Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock..."

Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,

I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

     It was our first real night spent around our new dinner table. I prepared a simple dinner, pork chops, mashed potatoes, corn and applesauce. Our 7-year-old set the table. My husband took his seat while I made his plate. Then, I set his plate in front of him. Without hesitation, my husband humbly said, "This is so nice." Then, he reached out both of his hands, palm side up. We all held hands and my husband began to pray, "Lord Jesus, there are no words to express how grateful I feel right now. Thank you for this meal and for bringing my family home to me." Tears overflowing!

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

Fearing God; What does that mean?

Genesis 22:12 (NKJV) And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only [son], from Me."

Below our humble little Christmas tree still lies one lonely, carefully wrapped Christmas gift. The gift was thoughtfully chosen for my twenty three-year-old stepson. Yet this year, he decided not to come home for Christmas.

So, while I felt joy for other reasons this past Christmas, I also felt a feeling of emptiness over my stepson's absence. I missed his arm around my shoulder in church. I missed seeing him across the dinner table where he normally sat. And I missed the upbeat and playful excitement of watching his reaction to our opening presents.

Instead of opening the door to a warm hug, this year our only form of interaction was through text messages. On December 24, I texted my stepson the words, "Merry Christmas Son." He replied, "Merry Christmas." Even so, I felt very strongly that his desire to keep his distance was not because he was upset with me. Only ten days prior on my birthday,  my stepson made a point of calling our home to wish me a joyous day and express his love for me.

So, keeping this in mind on Christmas Day, I prayed God that would stir my stepson's heart and possibly bring him home. However, the Lord stirred my heart instead. As my thoughts drifted back to another time and place, I remembered the day my stepson left our home to reunify with his biological mother for the first time.

My stepson had packed his few boxes of belongings and stacked them in the corner of his room. His mother and stepfather patiently waited in the driveway. Overwhelmed by the moment, my husband withdrew his emotions and kept silent in the distance. Soon, the time had come to say our "goodbyes." So, I entered my stepson's room where he sat on the edge of his bed, lonely and choked up with tears. Quietly, I approached him and sat by his side. At a loss for words, I simply placed upon his lap the going away gift I had purchased the week prior. He slowly opened the box to find a bible with his name inscribed on the front. With our shoulders slumped, we both remained silent and allowed the tears to flow from our eyes.

Finally, through those croaks and squeaks in a young boy's voice my stepson broke the silence and spoke the only words he would speak to me that day. Wiping his eyes and clearing his throat, my stepson said, "I have to go. I just can't bare the thought of disappointing you!"

Now, as I thought back to that time in my life, a feeling of bewilderment encompassed my heart. "Dear God, does my stepson think I am still the same judgmental person I was before?"  God responded. "No." Then, the Lord spoke quietly to my heart. God said, "It isn't because your son believes you will judge him. He stays away because he respects you and loves you so much that he fears disappointing you!"   I began to cry uncontrollably,. "Lord Jesus, that is exactly how I feel about You! If only I could only teach my stepson to fear You instead!"

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

Devoting my birthday to bringing others Close to God.

Matthew 25:23 "His Lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' (NKJV)

        The day was my 41st birthday. It was early in the morning when the phone began to ring. "Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you," my husband sang in his sweetest voice. Then, my loving parents called. "We wanted to wish you a happy birthday on your special day." What joy! Still, something felt different inside.
        For over three years, I had focused my attention each day on serving God. And in return, God made everyday special. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and even regular ordinary days were special when I focused on serving the Lord. So, I decided that this day would not be different.
         On the way home from dropping my son off at school, I felt an urge to drive to the local coffee house. I decided to use the drive thru option. There was a long line of cars waiting to purchase coffee that day. Still, I was enjoying the song that played on the radio and content with waiting as I sang my praises to God.

I waited patiently for my turn to order. Suddenly, out of the blue, God spoke to my heart. "Pay for the person's order in the car behind you," God instructed. I only had enough cash to buy one cup of coffee. So, I scrambled to find a credit card that would afford both my order and his. When, I pulled up to the drive thru window, I explained to the clerk what I intended to do. The cashier seemed taken aback. In her silence, I handed her a little note and asked her to give the paper to the gentleman along with his cup of coffee. The cashier began to read the note to herself. "God placed it on my heart to buy your coffee today. Merry Christmas!" The teenager’s eyes became misty as she agreed to my request. She warmly thanked me for being so kindhearted. As I drove away, other vehicles filled in the gaps between our cars. Thus, I was left to wonder the man's reaction to God’s gesture. Still, I felt warmness in my heart. So, I prayerfully thanked God for counting me worthy to serve Him once again.

         A few blocks away, I took a sip of that expensive cup of coffee. I smiled and giggled when I realized I had spent $5.25 on a cup of coffee I could have made at home for less than a dollar. I had gone to that coffee house simply to share God’s love and bring that chosen man and cashier closer to God and that was the best birthday gift I could have received!

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

Thanksgiving Day with Family? I wonder what God will show you.

The last time I went to visit family, God surprised me with a gift. He used the actions of one of my loved ones, to speak directly to my heart.

The original purpose of my visit was to gather some old childhood toys. Money was tight. So, I thought, "Now that my toys are over 30 years old, they might be worth some money." I called my loved one and arranged a time for our visit.

During the drive, I faced very little traffic, and as a result, arrived early. My loved one wasn't quite ready for me to take down those old boxes from the rafters in the garage. So, while I waited, I busied myself by reading a chapter from the book, 90 minutes in Heaven. Soon, I found myself lost in the author's personal testimony.

When suddenly the garage door, just feet from where I was sitting, slammed opened. Echos of an unfamiliar voice flew in upon a draft of wind. My loved one was leading the way.  Right away, I noticed the look on her face. I sat in amazement, watching as she changed her shoes, to seemingly spare her carpet from soil, while simultaneously saying, “I have to come in for awhile. That neighbor who just walked up gets on my nerves.”   I remained silent as she continued on, “I made him dinner once after his wife died a year ago and now he won’t go away! He’s an alcoholic. He comes over all the time and enough is enough!”

Immediately, my heart cried out to God! “Oh Lord, I am so sorry! That was me, wasn’t it? I cared more about my house than the suffering of others. In my arrogance and self-righteousness, I distanced myself from those who needed me. I am so sorry God!” Through my loved one, God was demonstrating how much He had changed my heart. 

I was never a gentle person, though I told others I was a Christian. In the business world, I was known as a woman who would "Get the job done." Usually, this meant I had to bully and manipulate others, and I had no problem acting this way. However, through the crisis in my marriage, and my subsequent surrender, God calmed my soul and through His Holy Spirit, taught me to exhibit gentleness and self-control.
 
I remember the first time I acted gentle and how it caught me off guard. One day while driving my youngest son to the local coffee house for a treat of hot chocolate, a man in a large white, work truck, cut me off. He appeared in a great hurry. As my car rolled to the upcoming stop sign, I felt the adrenaline begin to rush through my veins along with the fear that caused it. Rather than cause trouble as I would have before, this time, I remained at the stop sign for moment and prayed. A feeling of peace and gentleness came over me. Within an instant, a desire to mirror God's peace to this hurried man entered my heart. I looked around for the work truck, but the man had raced past the stop and was nowhere to be found.

So, I continued on my way towards the local coffee house. As God would have it, when I glanced up at the truck before me in the drive-thru, it was the same man! I told my youngest son what I was going to do, got out of my car, then went to this stranger's window and explained, "Sir, I am Donna. You just cut me off back there. It seems like you are having a rough morning already. Can I buy your cup of coffee today?" The man's eyes became really big before he politely refused and dropped his head. When he drove up to the window to pay for his order, he was extremely polite and soft spoken to the employee.

Over the past three years, God has completely changed that old, selfish and harsh woman I used to be. I no longer care about how presentable my home is. I no longer put on airs. Instead, God has burdened my heart for the lost and those in pain. And each time I act on the prompting of the Holy Spirit by showing kindness, forgiveness, charity, and love to a stranger God opens my once closed heart that much more.

I wonder, while you spend time with your loved ones this Thanksgiving Day, what will God show you?

To read the only written and published personal testimony, please go to:  

http://www.amazon.com/Donna-L.-Young/e/B0057Z8QZY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Thanksgiving Day this year is Devoted to Praising God!

"Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; 

and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness." (Psalm 97:12)

This year, I have given up on the idea of having a traditional Thanksgiving Day celebration! I am not hosting a big dinner, enticing my 23, 22, 17-year-old children to come home, or attempting to travel to my parents home to join their celebration. Instead, for the first time, my husband and I have decided to take a break on the world's expectations and use this day to focus on praising God!

It all started when the thought of a traditional holiday first crossed my mind and a feeling of heaviness overtook my soul. I didn't have money this year to afford the cost of dinner. Further, I knew many of my neighbors would use the occasion to "drop by." And, my energy level was already running low. So, when my husband and I began to fight over our separation in miles, I through my hands up and said, "That's it! No Thanksgiving Day celebration this year."

Soon after, my husband and I prayed together and for each other. We realized that being together was more important than what the world expected we should do. We decided to compromise. I would make the drive down south with our youngest son and join my husband for a week's vacation at the KOA. In turn, my husband would arrange for us to have dinner together for Thanksgiving Day. The rest of the week, we would rest and enjoy each others' company with no hoops to jump through, no fake smiling for family members and no dressing up. We decided to use our extra time to praise God for all that He has done for our marriage and our family.

Once we made this decision, God started to show off and reveal the plans He had laid before us. First, my husband learned that the KOA is hosting a complete Thanksgiving day meal. As short-term residents, we were cordially invited to join in on the festivities. I immediately smiled and praised God! We would still be having turkey dinner, only now, no one had to cook, clean up or referee the usual fighting between adult children.

Next, God relocated my husband's campsite. Now, our 5th wheel would sit directly next to a free swimming pool and jacuzzi. With each call home, my husband provided another opportunity to praise God and see the work the Lord was doing to create a holiday to remember.

As a result, I have begun celebrating Thanksgiving Day early this year by introducing a new tradition of praising God and rejoicing over His love for me. I can't wait to see what God has planned for next year!

 

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:

http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/

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 
living here on the Central Coast of California.

You Can Help!

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

Or if your own family needs prayer support, please write to: dlouyoung@gmail.com

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

Outcome of Unemployment Hearing

The day of the unemployment appeal hearing was fast approaching. It was scheduled for August 4, 2011. I had previously decided not to appear so that I could show my past employer compassion, forgiveness and love. In spite of everything, we were all supposed to be believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though our family could have used the extra $1,600.00 a month, the decision to deny the benefits and trust the Lord was the right one. 

Still, unpaid bills were piling up on my writing station. My husband had begun to pay the household bills, but his income was not enough to cover those extra expenses such as dental visits and car registrations that were now due. When neighbors began telling me how worn my car tires looked, I knew we could not afford new tires. So, I stopped driving except locally or when absolutely necessary. My husband started complaining of tooth pain from cavities and my six-year-old was starting the first grade. Our young son desperately in need new school clothes. He had chewed the cuffs of many of his shirts and stained the rest. He had outgrown his slacks and jeans. Where would the money come from?

At the same time, I watched the stack of unpaid expenses grow; friends and family began to tempt me by saying, "Just go to court. The state has already found in your favor. God wants you to have this money!"
I didn’t want to think for just one second, how I could have used the extra income. So, on the morning of the appeal hearing, as I made my morning coffee, I prayed. "Lord, please distract me today, and focus me on Your will."

God immediately responded! Within minutes of my prayer, the phone rang. On the other end of the line was the Co-Founder and Volunteer Executive Director for Soldiers Bible Ministry http://soldiersbibleministry.org. He was returning my call in order to discuss collaboration in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The reason, I quit my job! I smiled and praised God for the divine distraction.

Then the next day, my made his usual commute home from work to be with his family for the weekend. When I began to explain how God was using me to spread the gospel through Soldiers Bible Ministry, my husband listened intently. With a smile, he said, "So honey, guess what? They gave me a raise at work this week."  I asked him, "Did you request more money?" And he said, "No, my supervisor put in for the raise some time ago. The request was granted yesterday. I'll be getting an extra few dollars and hour." My eyes welled with tears. The day of the hearing, God had given my husband a raise that would allow me to remain solid in my attempt to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

To read how I first learned to trust God, please go to: 

http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781613791936