How Has Love Changed Your Life?



Welcome to Power Up Love, where real people share real stories, and testimonies about God's love.

Your neighbors, coworkers, friends and family could be going through something, just like you.
Encourage others to overcome life's difficult situations, or take a moment to become encouraged by someone else's story, or comments.

Feel free to
comment and type out your story of how love has helped you or another triumph over an addiction, restore a marriage, or has kept you, on the right path -- whatever the love of our Loving, Living Heavenly Father has done to bless, or help you. Share it here at PowerUpLove.com

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here to leave your comment.


"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

-- Jesus (Matthew 5:16)

99 comments:

Anonymous said...

When I was just a little girl, I remember going into my grandmother's bedroom one night so that I could be alone. I closed her door because I didn't want anyone to know I was crying. I knelt down by her empty bed and closed my eyes and began to pray. I don't remember why I was crying but I do remember feeling really very sad. After some time had passed, I felt a powerful presence in the room and in my heart I was comforted because I knew that Jesus was there. He spoke to what I have since called 'my heart's ears' because His words were heard in my heart even though they weren't heard by my ears. He told me not to be afraid, that He was with me and would be forever. Later, when I read my Bible, I read Heb. 13:5..."I will never leave you nor forsake you." That promise has empowered me to get through lots of things in my life and I am humbly grateful that He listened to a little girl whose heart was breaking. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me! He hears your whispers, He knows all about your quiet, desperate times as well as your highest and most satisfying times. He is a great Big wonderful God! ls

Power Up Love said...

The Lord came into my heart at the age of 13. I remember leaving school early one day, because I hated my life. I was tired of fighting off the bullies. I hated the feeling of no hope, no way out. I remember feeling nobody cared, if I was to live or die. When I got to the house I had made the decision to die. I got my dad’s gun and took the safety off. I said, I'm sorry Lord, I can't go on any longer please forgive me; with the gun just under my chin I pulled back on the trigger. The gun didn’t fire! I then realize that I’d actually moved the safety to on. At that moment, I drop the gun and fell to my knee’s. I burst out in tears saying, “Oh God please forgive me Lord.” I immediately felt His sprit upon me saying, “I love you more than you will ever know.” He told me that my birth mother didn't give me up for adoption because she hated me, but because she loved me so much. The Lord said, to me, "I have great plans for you. Follow me and I'll be with you always."

Our Father is in Heaven and He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. He talks to us through the Holy Sprit and He loves you more than you’ll ever know. If you don't feel He is with you. Ask Him to come into your life. He'll bear all your pain and burdens.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

jdfyu271 said...

I was the daughter of a baptist preacher, in a small town where everyone knew my family and myself.
The spirit of depression can on me when I was 6 years old 3 months later i was hit by a car. I broke my left leg and fractured my scull in three places. Four years later I suffer another head injury I was pushed off of a piece of play ground equipment and cracked my head on the support at the bottom.
when I was in 5th grade I started to show signs of an eating disorder called anorexia. during the summer transition period between elementray and middle school I was still depressed and felt like i had nothing to live for so I comtemplated sucide. But the thought of mom losing another child would'nt let me do it.
So I was alive but dead on the inside. I became angry and apathetic, I felt like God didn't care about me so why should I care about myself. I transfered to a christian school where I still carryed the spirit of depression and a really bad attitude problem.
I was taken to a christian concert Dc talk, Jennifer knapp and The W's. I went initially I was going to miss a day of school. But God had bigger plans. One of the members of Dc talk said God told them to speak they didn't know who they were speaking to but he was going to speak anyway. He said That we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that satan would use things and words from other people to deter us from our purpose. Don't miss what God has for you. I began to weep and knew he talking to me. I rededicated my life to God and made a true love waits promise.(This means I won't have sex until I'm married) I am 24 years old now and living God. I also have never been kissed. I believe in a high level of purity thanks to God. and I would encourage all of you struggling with purity that there will be times when it is not easy but Id you continue to be faithful it will be so worth it. I leave you with this scripture: Song of Solomon 3:5,and 8:4 Promise me, O women of Jerusalem by the gazaelles, and the wild deer, not awaken love until the time is right. Remember God is your lover. " I'm my beloveds and my beloved is mine!"

Anonymous said...

I was just 3 years old when my adopted father took my 1/2 brother and I across the country and away from my mom. I was the only child from her first marriage. She ran away from my dad because he was physically abusing her. When they divorced, the court ordered him and his family to stay away from me until I was 18 years old.

When mom remarried, my “real” dad gave up all rights to me in order that my “new” step dad could adopt me. My younger brother was barely walking when my new father took us to Ohio and left us with his family while he went to Vietnam. I didn’t know why mom wasn’t with us. I missed her so much. My brother and I were the invisible kids in a house with 3 older kids, an Auntie Ann and an Uncle on a farm in Ohio.

I turned 4 in Ohio. I took care of my brother and tried to stay out of the way of the people whose house we lived in. At every turn I felt the inconvenience we were to them. I learned a secret game called humpa-humpa taught to me by "cousins" in the barn behind the pig pen. I learned that even though you were told that the peel was the best part of orange and that, yes, your brand new barbie's hair will grow back if you put her in the fridge over night, cousins don't know everything and years later I see that it was not just that they didn't know everything, but they were fine-tuned in how to be cruel.

I missed my mom so much. Even today that 3 year old girl is the epicenter of my emotions and every heartbreak in my life. Every hurtful action or careless word or misunderstanding takes my heart back to the pain of that little girl. And, I just want to run away to say "I don't care about anyone! No one cares about me! I will just disappear!"

I lived with Dad, his new wife and my little brother until I was 12 years old. At 12 I was suddenly old enough to decided who I wanted to live with. I chose Mom. Why would I stay with a family who didn't even want me (long story, for another post). The only person I was really related to in that house was my brother and that was only by half blood.

Mom was remarried and I had another little brother--five years younger than me. I thought that mom and I would be so close. I had a fine-tuned sense of justice and I soon determined that I was not there because mom loved and wanted me there. I was there to take care of my brother, to wash the dishes, to clean the house, to cook the meals, to wash and iron the clothes--to be the free slave-labor.

I was more alone and sadder even than when I lived with Dad. Happiness seemed like such an illusive thing--just around the corner and always out of reach. If only there were someone who really loved me, ME, for me. Was there anyone in the world who really loved me or wanted me?

The good thing about living with Mom was that once I had ALL my chores done I was pretty much left alone. We lived on a large ranch and I spent my free time journaling, hiding from my little brother in trees, on the roof of the barn, or in a haystack hidey hole. Or, I would hop on my bike and ride as far and fast as I could dreaming that there was someone who would miss me if I just disappeared or died.

When I was 14, my best friend from when I lived with Dad talked me into running away. She wanted to go to California to find her dad. We hitch-hiked to California (from Idaho). We never even looked for her dad. We slept on the streets, in homeless shelters, stranger's couches and stranger's beds. We traded sex for a place to crash, food, drugs or for just a person to pay attention to us and make us feel needed.

My friend was similar to me in that she came from a broken home and just needed to feel that someone loved and cared for her. The interesting thing about our relationship is that five years earlier she had led me to the Lord. She told me that I was a sinner and that Jesus died to save me from my sins and that if I asked Him, He would come into my heart and live there forever. I wanted that and I said the sinner's prayer with her.

That was it. I believed, but I didn't know anything about being a "Christian." As the months and years went by, I forgot about that prayer and I forgot about my Savior.

Eventually we were both arrested for shoplifting and were sent back home to our families. We were now street smart from our four months on the streets of San Jose. We knew how to panhandle, tell a convincing sob story, trade sex for just about anything, how to smoke pot, meth or anything else that was given to us; we were expert delinquents; doing whatever our hearts desired.

Going home was difficult. I no longer fit in at home, at school or with any of my former friends. Within three months I ran away again--this time by myself. I spent three months on the streets. I could write volumes from these "street" days. I have many stories of God's protection and grace. Even though I wasn't following Him--didn't even know what that meant--He was taking care of and protecting me.

I eventually returned home to find that Mom was going through her third divorce. We moved to Portland Oregon for a job she got there. I decided to join Job Corp rather than get a job or try to go back to school. Mom and I fought a lot so I moved into the dorms. I lied constantly, stole anything that wasn’t tied down, basically did whatever I wanted and was always in trouble. I was arrested for using someone else’s credit card and I spent a week in juvenile hall awaiting a court date and sentencing.

This juvenile hall was a plush mansion compared to where I had stayed in California or even the girl’s dorm at Job Corp. There were only about 6 other girls in there with me. I didn’t really spend anytime socializing. I was downcast and knew that I was in serious trouble this time. Mom had told me that she gave up on me and she didn’t come to see me in jail. I knew that I was looking at being locked up at the very least until my eighteenth birthday--two and a half years.

There was a bookcase there and I spent that week in my own cell/room reading. The books were bible stories written in modern english with pictures. I read that whole week. I knew that God was impressing on me that I needed to follow Him, to do right and not wrong. I prayed that He would forgive me and I vowed to live my life right.

Surprising to me and especially to my Mom, the judge let me off the hook with time served and unsupervised probation. Wow! I knew that God had saved me. I couldn’t go back to Job Corp. I’d been in too much trouble and they finally kicked me out. Mom and I fought all the time. She was in a sad place in her life and she blamed me for a lot of her problems. She was probably right--it’s tuff to hold your life and your sanity together when you have such a willful and rebellious child.

She was dating a guy from Missouri and she moved us out there for a new start. I went back to regular school and did fairly well for a while. No one knew me and I enjoyed playing the part of an innocent 16 year old. I even went to church and got baptized.

School was too boring so I dropped out and got my GED. I dated a cowboy and we moved in together and were married about a year later. We moved around a lot between Missouri and Iowa because he changed jobs a lot. I didn’t go to church any more. I worked at a bar as a cocktail waitress and would often go to after hours parties with the customers.

I was 20 years old when I was expecting my first child. Mom was going through her fourth divorce and was planning to move back to Idaho. She talked me and my husband into moving there too. Before my son was even a year old, I started hooking up with old friends, and boyfriends, getting high and cheating on my husband. Our marriage eventually broke up and I spent the next 5 years partying and working. My son was hardly ever with me. He was with his grandma or a babysitter or with his dad who had moved back to Missouri.

I fell in love with a heroine addict and I became addicted to cocaine. I thought I was having the time of my life. I couldn’t see that I was very close to hitting the bottom of the barrel. One night I almost overdosed. My heart was racing so fast and I felt like my spirit was leaving my body. I went outside to try to breath and I remember holding onto a car and trying to catch my breath. I prayed for God to please help me. I couldn’t die from an overdose and leave my son this way. An angel came up behind me and put his hand on my back. I immediately felt calmer and my heart slowed down. He told me that I would be okay, that I would live.

That was the last time I shot up. But my troubles were not over yet. My boyfriend broke up with me, my room mate moved out on me and I felt hopeless. My life was really falling apart. I didn’t want to move in with my mom, but I only had two weeks before the rent was due. I got down on my knees and prayed that God would show me what to do. I had a best friend who lived in Portland and I had another best friend in Albuquerque. The next morning I knew that I was moving to Albuquerque. Within the week, I sold everything that wouldn’t fit in my car and moved me and my son to Albuquerque.

Miraculously I got a job the first week as an administrative assistant at a large corporation. I was able to get a small apartment and my son and I had so much fun together learning a new city; making new friends. My best friend told me about this church near my place and that I should check it out. I did and I loved it. The pastor taught the Bible and applied it to real life situations. The music was like nothing I had ever heard in a church before--it was modern and meaningful! We began attending all the time--anytime there was a service, we were there. I learned what it meant to be a “Christian” for the first time in my life.

God has done so many miracles in my life, He has changed me into a person that the people from my past don’t even recognize. It’s now almost 20 years later and I’ve gone through many ups and downs in life. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. But I can truly say “Blessed be the name of the Lord!” I know that He can never be taken away. If all else is stripped from me, I still have Him.

luane said...

God has been so faithful to me through a painful divorce which nearly destroyed my children and I - but God knew it was coming and knew the pain and walked and carried us through it all. Though none go with me, still I will follow. God is my warrior, my Savior, and my faithful awesome Friend. Thank you for this uplifting blog!
Kristie

Power Up Love said...

Cyndi Mulligan said...
Wonderful. Thank you for the very-most-realness..... deeply appreciative.

L.L. Barkat said...

Thanks for the invitation to leave my story here, and for visiting me through Love Notes to Yahweh. I do have a story, but it took a whole book to set it out...

Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places (InterVarsity Press)

Again, thanks for the invitation.

Anonymous said...

I Grew up poor learning at an early age that if you didn't work you didn't eat, I started mowing lawns at the age of 9. At 10 my daddy died a drunk, His Pancreas ruptured spilling hydrochloric acid ("Pancreas" used for stimulating secretions of the Pancreas)
inside of his abdomen area bathing his vital organs in fire, I will never forget the last night we saw him, Mom my sister and I stood helpless as he cursed God screaming so loud I thought the windows would shatter, the pain was excruciating, unbearable then the ambulance took him to the Vets Hospital where he died. Well, wanting to follow in his footsteps I started drinking in Jr. High, Hey I figured that would prepare me for High School. I graduated in a special class set aside for trouble makers in 1966.

On to Jr. College, which lasted a month, Alcohol and drugs started to become a part of everyday life, Life, what life you might ask, instead of going forward I was going backward. Then I Started abusing speed, "Warning Speed Kills" that lead to the shooting gallery the "Paranoia" became more than I could bear, next stop "Heroin" Shot heroin for about four years developing a $350.00 a day habit, I worked 8:00 to 4:30 days at an honest job, then started my second job working nights as a burglar. That wasn't enough to support my growing habit, so I turned to sales, LSD Speed Heroin, and Grass! Then everything changed. I call it my 23 years of "Hell" on earth or....

II Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

23 years those words went through my mind, 23 years of hell on earth. In 1972 I met
Jesus, we had a working relationship Signs and miracles followed me everything I read
in the bible is true I said to myself, my success was in believing all that he said. I'm surprised at today's church a good number of people don't, and I believe the reason is there are too many books that tell us how we should believe. Seattle, The Farmers Market, or its called The Pike Place Market, I would go there and share Christ with 100's of people milling around, it was glorious, just Jesus and me and in the power of his presence I had no fear, the best part were those people that gave their lives to Christ. Next stop a Grade School south of Seattle, The Principle and a teacher both asked me to speak in front of two class rooms of students, I accepted, here's the rub preaching in a public school was illegal at the time, they The Teacher and The Principle both said Go for it! so without so much as a blink I did. Many of those children came to Christ. This was great You couldn't ask for anything better, and then my bubble burst, the Lord was about to sping something on me, didn't know what. He came to me and said your doing fine but somethings missing, that something was him, he said I want all of you, that felt weird I thought I already had done that come to find out all the fun I was having was for selfish reasons my reasons, then I knew right away what he was saying. Give God the glory I was glorying in myself, I told him I liked the feeling good part but the part about complete surrender, so like any fool in their foolish mind I said not now. Rather than choose the road that led to righteousness, I took the road that led to destruction. A word of advice when it says road to destruction it means it. The one thing he told me before I went on this journey through hell was "I'll Leave The Gate Open"

If I were to fill you in on all 23 years it would become a forum filled with my
testimony, some of you would like to hear it but time and space are running
out because Jesus is coming soon, a lot sooner than people now. Jump from a $350.00 dollar a day smack habit and jump back to a $250.00 a Month Tequila Jones those 23 years were gradual at first then all hell broke loose. Next, the present,...

three ago at the kitchen table I sat with my head in my hands and then it just came out, I said Lord are you still there? I said Lord remember you said you would leave the gate open, I was afraid of what was coming next, all I could think was there ain't no way no how he'll ever speak to me again, and then he spoke. The gate is still open, and then I said it, O.k. Lord I'm all yours I don't care if you kill me doing it but get me back where I belong. A month in a coma and when I came too there he was, my Lord my Savior and my God, Thank You Jesus!

In His Service,

Lee


Btw when I was in a coma the hospital tested my blood, the Ammonia levels were so high the doctors fully expected me to die, I had become in layman's terms a complete vegetable.

Vera's Little Corner said...

Thanks for creating this blog! We may not know each other before we came here, but God is there to connect each of us. We become friends starting today! We have a common place that we can share.

Mrs. Stam said...

Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog!!!! I will have to come back for a visit and read soem more

Blessing
Renee

S.Wells said...

I was a sarcastic, self-conscious, introverted, egotistical, over-achieving high school band dork. I strived for perfection on every turn. I was angry that God would even consider loving someone like a murderer or rapist or popular person in my high school – He should be the righteous judge and condemn them all to hell. Obviously, the concept of grace was foreign to me.

I also struggled to merge what was taught in science classes about evolution with what was taught in church about creation. These are two specific roadblocks that Satan used to try to deflect me from meeting the true God. As a senior in high school, I had been studying other religions, reading books about evolution and creation, and trying to resolve this battle. One day, a switch was flipped in my brain, and I went from saying, “Psh! Those creationists are nuts!” to looking out the window of my car as I drove down the highway and saying, “How could there not be a God?! Look at the trees! Look at the sky! Look at the birds!” All the research I did helped me know about micro-biology and evolutionary principles, but only God can open up eyes like that. The scales fell away.

The third distraction came in the form of a boyfriend I met and fell madly in love with after graduating from high school. Eric was romantic and exotic, a Parrothead in search of his very own Margaritaville – the perfect distraction in my hunt for the real God dwelling in the real Paradise.

By random draw and God’s providence, I ended up roommates with my best friend from high school. She invited me, yet again, to Bible studies, the Well, and FCA on campus. She was a persistent little evangelist! I remember the first time I went to the Well – I could FEEL a presence in the room like I’d never felt before – that calm, peace, and strange movement of the Holy Spirit. It was breathtaking.

Eric and I got physically involved really fast. By October of my freshman year at AU, I thought I might be pregnant. While I worried and fretted that everything I had ever strived for was all for nothing, it finally occurred to me that I am out of control. I do the things I do not want to do. I cannot do life the right way on my own. I have no control over my plans, my future, my life, and there is only one person who does – Jesus Christ. At a Bible study one night, I confessed all that had been happening with Eric. For the first time in my life, I understood grace. I understood mercy. I understood forgiveness. As Paul says in Romans 7:24-25 – “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Like any other new believer, I expected all things to be better immediately. But I still loved Eric, I wanted to be with him even though he wasn’t a believer and had no interest whatsoever in Jesus Christ. Through His gentleness and firmness, God gradually removed Eric from my life, first moving him to North Carolina, then sending him off on some wild trip to Thailand and Vietnam that did not involve missionaries in the mountains... like he said it was going to. In the end, God made Eric fall out of love with me, and that is what it took for me to let go, and let God be God of my heart.

About six months or so after God ended my relationship with Eric, I had finally felt like I was okay with being single. About a week later, I met my husband. Brandon and I have both been down similar roads with our scarring relationships, but most importantly, we both believe in a God who is merciful, just, loving, forgiving, constant, mysterious, and real – and without that foundation, our relationship would have been destroyed fast. Enough evil and unfair events happen in our lives to turn people with common interests against each other in a heartbeat, but if you have faith and have faith together, God who “began a good work in you” will carry it on to completion, together.

During my tumultuous relationship with Eric, a friend of mine gave me a verse to rely on. So often I have felt bewildered at where I am in life or where I was going. My anxiety levels were high – should I transfer colleges to be closer to Eric, should I move, should I marry, should I take this job, should I stay at home with my kids – and this verse among so many others like it in Scripture has kept me grounded. From Isaiah 42:16 – “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, down unfamiliar paths I will guide them. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” This is a promise God makes to each of us if we’d just let him take over. It will be okay. We will make it through this, one way or the other. And it’s probable that the end results will be the most unlikely place you ever thought you’d find yourself, but better and more amazing than you could have imagined.

Anonymous said...

Nice blog! Thank you for reminding of the great love of God.

Check out Audioverse.org when you have a chance. Blessings, friend.

Lorna Kroepfl said...

I have gotten myself into an extremely uncomfortable situation. One that was absolutely created by me, although not intentionally. Maybe the other person involved is not involved at the same level I am, but he willingly played into my hand, if you will, to get me to the place I'm at. I have a tremendous amount of love and respect for this person. There is something about this person that caused an awakening in me of sorts. He brought back to life my love of writing and a new enjoyment for music. He also respects and encourages my relationship with God which is extremely important to me. He makes me laugh and sometimes cry. But somewhere along the line in building the closeness with him, I began to notice the void of closeness between myself and my husband. My energy began shifting away from my husband to this person. I believe what developed is what some people call an emotional affair. I began confessing things to this person that I have never told anyone. And that's when I knew my marriage was suffering. The last thing I want to do is cause harm to my marriage of 15 years.

I thought I could push the intimate feelings aside and continue the relationship on a friendship level with this person. I really don't want to lose this friendship. But I don't know how to do that. He has given me so much unconditional love and accepted me with all of my flaws and all of my beauty. How can I walk away from that? I tell myself if this is all I ever get from this person, it will be enough. Then I find myself wanting more. How can I stay? Even when I told this person that I needed time to figure out these feelings, the response was filled with love. It's killing me to sever communication, but what else can I do? My marriage is at stake.

My heart has not felt this much sadness in a very long time. So much so that I believe my husband is aware of what is going on, but he doesn't have the heart to discuss it with me. I think he trusts that I will do the right thing and he is patiently waiting for me to return my affection to him.

I never thought that there would be another person that I could love as much or maybe even more than my husband. I wasn't looking for this to happen. It just did. Now I need to show up like a grown up and do the right thing. Even if it tears me up inside.

Edie said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope you will visit again... oh and feel free to pick up a Free Scripture Tag for your sidebar. Have a great weekend!

Robin said...

Just passing through and wanted to say you have a nice blog going here. keep up the good work for God. May He bless you. Hope you will stop by as well.

Unknown said...

Hullo Lady at Power Up Love. Just to say thanks for dropping by my blog and for the kind message. I love your blog and the music too. Its so inspiring and refreshing...God bless you.

Dani Kekoa said...

You can LISTEN ONLINE to our anniversary radio show dated May 26, 2008.

My husband, Curtis and I invite you to join us as we walk down memory lane through the past ten years of our lives, and share the most intimate and personal details of our relationship never heard before by the public.

This is an impromptu radio show about our journey as a couple from the heathen days when we first fell in love, the critical moments when we turned our lives over to God, convictions we had to change our evil ways, different challenges we faced, extreme circumstances which define who we are, the crisis which changed everything, how we overcame the unthinkable from rage to responsibility, and developed a unique and glorious marriage built to last a lifetime.

We are no marriage experts, but through our various trials and tribulations we have learned the true meaning of love and commitment, and by the grace of God we have triumphed over all adversity for better or worse until death do us part.

You are about to enter into the secret portal of our lives in a six-part exclusive broadcast on WordsAreWeaponsRadio.com. Hope you enjoy!

I know I love my husband, Curtis, more now than the day we got married seven years ago, and I can’t think of anything better than spending the rest of my life with him.

Sean Hanzelik said...

I would love to share the story of how His love has changed my life. You can read my entire testimony and check out the book that tells the story of how God rescued me and my marriage.

www.readtheletters.com

God bless,

Sean Hanzelik

Kel said...

My name is Kelley; I am a 30 year old woman living in Bothell, WA with my husband Jeremiah, my Labrador Chief, and my white and black cat Abbey.

Jeremiah and I met in October, 1997 at a friend's "Welcome back to Campus" party. The instant we met we knew that God had something special in store for us. Our romantic connection was instant, whether it was "Love at First Sight" I'm not sure; but I knew in my gut that he was "The One". We each found in the other a best friend; someone in whom we could trust, be authentic with, and goof around with. Not to mention the amount of "Things" we had in common: Interest in Sports, movies, similar taste in music, and most importantly a common belief in Jesus Christ and His teachings.

We were married in July of 1999, I was 21 and Jeremiah was 22. We were young and we knew it, but we also knew we were "right" for one another. We had planned to wait five years to begin our family, and did just that. We began "trying" passively in 2004, but we didn't actually pay attention to anything until we realized that we'd been two years without results. So we began to keep track of when things should happen, and tried for another year. When nothing came of that, I went to my doctor and was diagnosed with PCOS. (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) My doctor and I discussed the fact that I may never conceive without some form of medical assistance. We discussed the various options and decided that we'd try a Clomid regimen. Indeed the Clomid made my ovaries "work" but the follicles were never large enough to be very effective. And I gained 22 pounds from the medication as well.

My 30th birthday approached, and there were things I had always thought I'd have by the time I was 30 one of which was to have already had two children. I was the heaviest I'd ever been, the most unhappy I'd ever been, and I hadn't written a novel. In my mind I was failing at life and I wanted to change things. I moved my "Due" date to age 35. But I decided I wouldn't be the heaviest I'd ever been on my 30th birthday. I stopped the Clomid, and hit the gym. We filled out the preliminary adoption application with Bethany Christian Services www.bethany.org. I lost 10 pounds before my birthday and got back into my Jeans.

We decided that biological children just wasn't the plan for us and put all of our energy into our Adoption Process. We were approved and put on the BCS website on our 9th anniversary. Our Adoption profile www.http://www.bethany.org/A55798/bethanyWWW.nsf/0/688A8A67D4CEC4B88525748200535416 (I'd appriciate it if you'd post this on the main page and activate the links. Bethany is a Christ centered adoption agency.)

I began swimming laps in June of this year and began keeping track of our "Waiting time" in "swimming distance" which for me, created a productive project for me during this very strange time of waiting to be chosen by a birth mother.

Jeremiah and I are both dealing with our waiting process differently, Jer wants to know every time someone looks at our profile in the office, and I'm more of an "Ignorance is Bliss" type person. We've had some interest but so far no interviews. The rollercoaster continues but the light at the end of tunnel approaches. The two of us with the help of our Lord are tough enough to weather this storm; no matter the duration or severity.

We look forward to being parents and are trusting that the "Great Architect" has our best interests in mind.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,....plans to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Unknown said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog!

I would be happy to share the blog post I wrote the other day or do you mean share the entire story of the past two years?

Let me know and I will pray on writing it and sharing more details. I don't want to put any of our children on the spotlight for the negative things that have come from their past or our life together. I truly want to keep the focus on God's working in my heart, and my calling as each of their Mommy.

I just want to bring honor and glory to His name by letting His love pour through everything I say and do. Even when I fall down HE stands victorious and glorious!

Your blog is beautiful. I look forward to reading others stories and praying for them and with them!

Join me for Fearfully Fabulous Friday and in prayer for a dear friend.

Thanks and blessings to you!
Jill

Andrea said...

Wow! What a wonderful blog.
I was only able to read a few stories, but I going to block off some time tonight..so that I can come back.
Thank you so much for sharing this with me.
I look forward to sharing my testimony .

A

God Chaser said...

Thank you for stopping by my site and for me inviting here. I have no words for this story- how beautiful, how beautiful is our God. What a wonderful purpose Christian fulfilled. Be blessed as you know Christian is.

Anonymous said...

Hey! Thanks so much for introducing me to your site! It's such a blessing to see wonderful scripture in your blog!

All in all love has it's ups in downs from any situation, but over-all right now in my life, "love" has impacted me to just be tolerant. Tolerant to everyone, their religion, their belief, what they do, what I do. Love is an act of forgiveness and loyalty. Tolerance I believe that God has the most stature for. He is the one who has to tolerate our sinful desires, but later makes us recognize are our faults, but also tolerates us the most for doing our talents for Him!

Blessings!!
Jeremiah 29:11

Charlotte said...

Thank you for visiting my blog. I was so impressed by this blog that I put a link to it on my Spiritual Sundays blog. http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/
I have read some of the stories written here. They all made me cry. I believe it is very therapeutic to many people to see how God has worked in the lives of others.
God bless you.
Charlotte

Kim Heinecke said...

Six weeks after my second son was born I became a statistic – one of over 2 million women raising children alone. My husband of six years announced without warning, and without a good reason he was leaving me. He abandoned me to chase a dream he could not define and left me to pick up the broken pieces of my own shattered dream.

As he walked out the door with his bags in hand, he took with him every ounce of confidence I had in myself. My spirit was crushed. I went from believing in myself to questioning everything about me. It’s amazing how much damage occurred in those short weeks. He shot a hole through my heart large enough to spill out every good thing I knew to be true. Battered and broken, my heart was crippled with self-doubt and I unwillingly joined the sisterhood of women dying to feel loved in a most unloving world.

The initial days and weeks following his departure were the toughest. Despite an army of friends coming to my rescue with words of encouragement and support, I felt lonelier and increasingly more rejected with each passing day. Seeing a perfect opportunity for emotional destruction, the enemy remained close enough to whisper how unloved and undesired I had become. I bought into the his propaganda – hook, line and sinker. He worked overtime on me, whispering persuading lies during a season of life when emotional vulnerability prevents you from seeing truth clearly. He stripped me of my self-worth and convinced me I had been forsaken by the one who once loved me. He enticed me into bondage and I agreeably followed.

I longed for the companionship of my husband, for the security of a provider and for the embrace of a man. I remember crying out to the Lord many nights for him to “fix” all of my problems, to bring my husband back and restore our marriage. Having been a believer for twenty years prior to this event, I thought God owed it to me to work this out. How could he let this happen to me? And how could I feel so desperate and so empty?

On the morning I first returned to work since the drama began, I stood in my bedroom trying to hold back the tears. Unsure of how I was going to get through the day feeling so wrecked, I selected a long, black skirt and heels that were supposed to trick my brain into feeling like going to work. Every movement was a conscious decision – breathing, walking, and blinking. At times, I willed my heart to continue its rhythm as every involuntary action had been paralyzed by sadness. My two-year-old son entered the room as I was getting dressed and pleaded repeatedly, “Spin, mommy, spin!” He liked to watch my skirt flow outward as I twirled around for him, pretending to be a dancer. Dutifully I spun around for him, trying to memorize the smile on his face that it might get me through the day. He sweetly giggled and I obliged him again and again. After three or four spins, dizziness overtook me and we both fell laughing on my bed. Laughter quickly turned to tears – and big ones. They were the kind of tears you can’t hold back even if you try because you don’t even know why you’re crying. Perhaps I had to make up for the last three minutes I had spent actually being happy since happiness seemed like a betrayal to my new prison of loneliness. A moment later, my son put his tiny arms around me and proclaimed through my tears, “Mommy, you’re my girl.”

I cannot describe the blessing in those words from that tiny voice. I was his mommy and he loved me no matter what. My little one didn’t care what I looked like, how smart I was, or where I had to be. I was his girl and I was loved by him.

I began to listen closer. “You’re my girl. You’re my girl. You’re my girl.” I listened until it was no longer the two year old voice talking to me, but the gentle, quiet spirit of the Father calling me out of my world of rejection and into His full acceptance where grace and mercy and unconditional love abound!

My life changed forever that day. For the first time since my husband left, I felt loved and cherished. I began to surrender my pain to the Father. He began an amazing work in my heart. He healed it, and then he claimed it for his own. As I pursued Him, he filled every hole and refined me. My longing for companionship with my husband was replaced with a sweet intimacy with the Father. The emptiness that imprisoned me was destroyed by the acceptance and affirmation of my King. I found what I was looking for – a love that lasts.

My husband never returned; and I was never the same. I was whole, complete and I was loved without a doubt. It wasn’t the ending I had envisioned but isn’t that just like the Father? The crazier the outcome, the more I’m convinced it is the hand of God. I learned the Father was more consumed with affirming HIS love for me than he was with a man’s affirmation of love for me. And this is a love to be treasured!

It is my testimony that when the Lord becomes the fountain of everything meaningful in your life – when He is your companion, your protector, your provider – you will never be lost or disappointed by what happens or doesn’t happen on your journey.

Isaiah 45:3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel who summons you by name."

Thank you, my King, for those treasures of dark times, because now I know You are the One who calls me by name.

junglemama said...

What a wonderful idea for a blog. I am glad that I came across it.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your comment. I am enjoying your blog right now. God Bless You.

Anonymous said...

thank you for stopping by my blog! i just started trying to get back into a relationship with god, after several years of uncertainty. but i think i'm on the right path now.

mariposa said...

Wow, I like your blog! By the way, thanks for the comment you left :)

nitewrit said...

My wife and I love each other, but it was the love of God that changed my life. It is a bit long, but I am glad to write how that came about.

Growing up, I was sent to Christian churches. But I was no Christian other than a nominal one. When my wife-to-be and I met, we were barely out of high school. When we married, she was 19 and I was 20. There was never a doubt we would have a proper Christian wedding before an ordained minister. Yet, I wasn't a Christian, not really. I had never professed any belief in Christ. I thought I was a good guy, but I wasn't a spiritual one.

If I was only a Christian-in-name at my wedding, I was to go a long way down a different road after the honeymoon. I still thought of myself as a "good" guy, and probably in comparison to some, I was, but after a while I even renounced the nominal tag of being a Christian. After getting married, I was free of church. My wife and I didn't attend any church. We were riding high and fine without any help from religion. We both worked and made what was considered better than average salaries for our age, our position and our time. We would rather go off to the shore for the weekend than spend anytime in a church. We started off having it too good, so who needed God. 


When things went south, we blamed God.
We were fine with two salaries, but when my wife lost her job it was difficult to meet all the monthly bills. Then my wife became pregnant.
She was nearly two-thirds through term and home alone. I was at work in Philadelphia, a trip I made every weekday by train. We lived halfway between each of our parents, a half hour drive to either one. My wife didn't drive then. She felt she was going into labor and called our doctor.
He told her that was impossible. She asked him to come out, but he refused. He told her he would have the drugstore deliver a prescription to her to ease her pains. It was just as the drug arrived that the baby came. She didn't go to the door and the deliveryman left. She delivered a boy, who lived briefly and died.
She placed it in a pan in the bathroom and called me. I left work and caught the next train home. When I got there she was in the bedroom. I asked if she had called the doctor again, but she hadn't. I called him and he came to the house. After he had attended to my wife, I asked what we should do with the baby. "You can toss it in the trashcan for all I care," he answered.
Not exactly great bedside manner.
We went through a series of setbacks and by our late twenties we were Hippies. Our transformation from spoiled newlyweds to Hippie activists was complete. We had "soul", but not The Spirit. One of my campaigns, my cause, was to show up the hypocrisy of ministers and I was smugly throwing challenging questions at pastors.
Oh, I was so smart when in my twenties. I knew everything then and I knew there was no God. Here is what I didn't know:
"A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD." Proverbs 19:3
Here I skip ahead a few years. My wife continued to become pregnant now and again over the next decade. But each time she lost the baby, despite operations and every effort of doctors. We lost seven children, four as miscarriages and three who were born too soon to live.
But that seventh lost changed my life. My wife was in the labor room, a drip in her arm to forestall the labor. The baby was hooked to a monitor and every day I sat in that room listening to that heartbeat fighting to live. Hearing that steady beat-beat-beat made me believe there had to be a God.
But when that child died, my wife went into a deep depression. In desperation, I suggested we try a church, a new one near our home. The minister’s sermon seemed to speak directly to me and in September 1975, I asked forgiveness and for Christ to be my Savior.
In 1977, my wife became pregnant again. No doctor would take our case; they all told us my wife could not have a child. It was impossible. A Christian doctor at our church agreed to treat her. He put her to bed for her term. The church members formed a prayer group, brought us meals and did other kindnesses. On March 1, 1978 a daughter was born prematurely, but she lived.
A couple years later, my wife thought she was having a miscarriage, that she was a couple of months pregnant. I took her to the hospital. There, much to both our surprise, my second daughter was born. But she weighted under four pounds and they didn’t expect her to live, so they sent her to an intensive care unit in another hospital.
We were then told she would live, but be blind and seriously mentally handicapped. My second daughter is not blind. She was an honor student, twice listed in Who’s Who Among High School Students, served eight years in the U.S. Army, including Iraq, received three Army commendation metals and works now with animals, as does my first daughter.
I always said God gave us our second daughter to show it was by his power and nothing than any doctor did.
Finally we had a third child, a boy.
I dread to think where I was headed at one time in my life. I was getting into Satanism at that time, but seeming tragedies turned everything around and showed me there was a loving God. Now I know someday I will see all ten of my children, all thanks and praise to the Lord and his love.

Scott said...

Thanks so much for the info on Lee Strobel. I could not find the link from the comment, however, I was able to find the Video/audio of the service on the Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque website. I'm going to watch it now. Wow they have alot on their website!

Anonymous said...

What an awesome blog you have here! Thank you for reading my tips, I added some about ants, I will be adding many more check back often! God Bless you!

Regina said...

I love your site!

Robin said...

Thank You my dear friend for stopping by my blog. But more so, Thank You for gently reminding me that we need to pray for people like Bill Mahr in the Palm of our hands and pray for them. You are so right, he is just as much a son of God's as much as I am. It helped me to see that. I guess I was getting boastful. Thank you for helping my eyes to see my judgement. May I learn and grow from your words of guidence.

Robin said...

By the way, your blog is very nice. Glad Lindsey was able to help you :) I hope to visit often and be encouraged and reminded of the love and pureness of God. May God continue to give you wisdom and disernment in leading people closer to Jesus.

Anonymous said...

Hey! I love your layout it's so purple! (my favorite color!!) You can check the link now, I do not know why it wasn't working earlier/last night, but please do!
: )

Take care! I hope all is well and God's Blessings to you!

Robin said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Scott said...

A Prayer For Trying Times

Help me, Lord, to find good in this. I know your plan is perfect. Help me to pray for those that harm me; I want only to seek your will. Give me strength Lord, in these trying times; be strong in me, as I am weak. Shelter me in your house Lord, my roof is leaking and my walls are falling. I come to you, my God most high, for safety in this storm; I know you will protect me. Carry me Lord , my legs are weak and they buckle under this heavy load. Help me Lord, to not be bitter with others; to not shout or say hurtful things. Help me lord, to wait patiently on you, I know your timing is perfect. Help me Lord, to speak the truth; I know it will set me free. Help me Lord, not to panic; I know you will defend me. I place it all in your hands Lord, I know you know what's best...Your Love Will See Me Through!

He is my defender; I will not be defeated. Psalm 62:6

www.scottmcqueen.blogspot.com

Scott said...

Hi Again!
You site is great! Getting better every day! I like the new layout. But I know you (and I) want all the praise to go to God. I just wanted you to know I appreciate your hard work for Christ: you do have a gift! I was checking out the new networking tab and wanted to know if you are listing other Christian related blogs. If so, and if you feel it appropriate, you can list my blog. It is "Just A Thought": open letters from me to my family, friends, sinners, saints, and of course our God about my daily growth and struggles now that Christ has filled my heart. It is at www.scottmcqueen.blogspot.com

p.s. How do I get a custom icon like yours instead of the blogger icon to show up on the address bar?

p.s.s. Although we have not met personally, you have a friend in Christ out here in So Cal. If you are ever out this way, we would love to meet and fellowship with you.

Lori Laws said...

Hi, thanks for visiting my blog. I'm glad I found your blog...I'm so inspired by what I read so far. I read your post here. I am adopted too, and can see the fingerprints of God in every aspect and circumstance in my life. I am now following your blog and will add you to my blogroll! Blessings to you!!

Power Up Love said...

Scott,

I've added you blog title as a link from the index on Power Up Love. Feel free to grab and add the PowerUpLove button from the side bar on my site.

The logo in the address bar is a customized favicon (the little icon
next to your blog address)Contact, Lindsey, at MommyChroniclesblog.com She is a Christian missionary who is living in Panama and doing blog design over the Internet. Lindsey is great to work with and very
creative. Let her know I said hello, if you contact her. B/T/W she is very affordable.

I don't know when my family and will be out that way, but Thank you
for the offer to meet and fellowship.

Your brother in Christ,
Joe

Scott said...

Thanks Joe!, I put your button on my site. I'm new to all this stuff. If we are ever out that way, we will visit Calvary of Albuquerque. I listen to Pastor Skip almost daily on KWAVE (107.9FM) out here in So Cal. I'll check out the Favicon info soon!

God Bless,
Scott

Angela said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

If you are accepting prayer requests, please pray that my dr's appt tomorrow (Tuesday) will go well and no surgery will be required. God knows the rest!

Thanks so much!

Our Love Story said...

wow, you have changed your layout! i missed being here! god bless always!

Denise said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog, and inviting me to post my story here. You are a sweet blessing.

Christina said...

This is a beautiful blog. It is obvious that the Lord has blessed this place. Thank you for the comment and prayers. In Christ, Christina E.

Anonymous said...

Hi there
I'm not a Christian myself, but this blog is very beautiful.
I'm stunned by how peaceful it seems!
Thank you for dropping by my blog. Rainbows are great
Take care

WHITEShadow said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and for inviting me to leave some comments here. I'm really amazed with your blog! It looks awesome and the contents are great! It's truly is a gems for thought. I admired people with such a great devotion to their faith and try to live the virtue that could heal people's heart. I was just starting with my blog and I'm not a real pro-blogger but just like you, I have lots to share and some are just my pure view about the questions that came up to my mind as I think of our corrupt society (I'm sorry for my terminologies) but as you can see lust openly parades as love, license cleverly poses as liberty and raucous sounds mocking masquerades as music. Evil even call itself good and often gets away with it.

I'm happy to see more and more Christians trying to make a difference. Even with the evolution of the technology, it seems to be playing a big role to hasten the work of the Lord in spreading the gospel.

Thank you so much again. I'm honored with your invitation.

Happy smiles,
WHITEShadow

luce said...

thanks for your thoughts and kind words. i will post images and things as soon as i can get this whole blogging site world figured out- i cannot even figure out how to locate other blogs through the site yet- ha! you have a wonderful site, the stories moved me. thanks you again- take care")

Tamela's Place said...

Hello PowerUpLove,

Thankyou for visiting my blog i wanted to come by and visit yours as well.. What has the Lord done for me? To much to list. I would write on and on and on! But the main thing is that He has saved me and rescued me from out of the hands of the enemy and one day I will see my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ face to face and that will be a glorious day! He is my everything, both now and for all eternity! Hallelujah!!!!

Lori Laws said...

Tag, you're it! Check it out at my blog!

Meaghan said...

Hi and thank you for visiting my blog, reading my story and commenting. I would be very happy to share my story please let me know the best way to do that.

megse5@netscape.net

and, if you want to share more with me i would be happy to help guide you in the right direct with regards to your wife

xoxo
Meaghan

~Amy~ said...

Yes you sure can post my full testimony. Thanks for asking

Anonymous said...

A few years ago when I was a teen,I did an experiment of sorts. I too had been in an environment of not just only one drunk, but many! Once drunk I saw how these people reacted. They seem to lose all of their human faculties. So one day I drank as much as I could with the goal to see if I lost any of my senses. I could not even stand up, that is how drunk I was. But through it all I found out that even though I was completely drunk, I could still think between what was right and wrong. I did not lose any of my abilities to think. So the argument drunk people use when committing a crime is bogus! They are fully aware of what they are doing, they just use drunkenness as an excuse. Thank God you are saved! Thank you for sharing.

Kim said...

Someone from this site commented on my site... all I can say is thank you.

Thank you.

Kathleen said...

First ... I love the new layout & color!

Second ... were I to begin writing about how God's loved has changed me and my life, I doubt there's room enough to complete the saga. Suffice it to say I no longer need to run the show. He has entered where fear and pride once ruled, and His grace has forever lit my path!

Be blessed,
Kathleen

Robin said...

Hi Joe :) I wrote a really personal post today on my blessings and struggles of single moms blog today. I'd like to give you permission to copy and paste it. I hope you will leave a comment on it and share your thoughts. Your friend, Robin

Lisa C. aka Trophy of Grace said...

I would like to be added to your networking list. www.ConsecratedToHim.com Real Christian Talk For Real Christians & www.WeUsed2bu.com Christian Girl Advice Site. Please confirm once it has been added and I will also add you to our blog rolls. God bless you and keep up the good work.

My name is Bonnie, said...

Thank you again for posting my testimony. I would like to be added to your networking list, please.

www.extendedhope.com

Thank you.
Bonnie

Tikno said...

Love has change my life from hopeless to hopeful. Thanks to God for giving me a loving wife.

Juzmeh said...

As I look around me and realized all of the blessing I enjoy, I know that I can be a better person if I keep a feeling of gratitude in my heart.

My name is Bonnie, said...

Hi Joe. I have an award waiting for you on my site. I have given it to you in honor of the cultural, ethical, and personal values your blog represents! Come pick it up!

God Bless,
Bonnie
extendedhope.com

b*sherrie said...

Thank you so very much for your kind words re: my testimony. If my story is drawing people, if only just a step, closer to healing and receiving love from Jesus, it was that much more worth it. Your comment brought tears to my eyes; I'm truly humbled and grateful to know that others may be set free as I've been...only by the grace of God & the blood of our Saviour. Bless you, friend!

Scott said...

Very very good to see you back! Hope all is well with you and yours! God Bless and keep up the Good Fight!

Susie said...

Have just seen your blog for the first time now. I can't wait to read more of it. The music is beautiful.

b*sherrie said...

Hello, Bloggy friend! How very encouraging your words are to me! I'm grateful for brothers & sisters in Christ all over the country....whether I've met you all or not, Jesus is the common bond and I'm blessed to be walking out this gift called life with you. Be blessed and know your words strengthen. :)

Edie said...

We all have a story... what it boils down to is that God is always faithful. I am so grateful for that!

Thanks for visiting my blog. Rich blessings to you!

b*sherrie said...

Yes, Joe, you may repost. :) I pray it helps others in some way see how very real and transparent we can be with our Father, and that He loves us and wants to bless us with the desires of our hearts. God bless you!

God's servant (mom/grandma) said...

As I knelt in my dinning room and gave my life to Christ. to God and to the Holy Spirit. He came in in a powerful way. The joy was unspeakable. things that used to make me cry made me laugh, and I knew I could always pick myself up in difficult times because of Jesus. It took a lot of growth to actually know what I had done and how effective a work God is doing . Praise Him. I'm still learning as I live, because of an abusive father it was hard to relate to God the Father, today He is giving me that gift. Now I cry with Joy. Jesus being savior and Lord in my life is so blessed And God being my Father Who I can go to just like Jesus did when He was here on earth. He is there for me, I can hear Him to do His will and ask for others. I really enjoy your posts. I just got started at this and am still learning. Thank You,< >Jane

Teresa said...

Wow! What a great website! Thank you for visiting my blog...to answer your question...please share the testimony of God in my life...again, my blog is: www.triumphantvictoriousreminders.blogspot.com
God bless you and I know that the testimony of God in my life will help others that have gone the similar path as I have. God bless you!

Lindsey said...

I just wanted to say thank you to your suggestion about incorporating children into my book about kindness. They are wonderful examples, aren't they? Great blog. Thanks for the encouragement!! Keep fighting the good fight.

Covnitkepr1 said...

This really is a nice web site for sharing the love of Jesus on.
I’ve enjoyed looking over your blog. I came across it through another blog I follow, and I’m glad I did. I am now a follower of yours as well. Feel free to look over my blog and perhaps become one as well.

Maria Parenteau said...

I am so glad we have a chance to meet here. I am happy to know that there are pages like yours in the internet. May The Lord visit you with power and may Him prosper His words in your mouth. I would love to meet in person...who knows right?

TRUTH SHARER said...

I never felt loved until I received the love that God had waiting for my heart.

Now it's taken me almost 40 more years to learn how to love like He does and I'm still failing at that when 'self' gets in the way.

This is a powerful blog site to see all the LOVE here and read all the scriptures on love.

1 Corintians 13 is one of THE most powerful chapters in all of the Bible because it causes us to examine our hearts before a Holy God who lays out the 'plan' of loving others. In a nutshell - we can do many things for good causes - but if we don't have [show] love - they mean nothing to man and they mean nothing to God! That's a tall order.

Thanks for joining TRUTHSHARER - hope to see you again.

I love the purple background color here because PURPLE is my favorite color and for me it signifies God's Promises fulfilled in my life! What a JOY to come here!

Choosing JOY, Stephanie

mariel said...

what a great gathering place for believers to be refreshed and encouraged to seek and find the love and joy of Jesus in an online community!

thanks for visiting my blog home.

blessings, M

Karla said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. You've got a really nice site, where others can share there stories and read on how the Lord brought them from darkness into light. Thanks! Blessings!
~Karla

www.purifymyheartdevotionals.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

My story took a whole book, too, although pieces of it and a summary are on my blogs.

Speaking of which, I would like to let you and other followers know that my Blest Atheist blog went down. I replaced it with 100th Lamb (www.emahlou.blogspot.com). I explain why there.

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

Joe, I saw your question on my blog, and I responded to it there and by email, but just in case neither arrives at your e-mailbox, yes, of course, you may re-post the summary of my conversion story if you think it will be of interest/use to your readers. (It's not my story, anyway; it's God's.)

Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual Director said...

I have a blog that chronicles the ups and downs of life as I commit to remain "joyful" following Jesus thus the name: Joyful Still

the blog address is http://www.joyfulstill.blogspot.com -Robin Norgren

A Peculiar Person said...

My story is a tiny bit different - in that God used me to GIVE love that changed a life. I met a girl once at church, didn't know her from a hole in the wall, but as soon as I saw her God told me "she needs love." It struck me so hard I didn't know how to take it, so I prayed for him to show me how I could help.

We've been friends for 5 years, and over those years God has used me to teach this poor broken girl what love really means. I didn't know it at the time, but I quickly learned the terribly dysfunctional environment she had grown up in. She was so broken, so walled off from the world, but since that day God has opened her up piece by piece, healing as he went.

Looking back to that moment and that original prompt from God, I shudder to think of what would have happened if I had shrugged it off.

Praise God!

I would like to invite you to visit my blog. I would love to get your thoughts on some of my recent posts.

alonganarrowway.blogspot.com

God Bless!

Jolly Princess said...

Hello there! You have a great blog. Have a great weekend.

Thanks for visiting and following my blog. :)

Unknown said...

Thanks, Jolly Princess; God bless you!

Tammi said...

what a great place for everyone to share their testimony in our faithful Lord. God's love is still changing my life. I know He will continue to prove His love, over and over until I reach heaven's shore. I'm not sure if I could even write everything that He has done here in one comment. All I know is the Lord is teaching me through circumstances that when our plans appear to have been "FOILED" we need to take the "I" out of the word FOIL--and we're left with FOL--the Fountain of Life---When He plunged ME (put the "I" back) into the Fountain of Life (His precious blood) the enemy's plans to destroy my life were FOILed. No matter the disappointments in life---once plunged into His Fountain of Life, I now have found His Divine Purpose to take the "US" out of me--the Ugly Sin---and replace that with His Forgiveness, Love and Divine Power.

I'm still on this road, full of twists and turns---and like an instrument in His hands, I just want Him to 'play me' for His glory. Rom. 8:28---ALL things work together for our good and His glory, as long as we're called according to His purpose!

Thanks for stopping by!! :)

Jeanette Levellie said...

Wow. How long do you have? God's love has changed me from a selfish sinner to a thankful believer, wanting to share His grace with anyone who will listen.

What a beautiful blog!

Jen
Audience of ONE

North Jersey Christian Writers Group said...

Thanks for stopping by my Eternity Cafe blog.
What a beautiful blog you have here.
How has Love changed my life?
Well, I wasn't really living until He entered in. Love began my life :)

Bernadine said...

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment on my blog. I enjoyed looking around and reading some of the testimonies on your lovely blog.

Tana said...

God is generously teaching me to look at life through the lens of humility. =)

A multi-dimensional life said...

Thank you for your gracious comments on my blog. I so agree that God delays us for a reason. In fact there is more to my little episode of the keys. Long story, but God used that time in a significant way which made me smile from ear to ear!

This is a very powerful Blog...I greatly appreciate every comment and the open hearts of those who have shared a part of themselves here today! I am so glad that your story turned out the way it did. That gun did not fire because God had a plan for your life. I'm so glad He is using you now in the lives of many...including me! Merry Christmas, faithful child of the King!

Sarah said...

What a delight to find you tonight!

Have a joy filled, love overflow Christmas and sing with me Happy Birthday Jesus!

Sarah

Veronica said...

For the Last two years, my faith has been tried like never before. I lost my Father in February, my marriage has been a roller coaster ride, and people who I thought were my friends left me. My prayer life has made a difference, because I feel closer to God and the love from him has been a saving grace. God's love has shown me how to love in spite of all that I have gone through. Although satan has peeped his ugly head to make me doubt, God has given me reassurance though his words. I claim victory over my circumstances! satan will not defeat me! 2011 and every year that God has allowed me to be a part of will be years of breaking through the obstacles that satan has set before me. Happy Holidays and may the Grace Of Our Lord and Savior rest, rule, and abide with you always.

~Mrs. DCS RN~ said...

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas :) I love your blog... Thank you for sharing!

A multi-dimensional life said...

God's Love has changed me. He continues to work on me, of course...but I realize the enormity of God's love for me...and want to share that with others. I pray for those who are lost and want them to have HIM...for without Him life is meaningless!!! He is LIFE.

I realize this might sound a bit trivial, but I wanted to mention YOUR BLOG in my post today...I hope you will stop by and pick up your gift from me or at least see it.

I hope that others will come here and be touched by this divine blog!

Abundant blessings to you!
Lorraine

Tracy said...

What a great question and how wonderful to read the comments here and see all that our wonderful God has done and is doing in the lives of people! His love is powerful and He so graciously chooses to give it to us freely.

Summer said...

In the name of my SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST ,as far as I am concerned it took a GOD as magnificant and forgiving as mine to mend my broken state ....i owe HIM every single bit of glory that i can think of evry single day he allows my heart to beat and my breath to flow .....there is not enough time or space to begin to let you know exactly what HE has done for me .....As much as I HE has saved my soul from the final damnation of hell , I owe HIM this desreving glory .....I have many scriptures that i rest my head upon at night but a favorite of mine that reminds me of my continual existance in HIS shadow of a covering is : "being confident of this , that HE who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of CHRIST JESUS . " PHILIPPIANS 1:6 .....My GOD has justified me .....Is continually sanctifying me and wil one day give me my glorified body ....PRAISE BE HIS HOLY NAME

Richard Hobart said...

34 years ago someone cared enough about my eternal soul to send me a magazine with the plan of salvation at a very low point in my life. I thank God for that person as I learned and received the love of God through his Son, Jesus Christ! Amen!I like your blog, would you please visit is mine Richard Hobart

Toyin O. said...

The love of Jesus has brought me a peace that passes all understanding.

shaving cream said...

Thanks for the post. I had been looking for something related and found your web site in the process.I will definitely be back for more.

Unknown said...

Have a blessed day , enjoyed your site " what a blessing ! "