A Story to Tell, My Testimony

“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 on 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

For this is my testimony, a story to tell. I truly give God all the glory as this is all God given. God gave me this title many years ago during my youth ministry years as a youth pastor’s wife. My story is not how I had planned my life would have gone but God had far greater plans for me. I was married for 26 years and shortly after my mom went on to be with the Lord in 2010, my former spouse left me. He came back and we went through marriage counseling but then months later he left again this time for good and filed for divorce. Within a little over a year, I had lost my mom, my husband and the youth ministry, all of which I was very passionate about. I felt like Job but he went through much worse than I could have ever imagined.

We were youth pastors and when he left he resigned and I was soon experiencing what my mom had gone through. My dad had left my mom after 37 years of marriage and filed for divorce. My mom then came to live with us a few years later until she went on to be with the Lord. She was an incredible woman of faith. She fought the battle of cancer and her faith in God never wavered. I thank God for my mom. She helped me in more ways than she will ever know. When I went through my divorce, I had to totally lean on God. I remember just pressing into His Word and praying for hours and hours. My story is one that sadly is more common now days. See what the enemy meant for bad, God intended for good.

My story is not that different than any other ordinary person. My story is one that God gave me many years ago during my youth ministry years in which I had started a blog and wrote down all the messages God started to give me. It seemed He liked 2 or 3 am, that was the time most of the messages were given to me and I would write them down. I remember one night my friend and I were up at our church for our prayer meeting and after praying we got together and shared what the Lord had given us. He laid 3 things on my heart, one was a scripture from Ezekiel chapters 3 and 33, second was “A Story to Tell,” which I thought was a book, then lastly public speaker which I put a question mark by. As most people know me, I do not like to speak in front of people at all; I tend to get very nervous. I have no problem speaking in front of little kids but it was hard just to speak in the messages God gave me in front of our youth but I did and wow the Holy Spirit moved in an amazing way. Little did I know God’s plans for my life were starting to unfold and He was speaking to me. During the time of my youth ministry years, as God was not only giving me messages but visions through dreams. These visions were taking place. I then realized that the dream God gave me was real. I was having them quite often then they started to settle down. One week I had these dreams for about 3 nights in a row and I thought at the time it was the enemy trying to attack me. I shared the dreams with my husband at the time as they concerned him. The dreams were about him seeing someone else, the next night it was about him resigning as youth pastor and him leaving me the first time, then the third night was him leaving me and filing for divorce and me finding out that he was having an affair. God even gave me the person and her younger daughter in the dream but at the time I didn’t piece that part together. A year and a half later when things started happening, I began to realize the dreams were warning dreams from the Lord. When he left me and resigned then came back didn’t think much of the dream until he left me the last time and filed for divorce then the dreams came back to me very vividly. When I found out about the affair and who it was well the dreams were dead on. God gave me the dreams in the order that it all happened. I now realize it was not the enemy attacking me but God giving me these dreams as a warning.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:12.

The hardest part of the divorce for me was the fact that this was taking place when my son was getting married in April of 2012.  God had blessed us with a son and a daughter, truly blessings from the Lord. He also answered this mom’s prayer for godly spouses and so very thankful to God for them. I have been blessed with a beautiful daughter in love and their handsome precious son, my grandson Malakai, whom has brought such joy to our family, truly a blessing from the Lord and my amazing son in law, truly a blessing and a man of God. God has blessed our family more than I could imagine, He has given us a very blessed extended family and very thankful to God for that. I give Him all the praises because He so deserving of it.

I look back on my life and think of where I was at one time in my life and thank God He spared my life and gave me chance after chance. He never let go of me and I know that because I always felt this tugging at my heart especially after the kids were born I knew I needed to get back in church and I wanted our kids to be brought up in a Christian home. I wanted them to know the Lord like I did when I was a little girl. When the kids were toddlers we enrolled them in a Christian preschool which the directors started witnessing to us and asked us to come visit and so we did. It took a good year before we did so and that first visit we both loved it. We went back and I gave my heart to the Lord, my ex-husband gave his life to the Lord months later right at the beginning of the new year. It was amazing and from then on our lives were changed. God moved in so many ways and began to use us. We started working with the youth. God led us to a new church in a town right by where we lived and we got involved in that church. I was a Missionette teacher and we also were just starting to get involved in the youth ministry but God had other plans for us. My former husband had this job opportunity come up in St. Louis, close to where his dad lived and it was very timely as his dad was diagnosed with cancer and was in the last stages so was not given much time to live. After much prayer, we both heard from the Lord and it was yes for him to take the job and we were to move. God would provide the home and He did just that all in one weekend when we went house hunting. Amazing how things fall into place when you rely on God and leave it all in His hands and truly trust Him. He had this all planned out from the very beginning. It was hard on my son who was in middle school at the time and was also 12 years old and not to mention was a little on the quiet side. He was not happy to hear the news as he was leaving all his friends that he grew up with. My daughter was the more outgoing one and very sociable so I wasn’t too worried about her because she made friends very easily. She had no problem with the news, it was hard for her to leave her friends but she knew we had prayed about this. God led us to find a church fairly quickly and then we got involved. I was involved as a girls Missionettes teacher, taught Sunday School for a bit then began to teach Little Kids church on one Sunday a month, then we felt the call to become youth sponsors. We approached our youth pastors and they both prayed and said yes. Then later our youth pastor had approached my ex-husband (my husband at the time) and asked him if he had been called into ministry because God was speaking to him and asking him to approach him about this calling.  My ex-husband did tell him yes that God had started speaking to his heart about this matter and later on he took the steps to get credentialed. As our kids grew, it was our daughter’s last year in youth as my ex-husband was made youth pastor; we had been the interim youth pastors a couple times before being made the official youth pastors for our church which led to many amazing adventures. God truly blessed our youth ministry. During that time we took yearly Mission Trips within our country, did fundraising for Missions Trips and Youth Camps, activities for the kids. We outgrew our room and had to knock out a wall to enlarge the youth room which was awesome. God was moving in our youth group and their lives. I don’t regret those years because lives were changed. 

My daughter then got married and shortly after her marriage, my mom was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma cancer which was a very aggressive type of cancer and she was in the third stage. It was all very devastating to us and Bill was already having trouble with his knee which the doctors were looking at him having a full knee replacement. As time went by the oncologist put her on the highest form after trying one chemo then a test trial which wasn’t working and her cancer was getting bigger but had not yet spread so they put her on the highest chemo for that type which was a very aggressive chemo as well and one she would have to be in the hospital to have for 3 days. I was a substitute teacher during this time which was great because it allowed me to be with mom, take her to treatments and stay at the hospital with her. We made several trips back to hospital as we were told that would happen and it was common. It seemed she would go a week and a half then have to go back to the hospital for another stay for at least 2 or 3 days then we would get to go home. At the end of treatment mom was feeling much better so we were hopeful and had been praying for a miracle from the Lord but later on we would find out news that she only had months to live that the chemo had reduced it but then it grew back and this time much larger and had spread which was not good. My sister was with my mom at the time of the news as I was at youth camp and received the news. I was a mess when I heard the news so it was hard for me to hold it together during worship and our youth camp and my youth group all prayed over me and for my mom. When I got home my mom had wanted to go back to Arkansas to stay and be buried there when the time came as she was only given 2 to 4 weeks to live. We left the next week for Arkansas as my sister drove up and met us half way and I left with my mom and sister as my ex had to work. The kids said their goodbyes as well knowing this may be the last time they saw their grandma alive. Hospice was brought in and shortly afterwards we saw the decline and mom passed went onto be with the Lord on Friday morning, July 2^nd, 2010 in her sleep. My mom had always said that was how she wanted to go and God granted her that desire. She was peaceful with everything. When my mom got the news, she cried but then she accepted that she was going to be with Jesus. She had such faith and strength through it all. That is what helped inspire me when the storms really hit hard. It is hard not having either parent around when trials come and you really are unsure who to talk to. I was blessed with a close friend that God used in an incredible way to minister to me as she had went through a divorce many years prior and very similar to my story but her kids were young at the time. She ministered to me and was there for me during that very difficult time. I look at what God has done for her now and it is truly amazing. God brought an amazing man of God into her life in which they got married and so truly blessed. Praise be to God for all He has done and is continuing to do in our life! Keep praising Him no matter good or bad, He is in control.

I don’t regret what all I went through because God did an amazing work in me in which I am going to share. I give God all the glory for this is all for Him. Without Him I would not be where I am today. I am thankful for the storms in my life because they have made me who I am today. I pray that as I share what God has laid upon my heart to write that this encourages others and motivates others to take that leap of faith as I have done so. My prayer is that this would help save those who are struggling in their marriage or relationship, help those who are single, those who are battling depression, loneliness, and help those who are facing trials in their life. Whatever you are facing may God help use this to meet you where you are in life. God bless you and may God’s peace be with you.

What God has done in my life is truly amazing. I have been blessed that God has placed special people in my life to minister to me and help me to grow. The Holy Spirit is moving in my life in incredible ways and I am truly blessed and thankful for His Holy Presence in my life. May this blessing from the Lord inspire you in your journey in life. Maybe you are experiencing something similar to this or maybe you are going through divorce now, keep the faith and keep seeking God in all of it. He is in control. Keep your focus on the Lord and give Him all your burdens. He has you in the palm of his hand.

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

“The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:7-8).

Release

The Lord gave me a prophetic message to share on March 5th and the rest on April 2nd, 2017. I shared this message on FB as a status and in a video as God spoke to me about sharing what He gives me. Since I have released this message which was the Saturday before Easter, there have been confirmations from other prophets. I give God all the glory! It is truly amazing what the Lord is doing!

Isaiah 61:1-2 "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

There will be a:

Release of Finances - Come in from unexpected places/means.

Release of Healing - Increase of healing, both emotionally and physically.

Release of the Power of God/the Holy Spirit - Increase of signs, wonders, miracles, visions, dreams and supernatural encounters.

Release of Angels - God is releasing His angels upon the earth over His people.

Release of Authority - Increase of people speaking the Word of God with power and authority.

Release of Gifts and Talents - God will move through you in a mighty way, there will be an acceleration.

Release of Salvation/Lost Loved Ones Returning to the Lord.

Release of Homes, Buildings, and Land. The Lord says we should pray but there is to be a release of homes, buildings, and land. Pray!

Release of God's Anointing Upon His People - Increase of God's anointing being poured out upon His people.

Release of God's Promises. We will see more of God's promises being fulfilled.

 Introduction To My Story

God is simply amazing! Little did I know that the messages God was given me to write in my blog would be my own story. God was preparing me ahead of time. I had dreams about my ex-husband leaving me and resigning youth ministry about a year and a half before it happened. I realized that at the time what I thought were bad dreams was God preparing me. As I read over some of my older posts from 2008-2009, I was simply amazed at what God had given me. God gave me "A Story To Tell" one night while I was at a prayer meeting at church and when I got home, I started writing. I now know that over a period of time, God began to lay messages on my heart and I started writing them down and then began a blog. I am blessed much more than I deserve to be. God has healed my heart. I have forgiven my ex-husband and the other woman, a friend of mine. I look back over the years and now see how God has moved in my life and used this experience to help me grow and show me who I truly am in Christ. God is faithful and He has restored my joy over the last year. I very thankful to the Lord for everything in my life!
When you experience storms there is a reason behind every storm, each storm teaches us to grow in our faith. We can choose to turn away from the Lord or grow closer in our walk with the Lord. I chose to grow closer in my walk with the Lord. I am simply amazed at how God has turned my life around. I still face struggles in my life. I am learning to rely on God for He is in control. He knows all things and He will meet my needs and it will be in His perfect timing. He knows the desires of my heart as well. I do believe that God has an even greater purpose for my life. God has healed my heart and for that I am truly thankful. I love my church family and friends, God truly blessed me with some incredibly friends!!! I am truly blessed!!! I hope you take time to read some of my blog posts. These are old posts which lead to my story. I am in the process of putting it all together for a book, my story, my testimony. God uses each in a special way, we just have to get out of our comfort zone and take that giant leap of faith. It is amazing what you will discover when speaking to others. Each of us has a story, we just have to be willing to share it with others and use our story to help others. We all have a ministry and a purpose, allow God to use you. I pray that I can reach others through my story and my testimony. My life is not perfect nor is anyone else's. We all have struggles, it is what we keep our focus on that will help us through it all in the end. I am gong to keep my focus on the Lord and allow Him to use me as He see fits. I pray that He helps me to be a willing vessel each day. I am choosing to focus on Christ and not the circumstances that surround me. God is in control and He has it all figured out. I just have to trust Him and rely on Him completely. Thanking God for everything in my life. The storms in my life are blessings in disguise and thankful for the storms for they have brought me into a much closer relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that these articles help you and inspire you in someway to share your story as well. God Bless You!!!

A Story to Tell, All Glory to God

Each of us has a purpose. God designed us for a purpose. We are each unique in our own way. We each have a story, somewhere deep inside us, waiting to come out. If you were to write down each trial and hardship you have been through and then write down how you came through it, there's a story and possibly a witness for someone else. You may have gone through layoffs at work, financial problems, marital problems, divorce, parent’s divorce, death in the family, loss of a child, miscarriage, overcome a drug or alcohol addiction, etc. Simply keep a journal of what you are facing. Then when you have overcome the trial, write it in the journal. It is a good idea to put the date in your journal. You will have the date that the trial took place as well as when you overcame the trial. How did you overcome the trial? Did you persevere? Did you call out to God for help? Many today take God for granted. Some may go to church because it looks good or simply because it is the religious thing to do. Are you really being honest with God? Do you put Him first above all things and everyone? Do you seek Him daily? Do you spend time with Him and in His Word? Do you truly love Him with all your heart, mind and soul? Take a few minutes and think about each question. Remember, be honest with God and answer each one. God chose us and has a plan for each of us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "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." Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Too many times, we only call out to Jesus for help when we are in trouble or if we are in need of something. When God has met that need or answered that prayer, we go on with our daily routine. God helps us in each trial because He truly loves us. His desire is that we draw closer to Him. He wants a personal relationship with each of us. Whatever hardship you are facing, remember God is always with you. You are not alone, although at times it may seem like you are. Joshua 1:5 says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Acts 14:22 says, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." Romans 12:12 says, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
When you write down how God got you through the hardship, you will truly see how much He loves you and how He answers prayer. Prayer is very effective and powerful. It draws us into a closer relationship with Christ. It works!!! God wants to be first in our life. I encourage you to start your day with God and end your day with God. It is time we start giving God our very best, not our second best. Give Him everything. Take time to draw closer to Him. God brings trials our way so that we may grow and mature. James 1:2-4 says, " Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." If you are facing hardships and trials, read the book of Job (Job went through hard times) and the book of James. The Word of God is true, ALL of it! We must take the time to read and study His Word in order to grow.
I encourage you to keep a journal of your thoughts and prayers. Then look back on them and see how God has worked in your life. The trials in life come so that we may grow in our faith. Be overcomers and persevere so that your faith may grow and you will receive the crown of life in eternity. James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."
For everyone has a story to tell, a testimony to share. We must do our part and write it down and be willing to share our story with others. God has commanded us to "Go" and spread the word of Jesus Christ. As you share your story, you will find that others may have similar stories or they may even be going through something similar now.
What a difference you can make in others lives as you share your story and the gospel of Christ. As you share your story, you are sharing with others your testimony of Jesus Christ, "How he came into your life and what all He has done for you." Everyone has a story to tell. Please take a moment and read the following Scriptures. I hope this will encourage you to do what God has called you to do.

Acts 20:24 (Paul speaking)
"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

Matthew 7:14
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."

Matthew 28:19
"Therefore go and make disciples among all nations."

Genesis 26:24
"Don't be afraid for I am with thee."

Thankful for the Storms

I know it has been awhile since I have last written. I have gone through some pretty major storms in my life and wow has God brought me through them. I am so very thankful for the storms in my life. It is through the storms that God was teaching me. It is through the storms that I developed a closer relationship with the Lord; it is through the storms that God taught me true forgiveness, not only for others but to forgive myself as well; it is through the storms that God taught me to truly love others; it is through the storms that God taught me to completely rely on Him; and it is through the storms that God taught me to completely give Him complete control. I had to surrender it all to Him, trust Him, and give Him complete control of the storm in my life. God was shaping me and molding me into the person He so desired me to be. I am still learning to this day!!!
God began speaking to my heart about praying for my ex-husband and the other woman. I had been praying for Bill (my ex) but the other woman was another story. I realized it was the sin they were living in and that just because I had a relationship with the Lord did not make me a better person than them. I had to start praying for them and for their salvation, that my ex would find his way back to the Lord. I started praying blessings over them and as I have done so, a change has begun to take place in my life. God has filled my life with so much joy and happiness and I have a complete peace inside of me. I don't know where I would be in my life had it not been for the Lord. I know the Lord has given me incredible strength that only comes from Him and He has truly blessed my life in ways I could never imagine. Never doubt God, He always there for you, He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is in control. He already knows what is going to take place in your life so trust Him, never give up on Him, keep believing and keep seeking the Lord!
I encourage all those who are facing storms in your own life, whatever it may be whether financial, marital, separation or divorce, loneliness, illness, etc. please look to the Lord in prayer and study His word. God will give you the scriptures you need to strengthen you. Healing will take time but in time you will see the light and the healing process in work in your life. Your joy and happiness will return. Each of us have a choice in life, we can let the problem consume us or define us or we can be perseverers and learn from our problems. We need to start asking God "What can I learn from this problem or storm in my life? What are you trying to teach me Lord?" Every storm has a purpose and a reason in our life, we may not understand why we are going through these storms at the time but in time you will begin to see that God has something far much greater in store for you. Never give up, keep the faith, keep praying persistently, keep persevering!!! My prayer is that God will restore what has been lost or taken away. My prayer is that God would pour out blessings abundantly in your life.
We all have troubles in this world, God's word tells us that there would be trouble in this world. It is what we do with the storms that will determine the outcome. We all have a choice. We can look to God or turn away from God, my prayer is that we look to God in times of trouble for it is then we grow and learn. God is teaching us new things everyday. Miracles begin to happen in our own life! Be thankful for the storms for they are molding you into the person God created you to be. Be thankful for the storms, God is preparing you for something far greater in life! 

Jeremiah 29:11
"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."

Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Philippians 4:13
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."


God Bless You Alll!!!

Cindy