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?" I raised my hand to answer him, LOL! I knew the answer and I wanted him to call on me so I could tell him that I knew that nothing satisfies us but God. I looked for Jesus in church, because that's where Momma said He lived. I knew He lived in my heart, too, but I wanted to see Him in His house and remember being disappointed that He was a no-show during the service.

When I was about 8 years old, after a particularly firey sermon that involved a fist banging on the pulpit, the invitation was given. A friend from school trotted down the aisle and I went right behind her. I wanted some of whatever she was getting. The preacher talked to me and I believe with all my heart that I was saved. I was baptized and so happy.

In my teens I began to not be as close to God as I was when I was younger. I was still in church but I was at the age to where Momma no longer held me and rocked me and sang of His love for me anymore. I had a Bible that was opened on Sundays and Wednesday nights and maybe Saturday evening to go over my SS lesson for the next day.

When I was about 14 the preacher asked a (what I now understood!) rhetorical question. It was, "If you died in a wreck after you left church right now where would you spend eternity?" Well, I wasn't sure at all. I mean, surely God would take me but after my teenage angst and ugliness?

There was ALOT of it. I wasn't as bad as some, but I caused all kinds of grief for my parents. Not drugs or promiscuous behavior, more emotional angst, I'd say. It's hard to go into because there was sort of a reason for it, but to bring it all back up would be to rip the scars off some almost-healed wounds. I'll say this. I was diagnosed with depression at the age of 9. My father was a functioning alcholic (he's recovered now) who provided plenty of emotional and verbal abuse during my growing up years. I was well loved. Don't get me wrong. I understand now that it was more of an illness for him than an intentional thing. Mother was a gem. She tried her hardest to make a good life for us and I bucked her at every opportunity. I'm happy to say that they ultimately divorced and Daddy has since quit drinking. I have a sister who is almost 13 years younger, you see, who I didn't want to grow up the way I did. She was in 6th grade when they divorced. She caught alot of it but didn't have to live with it day in and day out. I'll be like Forrest Gump now and say, "That's all I've got to say about that."

So...I wasn't so sure about it the more I thought of it. I responded to the invitation and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. I went through some rough patches in life where I didn't not believe in Him but you sure couldn't have known He was a part of my life by the way I acted. Around the age of 17 we went to a retreat called Faith Week. I recommited my life to Him and have been assured of my salvation ever since.

My walk with God has taken different lanes in life but I have always known He was beside me and will never leave me or forsake me. I'm finally on the narrow path, now, and my whole trust is in Him. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He loves me and gave His life for me. He moved from my heart to my heart of hearts. He filled my mind, my heart, my very being with Himself and His love for me and made me want to share it with others.

Laurie Ann loves her family, her friends and sweet tea. She married her best friend 17 years ago and falls in love with him again each day. The nest is empty but fills up again and again with frequent visits from her bonus daughter, son-in-law and grandsons. Her heart beats to serve her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please join her at her blog: A Magnolia's Heart Beats where her heart shines with humor, depth, authenticity and Truth in each and every post.

Josh Janoski Shares His Story

It's number THREE out of eleven salvation testimonies to be shared on Selah the days leading up to and just after Easter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His resurrection than hearing God-stories of souls raised from death to life. So pause. Ponder what He has done. Then praise Him!!!!

I know you'll enjoy hearing from my friend, Josh. God's really gifted him not only as a writer, but also as an authentic communicator. I pray his testimony reaches one who is lost, letdown or looking today.

***

What is my testimony?

This is a question I used to ask myself. I never really felt like I had much of a testimony to share with people. I hadn’t been addicted to drugs. I wasn’t a recovering alcoholic. I never found myself in jail or hanging with the wrong crowds. I guess you could say that I was pretty “straight-laced” growing up. I was the shy, timid boy who was afraid to say much to anyone, let alone go out and get myself in to a bunch of trouble. I didn’t seem to have found my salvation. It sort of found me, or at least I thought that was the case.

I grew up with Godly parents that taught me about Jesus from birth. My mother has a cassette tape of me singing Jesus loves me when I was one and a half years old. I attended a private Christian elementary school, and I had first accepted Jesus Christ into my heart at the age of 6. I was then baptized in water at age 10. Nothing exciting about my walk with the Lord, it was all pretty straightforward and boring, right?

That all changed when I entered the 7th grade. I began experiencing a fear and terror unlike anything I had ever faced before. The internal scare was accompanied by physical symptoms of hyperventilating, shakiness, and dry mouth. At age 13, I was experiencing anxiety and “panic attacks.” They were something my dad had struggled with for years, and I had never understood them. I still didn’t understand them, and neither did my teachers or principal. They thought I was just a clever kid who was finding a way out of having to go to school. They didn’t know me and how much I loved academics. They didn’t realize that I thrived on going to school and learning new things. This was not a ploy to get to go home and have fun. This was a battle within my mind.

For several months I struggled with sitting in the car every morning, ducked down and sobbing uncontrollably, afraid to enter the school building. The principal decided to let me try half days to see if that would work better for me. It did for a short while, but then I began to be plagued again by the symptoms. Finally, my parents gave up and pulled me out of public school to homeschool me.

I was a failure. There was no hope for me. God had abandoned me. The Savior that I grew up praising had left me. I sat in darkness for a period of time until I finally hit rock bottom. It was at this point that I realized I needed to renew my commitment to the Lord. I asked Him into my heart for a second time, but the second time felt like the first as I had now matured enough to know what having a relationship with Him truly meant. I now realized what salvation in Him was, and for the first time, I truly felt saved. I made up my mind that I was going to get things turned around in my life. I graduated high school and decided to go on to college.

The symptoms began to hit me again during my first semester of college. I started to cower down in fear, but I heard that beautiful, still-soft voice speak into my ear “Remember 7th grade. How long will you keep running from this? Be strong because I am with you through every step of this journey.”

I now have my Bachelor’s Degree. I now have a good paying job and a lovely fiancé. Most of all, I now have my testimony and my assurance of who I am in Jesus Christ because of what He has brought me through. My salvation is in Him alone, and I cannot thank Him enough for loving me.

Josh is a 26 year old Network Administrator living in the beautiful mountain state of Colorado. When he's not tinkering with technology, Josh likes to read, exercise, play games, surf the Internet, and of course - write. He sees his writing as a ministry, given to him by God to help encourage people and lead them to the hope that is Jesus Christ. Whether it be through humor, fictional Biblical re-tellings, or non-fiction confessionals, Josh's goal is to put a smile on people's face and remind them of the love that God has for them. Please take time to visit his ministry website: Uplifting Words or his personal blog at Just Joshing.

Lynn Squire Shares Her Story

Today is the SECOND of eleven salvation testimonies to be shared on Selah the days leading up to and just after Easter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His resurrection than hearing God-stories of souls raised from death to life. So pause. Ponder what He has done. Then praise Him!!!!

Sooo I'd like to introduce you to Lynn Squire from Faith, Fiction, Fun and Fanciful, a wonderful writer with a heart for God. Her testimony begs for someone else to join her in the Kingdom, don't you think?

***
Every saved person can tell of a time in their life when he realized he is a horrible person and needed rescuing. This realization, when met with the Gospel, led that person to bow down before the Lord Jesus Christ believing that God made Jesus the perfect sacrifice, the payment for all the evil deeds he has ever done and will ever do. At the moment of confession before God, he has the assurance that when he dies he will be with the Lord Jesus in Heaven (what a glorious day that will be). Each person who is saved will recall this day (though he may not remember the time or date) and can rejoice.

I have had such a time in my life:

When I was five years old I came home from Sunday School and sat on my bed. I prayed that I would one day be with Jesus. I did not understand all that was involved, but I knew that was what I wanted.

About two years later, I was answering questions in a Mailbox Club handout from Vacation Bible School. A question caused me great concern; when were you saved? I thought I was saved, but I couldn’t be sure and I knew I needed to get this point settled. I could not wait until I could ask my teacher how I could be sure I was saved.

The next day I stayed after VBS and the teacher took me through the Wordless Book, a book that illustrates by use of colors how a person can be saved. She showed me the black page and said how this represented my sin, all those bad things I had done. She quoted Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

She then showed me a red page. She quoted Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

She told me that the debt of my sin needed to be paid for, so Jesus shed His blood by dying on the cross for my sin. He died, was buried, and rose again.

The white page represented my heart if I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart. The black page showed the condition of my heart, but should I be saved, Jesus would wash me clean. Psalm 51:7 says “…Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

My teacher then turned to a gold page and said that this page represented the streets of gold found in Heaven. She told me that there was only one way to get to Heaven, and that was through faith in Jesus Christ. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”

I then prayed with her and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.

Afterward the teacher showed me the green page and said this represented the growth a Christian should have. I took all of this to heart and I know that my life changed from that day on.

I have eternal security; I know for certain that when I die I will go to Heaven, because of what the Bible says.

Romans 10:9-13
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

I John 5:11-13
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I know that I am a miserable sinner saved by grace, but I rejoice greatly in a loving, holy heavenly Father who saw fit to give the greatest gift ever that I might be reconciled unto Him.

Perhaps you, like me have come to realize you have done bad things in your life and that you need someone to forgive you of these bad things. Perhaps you recognize that you need someone give you new life. Perhaps you long to know God. You can pray and ask for His forgiveness, humbly accepting that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again conquering death. He gave His life for you, that you might have fellowship with Him and no longer be a slave to sin and death. Are you willing to give your life over to Him?

If you need someone to pray with you, email me at lynnsquire@gmail.com.

LYNN SQUIRE grew up on a farm in Southern Alberta where much of her perspective on life was shaped. As a child, she came to understand who she was in light of a Holy God, and that she needed Jesus Christ as her savior. This relationship became her life’s driving force, as long as she kept “self” out of the way. Nonetheless, God led her through educational valleys, across plains of complacency, and over mountains of life experiences, to her present location, California. She was baptized in a Baptist church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and currently attends Calvary Baptist Church in California with her husband and three children.

History has fascinated Lynn since childhood when she spent many hours playing and daydreaming about living as a pioneer. Today, this passion finds fulfillment in reading and writing.

At her church’s missions conference in 2007, her pastor posted the “Trail of Blood,” a chart covering martyrs from early church history to present day. The martyrs in Colonial America became of particular interest to Lynn since her ancestors may have been Anabaptist indentured servants in that period. She began researching the era, and was moved by the courage of those men and women who died for their faith.

Lynn’s first book, Management of Resources for Horsemanship Programs, sold out and is no longer in publication. She wrote several articles for horsemanship periodicals and websites. She was a contributing author to a number of manuals, including Certified Horsemanship Association Riding Instructor and Trail Guide Manual. Every other month, Lynn authors a fiction-writing column in the Ready Writer. She also had a short story and a poem published in the Northview Clarion. In 2008, she published a collection of short stories, poems, and prose entitled: Best of Faith, Fiction, Fun, and Fanciful.

In 1999, she received an Author’s Award from the Horse Daily Planner Publications and later a diploma from the Institute of Children’s Literature. She graduated from Trinity Western University with a B.A. majoring in Business Administration.

Lynn is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of the Christian Writers Guild, a co-moderator for the Fellowship of Christian Writers online critique groups, and she actively participates in a number of online writers' groups.

Denise Oldham/Shortybear Shares Her Salvation Story

Today is the first of eleven salvation testimonies to be shared on Selah the days leading up to and just after Easter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His resurrection than hearing God-stories of souls raised from death to life. So pause. Ponder what He has done. Then praise Him!!!!

Denise is one special lady. God has given her the spiritual gift of encouragement, and she is as generous with it as Mary Magdalene was with her jar of perfume. She took the time to answer some questions I asked about her decision to become a Christian and then shared freely from her heart at the end. I pray it ministers powerfully and effectively to your soul today.

1) How old were you when someone first told you about Jesus?

I was 10 years old when someone first told me about Jesus. My dad had just gone to prison, and my momma was working third shift at a cotton mill. I was a very lonely & sad little girl, always felt lost. There was a lady named Sue Ledford, she lived next door to us. Everyday, when she came in from work, I would be sitting outside on the sidewalk, she never failed to speak to me. One day, she invited me in, she fixed us something to eat, and we laughed and talked for a long time. This became a regular routine for us. She became a dear friend to me. She invited me to church, and I went. She was a GIA leader(Girls In Action), so I became active in that. I felt God nudging my heart, and I talked to Sue about it. She asked me if I wanted to get saved, and I said yes. Well, she said she would talk to my momma about it. After the talk, my momma said "no, I was to young to understand salvation." My little heart broke, but I never stopped thinking about Jesus.

2) What compelled you to give your life over to Jesus?

We had a revival at church, there was a visiting preacher one night, his name was Doug Stone. He was such a Godly man, and he spoke such truth. God's Word was strongly coming out of his mouth, it was as if he was talking straight to my heart. It was awesome, I will never forget it.

3) What scriptures were particularly meaningful to you?

Psalm 23, Philippians 4:13, and Psalm 139.

4) How do you think your life is different since you made Jesus the Lord of it?

I am happier, content to live for Him, not for myself, or the world. I am free to be all I can in Jesus, shine His light for others to see. I am not perfect, but I am saved, washed clean by His precious blood. By His stripes I am healed, praise the Lord.

My testimony:
On July 2, 1989, at the age of 25, I gave my life to Jesus. I have never regretted it for one second, it was the best thing I ever did. He took my dirty rags, and replaced them with stainless, sparkling white garments. He took all the broken pieces of my life, that were scattered like a jigsaw puzzle, and began to sculpture a new life for me. He poured His love all over my life, and made it so much better. My walk with Him has not been perfect, I have made mistakes, and let Him down. But, He is always quick to pick me up, dust me off, and forgive me. He has never let me down, always built me up. My greatest treasure is my salvation. Thank You Lord.

Denise (on the right) is a daughter of the King, and she loves her Father with all of her heart and soul. She is a very devoted wife to her dear Lovebug, and has been for 24 years. She loves all people, and tries her best to be an encouragement to others. She can be found at Shortybear's Place, or at Free To Be Me.

Maggie's Letter/The Power of Community

I attended the Christian Book Expo in Dallas last weekend, and one of the speakers was Lee Strobel. He is one of the most engaging, passionate speakers I've ever heard. By the time I finished his breakout, I was ready to go share the gospel with the telephone pole, or anyone who would listen. I have two stories in particular that Mr. Strobel shared which yanked my heart out of my chest. I'm going to share one in this post, and reserve the other for when the Lord leads.

It's about the power of small groups open to reaching seekers with tough questions. In essence, they listen and love 'em into the Kingdom, with the Lord's leading of course. Lee Strobel includes this story in his upcoming book (of which I have an advance copy, (gasp)), The Unexpected Adventure. Maggie's story has been shared in various places on the internet, however, and maybe in another of Mr. Strobel's books as well.

Years ago, a young woman named Maggie began attending the Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago. She was a hurting soul who'd long stopped trusting that the God of the Universe existed, and especially that He loved her. As a child, she'd been deceived by inauthentic Christians. Abused by them, deeply scarred as a result.

But you know God's heart for those grasped in grip of grief. It wasn't long after Maggie joined a small group at the church just to spite Christians that she began to understand the love of God through the hands and feet of Jesus Christ--His church body. She wrote a letter to Pastor Strobel after attending these small groups for awhile, which I believe God intended for all disciples of Jesus to hear:

“Do you know, do you understand?
That you represent Jesus to me?

Do you know, do you understand
That when you treat me with gentleness,
It raises questions in my mind that
maybe HE is gentle too?
Maybe He isn't someone who laughs when I hurt.

Do you know, do you understand
That when you listen to my questions
and you don't laugh, I think,
'What if Jesus is interested in me too'?

Do you know, do you understand
that when I hear you talk about arguments
and conflicts and scars from your past, I think,
'Maybe I am just a regular person,
instead of a bad, no good little girl
who deserves abuse'?

If you care, I think 'maybe He cares—?'
And then there’s this flame of hope
that burns inside of me.
And for awhile, I am afraid to breathe,
because it might go out.

Do you know, do you understand,
that your words are His words?
Your face is His face to someone like me?

Please, be who you say you are,
please, God, don’t let this be another trick.
Please let this be real.
Please!

Do you know, do you understand,
that you represent Jesus to me?"

Not long after sending Lee Strobel this poem, Maggie give her life to Christ. Praise God that the people in her small group understood that they represented Jesus to Maggie.

How does her letter make you feel? 

My first response when I heard Mr. Strobel tell this story was one of extreme regret. I'm sure the person beside me thought I was NUTS. I could hardly breathe, and my face was flooded teardrops of shame. I thought of all the ways that I have failed to represent Jesus to others.

Now that I've had time to pray about it, repent of legitimate convictions and let the Lord speak Truth to me, I still feel the gut-wrenching emotion from Maggie's letter, but my guilt is gone. I am stirred to respond instead.

And the place I'm starting is on my knees.

Lord, help me to know, help me to understand, how to represent You to the Maggie's in my life.
May I treat them with gentleness.
May I be more interested in them than I am about myself.
May I take their questions and doubts seriously.
May I take off the plastic, "I'm perfect" smile, and be authentic to them.
May I show them where I've found, and still find for that matter,
true healing from my scars, bumps and bruises.
May I give them a flame of Hope that won't go out--the One True Hope.
May my Words always reflect You. My face always shine with You.
Help me to be Salt which reaches the bottom of that deep wound,
And Light which shines out pain hidden in some closet of the soul.
Please, God, help me to be who I say I am.
Don't let me be another obstacle.
Please be real in me.
Let Your Holy Spirit, alive in me, revealed through me,
be Jesus to the Maggies in my world.

***Book to come out is called The Unexpected Adventure by Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg, Zondervan