I just wanted you to read the story of my friend. I love her strength. This is her life story that she wrote and it shows her faith.
FIRST OFF ~ alittle intro for the ones that don't already know about me. ~ When I was 14 years old I got shot with a .38 special through my throat by my x-boyfriend at the time. (I broke up with him a week before)It happened on March 25th 1995... Anyway, he got the gun from his step-dad's room and was going to commit suicide in front of me. I freaked out and pulled the gun away...and it shot me instead. It was an accident…In the blink of an eye I went from a kid that didn't act or LOOK like a kid I realize that now to someone who had to grow up real fast and deal with life long struggles. The bullet went thru my windpipe AROUND my vocal cords (I believe GOD wanted me to say something special) thru my spine and spinal cord leaving me to be a C5-C6. If you don't know what that means, it means I'm paralyzed from my breasts down. I can't feel or move anything. I'm a Quadriplegic. Now, when I see people out and about and they ask me what happen to me and I tell them. I get the same reaction every time. "OH MY GOSH", "Is that guy in prison for doing that to you?", "you want me to take care of him for you", "and someone should teach him a lesson", and I think this is where my testimony comes in…I tell them…exactly how I feel about it as I'm about to tell you. "No, he is not in prison. It was accident, bad choices leads to bad things. However, GOD can use bad judgments as teaching, learning, new understandings. I feel the "he" is in his own prison everyday just knowing he had a hand in it and I also believe "he" still needs to forgive himself, hand it over to GOD… like I did. At first, yes I'm not going to lie it was very hard to deal with things and I think I cried myself asleep every night asking GOD why? Why me? But, one night 2 or 3 years later after the accident it was different… it started off the same… I was lying in bed, remember now, I can't move, can't get up. I just was lying there staring at the ceiling crying out loud but yet trying to hold it in too…so, I wouldn't wake my parents and I was just talking out loud to myself, GOD…and thinking contently about "what if" and "time travel" and what "he" was doing right at that moment. Was "he" out having a good time with his friends or out with a new girlfriend while I'm lying here like I am? It was killing me, my brain wouldn't shut-up for one second and with each thought, my stomach would just knot up more and more. Because, I still loved "him" very much and just the thought of "him" being with someone else made me feel sick. Once again, I cried out "WHY?" and it hit me… just out of no where. I stopped crying and it wasn't like I heard another voice or anything. It was like a thought…but, not my thought… I can't explain it. But, all I remember is… "Forgive him…this is only hurting you Stacey", and the weird thing is…I thought I had already forgiving him since day one. "Him" and I both knew it was an accident. But, I never handed over my "problems" and feelings and thoughts to GOD, I just kept asking "why"… I guess GOD was tired of me asking "why" and just went ahead and told me. That "I" needed, peace… let it go… After that night, everything was different, I felt different… a different way of thinking. I mean yeah, I'm still paralyzed; The doctor's say I'll never be able to use or feel my legs again. Nor move my fingers,(except in heaven) or doing things like "I use too" like riding a bike or running for miles until your legs get that hot limp jello feeling and then you just fall over (I loved running)…and just the little things people take for granted…The feeling of beach sand between your toes. I still remember that feeling and it will be 13 years on March 25th. But with my different way of thinking, I've realized… some people are born paralyzed or something else is wrong with them. They will never know those "feeling" or have those "memories" so in that sense I'm very blessed! As for my X-boyfriend, we are still good friends. I love him dearly; it's just a different kind of love now. He'll always be connected to my life. He's happily married and has 3 beautiful children. I use to not tell people online that I am in a wheelchair in fear of being "Judged" when in fact, I was ALREADY being judged. When I finally got up the guts to tell "them" what happen to me a lot of "them" stop being my friend and cut all ties from me. Which in result only hurt me worst...and made me scared to tell people what happen to me. But I finally had enough...I guess I went through another change. If you don't like me...then you don't like me. :) Simple as that. I've had a ruff life so far...But I'm still making it day by day. Life is tooooo short to be mad or upset at everything all the time. Believe me I KNOW...
~ *The Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger-so why should I tremble? When...my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident.... For he will conceal me...when troubles come; he will hide me.... Then I will hold my head high, above my enemies who surround me (Psalm 27:1-3,5,6 NLT).*~
I loved this guys message. I don't like how he can't stand still, but it's a good message. I also put one where he's not "rocking", so if you can't watch the first one.
My family and I have been going through a lot of things lately. I wrote to some people today to ask for help for prayer. Then I read an e-mail that I've been slack on reading and it's amazing how words come to you at a certain time. If I had read this before, I don't think it'd mean as much. I thought I'd share it.
Five Ways God Uses Problems
The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you – depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.
Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:
1. God uses problems to DIRECT you. Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
2. God uses problems to INSPECT you. People are like tea bags... if you want to know what’s inside them, just drop them into hot ever water! Has God tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you?
“When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.” – James 1:2-3
3. God uses problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It’s likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something by losing it.
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” – Psalm 119:72
4. God uses problems to PROTECT you. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem – but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management’s actions were eventually discovered.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” – Genesis 50:20
5. God uses problems to PERFECT you. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you’re going to take with you into eternity.
“We can rejoice when we run into problems... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.” – Romans 5:3-4
Here’s the point: God is at work in your life – even when you don’t recognize it or understand it. But it’s so much easier when you surrender to his plan for your life.
Christmas Letter from Jesus ============================
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.
I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary - especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.
Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember: I LOVE YOU, JESUS
You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan, You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.
You are dreamy, peaceful, and young at heart. Optimistic and caring, you tend to see the best in people. You tend to be always smiling - and making others smile.
You are shy and intelligent... and a very hard worker. You're also funny, but many people don't see your funny side. Your subtle dry humor leaves your close friends in stitches.
You are a pioneer. You have been called to a vocation. You are the art and the art is you. You do not stop for anything. Sacrifice is made it its name. You are truly an artist unbound.
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You are dreamy, peaceful, and young at heart.
