Inspiring others through the work of the HOLY SPIRIT

Recently, I felt overcome with emotion as we said our heartfelt 'goodbyes' to our close friends of Nipomo. So many cards, flowers and tears! Later, after we finished unpacking, I reread those sweet cards. Amazingly, each person expressed the same sentiment, "You have touched my heart and helped me to feel closer to God." How humbling! Someone so ordinary as me could inspire another person to learn more about such an Almighty God.

 Three and a half years ago, I prayed, "Please Lord, use my life to bring others to You. Through those cards and letters, God confirmed that He had answered my prayer! Therefore, today I prayed, "Almighty Father, it is a joy to serve You! Please continue to guide me as You allow Your light to shine through me. In Your Holy Name. Amen."

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!  

To read this author's personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

Money? I almost let being broke get me down.

Today, for some odd reason, I began to ponder how low my bank account was! It was months ago that I turned down unemployment benefits to show forgiveness to my past employer. http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/unemployed-mother-turns-down-needed-to.htmlhttp://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/unemployed-mother-turns-down-needed-to.html Yet, until today, I hadn't felt so broke. However, it didn't take long before the Lord corrected my wandering thoughts.

First, as God would have it, I drove passed a homeless family of four. Seeing the children sitting on the sidewalk next to their father who was holding a sign that said, "Need Help," reminded me of the scripture I had read earlier. I was to have humble faith. So, I promised myself that if this family was still in front of McDonald's when I return to our town, I would stop and offer them a bible and prayer.

Next, I went to pick up my computer. The young man who fixed the computer, loaded several extras, even a DVD burner, just because. And, he only charged me $20.00. Wow!

Then, on the way home, I saw the same family. So, I stopped and offered them the bibles. We started talking for awhile. I discovered that the youngest was celebrating his birthday tomorrow. He was born on Sept 11. When I asked his name, he said, "It's Phil, but I go by Joseph." I told him the story of Mary, Jesus and Joseph.

After, I learned that his older brother's birthday was the following day. I wanted desperately to offer the parents a few dollars to buy birthday presents. But, I had no money to offer. I felt comfortable sharing my story of hope, so I leaned in and started to recall the events that led me to surrender to God. While I spoke with the mother directly, I noticed that her two children had invited my son to play with their Lego's. Her two boys even offered son a present. A heaviness began to spread across my chest. I could barely stand the pressure. If only, I had a few dollars to offer them.

Later, my husband returned home. He was home for the weekend. When he walked through the door, we exchanged a warm greeting. Then he extended his hand. He said, "Pick one." In his hand were two lottery tickets. I smiled and said, "Oh honey, I don't gamble any more." But he insisted, "Please, I bought this one for you!" I watched as he scratched his ticket. Nothing! ,

Next, it was my turn. I began to scratch my "winning numbers,"  the numbers you need to match "your numbers" to. When I was finished, I scratched my first number. WINNER! I looked across the counter where my husband stood. We met eyes, and we both smiled. I scratched the next number, WINNER! And, the next, WINNER! The entire card was filled with winning numbers. I won $18.00, enough to buy a cake, frosting, a card and still have a few dollars for a gift. I said, "Our God is AMAZING! I can't wait to offer a cake and gift to these boys on their birthday." We immediately raced off to the local grocery store and bought the ingredients. I had completely forgotten about my money problems!

For more real life stories just like these, please go to:

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God's Word-The Perfect Gift for Christmas

  John 1:1-5 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (NKJV)

A BIBLE FOR CHRISTMAS

One day, I stared at the bible on my lap, my favorite book. I reflected back on how many times over the past three years, God's Word had brought me Comfort, Joy, Peace and Love. I am certain now, that my life changed because I read God's Word everyday.

I went into my bedroom and erased my prayer board completely. I wrote only one request. “The lost, suffering, in pain and sorrow-Please comfort Your children with a bible: Your Word in their hands!” I resolved to pray this prayer on my knees until Christmas. I wondered about who would receive a bible as a gift for Christmas this year.

God's Holy Light

Then I went and sat at my computer and began to play a song over the internet. Soon, I was lost in a moment of worshiping the Lord. Suddenly, I felt those familiar goose bumps overwhelm me. I said to the Holy Spirit, "There You are!" Unexpectedly, a beam of light streamed through the window and hit my face. Had God already heard my heart?

Then, just before Christmas, while in church one Sunday, I took a short break from the Pastor’s sermon to stretch my legs. I still wanted to hear the rest of the Pastor’s sermon, so I stood at the rear of the church. For a moment, I gazed into the display case against the wall. Something shiny white as winter's snow, glistened and caught my eye. It was brand new bible. I couldn’t wait to call my husband and tell him about the bible I had seen. “It’s white, my favorite color,” I said. He said, “Buy it! I’ll put the money in your bank account tonight!” I bought the bible, brought it home and carefully placed it under our Christmas tree.

On Christmas morning, I opened that beautiful pure white scriptural gift and something wonderful happened. I felt my heart leap with joy! I realized that earlier in the year, I had resolved to pray on my knees for God to comfort His children with a Bible. I asked God to place His Word, my favorite book, in the hands of those who needed Him the most. Now, I realized, God had included me in my prayers. 

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! 

To read the first written and published personal testimony 

please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

God is refining us!

Determined to finish working on liquidating our belongings, I resolved to spend the day at our storage unit. When I arrived, I put the CD 'Revelation' by Third Day, in my car's compact disc player. Then, I grabbed the first box.

The first thing I pulled out were some of LeeRoy's old check stubs. I set those aside to shred later and reached in again. The next item I pulled out, was a copied CD that read, "Sleep." I sat back on heels and stared at the disc. My throat began to close and my eyes welled with tears. Could my husband have been trying to sleep without the prescribed medication that caused him to hurt me on that terrible night? I wondered, "When did he get this CD? How come I never knew he was trying alternative methods of resting peacefully?" Could he have tried this for me?

Then, I reached into the box again. This time, I pulled out a key chain. I read the key chain. It said, "Just For Today." Then, I turned it over and read the other side. It said,"NA Welcome." I remembered that two and a half years ago, I gave my husband an ultimatum. I demanded, "Go to an NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meeting, or I am filing for divorce."  Unbelievably, he went!

I started to think about how much easier it might have been to just divorce me back then. Instead, my husband began attending church and sought help from a 12-Step program. He even began to attend counseling. At one point, it seemed that all he did was attend meetings and church. What an incredible change from the man who gave me the silent treatment when I would approach the issue of addiction or speak about God. I tried to take the moment in. And, praised God for my husband's willingness to change.

As God would have it, in that very moment, the song, "Mountain of God" began to play. At first, I found myself singing along. I dug further in the box, not really thinking about the words that came from my mouth. But, when the artist sang,  

"Sometimes I think of where it is I've come from
And the things I've left behind
But of all I've had, what I possessed
Nothing can quite compare
With what's in front of me."

I began to sob! I just sat there, my hands raised and covering my face. I thought about how far my husband and I had come in our walk with Christ and in our marriage.  I uncovered my eyes and looked up! In that moment, everything we possessed just looked like "stuff."

When I gained my composure, I called my husband. I said, "I love you." He quickly responded, "I love you too!" I shared with him what just happened. The moment turned into another treasured memory. I think we both realized now, that it's the connection we feel to each other and the fact Christ dwells in us both, that brings us joy. All the rest, really is just, "STUFF."

To purchase a copy of the only written and published Personal Christian Testimony with stories just like this: Please go to: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Apologies-From-a-Repentant-Christian/Donna-L-Young/e/9781613791936/?itm=8&USRI=donna+l.+young

Jesus Bring the Rain!

The Young's  Family Photo 2002

Our 8th wedding anniversary will fall on November 15, four days after the official book launch on Veteran's Day 2011 for Apologies From a Repentant Christian. I can hardly absorb all of the work God has done in our family since the night of October 20, 2008. Just three short years ago, I met with an attorney with the intentions of filing for divorce. Since then, each member of our family has individually accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts. Through Him, we have become a loving family!

Every time I tell our story to another family experiencing crisis, loss, anger and pain, I stand in awe at their hope-filled response! Our story has even make its way into the hands of the White House recently. It makes me want to say, "Jesus bring the rain!"

For less than $15.00, YOU too

Can Bring lasting HOPE To A Military Family!

There are currently 150 active members 
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You Can Help!

http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/official-book-launch.htm

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MercyMe-Bring the Rain Lyrics

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord God Almighty