How to live a life of Obedience to God

Psalm 25:7 “Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;

According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness' sake, O Lord” (NKJV).

         

          Recently,  my seven-year-old son began to learn about the importance of living an obedient life. At first, God spoke to his heart when he sat down to privately read his bible. Later, God spoke this same message during his Sunday school class. After awhile, my son realized that God was reaching out to him in every area of his life.  One day, God even communicated His will to my son through a single silver coin http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/2012/04/ten-commandments-honor-your-parents.html.
          One day, I began to reflect on how God was conveying the message of obedience to my son. As God would have it, I was able to vividly remember a time from my own childhood when God spoke to my heart regarding need for obedience. I chucked when I recalled that God had used a silver coin in my life too!

         
        He was a long haired, black cat and the one my grandparents warned me not to play with. Still, out of all the cats they owned, for some reason, I was attracted to this one. His name was Pier.
          We visited my grandparent’s home almost every weekend.  Usually upon arrival, I would be the first to run into their house. I would try to say, “Hello” as fast as I could, before dashing back outside to play with their cats.  Before the kitchen screen door would slam shut, my grandmother would cry out, “Nanna Pie, remember to leave Pier alone!”
          On one occasion, while playing among the cats, the forbidden Pier sauntered up and began to slither against my shins. I wondered, “Is he purposely trying to tempt me?” I was old enough to know right from wrong and new to obey my grandmother’s warning. But when temptation started to creep in, I found myself reaching down to pick up the cat.
          Amazingly, Pier allowed me to pick him up and hold him directly in front of me.  For a split second, we were face to face and looking right at each other.  Then, without warning, Pier extended his sharp claws and ran them quickly down my face. Frozen with fear, I began to scream. My mother quickly scooped me up in her arms and rushed me into my grandmother’s kitchen to investigate my wounds.
         After the bleeding stopped, my mother told me to sit on the couch in the living room and not move. I was being disciplined for not obeying. I knew I was in trouble! I began to sob and remorsefully think, “I should have listened to my grandmother’s repeated advice.”
         In a dimly lit room, I sat alone sorrowfully apologizing to God, when suddenly my grandfather appeared by my side. I had expected him to say something like, “I told you so,” but instead, he simply reached out his hand in front of me. Then, he unfolded his fingers to reveal a silver coin in the palm of his hand. I reached out to take the coin. I don’t remember taking the money, but I do remember the feel of my grandfather’s hand that day. It was warm and tender, like the hand of a baby.
         My grandfather never said a word. He just looked at me through saddened eyes, as though he could feel my pain. In that moment, I felt less alone. And, through his small gift, I felt as though he was communicating the words, “I am still here, and I love you, even when you disobey.”
         Today, when I think back to the memory of Pier the cat, I can’t help but notice how my feelings have changed and how differently I see that day. For much of my life, I was held captive by the guilt and shame caused by my decision of disobedience. I pictured that day through the lens of a dispirited heart.
         Nowadays though, I can see, that even at the tender age of four, God was teaching me to resist temptation and obey my parents. He appeared to me the day Pier the cat, scratched my face. His soft touch was found in my grandfather’s gentle hands. His healing power was used to spare my face from permanent scaring. And through my grandfather’s gesture of offering one silver coin, God taught me a valuable lesson; real wealth is found in obedience.

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

The Ten Commandments- Honor Your Parents

         

Ephesians 6:1-3 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” ^(NKJV)

       
          Recently, my husband and I sat watching a television program together. The premise of the special was to demonstrate the danger that can accompany speaking with strangers.
          I sat in my comfortable chair, and I called out to our seven-year-old son who was playing with his dogs in the adjacent room at the time. "Son, come watch this special with us." I yelled. Soon, we were all watching the program together.
         In the special, parents watched from afar as their children accepted free ice cream from strangers. Some children even climbed into an ice cream truck with a man they had never met before. "How scary for those parents," I thought, feeling confident that I had taught my own son the valuable lesson of listening to his conscience.
        When the program broke for commercial, I tested my son. "Son, what would you do if someone approached you and tried to lure you into his or her car?" My son replied, "I would kick and scream."  I probed further. "And if he was able to capture you? What would you do?" Without giving him a chance to reply, I continued. "You know to pray too, right? God is more powerful than any scheme of the devil, right?"
       My son patiently waited for me to stop asking questions. Then, he replied, "Can I tell you something Mom? You know what I would really do? I would bring my bible and tell the mean person about God." My husband and I began to giggle. Still, deep down I wondered, "What would our young impressionable son really do under temptation?"  That same night before bed, I prayed with my son. "Lord, please help my son to resist temptations from Satan, especially the ones meant to cause him harm. Please keep him safe Lord. In Your Holy Name, Amen."
      The next day, I felt unusually tired. So, after we returned home from school I said, "Honey, I am going to lay down and take a short nap. You can have your friends over after my nap. Make sure to do your homework before watching television." My son nodded in agreement.
      It was rare for me to take naps during the day. But, I was suddenly physically exhausted. I needed to sleep for awhile! As I crawled into bed, my mind began to recall the television program from the night prior. "Certainly, my son would never answer the door when I rested," I confidently thought. 
      Just after my head hit my pillow, I heard the sound of knocking on our front door.  I remained still. I wanted to see if my seven-year-old would open the door. Suddenly, the sound of an unfamiliar female voice wafted into my bedroom. My son had opened the door. What's worse, he didn't even ask who is it first. Then, before I could finish the frightful thought, "What if I had been fast asleep?" I heard the door close. I called out from the bedroom. "Son, who was it?" He replied, "The neighbor from upstairs," as he walked into my room. I then reminded him not to answer the door to anyone while I am sleeping.
      Moments later, more knocking! "Are you kidding me?" I thought. I yelled, "Do not open that door!"  This time, he listened. He peered through the window instead and saw his friend from down the street standing on the other side of the door. My son, then tiptoed back into my room and whispered, "Mom, it's _____." Pure frustration! I tried to remain calm while I replied, "Son, he will need to come back later." My son put his head down and quietly walked away.
        However, less than a minute later, he entered my room a third time. Again, he began to whisper, "Mom, when should I tell him to come back?" That's it! I through the covers off of me and stood up.  I said, "I just wanted to rest for a moment!" I stormed towards the front door. I was ready to yell at the next person who knocked.
      But before I could turn the handle, I felt the Holy Spirit fill my heart. I opened the door to discover that the young boy, my favorite of all of my son's friends, was waiting outside."He looked at me with that "dear caught in the headlights look' and humbly said, "You can go back to sleep if you want. I can wait."  I began to roar with laughter. How could I sleep now?
      My son must have thought I had gone crazy! He could see how upset I was, yet I was laughing. I placed my hand on his friend's shoulder and invited him inside. "Perhaps I was never supposed to take that nap," I thought. Suddenly, I flashed back to that question in my mind from the night before. "What would my son really do if he was tempted?" I began to wonder, was God responding to my curiosity and providing a powerful way to teach my son obedience?'!
     The two boys played for awhile before we all ate supper together. During dinner, I took the occasion to speak with both boys about respecting their parents. "We are commanded by God to honor and obey our parents." I said.

The Ten Commandments

http://www.the-ten-commandments.org/the-ten-commandments.html I smiled."Remember when I told you that God wants you to obey your parents?" I asked as I returned the coin to my son. He looked at the coin and began to read the words out loud. I smiled as he read God's law. Then, I held my son's precious little hand and we said a prayer. "Thank You God for Your law that teaches us obedience and humility. We will rejoice in the freedom that comes from submitting to Your will. Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, 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

Why Confess my sins to the World? What is Transparency?

Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy (NKJV).

        The meaning of this verse is very true for me. God has blessed me as I have examined my heart, become vulnerable and confessed my sins. I can also say with certainty, I was foolish to deny my sinfulness, and excuse it. When I covered my sins, I couldn’t find true peace. But since beginning to humbly confess my sins, with true repentance and faith, I found mercy from God. Therefore, I have no reservations in scrutinizing the Christian I was claiming to be and the one I am in the process of becoming and noting the bold differences between them.

         Being raised in the Catholic Church, I had memorized, from an early age, a prayer of confession. Each week during mass, I would join the rest of the congregation in saying, “I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask Blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.” Further, I participated in confessing my sins to the priest in our congregation at least once a year, usually one week before Easter service. When I felt guilty as a young child for my behavior, such as sassing my mother, or lying, I would quickly confess my sins to God. 

As I grew older, however, and my pride, arrogance and controlling attitude ruled my heart, I felt less of a need to confess my sins to God. At the time, I didn’t realize how much my choice to sin separated me from God. In fact, over the period of many years, I had become so sinful that God’s words no longer had any impact on my heart. 

In October 2008, God offered me an opportunity to receive His grace and forgiveness. This time, my eyes opened to see how much I needed God. Then a few months later, I began bible classes to study God. In one school assignment, I reviewed several bible tracts. One particular tract grabbed my heart. The tract pictured a man on one side of a canyon and God on the other. Written across the canyon was the word, “Sin.” I stared at that picture for quite awhile. The same week, in another class, I learned how God cannot tolerate the presence of sin. I began to admit, I am a sinner! I realized how distant from God I had chosen to roam. For much of my life, I committed offenses against God.  And, I couldn’t wait to change! I craved a renewed relationship with God and was willing to do whatever He asked to reunify with Him. I deeply and sincerely wanted His forgiveness.

I began to pray. At first, I only prayed in private. The first time, I found myself repeating the confessional prayer I learned as a child. I walked away unchanged. The next time, I prayed from my heart. I felt a sense of healing. God wanted to hear “I’m sorry,” from my humbled heart. From then on, I was specific in my prayer while confessing my sin. I told God, as a child would tell her parent, what I did. Each time, I acknowledged that I was a sinner; I felt the warmth of God’s forgiveness.  

As I grew closer to God, I felt a burden to clear the past and confess my sins to others. I started by admitting to friends that I had not been the perfect wife or the Christian I had claimed to be. I was surprised at the response from my friends. In each conversation, my friends admitted their faults and failures too. It felt as if I had, at last, opened a door for truth to be spoken in love. 

As a result, I heard about the many challenges and disappointments my friends’ faced in their own marriages, parenting their children and at work.  I no longer felt alone in my sadness. And I no longer felt the need to put on an outward show.  I could finally be real! 

I confessed to my friends how broken I was and how much I needed God. My friends shared with me how they had admired me for years and were relieved to know my life was not picture perfect. These conversations prompted me to speak God’s name freely.  Now, I could easily testify to His goodness and His ability to purify my heart.  

        Confessing my sins to my friends was very positive, so I then began the process with family members. As with friends, confessing my sins to family members offered healing by clearing up many misunderstandings and past hurts. I now believe that confession is another form of ministering to others.  It creates a safe environment to start discussions about specific needs. It also allowed me to pray for friends and family on a very personal level. 

Additionally, confession brought a feeling of holiness and closeness to Christ. It also kept me accountable. Finally, confessing my sins taught me humility. I no longer exalt myself over another. And I am reminded daily that, yet born a sinner, there is forgiveness and deep abiding joy in God. 

      I wish to thank you for taking the time to read about my very personal journey with God! May you have a blessed day or night and may you find hope along your journey too!

With all the love of Christ within me,

Donna L. Young.

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

Was I really stopped for a Speeding Ticket?

Nursery Before

I stood holding the paint dripped door handle to the nursery at church. "Do I leave the door unlocked and go pick up the final item for this room, or should I call the generous woman and inform her that we no longer need a baby swing?" My Pastor had entrusted me to lock all the doors behind me when I had finished working in the room. I paused for a moment to allow time for the Holy Spirit to guide my steps.

Earlier in the week, God had placed it on my heart to paint and equip the small mobile trailer parked at church. Over the past year, our church had grown in size and we were now in need of new classrooms. Fervent prayer led to God providing several new Sunday school classrooms. That's when several members of the church, including myself and my young son spent the day painting, putting up new fixtures and clearing weeds. My task was to spend that church work day disinfecting and vacuuming the church nursery.  I left church that day with a strong desire to complete this task. Perhaps, God wanted me to do more with the nursery at church.

Over the next week, the idea of refurbishing the church nursery remained on my heart. So, I called the Pastor at church and asked if I could redecorate the small room. He welcomed the opportunity. "I would like to start by painting the room if that would be okay Pastor?" I requested. The Pastor obliged and offered to assist if I needed help.

We chose a day to meet at the church. That day, the Pastor laid out all of the tools I needed, paint, paint brushes, etc. It only took a few hours to paint the entire room. Before I painted, I removed the old and broken furniture. Now, that the room was vibrant and smelled of fresh paint, I just couldn't fathom placing these same items back in the room. I needed something to make the small nursery feel warm and welcoming. $2.00 off white sheer curtains purchased from the local thrift store and a silk ficus tree decorated the empty spaces and the nursery began to feel like home.

Next, I searched the Internet site called Craigslist for gently used nursery items such as a glider, end table and nursery room rug to fill the empty room. Then, I drove to the homes to pick up each item. During each meeting, I began conversations about my faith in Jesus Christ. It wasn't until I was ready to pick up the final item, that I realized the task of redoing the nursery was simply God's way of having me share the Gospel with others.

I had one item left to pick up. Yet, I faced a quandary. Because I had already called my Pastor for assistance several times, I felt uneasy about bothering him over this simple decision. Yet, I wondered. "If I lock the door, I will have to call Pastor to unlock it yet another time. But, if I leave the door unlocked,  I will be ignoring his request to lock the door behind me." I began to pray, "Please Lord, guide my steps!"

I decided to drive the final destination. "I will make it a fast trip." I thought. I had only driven down the street about a mile before I realized I was speeding. In fact, I was driving at least 20 miles over the speed limit when I zoomed passed the parked sheriff across the road. The dusty trail behind me must have caught his attention. Perhaps that is why he immediately U-turned and sped to catch up with me. I was caught!

In the past, the adrenaline overflow within me would have caught me off-guard. However, I had experienced such a Spiritual high from sharing the Gospel over the past week, that I felt prepared for the moment that lie ahead. So, I decided to pull myself over. I sat patiently waiting for the sheriff to catch up to me. There, on the side of the road, I pondered just how I would share my testimony with the officer while he wrote my speeding ticket. I smiled knowing that somehow God would pay the cost of the speeding ticket, if I simply praised His name!

Perhaps the sheriff changed his mind about issuing me a ticket. Amazed, I watched in my rear view mirror as the sheriff U-turned again and returned to his parking spot there on the opposite side of the road. I shook my head and looked up to the heavens. "I was ready to share You with the man Lord!" Then, I drove away slowly, smiling and praising God through song.

Later, on my way back to the church, I drove past that same spot. I looked for that same sheriff. "Ticket or no ticket, I will share the Gospel," I thought. As I drove passed I noticed that he had left his spot. So, I returned to the church. I carefully placed that final item, a baby swing, in the new nursery and locked the door behind me. Then, I praised God again for keeping the church secure in my absence.

These days, each time a new church member comments about the look of the refurbished nursery, I say a quiet little prayer. "Thank You God for the opportunity to share You with others. I can't wait for my next task! Amen."

Nursery After

Would you have left the church door unlocked? 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

STOP SHARING THE GOSPEL AND GO BACK TO SOCIAL WORK!

             

Matthew 6:26 (NKJV)

"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

         

     One day, my eldest son unexpectedly returned home. “I need a place to stay for awhile.” He said. For over one hour, I mercifully listened as my now adult son described his ugly experience of living on his own. I instantly welcomed him home.

    After he left, I began to feel the weight of all that was currently happening. My husband had just announced that he suddenly wanted a divorce, while my eldest son who had wanted nothing to do with me for over a year, now wanted to return home. Complete and utter confusion!

    Thoughts raced through my mind. “Now that my husband wants a divorce, undoubtedly, he will stop paying our household bills soon after he files the legal paperwork.  Certainly, I’ll have to go back to work to support myself and our two boys.”

    For over one year, my husband had been providing for our youngest son and myself, while I shared the Gospel with others. I loved my new job! Now, my heart sunk at the thought of returning to a job that required me to judge others. But how else would I afford for us to live?

     I decided to conduct a job search. I sat at my home computer and searched for a job opening through a Christian employment website. Unbelievably, there was an opening in the field of social work. Plus, the company was conveniently located just one town away. "What are the chances?" I questioned. Maybe God was providing a way to support myself and my two sons.
       I immediately applied for the position over the computer. Less than two hours later, I received a response along with an invitation to interview for the position. Amazing! I began to sing aloud and praise God. Thank You Jesus Christ!
     The next morning, I participated in an employment screening for the position. The interview was conducted over the Internet with the company Executive Director. During the interview, I openly shared my personal testimony.  Then, I spoke of the mix emotions I felt regarding returning to the position of Social Worker. "How was I going to return to a role that required labeling others according to their behavior, such as drug addict?" I told the Director. "I spent decades in this career judging others for their actions before I got saved." The man remained quiet and just listened as I worked through my emotions out loud. I said, "When I started to live for Jesus, I promised I would never return to what life used to be!” Surprisingly, the executive still invited me to attend a meeting with him in person. So, we scheduled a day and time for the following week in which to meet.

       I would have thought that the idea of securing employment would have brought a sense of relief. Now I no longer had to worry about becoming the sole provider to my two children. But instead, I instantly began to feel as though I was doing something horribly wrong. My heart screamed, "Don't do this! Have you completely forgotten God's generosity over the past year?" Still, my own understanding was telling me to go forward. "Maybe this job opportunity is a sign of God's grace and provision." Utter confusion set in!

     The following week, something particularly odd had happened. The doves that normally sat outside my apartment flew away. Now, all that remained was a small bird I didn't recognize. I started to ask others, "What type of bird to you think that is," as I pointed to the humble little creature. Each person simply replied, "I think it's a sparrow."
       Later on, I met with the Executive Director for our scheduled face to face meeting. My job search journey had a conclusion. I was offered the position. However, unlike in the past when I would feel a sense of satisfaction, this time when I heard the words, "I'd like to offer you the position," I felt a sensation of dread in the bottom of my stomach. Still, I accepted the position. Then, as I left the building, I noticed that my new employer's office was only a few doors away from the unemployment hearing office where I had gone earlier that same year to deny the State's offer to receive unemployment benefits. That's when I started to feel nauseous. Why was I having trouble discerning God's will? What if I disappoint God by rejecting His means of providing for my family? I questioned. I immediately tried to reason the nausea away. "I'm just feeling nervous about having a new job!"
       Later, I was invited to participate in a work related conference meeting. During the meeting, I listened as the new employer rationalized censorship of proclaiming one's faith. "Keep it professional." He said. Then, he invited the staff to a training in which each social worker would learn how to work within the confines of the counties secular guidelines. This was the very reason I quit my last job! I had been called to openly and unapologetically share the Gospel with anyone the Lord placed in my path. What was I going to do now?

    As my first day of employment crept up, I began to feel dark despair. Suddenly, past negative feelings from decades of social work erupted inside of me. Soon, I became very tired. In between parenting my young son and keeping up with the household chores, I prayed. I took naps, many naps. And, to alleviate the nausea I felt, I took antacids. Next, I reached out to my Pastor's wife for prayer and emotional support.

     The next Sunday was Easter morning. Unlike normal when I would rejoice and sing God’s unending hymns of praise, now all I could do was  lie on our couch and stare vacantly out our living room window at the sunlight that streamed between the leaves of the pine tree above. Warm beams of sunlight hit my face like mercy reaching down to save me. Suddenly, I began to reflect on God's financial faithfulness over the past year and the hope I had received in trusting in Jesus Christ as my provider. Once again, I began to pray, "Please Lord, bring me out of this spiritual pit."
       The next day, was my first day at my new job. I woke up to the same queasiness. Still, I trusted that God would be with me to guide my steps. Sure enough, God was ahead of me preparing the words of my new coworkers. I was about to receive the spiritual discernment I had prayed for. It was a spiritual attack!

      First, God revealed why I was offered the position in such haste. I listened as He revealed the true state of the agency. As others spoke around me, I held a quiet conversation with the whisper in my heart. "Thank You Lord, for maturing me spiritually and the lessons I am learning! I know now that I was never poor and needy for money. I was spiritually needy. I am sorry that my first reaction wasn't to rely on Your grace when my husband threatened to leave me. Please forgive me Lord!"
       When my first day at work had ended, I returned home. My family, including my husband was waiting to embrace me. I immediately shared my feelings with my husband. As if God had already spoken to his heart, my husband responded by saying, "Honey, I am sorry. I don't want to get a divorce." After weeks of feeling nausea, my upset stomach instantly calmed. My soul was at peace!
   

Post Script

With my husband's permission, the following day I submitted notice to my new employer. I returned home after only a few hours had passed. With the idea of divorce set behind us, my husband had come to the apartment to spend time with me. After we embraced, I had an urgent feeling to check the mail. So, I went to the mailbox and opened it. Sure enough, I had mail. In the pile of mail were two checks from the IRS. One check was made out to my husband and the other was endorsed to both our names. I handed him one check and I took the other. Improbable tax returns! I began to cry as I realized God's unending faithfulness!

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

Was a divorce part of God's plan or One of Satan's Schemes?

1 Corinthians 7:12-14  ^"But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy." (NKJV)

      One recent morning, my youngest son brought his bible to me. He said, "Mom, I am going to read to you from the bible." So, I grabbed my coffee cup and found a comfortable spot on the couch by his side. I watched as his little fingers crawled along the outside of his bible. Finally, he chose a page. He opened his bible to the book of Job. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Job  
       My son read the story out loud in his sweetest voice. After he finished, I summarized what I knew about the lessons regarding the book of Job. I even spoke of the ways Satan had tested Job's righteousness. At that moment, I neglected to comprehend how God was speaking directly to my heart. Could God have been warning me of what was about to come?
          Recently, my husband and I had a fight that led to us to discuss the possibility of divorce. http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/2012/04/easter-sunday-opportunity-to-purfiy-my.html It was the first time in years that we had resorted to using this word in an argument. We had bought into the lie that our lives would be easier if we went our separate ways. Yet, as our tempers cooled, we were able to look inward and see how pride, self-righteousness, judgment and arrogance had taken over our hearts. It was instantly crystal clear to us that we had chosen Satan’s path, the world and money over God and that our own understanding had led to suffering and hopelessness. Realizing this, we surrendered our marriage back into the hands of God.
         Immediately, God made His will known. Within days, my husband physically returned to our home town. His upcoming job assignment had been inexplicably pushed back. As a result, he was told to work from home for a week or two. Because my heart was still healing from hearing the painful words, "I want a divorce," my husband offered to take residence at a local RV park for the duration of his stay. I accepted his offer.
       Meanwhile, I began to pray with a trustful heart. "Lord, won't You please bombard LeeRoy with opportunities to surrender to Your will?" That same morning, I drove to the local CVS to purchase a journal for my best friend. As I exited the store, I noticed that the woman at the register had not charged me for my entire purchase. So, I reentered the store and returned to the register. That's when I noticed a local Pastor standing in line. As we exchanged pleasantries, he asked, "How is it going Sis?" I didn't want to burden him with my heavy heart. Therefore, I politely nodded, shrugged my shoulders and responded "Okay." Yet, for unknown some reason to me at the time, the Pastor probed further. "Really Sis?" He asked as he leaned into me.  I tearfully began to share the struggles I faced in my marriage and how I was desperately trying to understand God's will. The Pastor asked if he could call my husband and pray with him directly. So, I gave the Pastor my husband's number.
         After I left the store, I quickly called my husband to share with him what had happened. My husband said, "I know, the Pastor has already called me." I sat in my car for a moment before I drove away. "Lord, there is none like You. No one else can touch my heart like You do. Thank You Lord, for always hearing my prayer!"
        Later on, my husband called and said, "Honey, I am going to have dinner with that Pastor that called." They went to dinner. Then, on his way home, my husband called me again. He said, "I just want to thank you. That was so great." God was reaching out to my husband. And my husband's heart was softening. The next day, I watched as my husband fasted for the first time and read his bible without my usual nagging.
       Moreover, each time my husband opened his heart to God, he also opened his heart to me. For the first time, I listened as he shared some of the secrets that he had kept. Then, I openly shared my heart too! We prayed together for our marriage with faith that God would draw us close as a family.
       Later, God revealed His will further when He led me to read 1 Corinthians 7:12-14.  ^"But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy." (NKJV).
       After that, my husband continued to meet with regularly with the same Pastor.And, he remained steadfast in prayer. He spent time golfing with our older son and assisted our youngest son during his baseball practices and games. We began to hold hands together again in church.
       Now, as I think back to that precious moment when my youngest son read to me from the book of Job, I can't help but wonder if all that had happened between my husband and I was simply a test to stand firm against Satan's strategies and tricks. Each time I experienced the devil's presence, I am no longer able to deny his evil nature or reality and his influence on me to sin. I know now that the end result of choosing Satan’s path, the world and even my husband over God, leads to suffering and hopelessness. Therefore, even though I may not know what the future holds for my marriage,  I do know one thing for sure, God is faithful! And relying on my Lord and Savior while remaining close to His side brings Joy!

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

HAPPY EASTER! CELEBRATE WITH A LOUD NOISE, HE HAS RISEN!

                                                                                Matthew 28:1-10
          After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
         The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.      There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
         So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (NIV)

HAPPY EASTER SUNDAY!  

CELEBRATE WITH A LOUD NOISE! 

JESUS CHRIST HAS RISEN TODAY! HALLELUJAH!

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

Easter Sunday, Another opportunity to purify my heart!

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 "For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit." (NKJV)

       Over the past year, and for the first time in our marriage, my husband had agreed to pay all the household bills while I remained home with our small child. To make ends meet and ease financial burden, I immediately put my son and myself on a tight budget. I cut back on expenses, began to clip coupons and refused to spend money on non-essentials. Still, I often found myself needing extra money.
        At times, when bills would pile up, I'd offer to get a job. But, during these times, my husband would assure me that he was making enough money to afford our living expenses.
        Then, as time passed, I found myself selling many of our family's sentimental possessions to make ends meet. I even sold my wedding ring. All along, I shared with my husband the burden I faced regarding money. At the same time, I watched as my husband impulsively purchased many personal items. He bought a second flat screen T.V. for his new 5th wheel, golf accessories and expensive food for himself.
         Then, one day I shared with my husband that I had accepted a donated box of food from a neighbor just to feed myself and our youngest son. Looking back now, I would have thought that this moment might have been a turning point for my husband. Yet, at the time, he responded by accused me of having poor money management skills.
       As a person who proclaimed to be committed Christian who deeply loved the Lord and usually spent much time in prayer, in His Word and in serving others, I was unprepared for what was to come. It all started the day I offered to file our joint income tax return. For the first time, I had access to my husband's pay stubs and was able to see how much God had blessed our family concerning money! God had provided a way for me to evangelize full time while caring for our young son as a stay at home mother.  However, somehow along his journey with God, my husband had traded the truth for the lie that money can buy you happiness. Even worse, I was about to get caught in the same web of deceit. Soon, my actions would cause our marriage to hurl into a downward spiral.
      The day I met with the H & R block representative, I confronted my husband about the amount of money he had made. "Where did all the money go? Why didn't you give us more? You knew how stressed I was over money!" I had completely forgotten that God was in charge! The more self-righteous I became, the more my faith faded. Soon, I was left feeling alone and hopelessness. Why didn't I turn to God for strength? Had I completely pushed God aside, taken back control and relied on my own understanding?
      Frustrated, I told my husband, "Get help or once and for all let us go!" My husband angrily replied, "I just don't want to be married anymore!" I felt like a failure as a wife, mother and even a Christian! I couldn't understand where I had gone wrong. I cried out to God. But for the first time, i couldn't hear God's whisper in my heart. Utter desperation and confusion set in!
     Suddenly, Easter Sunday was upon me. Surely God would provide hope and peace and a way out of this situation! I prayed and sought God with all my might. That's when I felt a sudden urge to list some of the chapters God had led me to read over the past few weeks. I made a list.

• Ezra 1 Those who feared God, repented and surrendered to the will of God.
• Isaiah 15 Divine judgment about to come.
• Psalm 105 A solemn call to praise and serve the Lord. 
•  Psalm 78, Learning From Our Past. 
• 2 Chronicles 7 Respond by humbling yourself, praying, seeking My presence, and turning your backs on your wicked life.
• 1 Kings 13  The importance of unswerving obedience.
• 1 Samuel chapter 6 Sinners lengthen out their own misery by refusing to part with their sins.
• Deuteronomy chapter 2 Do not compass the same path going round and round again, but go northward with hard fighting and great victory. Keep from what God forbids and you will not lose by our obedience.
•   Zephaniah chapter 2 Repent while there is still time.  

      As I read over the commentary on each chapter, I began to feel a heaviness in my chest. Had God been warning me of the pride of my own heart that would soon cause me to sin? Here I had written so much about the trust I had placed in God. All the while, God was discerning the thoughts and intents of my heart. He wasn't about to allow me to sinfully covet my husband's wealth.
      I grabbed hold of the spine of my bible and let the pages fall open. As the pages settled, my eyes were drawn to 2 Samuel 24. I started to read, and was I surprised! http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=10&c=24. I had completely forgotten that God was by my side through my issues with money. Perhaps He was even teaching me how to budget more faithfully. Maybe God was simply teaching me to rely on Him. 
    Next, I silently gazed out of my bedroom window as I reflected over the past year. God had provided more than I needed! My eyes returned to the pages below and my eyes caught King David's prayer. I tearfully prayed along. “I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.” 2 Samuel 24:10 NKJV.  I wept as I felt peace from the Holy Spirit filling my heart once again!
             The next day, God confirmed His presence through the sweet sound of a dove cooing outside my apartment. Oh, that beautiful sound! I ran outside and looked up at the dove.  Tears of hope overflowing! I put my two hands over my mouth, kissed the tips of my fingers and threw my hands up in the air towards the heavens. I saw how I had taken a detour from the path of righteousness. I began to pray, "Father, forgive me for my sinfulness. Thank You for using this situation to refine my heart. Please guard me from Satan's temptation to compare my lifestyle with those around me and remain by my side always so that I may live a life that honors You. Thank You Lord for Your unending saving grace. In Your Holy and Righteous Son's name, I pray. 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

Isaiah 53:5 What Good Friday means to this new believer

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

^" But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed."

         Immediately following my baptism, mourning doves started perching themselves outside my humble little apartment. Each morning, I heard the sound of their cooing, "Who who who... who who who..." And as my heart filled with joy, I prayed, "Thank You Lord for the beautiful reminder of Your Spirit's presence!" 

        One day, my son asked, "Can we make the doves a bird feeder?"  He had seen a special on how to make a bird feeder using a pine cone and peanut butter. I thought, "What a great way to show our appreciation for my faithful snow white friends."  So, we looked around our local park for the perfect pine cone. Then, we drove to the pet store and asked for the ideal seed. That's when we learned that doves generally like to eat their food from the ground. Therefore, after we returned home we enthusiastically covered the ground in front of our apartment with a quarter pound of bird seed. Unfortunately, I hadn't considered the possible consequences.

Hope

        During the year prior, I had taken in a homeless cat. We named the small black and very loving cat "Hope." I had planned to keep her someday. I was waiting for my husband to return home. Perhaps we would buy a house and soon live together as one family. Meanwhile, I began to feed Hope. Then, each night I tucked her into to bed, a box with blankets, on our porch. I loved my homeless cat and I loved my doves!

        However, two days after I had spread the bird seed on the ground, Hope attacked a dove. The children in the neighborhood pounded on my door. "Come quick! The black cat just attacked a bird!" I ran outside and scooped up a snow white helpless and dying dove. Then, I shooed the kids away. I instructed my son to fetch the phone while I held the sweet soft bird close to my heart. The dove bled profusely while I cried. I prayed, "Please Lord, spare this bird! I am sorry I hurt Your special gift for me. Please forgive me." Next, I called every animal rescue organization in the area. I impatiently waited for a return call. All the while, I gently and compassionately held my wounded friend. I kissed his head and said, "I'm so sorry!" The bird warmly nestled his head to my chest.

the wounded dove

         All of sudden, my heart began to beat very fast. And with tears now overflowing, I started to understand. Could the precious and fragile life I held in my hands represent the life Jesus gave for me? Instantly, I remembered the scripture I had recently memorized with my son. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV). I sobbed! Then, I carefully placed the frail bird in shoe box and wept some more.

         Later, I received a return call from the local wild animal rescue organization. I drove a hour from our home and then tearfully said goodbye to that beautiful reminder of God's love. On the way home, I began to sing a song to my Lord and Savior. http://youtu.be/UjD0lv8hx5o 
I sang,

"How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished."

        The feeling of gratitude towards God in sparing me the consequences I truly deserved overwhelms me. And with Good Friday quickly approaching, I solemnly thank the Lord for His sacrifice up on that cross. I make a promise to my Lord and Savior. "You died for me, therefore I will live for You!"

 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

When is it time to get a divorce? When God says, "It's time!"

 Matthew 6:9-10 (NKJV)

^" In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. "

      

MY HUSBAND WANTS A DIVORCE

       One day, I filed my income tax return jointly with my husband and discovered that he had been lying to me about money. Because of the compounding and painful lies I had already endured throughout most of our eight year marriage, I was now faced with an enormous decision and felt forced to examine my choice to remain married.
        Over the past year, I had confronted my husband regarding several issues in our marriage. Each time he overspent, chose his work over his family, or was caught in another lie, I shared my pain and frustration with him. Most of the time, my husband apologized and committed himself to changing his hurtful behavior. With an understanding of God’s values for marriage, I was determined to make mine work! Time and time again, I convinced myself that I was choosing to follow Jesus’ example by offering him forgiveness.
       However this time, for some unknown reason to me, my feelings of pain and frustration consumed me. One night in a heated argument regarding the lies I had currently been told, I gave my husband an ultimatum. “Either get help for your addiction, or have the compassion to once and for all let us go!” I never could have anticipated that in his anger, my husband would respond the way he did. He said, “Honey, I just don’t want to be married anymore.” Those sudden and cruel words left me feeling pure anguish. I started to sob!
             Later, after I tucked our young son into bed then crawled into bed alone, I started to blame myself for my failed marriage. Doubt overwhelmed me. My heart ached! My husband’s rejection and the idea of becoming a single-mother caused a type of anxiety I hadn’t expected. Pain overwhelmed me and the tears began to flow. How could I have repeated the same story of my parents? I wept!
      The next day, I allowed the idea of divorce to sink in. I felt the pain. Then with every ounce of compassion I could muster, I carefully packed my husband’s uniforms and other scattered belongings in plastic containers. All the while I prayed, “Lord, thank You for the trails I have experienced with my husband. Without the trials, I may never have fully accepted the gift of Your love. Please hold me close. I need Your loving embrace through this difficult time!”

     As the hours went by, doubt and confusion took over. I cried out to God. “Divorce seems so contradictory to Your Word!” I fell to the floor of my bedroom closet. For several minutes, I laid with my face to the carpet. Jesus lovingly listened as my tears turn to silent heartfelt prayers. Then suddenly, I felt strong again. I got up from the floor and wiped my tears.
      I acted on the urge to reach out to my church Pastor, a godly man who had prayed for my struggling marriage for over three years. My Pastor prayed with me over the phone. He prayed for God to provide me with heavenly discernment and strength. His words brought me comfort and soothed my hurting soul. After only a few more hours, I was determined to obey God’s will, come what may! 

Please feel free comment in the section below! 

To read my personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

How an Easter Egg hunt made me feel closer to God!

John 3:16-17 (NKJV)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

It was the day before Easter Sunday. I had taken my youngest child to the nearby park to participate in the annual Easter egg hunt with his friends from school. We arrived at the exact time of the scheduled hunt. Consequently, we had to scramble to find our place in the correct line. Large areas of the field had been taped off to separate the differing age groups. Yet somehow, there were no signs posted to know exactly where the six-year-olds should stand.  Uncertain of where to wait, my young son and I simply stood in back of several rows of anxious children and their parents. Then, my son quickly spotted a few of his friends in line. He moved to stand next to them. Within minutes, another parent standing next to me, said, "Did you know this section is for 3-5 year-olds?" We were standing in the wrong age group!

Still, additional parents and children had arrived and they were now scrunched behind us. I wondered, "Should I take my son to the correct area?" Just then, a woman with a small megaphone began to direct all parents to wait for their children at the other side of the enclosure. The other side was thirty feet away! If I left my child, I would later have to find him among the hundreds of young children who were free to roam in a space half the size of a football field.

Confused and faced with a quick decision, I let my son remain by his friends and I ran to other side of the field. The whistle blew just as I approached the other side. I immediately began to visually scan the marked off area for my son. I couldn't find him! Where was my son? Panic pierced my heart and I began to pray, "Please Lord Jesus, I don't see my son. Please help me see my son. Please Lord Jesus!" Sweat poured off the sides of my brow while I ran around frantically trying to locate my child. Suddenly, a crowd of children and parents ran down the field, under the taped off area, and rushed past where I stood.  “That’s it,” I thought. I stepped over the yellow tape and ran towards where I saw my son last. Then, I stopped. I began to pray earnestly and fervently. “Please Lord reveal my son!” When I opened my eyes and looked up, I instantly saw his green shirt. My son and I made eye contact. Then, I ran directly to his side. Relief! My son was safe in my arms again! Thank You Jesus!

       Later, when my son and I started to walk towards our car, I began to reflect about the feeling I had experienced. I thought, "What an frightful feeling for a parent to lose a child, even for one second!" Instantly, I felt incredible gratitude towards God the Almighty Father! I began to humbly pray, "What must it have felt like to endure the Cross? I am truly sorry it took me so long to devote my life to Your will God, please forgive me! Thank You for Your sacrifice and the gift of the Cross. Where would I be without You Lord?”
                                                                            

John 10:14-15 "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep."(NKJV)

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! 

To read a written and published Christian Personal Testimony 

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

Christians are not Perfect!

1 John 1:8-9 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (NKJV)

This past week, I shared my personal testimony with one of the mothers from my son's little league baseball team. Afterward the woman said, "I know the Lord too!" Soon, we began to speak to one another during our son's weekly baseball practices. "How exciting to know another like-minded believer," I thought. I even shared with my husband,"Honey, one of the boys on Travis' team has strong and mature believers for parents! What a precious gift from God!"

Then, one afternoon during practice I told the woman about my conversation with my husband. I felt surprised when she appeared to walk away feeling upset. Later, the same woman approached me. With a serious look on her face, she said, "Donna, I want you to know what you said to your husband bothered me. You should know that I am only human. I will disappoint you!"

As I took a deep breath and felt my head tilt to the side, I softly began to explain how God had transformed me from a judgmental and self-righteous social worker to a full-time evangelist. I said, "Each day, I purposefully share the Gospel with unbelievers. So, meeting you and listening to you talk felt like a fresh breath of air. What a blessing it is to hear you unapologetically speak about your love for our Lord Jesus Christ." The woman appeared relieved to hear that I had not placed her high upon a pedestal. 

A few hours went by. Then as if out of nowhere, I started to giggle. I shook my head as I thought, "What a mature Christian thing for that woman to say. Of course, she is not perfect and is only human. No Christian is perfect. We are all human and we are bound to make mistakes." The situation called to mind a verse from 1 John 1:8-9. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (NKJV). As I read the verse, I began to wonder, "Where would I be without You Lord?" Once again I felt humbled by the gift of His love!

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! 

To read the first written and published Christian personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html