We lived in New York until I was 13 years old when we moved to a Wisconsin settlement with only five families. My Dad bought an 80 acre farm. About a year later, I started work milking 80 cows for our neighbor. I began to listen to Christian radio and heard the gospel. Living an Amish life, I had never heard the true gospel. The only gospel I had heard was you have to do this, that and the other in order for you to go to Heaven. Well, the true gospel was very new to me. I tried to argue and prove the radio ministers wrong by reading the Bible. Can you guess my surprise when I found out what they were saying was true?

But even after I knew the truth, I still didn’t want to get saved because I knew I would be shunned from my family. That’s what the devil wanted me to think; he didn’t want me to get saved. The Bible says “behold today is the day of salvation”. But the devil says: “wait until tomorrow.” He says that because tomorrow never comes. You see he says, “Uriah, you want to go out and have a fling in life and do as you please, and somewhere along the line, you’ll get saved before you die.” There are probably a lot of people in Hell right now that said the same thing. But my mind was prideful and my heart was stoney and prickly.

I listened to the devil for about three months before I got saved. At last I saw that this life wasn’t worth living without Jesus, so I cried out to Him one night, October 3, 2009. My heart was filled with so much peace and joy! I was born again, redeemed by His blood that was shed on the cross for me. He loved me so much, He sent His Son to die for me that I didn’t have to die. I was a new person.

The Bible says “therefore, if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.” (II Cor. 5:17)

I am a Christian living the Amish culture, which makes it very hard. I go to the Amish church and the preaching seems to me like a barrel with a hole in it. It doesn’t fill your up; it’s just man’s opinion. In other words, it isn’t built on the Bible. If you would take the Bible out of the Amish church, not much would change. But if you would take the rules away, the church would crumble to the ground. That’s because it isn’t built on solid foundation (the Bible). It is very hard living in the Amish group if you are a Christian.

My friends may desert me, my family may desert me, but there is one thing for sure: Christ will never leave me nor forsake me, even though the waves of life shall thrash at me, and the arrow of my enemy shall hit me. My ship shall still stay afloat. I shall put my sails higher in the wind that my strength may be tested, but nothing shall be able to overturn my life with Christ as my anchor.

I had an accident on December 5, 2009. A big milk tanker hit me, killing the horse and tearing the buggy into pieces. I didn’t have one scratch; I surely believe God was watching over me! But I will stay with the Amish and endure persecution until the right time to leave. Even though my family is against me, and my friends, Christ suffered a lot more. There is a scripture that comforts me, Psalm 23:

Psalm 23:1-6
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Even though the wiles of the devil may hit me, I shall be wearing the armor of God all the days of my life.

Whoever reads or hears my testimony, and isn’t saved, I plead with you: do ask Jesus to come into your heart and repent of your sin. The Bible says, “…unless you repent, ye shall likewise perish.” Your life isn’t worth living without Jesus. There are only some things that this present world can give to make you happy, and your happiness will only last a little bit. Jesus can give you peace and joy that will last forever–if you will only trust Him today. You can’t do anything to save yourself. Isaiah 64:6 says, “Our righteousness is as filthy rags.” Only through the blood of Jesus can you have everlasting life.

–Uriah N. Shetler

No related posts.

Before Christ (I got saved) all I ever did was work and focus on money,cloths,the right home, schools for my kids and everything materialistic. You see, I grew up without a dad, with seven brothers & poor. So, when I became of age.. all those things became important to me because to me they were a sign of success and made me feel important. As I grew older, I hardly ever went out or had much of a social life or fun. For me, It was work work work. I was in a unhappy marriage but learn to deal with it cause I wanted to live well, financially.

After many trials and tribulations & after my Three sons were all grown up and well on their way, my mom took ill. At 79 years old she got liver caner and died. I moved in and took care of her at her hospice care center. For three long hurtful months I took care of her and would not allow the nurses or anyone to touch her. I made myself at home and did it all. The nurses gave her pain meds and taught me how to care for her. They would watch as I learn to bath her, change her and feed her.

My mom and I had a really hard relationship, so it was important for me to be with her and cradle her out of this world just as she had cradle me in.

She also was a materialistic person, even more than I was. Because of that, she died very lonely and was resented by many for many reasons.

About 20 years prior I was saved and won all of my family to the lord. But, because of all the dysfunction of the family I back side never to return to my calling. I when back into the world and did everything under the sun that was wrong, keeping a long story short. But, I never forgot my Pentecostal Apostolic teachings. Today I rely on the word of God and no particular group or denomination.

My mom was a Christian, but for many reasons she was a bitter person, may God rest her soul. As she lay there in her hospice bed resenting me for being there, and totally confuse about many things, she was unable to speak or move. She would just watch me with tears in her eyes as I cared for her.. I was gonna take care of her no matter what. Weather she liked it or not! unconditionally! and I did so with tears of sadness, joy and thanksgiving for the God given chance to be there!! I was her only daughter and youngest. I have 7 older brothers and my younger sister pass in 94.

I entertained her by playing Christian worship songs and worshiping God for her since she could not. It was the hardest 3 months of my entire life. To watch my beautiful proud mom witter away and died. She weight about 50 pounds when she died. It was a very difficult and lonely time for me. Family lived far away including myself and I was pretty much on my own with her. On top of all that was going on.. there was a lot of hurt and anger going on with most of the family and I got the worst of it all. It’s been three years and I am just recovering from it all now. The hurt ran deep into my soul, but never once did I choose not to forgive. I knew then and still know now that the devil is a liar and that we fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities in high places and that I needed to pray for all that were deceive and confuse. It was as if 15 family member’s all died when my mom died. The hurt and sadness ran deep into my soul and I felt all alone in the world, most by choice. I needed to protect my heart and shield my self from all the lies and evil that kept coming at me. So I went into seclusion with our God and prayer till now.

Many people that would come and go at the hospice center were amaze that I moved in to care for my mom and would say to me that I would be blessed for it. But I did not want to hear that. I just wanted my mom to be well and would cry.

As I worship and praise our God in that hospice room, he did some amazing things to my soul. He open my eyes and ears to see and hear things like never before. I was in awe.

When I finally pray and beg God to forgive me and my mom for all of our sins, the next day he took her home and I was fill with his Holy Spirit.

After, when I would cry, I did not know whether I was crying or laughing!

He took my sorrow/s and change them to, understanding,love,peace,joy and gratitude. It was like my soul wanted to leap out of my body lol. I knew that,I knew, that he was with me and well please for all I had done. The sadness and hurt would come and go but the lord never once fail to give me peace and understanding.

Between my husband and I, we had made about 120k a year. Shorty after my moms death, we were both unemployed and lose everything we had. It was a sad time. However I felt the lord all over me and just knew that even thought we had no where to go, I knew that he would lead us to where he wanted us to be. I knew that it was the start of a new life. I knew he had heard my every prayer and was about to deliver. It was scary,The unknown,but I had faith!

He delivered! Making a long story short. I move form NY state where I lived all my life to the state of Ct. I am Blessed with A husband, Three wonderful sons, grands and everything I could possibly need. Blessed be the lord and my three wonderful sons. Especially the youngest who takes such good care of his dad and me.I am surrounded by pine trees, the birds sing all day long, My husband and I are not currently working and that’s okay, We have everything we need. We found the perfect church 3 min away and can even watch online.

And.. I have the best life ever!even better than before!

Still have my day to day issues, but nothing the lord and I can’t handle.. Glory!

I pray through them (issues)all and he works them out,one by one!

I learn less is more and I learn

Matthew 16:26 For what does a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Answer: I will give up everything in exchange for my soul.

I walked away from my mom’s 250k home never to look back and everything I own in order to find peace in my soul,some things are no longer important to me. I donated everything I had, pack two bags borrowed some money ($500.00)and kept it moving. Everything fell right into place and God has been caring for us ever since.

Now.. whatever the lord brings to us,are blessings! I am grateful for them all. I have learn to live simple and I love it.I now live 6 min from the beach! I had not been to a beach in over 20 years… yayyy lol! Big difference form where I lived in NY. Lots of space and clean air. Life is simple here, Less expensive to & I love it.. and all is well with my soul.

By: Lynne

Related posts:

1. My Road to Damascus
2. The Light in My Darkness
3. Soon To Be Married

I grew up going to church in a family of professing Christians. I read my Bible every day and prayed every day. Slowly I let the world work itself into my life. The first thing was masturbation. I considered masturbation a “grey area,” not necessarily sin, so I let it slide. I’m here to tell anyone in the same place, it’s SIN! And that sin will eat you like no other that I know of.

Every day it seemed like I was in front of the computer screen pleasuring myself. At some point I stopped reading my Bible and praying. Eventually I started hating church because, in my estimation, it was full of insincere fakers.

I was very bookish and a new trend had hit academia: “The New Atheists”. I read “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins and ate it up. I told my mom, “I don’t believe in God, or heaven, or hell.” And she told me up front that I was serving the devil and was going to hell.

My life just started spiraling downward from this point on. I went to college and did the college things: drugs & alcohol. I was still masturbating almost every day. Two years go by, I start passing out in the shower, while driving, over the stove while I was over the stove cooking.

I go to the doctor and he proscribes a generic version of Zoloft, saying I have “generalized anxiety.” I start taking it and it’s like a miracle drug. I become more outgoing immediately and my mind starts remembering all the things I used to forget. About a month into the regime I run into problems. My mind is on overdrive 24/7. I can’t sleep. I feel like I’m going crazy. One night I returned home, crashed on my bed and thought “if I don’t do something now, I’m checking myself into an institution.”

I called out to God. “I know you’re there and if you save me from this insanity, I’ll follow you.” That night I felt a peace wash over my mind. From that day forward I’ve followed Jesus Christ. Because of what He did for me, I can never again doubt His existence. I owe a lot of what happened to me, to my mother and father’s continued prayers. If you’re praying for someone who’s lost or prodigal, remember God answers prayers!

By: Anonymous

Related posts:

1. The Prodigal Son
2. Jesus saved my life!
3. My Road to Damascus

I am writing to warn you against the very real danger of procrastination, meaning deciding later on to accept Christ as your Savior. In the Bible, Paul writes,For He( God ) says:In an acceptable time I have heard you,And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.[2 Corinthians 6:2]

Please Christians, pass this link on to others so they may in turn pass it on to others. It’s my hope that thousands read this and understand the dangers of procrastination. If you are reading this and are not a Christian, then please read God’s plan of salvation Toward the middle of this message.

I heard the gospel message several times, the message of God’s love for us,however I was not ready to change my lifestyle and give up my sins. The problem with a decision like that is no one knows how long he or she has on Earth. Every day people die from accidents,natural disasters and disease or they die at the hands of others through a criminal act..

This message is about the most important life and death decision you will ever make. If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior, your soul is in great spiritual danger. This decision will determine where you spend eternity.

My name is Stan Cook and I first heard about Jesus when I was in high school. A fellow classmate named Steve told me about God’s plan of salvation. Steve told me of how we are separated from God because of sin. That separation means we spend eternity apart from God in eternal torment. Steve told me about the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, how his blood was shed, about how he died, the just for the unjust. He told me how Jesus rose from the dead on third day and thereby overcame death. He told me about believing these things in my heart.

I believed without a doubt Jesus is the Son of God, He suffered and died on the cross to pay for my sins and was buried and rose from the grave three days later. I skipped the part about believing in my heart. I had not asked Jesus to come into my life and make me a new person.

There is a common saying: “You can miss Heaven by 18 inches.” That is about the distance between you head and your heart. I had an intellectual knowledge but no heart knowledge. That is, I did not make Jesus Lord of my life.

One day I decided to attend church again. At the end of the morning service, the pastor invited those people who wanted to make a decision to accept Christ as the lord over their lives to go forward. This was the second call.

I immediately had a powerful sense of urgency to go forward to give my life to Jesus. I tightly gripped the back of the pew in front of me and fought the urge to go forward. I really don’t have the words to describe how powerful and urgent this invitation was. I finally told God I wasn’t ready to give up my sinful lifestyle.

Again, I chose sin over salvation…what an incredibly stupid choice. I chose temporary pleasures and what I believed to be the benefits sin has to offer over eternal salvation.

God tried so hard that day in church but I resisted and rejected the call. I understand now why the call to salvation was so urgent. We all have a free will though, and I chose to continue living in sin. The Devil did not make me do it as some claim. Satan can tempt us but It’s our choice to give into that temptation or resist.

The third call came several years later, shortly after my sister passed away. I knew she was a born-again Christian and am convinced she spoke to the Lord on my behalf. Because my sister spoke with God, I was assured God was still interested in my salvation despite the way I lived and the choices I was making.

This time I did ask Jesus into my life. Less than a month later, I returned to my sinful lifestyle.

For a while everything went well, but as time passed, everything gradually went bad. I had a business partnership that went bad. I lost a good job. I faced financial ruin. I lost most of my possessions. But, the greatest loss for me was the relationships I had with most of my family. So, you see, Satan has a plan for our lives also. He will use us to bring sorrow and ruin not only to ourselves but also to the people around us.

I began thinking only evil thoughts most of the day, cursing God, and saying vile and evil things to Him. I felt my face contorting into an evil scowl as I made rude gestures toward Him. My thoughts grew dark and evil. I was literally immersed into evil.

July 4th 2006. I was downtown watching the 4th of July fireworks show. After the show I stood up to leave and almost fell over. My left leg was very weak. My left leg had been feeling weak for a few days but I tried to ignore it.

What I didn’t know was that I was developing what’s called an aortic aneurysm. That’s where a balloon develops in the aorta. This “balloon” pressed the blood vessels feeding the nerves to my legs between it and my spine. This cut off the supply of blood to the nerves to my legs and they died.

Normally this is a fatal condition. The aorta is about as big around as a garden hose. Usually the aneurysm will burst and the person would bleed to death in a matter of seconds.

July 4th 2006 was the last day I walked. What followed were several months of rehabilitation; learning how to get by without the use of my legs. I knew right away that this was a wake up call from God. I know to this day this was a “now or never“ situation. Either turn to God or face the consequences. I had accepted Christ as my savior but I chose evil over good. Who God loves he chastens. By now, I would have given up on myself if I were God. It was clear I had no interest in the things of God.

God is not willing that any should perish but that all turn to salvation. I praise God that he gave me this final call.

I am now in assisted living in a wheelchair. It’s highly unlikely that I will ever walk again; at least not in this life. I grieve over the life I have lived. I would like to turn time back and start over. I caused so much hurt to those around me. I lived for the moment and didn’t care about the future or the consequences. Satan has a plan for us and I chose that way instead of God’s way.

Don’t put off this decision like I did. No one has a guarantee that they’ll live another day.

Again, I ask that you pass this on to as many people as you can and they in turn pass it on to many people. I really believe time is short and now more than ever we need to get the gospel to as many as possible.

God’s Plan Of Salvation
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

We all have sin in our hearts. We all were born with sin.
We were born under the power of sin’s control.
- Admit that you are a sinner.

Romans 6:23a “…The wages of sin is death…”

Sin has an ending. It results in death. We all face physical death, which is a result of sin. But a worse death is spiritual death that alienates us from God, and will last for all eternity. The Bible teaches that there is a place called the Lake of Fire where lost people will be in torment forever. It is the place where people who are spiritually dead will remain.
- Understand that you deserve death for your sin.

Romans 6:23b “…But the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Salvation is a free gift from God to you! You can’t
earn this gift, but you must reach out and receive it.
- Ask God to forgive you and save you.

Romans 5:8, “God demonstrates His own love for us, in
that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!”

When Jesus died on the cross He paid sin’s penalty. He paid the price for all sin, and when He took all the sins of the world on Himself on the cross, He bought us out of slavery to sin and death! The only condition is that we believe in Him and what He has done for us, understanding that we are now joined with Him, and that He is our life. He did all this because He loved us and gave Himself for us!

- Give your life to God… His love poured out in Jesus on the cross is your only hope to have forgiveness and change. His love bought you out of being a slave to sin. His love is what saves you — not religion, or church membership. God loves you!

Romans 10:13 “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!”

- Call out to God in the name of Jesus!

Romans 10:9,10 “…If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

- If you know that God is knocking on your heart’s door,ask Him to come into your heart.

Jesus said,Revelation 3:20a “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him…”

- Is Jesus knocking on your heart’s door?
- Believe in Him.
- Ask Him to come in to your heart by faith,
and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
Open the Bible to the Gospel of John and read what God says about Jesus, about you, and about being born again.

This prayer is here only as a guide. I urge you to pour out your heart to Jesus in your own words. It’s important that these aren’t just words, but that they come from the heart.

“Lord, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

God will help you. He loves you!

You need to look for a local church where God’s word is preached. The Bible says that we are to desire God’s word like a newborn baby desires mother’s milk.Aren’t you hungry to know the truth?

Water baptism is one of the ways you first show that you have been joined to Jesus. This is an action, and actions will not save you. However, it is an act of obedience and a symbol of commitment.

The symbolism is this:
When you go down in the water you show that
You have been crucified and buried with Him,

And when you come up out of the water you show that you have been raised to walk with Him in newness of life. (See Romans chapter 6)

You have been born again.
(See John chapter 3)

Your body has become God’s temple.
Your heart is where He lives.

Forgiveness is yours in Jesus.
And you belong to Him.

You were sin’s slave.
But now…

You are a child of GOD!

John 1:12
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name!”

The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
(Song: To God Be The Glory. Fanny J. Cosby and William H. Doanes)

By: Stan Cook

Related posts:

1. The Prodigal Son
2. Victory Over Temptation
3. The Light in My Darkness

Although I have been growing up in church all my life, I never really personally believed in God until I was entering grade five. The time I first accepted Christ into my life was during a summer bible camp they were doing a play on the prodigal son how the son did so many horrendous things to his father taking all his father’s fortune and leaving home, once he spent all his money he was in the dumps, feeding pigs and as poor as he has ever been. One day after many years he mustered up all his courage to go home back to his father, carrying with him years’ worth of guilt and shame, wishing that his father would forgive him. When his father saw him, they had an emotional reunion, he ran up to his son with open arms with tears and welcomed him home. His father was not angry but was happy that his son finally comes home. At the end of the skit, one of the leaders asked us to whether we wanted to be like the son, and be loved by this father who would forgive us no matter what we have done. I said yes and he invited us to say a prayer on the backstage, and on that day I accepted Christ into my life.

Even to this day, I still remember why I put up my hand, how I felt at that time. Before I met Christ, I was very self-confident of myself, but there were things I was going through which I felt no one really understood. I felt like I was doing a lot of things I was not supposed to but it was going out control, I want to change but I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t know how to love, to respect, or to say even the simplest words like sorry and thank you. I was lost; I felt people don’t understand, or know what they say or do has a very big impact on the kid. Or whether they ever considered what we really knew and felt as a kid. On the way, home back I prayed another prayer; I prayed to the lord to take complete control of my life and he did.

From then on, my life toke a major turn; at school I began to stop fooling around, and do my homework. While I stopped being the person I was, along the way I lost a lot of friends. Over time I became really scared, and afraid of other people. But because of that I placed God even more before me. For five years I spent a very difficult time battling myself a hope to change for the better, and all that time I was holding back a lot of tears and hiding a lot of pain. How every week i can feel tears coming down every time i approached the bridge from the church entrance. How I could never open my mouth to speak. All of this was beyond my control. But even then I knew that God was with me. I was thankful that God showed me what it was like to feel alone, to feel completely dependent on God, so that I was able to see how other people must have felt, the people who were unseen, those who were alone and what they needed most. From then, I started to appreciate even littlest things in life from the gracious meals to the simplest hello from another. I was thankful for all the precious people he has placed in my life, because of them I never once felt alone at school. When I went on walks, and see the trees and the sky I wondered at his creation, silently amazed by it and gave thanks for it. I walked in every part of this church alone, and I am not afraid to walk alone in the dark. I went to places where no one could find me and silently played piano, whatever comes out I played and it gave me a peace that stills my heart at the midst of everything that’s is happening. I am thankful for the gifts he has given that were there to settle my heart. If you wondered what it means for God to speak to you, sometimes it’s the wisdom he gives you, the insights you would have never imagined yourself to understand. All of it comes from God alone, it is never from us. All of this is a part of me that has been kept a secret for all my life only between me and God. It is not something I can verbalize well, just because he has done too much for me.

I remember there was countless times I made prayers to lord; if you were to give me strength, and opportunity to serve, help me so that I can give my best to you. One of the most memorable promises I have made to God is whenever you give me strength, I will give everything to care and love for the people around me so that they will never feel sad or alone.

Here is the turning point in my life, God answered my prayers. He gave me the opportunity to serve in AWANA. I do not know why but the moment I stepped into this place God removed me of all my fear and he gave me strength. Then I knew God wants me to be here. There are children here and every one of them is different, each child have their own worries and needs, and if I could help to know each one of them personally, let them feel loved and know that they are cared for; they could see God’s Love.

This year is my fourth year serving in AWANA; I am blessed and overjoyed each time I am with this great big family where everyone cares for one another. Even now, every little thing still matters; it may be holding the hand of a child, their smiles and their laughter, hearing them call out your name and running up to you with a great big hug. I have come to love everyone in AWANA and everyone in this church. When I see the kind of love that we have for one another; it says that God is with us, and it really encourages me to love one another not just as a friend but as fellow brothers and sisters. Sometimes I even feel that I am over blessed by God on everything he has given me now. I learned the importance of a Church, family and how it can grow if there is love and support for one another. The privilege to serve is a gift from God; whenever I am serving God and working for his purpose, I can truly do all things through Christ. My past is like nothing in comparison to the present and what God has more me in the future, by knowing so it gives me more hope than anything else. I am thankful for the past, for life and the experiences it brings that shape us to be the people you have prepared us to be. All those years were like training years from the lord so that I could prepare myself to serve with the heart I have today.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance

Psalm 30:11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Psalm 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

No matter where we are in life, what we are facing. There is a time for everything; God has a plan for every one of us. So do not worry, if we trust in our heavenly Father, he will protect us, bless us, forgive us and provide for us, because His love is greater than any sadness we will ever face.

By: Shirley

Related posts:

1. The Prodigal Son
2. God Changed Me
3. The Unconditional Mercy of God

My name is Maeshell Matthews. I was born on a southern plantation 68 years ago. My parents were sharecroppers. Our parents were seldom home and us kids had the run of the house. There were eleven of us children. Me being the fifth child between seven brothers helped me to become a rough tom boy. Our home was always noisy, something was always happening. Daddy and mudda (we called our mother “Mudda” were often cussing and fighting each other, we tended to do the same. When our parents fought we would stand huddled together in fear. I was always afraid of the outcome that one of them might kill the other. However, when our parents were away we would abuse the animals, we killed ten little piglets trying to get them to swim. We also vandalized the little church we attended that sat on the end of the dirt road near our house.

We had to strip down to our bare bottom when we were disciplined and beat with three green supple switches braided together that refused to wear out. These modern times those type of whippings would have been child abuse. My parents got fed up with sharecropping and moved to town when I was ten years old. I began to bully other kids when I was in grammar school which continued until I was in ninth grade. I was a mean person. I began smoking cigarettes and drinking early on in my teenage years.

As time progressed I began to gamble, frequent the “honky tonks”. I got married had two little girls but my marriage soon ended because of the constant fighting. I moved to the big city up north to get away from my husband who was stalking me. I found myself in the fast lane drinking, and sometimes gambling playing stud poker, night clubs. I was restless, hardly ever satisfied, I went from man to man, and that did not work either. I met a guy at one of the poker games, he kept a big bank roll and we hooked up together. I found myself with a drug dealer, he was so sweet to me, I was looking for someone to love. I began to let him stash his drugs at my house, he always paid me, he always made me feel special.I began smoking crack cocaine out of curiosity and that was another bad choice, I always made bad choices. My life was no more interesting.

I had a habit of blaming my mother for the way I had turned out. I would get intoxicated and sob on anybody’s shoulder that acted interested in what I was saying. My new flame and I got on very bad terms. I would cut up my clothes, throw away brand new shoes. I soon found myself having nervous break downs. I was diagnosed a paranoid schizophrenic.

I was a wreck, I was at the point to where when I did smoke crack, my pipe would actually light up, the window blinds would open and shut rapidly, I could hear some whisperings inside the walls, characters would stare at me from the television screen, I heard voices when there was no one in the room except me. I felt as if I was trapped inside of my body. One of those Institutionalized stayed, I turned into a harry gorilla as I stood staring down the dark corridor that led to the day room.

I can go on and on about the confused state of mind and the horrible pit that I found myself in. I decided to try going to church and confessing my life to the preacher and see if he could help me. The pastor and five of his members prayed for me and told me to continue in church. That was the turning point in my life of misery. It has been twenty years of walking daily with my Lord and Saviour Jesus. I have learned so much, it was an unclean spirit that had entered into my body. I honor both my parents just like the Bible says. I had to take an evaluation test to see if I still needed psychiatric care but was found in my right mind. I now have the peace of God resting on me. Thank you Jesus!

By: Maeshell Matthews

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I was nine when I started in a long, downward spiral. It would take two years to hit rock bottom, but I did. I am afraid (yet thankful) that, if I was not so protected, I would have been in a lot more trouble. But, I did not know what was coming nor did I notice the gradual slope down.

It started at home. My mom yelled at me for the tiniest things. She always criticized me. I had no one to talk to about their, either. I kept it bottled up inside. Every night I would cry for about two months. No one noticed, because I would hide in my dark bedroom, tucked away in a closet, my cries muffled by the mounds of clothes.

Next, I joined a site that was a little old for me. This brought me to the realization of drugs and suicide. Self-mutilation was amongst one of the things that interested me (along with pre-marital sex.. yes, I was still nine). After another month or two, I got talking to the wrong crowd, they brought me to self-mutilation.

Nothing could stop me now. The cutting got more intense. I was wise enough at ten to know only to cut on my ankles and shoulders so no one would see except in summer, and I was a rowdy one so no one would care. I lived the next year like that.

Everyday I looked into the mirror. I thought to myself “Who is that?” I begun to get dark circles under my eyes. It looked horrible, like I have not slept in months. I covered it up with make up. I would say to myself “I just have to get through today. Tomorrow will be better.” But I went to sleep every night more disappointed than the night before. It broke me, made me realize there was never gonna be a better tomorrow.

A year past and then I started trying to commit suicide. It got so bad that, after my eleventh birthday, I decided to give myself one week to live, then the deed would be done, once and for all, no chickening out like before.

The good Lord knows I would too, I lived that week as if it were my last. I said good bye and hugged everyone. No one knew why but they asked no questions. My friend ran up to me with an invite to a weekend at a Christian Camp. I, wearily, agreed.

My heart was not set on Jesus. I did not believe in anything after death. I believed you rot in the ground. No soul, no after life. I know now that I was wrong. I hated anything that was Christian. It had no value and was a huge lie to me.

It became the day of the retreat. I finally realized it was the day I was going to kill myself. I decided to wait, I needed time with a friend. Plus, it would be horrifying to kill myself in front of the whole camp. I didn’t wish to scar anyone.

We played games and did camp activities. I cared about nothing. Finally, the sun set. It was dark so they lit a fire and the whole 50 people gathered around it. People were playing guitars and singing. They all sounded beautiful. It got me thinking of what would happen later on that night. I lost it when they started singing “Better is one day”. I poured out my tears.

A soft tap on my hand was the only thing I felt. A complete stranger, a camp counselor I never talked to before grabbed my hand and helped me up. My friend tailed along with us to a nearby boulder. We three discussed what I was going to do. They told me about His undying grace. That God loves me, no matter if the world does or not. I fell even more apart.

She got me some cider and a doughnut and us three went back to the campfire and started singing. I will never forget that night. It felt like the Heavens opened up and engulfed me in a celestial light that came directly from God. Never have I doubted Him.

I would be dead if it were not for God’s undying mercy and impeccable timing. I am grateful, though, that I went through it all. For God let me fall away on purpose. He wanted to call me back so he could tie a rope around my leg and send me back into the sinner’s territory to gain them as well.

Since then, I have brought a small clan of people to the Lord. What wonders the Lord can do with you when you merely have an open heart!

I went to bed that night, not filled with poisons like I thought I was going to. Now, I have great faith in Jesus. I have confessed with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. I know in my heart that He is God and He died for me and my salvation and that of others.

Keep the Faith! Jesus will forgive you Infinity times Infinity! All things are possible with him! And, finally, he is ALWAYS there.. even in suffering, in tears, in the worst times. !!!PRAY!!! He is listening!

By: Emory Allison Monroe

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2. I Finally Saw the Light
3. The Prodigal Son: A Time for Everything

There I was in the church sitting in the pew. My hands start to sweat as I was very fidgety. I couldn’t stop looking at others as they stood up with there hands lifted up toward God giving Him praise. Not only that, it felt like there was a beam of light shining right on my forehead. I hesitated for a while and then I stood up and ended up in the middle isle, heading toward the altar to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. The preacher spoke and asks me to repeat the words of repentance, forgiveness, and acceptance. And then I was saved. Until then, my cousin was the only one that I knew was saved in the family. I was so excited and knew Jesus was living inside me. That week seemed to be different and was looking up. I was now more prepared to face life.

The following week, Mom had prepared Labor Day Celebration all week long coordinating with family about food, entertainment and games. This was the best time of the summer before school started back. We would really have a good time and stay up late in the celebration. Once it was over, it was time to go back to school. This was my first year in Junior High School. I laid in bed giggling and cheesing about the time we had. I also thought about the first day at school of who I would meet, classes I would attend, and how much fun I would have. Eventually I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

Suddenly, I heard my mother screaming. I jumped up and ran in her room and seen a man of slender build, towering over my mother in the dark with a knife in his hand. Immediately, I said, “Jesus!” and he turned around and start chasing after me with his knife. My mother then tried to fight him off of me from the rear. He then turned around and went back stabbing my mother. Everything was happening so fast. I ran away and ended up in the closet. I didn’t know too much about prayer but I began to talk to Him. I said, “Jesus, help me, Jesus, help me, I want to live, I don’t want to die.” I said this continuously for at least five to ten minutes while hearing my mother scream and fighting off this attacker. After the prayer I received enough peace to now get help. By this time my mother was in the dining room fighting off the burglar. I began to sneak down the hallway to see what was going on. I noticed the phone on the floor at the end of the hallway. So I picked it up and tried and tried to dial for help but there was no dial tone. Eventually the burglar noticed me and he charged at me with his knife and started stabbing on me with all his might and power. He stabbed me approximately thirty-nine times in the face, back, neck, arm and foot. My mother getting up from her injuries ran after him to get him away form me. He threw her off and went back and forth stabbing my mother and me until there was no movement and it was quite.

There I was lying on the floor in my own pool of blood looking at my mother from across the living room. I had my eyes open the whole time as if I were dead. My mother stopped moving and all you could hear were the sounds of the knife going in and out of my mother’s body over and over again. Even though she was dead, he stabbed a few more times just to ensure it was over. There was nothing else I could do but just lay there and watch. It seemed so unreal as if it was a movie or a bad dream but this was the reality of my life being a new believer. I was so close to death that no one believed I was going to overcome the physical, mental and spiritual scar it caused. Even though I was eleven years old as a Christian, the devil attempted to destroy my very existence of living life. Since he couldn’t kill me, he tried to kill my spirit. Other family and friends could only do and believe so much for me to live but I had to believe and trust in God that I would live even though I had been scarred. I had to fight and push even when I wanted to quit.

After the hospital experience, I battled within myself and felt like God forsook me. I had a lot of bitterness and un-forgiveness and didn’t realize it until situations that dealt with my scarred areas of hurt and pain occurred. At times I would be very insecure and scared to be at home by myself, always looking out the window late at night making sure no one was there. At school kids would ridicule me because of my scars. They would put me down. It began to build a wall of hurt and pain that I wouldn’t let anyone in to help.

When I was sixteen I was tired of life and was ready to run away, give up and go some where away from everybody. So I went to school and got into a fight. Faculty discussed sending me to juvenile detention and expelling me from the school district. I was mentally having a nervous break down and didn’t know how to explain it. My Aunt was scared for me and knew I needed to get away. She decided that I needed to go visit my big brother who was in the US Army. Once I visited, my Aunt felt that it was better that I stayed with him. Because of that decision, it changed my outlook on life.

I began to go to church again and I accepted Jesus Christ back into my heart. Since then, God began to heal, deliver, and put me back together again. I can not take the credit. I know for a fact it was God! I can now say, “I forgive the man that killed my mother and stabbed me.” My scars have produced a conviction to live with purpose. For this reason I am determined to empower, encourage and inspire others that they too can overcome and make something out of their lives. Eventually I wrote my first book entitled, “Scarred for Life: Stabbed thirsty-nine times and forgave (scarred2live.com).” Yet it may be difficult, as long as we believe and trust in God, all things are possible! Matt 19:26 KJV But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

My goal is to reach as many people that have been scarred one way or another to let them know if I can overcome my tragedy, they can too. So what ever it takes to get the word out, I am willing to do it through speaking, writing books, etc.. I am grateful to be alive and I must allow my mother’s life to live with in me. God bless you and don’t let anything stop you from fulfilling your purpose in Christ Jesus!

By: Fredric A. Almond

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3. Struggle with Life

For decades I tried just about everything to find happiness, self respect, love and the answers to the questions, why am I hear and what is life all about. That journey led me from having most everything I wanted and still not being happy, to pain, sorrow, loneliness, homelessness, hopelessness, alcoholism, drug addiction and thoughts of suicide. After years of trying and when the pain was just too much to bear, I fell to my knees and asked God to either end this miserable life of mine or show me how to live the right way. I asked him to come into my life and take over, if there was anything left worth taking. I felt a sense of relief, I let go and I gave up my way of doing things and sought His guidance. It was now up to God to show me the way and boy did He. This is not a story of an instant healing, but instant revelation that God is real, and how He opened my eyes and gradually showed me things I would never have seen without Him in my life. God is real and life is unbelievable better with Him in it. Your experience might not be as dramatic as mine, everyone is different. I ran my life into the ground and could barley think straight so it took an undeniable sign to pull me up out of the hole I had dug for myself. In my case nothing short of a miracle would have gotten my attention. I pray that you don’t have to hurt as bad as I did to find the truth.

In the early part of 2005 I was as low as a person could get. I was sleeping on the floor of a condo that I would soon be evicted from. My girlfriend had just walked out the door telling me that we were through. I had lost everything that I needed to have some sort of normal life. I just wanted all this to end; I laid down on the floor and eventually fell asleep. That’s when my miracles started.

While sleeping I had a dream that I remember completely and still think of almost every day, even though it’s been over five years. It was my future. This dream was very different from all my other dreams. For one think it was in color, I’ve never dreamt in color before. And it was so detailed that I can write about it after all this time. It was what I believe would have happened to me if I did not stop drinking and using drugs.
In my dream I was driving my white van when I crossed the center lane and ran into a car head on. The car was carrying four teenagers, none of them made it. I unfortunately did but would never walk again. The police found alcohol and drugs in my van and the public wanted to see justice. My family suffered terribly from their anger at me, but directed at them. After some time in rehabilitation I was put in some kind of a nursing home where I just waited to die. Even in there I was treated terribly by everyone because of how I ruined four lives. Some time had passed and the only thing I wanted to do before I died was to see my girlfriend one last time, I had no visitors. I didn’t remember seeing her since the accident and did not think I would see her again. Then one day she walked into room, I could see that life had treated her bad since the accident. I could barely recognize her but could tell by her eyes that it was her. Shortly after she left I passed away.

I remember flying like a bird over the area that I grew up in. I started at 12 mile road and went south above Milton. I was about thirty feet up, going side to side just like a bird. I flew over South school where I spent many years playing baseball, volleyball and football, then over the park at Butcher Jr High and then straight up. It was like my last look at my life. I went straight up until I was in total darkness, as black as black could be. I remember being very calm and thinking that I must have died. I had absolutely no fear. I thought to myself that I should pray. I started saying our father, at that time it was the only prayer I knew besides now I lay me down………….. Instantly I saw a speck of light that seemed like it was on the other side of the universe, but I flew straight towards it. It got brighter and brighter and I could tell that it was not one light but many lights grouped closely together. Somehow I forgot the words to our father and stopped praying. I stopped going towards the lights and woke up. I like to think that the lights were family and friends that had already moved on and were there to guide me. I did get to experience what heaven was like in another dream. I’m still trying to figure out how to put that into words.

After I woke up I just keep walking around the room trying to understand what just happened to me. I knew it was something very different. Then all of a sudden I felt something touch me in the upper, center of my back. I felt it slowly wrap around me and as it did I felt warmth and a love that I have never felt before and have not felt since. It may sound strange but it felt like wings, wings made of gold, liquid gold. I felt so safe, so loved, so warm, and so right. I never wanted it to end. Then from directly in front of me I heard and felt the word, REPENT, it was audible and I physically felt it penetrate every cell in my body as it went thru me. It was powerful. I fell to my knees and realized I was in the presence of God.

While on my knees God revealed my complete past. My whole life, up until this moment, was played like a movie thru my thoughts, but it was like looking at it from the outside in instead of from my personnel perspective. It only took a few moments to review my whole life. It was like my brain was a super computer that could comprehend all this information in seconds. I was horrified. My life was all wrong. What a waste. I cried what felt like a lifetime of tears. I felt totally ashamed and at the same time total bliss, because I knew that I was being given another chance to do it right.

My mind was full of questions, I remember thinking questions and instantaneously the answers were in my head. Like mental telepathy at the speed of light. I know the questions were asked and answered, but for reasons only known to God, I was not allowed to remember the questioned I asked or the answers, but I know for sure that I asked and received the answers. All I can tell you is they were about God. After that I still had the wings wrapped around me and I had this undeniable urge to stand in the shower. I kept fighting it because it just seemed too strange to stand in the shower when I’m having a supernatural spiritual experience. But I gave in, I just stood in the shower and let the water pour down on me. It felt like my whole past was being washed away. I didn’t understand then but now I believe it was a form of baptism because as soon as my foot hit the tile floor while getting out, I felt the wings start to open up. I yelled NO, but heard, (not audible) in my head that they would always be there. I felt an incredible sense of renewal and strength.

I was staying at my son’s while in the process of cleaning up my shattered life when I decided to try and start my old van. I had tried numerous times before with no luck but this time it started right up. I was quite surprised. I noticed it was on empty so I drove up to the corner gas station. On the way back I had a strong feeling to pull into a small church parking lot. I watched as people pulled in and went inside. The last time I remember going to church was when I was around five years old with my mom. I was very nervous about going in but felt an overwhelming sense that I really needed to.

It just happened to be a African American church and I was the only white person there, I wondered if I was in the wrong place but soon found out what I was there for. During the service they had a play. The play was about a troubled girl alone in her room; she was at the end of her rope and praying for help. Suddenly she felt a presence and than a load and powerful voice came over the speaker system, REPENT! She was having the same kind of spiritual experience as I did. I found out afterword that the lady that wrote the play was praying to God when she received the idea to do the play. What are the odds that in the entire world, on that particular day, at that particular time and in that particular church, they would be having a play about what just happened to me? I must have had a shocked look on my face because one of the members came over and introduced himself. I quickly told him what was going on and he asked if I would repeat my story to the congregation. The biggest fear in my life was standing in front of a group of people and talking but I managed to do it. I still remember the looks on some of the people’s faces. God was using my experience to build the faith of others and at the same confirming mine.

Another time I was reading in a public place and a stranger walked over to me and handed me a plastic bookmark. When I took a good look at it I noticed it had a picture of a statue, the statue was of an angel. The wings on the angel were made of gold. My mind instantly went back to the night of my awakening and the feeling of warm gold that I had, to me I was in the arms of God that night and have been following Him ever since.

It’s been years since my awakening and my life has changed dramatically. I wake up with a good attitude looking forward to what the day may bring. I still have my share of trials but what use to send me into a freefall is now just another opportunity to grow stronger. I now have a sense of peace and confidence I’ve never had before. Everything makes sense. When you have a good view of the bigger picture life is a lot easier. It’s not all about me and what I want; it’s about all of us working together for a better world. God said that the two most important commandments are, (Matt. 22:37-39) love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and love thy neighbor as thyself. When you walk thru life looking for opportunities to help your brothers and sisters and make the world a little easier for someone else, your life is more rewarding. And while we’re doing that God is looking out for us.

We all find the truth in different ways. I had to hit rock bottom, you don’t have to. God gave us free will and won’t force himself on us, but if you ask Him, He will be there. If you’re tired of feeling lost all you have to do is ask for directions.

Rom 10:9 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.

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

By: Richard

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I’m 16 years old, TRULY living for god. I gave my life to Christ about 1 year ago. Being 15 year old, empty inside looking for things to complete me in all the wrong places. Hurt by a broken family, parents divorced, brother passed away, grandparents passed.

I use to look to be filled with love by having boyfriend after boyfriend after boyfriend. I use to drink, and smoke marijuana, all of this just made me feel worse and more lonely. One day, i was giving up. i prayed and asked god to help me and to bring me closer to him, or i was really going to give up the next day my neighbor invited me to church.

The sermon was on “filling emptiness inside of you” and the only way to do so was to confess of your sins and ask for forgiveness. during alter call i threw my hand up wen to the alter got on my knees and cried out to god. asked him for forgiveness. Since that day I’ve been living thru Jesus Christ.

If you feel the same way i did, get on your knees and pray! Jesus Christ has did amazing things in my life and made me a better person and through him all things are truly possible!!!

By: Sierra

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