Wake Up Call!

All can TRY to renounce being a follower of Christ.... But Christ has better plans for you, for us all... as long as we wake up and grip to them!! My friend Kelly Crabb has been quite the fighter, the defender for Jesus!! Very much so on fire for His Truth! And that always intrigued me to watch one fight for Jesus-so much the way Paul did!! Very loud in words, very vocal, very open-not afraid. I like that. We all have different ways of converting, sharing His Gospel. And many, especially men cling more to the "don't be dumb, in your face mode..." A lot of women would be hurt from something like that, and turn whether in tears or anger, but turn and not listen to that type of announcement about Jesus. Me personally, I was the "tough" chick, that when it was "thrown" in my face in that way-I threw back all my ways I wouldn't turn to "his god..." "my god" was better. I really didn't have a god... I just went down the list of what "my heaven" was-and no where in it did it include this "Jesus" person that my ex told me he loved more than me. He was very upfront. But after all I had to go thru to find Jesus-I look at people like Kelly, like my ex, and I see the reality in it. I see the clock ticking. I saw all I had to go thru-almost having to actually overdose so much and near death to finally call upon Christ!! To change my personal ways. Kelly has gone thru a lot in life. And this is just a bit of it. I have been blessed to hear more and be astonished about what he has lived thru, who he has become-all thru our Maker, our Redeemer, our Best Friend-Jesus Christ. But also, all in Kelly's will to pick himself up from hard times and give those to Jesus-trust HIM and accept HIM thru everything he had gone thru, was going thru, was yet to go thru--but wanted Jesus there thru it all...good and bad. As sermons have taught... we are not to partially "keep" Jesus...and just place Him in our trunk... or on a better day with Christ, maybe give Him the back seat. Or when we really feel like we are sooooo Christ-Like, we open the "passenger" door for Him....no, that isn't how it goes. We are to leave our car running, climb quickly into the passenger seat allowing our Leader, our Lord Jesus Christ to show us where we will be heading WITH HIM. He can also have every and any radio station HE WANTS! He is our EVERYTHING. Kelly has a lot of this in him. Very kind-hearted soul. Speaks truth that may bug some people to delete, which I feel, if you do that, there is something wrong with your walk. We all will have "differences." But to disconnect from someone where the core of everyone's belief is Christ-it is basically disconnecting from Christ. He asked us not to quarrel over differences ... love each other thru everything... help each other gently if one looks like they are walking a bit crooked. But today-everyone just disconnects. Kelly speaks plain truth on Facebook out of love-and people disconnect. I am here to say-to you Kelly, your fight for Christ will be well rewarded in Heaven. And always keep our friendship! I pray for all who get angry-if you get angry, then there is something wrong with your defense. When one knows truth and can stay calm thru the battle, that is because it is true. That is why Jesus could sleep thru storms. If we carry His truth, we should be able to sleep thru storms-bi pass anxiety. Don't you think. We have amazing Jesus on our side. Let's make sure we keep walking across the water, without doubt.... thru God, anything is possible. Kelly, you know that well. Bless you!!

Testimony by Kelly Crabb....
I tried to renounce being a Christian: My testimony 

In 1983 we had a little girl born with Beckwith–Wiedemann Syndrome. On the day that she was born I was so angry and upset with God that I tried to renounce being a Christian. I had gone home from the hospital, walking in the door, I saw a little soup skillet laying in the floor. I went for a field goal, hoping that I would break my toes, it would have hurt less than the pain that I was feeling. In my mind the thought came, "If this is what it is to be a Christian, why don't you tell God to get the hell out of your life? You just want to be happy like everyone else." I said, good idea, "God, if this is what it is to be a Christian, I want no part of You, get away from me."  Then the thought came,"Tell Jesus too," so I said,"Lord if this is what it is to be a Christian, I am sorry that I ever met You, get out of my life."  Then, I heard stuttering in my mind, which I thought odd, of course, who stutters in their mind? "Go ahead, T, T, Tell, number 3 too." Immediately in my mind I saw a beam of light, like a floodlight coming through the clouds. Just when I thought that it was my imagination, I was lifted up into the air, though still in my living room on the first floor, and saw the light hit the rooftop. Immediately I was back in my living-room, and in my mind I saw the light hit the floor to my right side. Immediately I couldn't cry anymore. I yelled, "Leave me alone, have you seen my baby?" He said,"Kelly, I can't allow you to do that. Being 22, I said,"Oh yea, watch this." I could not speak a word. I opened my mouth, but could not speak at all. I said,"If you wont let me say it out loud, I am going to say it in my mind." He said,"Kelly, I can't allow you to do that, it is the only thing that I can't forgive you for." I didn't care, I was furious. So I tried again, and again, He would not let me put any words together at all. He said,"Put your daughter in my hands." Internally, I said,"Put her in your hands, you are God, you could have had her born normal." He said,"Can you heal her, can you take her home?" Funny, I was still calling Him Lord. I said,"No Lord." A ticker-tape ran through my mind with part A and part B of two verses,"Cast all your cares upon Him that careth for you, and the peace which surpasses all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ." I had perfect peace for the whole seven and a half months that Jessica lived. Even when they called us 4-5 times needing a verbal approval over the phone for emergency surgery to save her life, I had a totally uncanny peace, that let me know that everything would be all right. He gave me the ability to trust Him, even when everyone around me was crying and so upset. They would even ask me if I even cared about my own daughter. I said,"Yes, of course, but God has let me know that everything will be all right. I don't know how, but I just know that it will be okay." I never worried or shed a tear from that moment in my living room until I held my daughters body in my arms. Her little body was still warm. When I asked the nurse why she was still warm after dying 4 hours ago, she told me that her nurse had just laid her down a few minutes ago. She had been holding her in her arms for 4 hours after her death.

Yet, you will see her in Heaven, face to face Kelly - you and your beautiful wife! Imagine that!!! Blessings to you!!!

Never Too Late For Jesus

This is a blessed blog, one I first received from a dear friend on Facebook-just openly. I had to ask him to re-send it to me, as for I lose a lot of what I am searching for on FB these days!! He did so quick, so fast-so humbled. I am very gracious to be able to call Jim my friend, even though we haven't met in person yet, and have only known each other a few weeks on Facebook. But the cool part about the two of us is we are both very transparent. He also speaks with beautiful words Jesus has blessed Him with, words that make you feel like your surrounding is a beautiful beach day, or amazing waterfalls that runneth over .... His talk about Jesus is amazing. I was twenty-six and near death when I finally accepted Him. I thought I'd never run into anyone even a tad older. This man clung hard to Christ at 69-5 years ago, and hasn't let go!! He has only grown wiser thru his walk!! And very humble, kind, gentle, loving... and so on!! I always thought finding Jesus at a later age of 26 helped me grow quicker, and definitely not grow bored in His teaching, or teaching others in need to hear; not in comparison as it can become just like a job like feeling for those who grew up a particular faith-made to go to church, as opposed to a desire to go soak it up themselves. And it becomes very stale like for many who do as parents expect or demand as they become parents-but the relationship with Christ is yet to be established. That is where both Jim and I have a common. Finding Him on our terms opened our hearts big time. Jim, you have no time for regret on the time you were not seeking. He always has His perfect timing of us. And right NOW it is perfect for you to be on fire for Him, share His Word. You do it remarkably-the way people who know zero about it and have wonders yet fear-will cling to you! You are gentle! Yet truthful! Bless your Jesus-overfilling heart!

This is Jim Russels testimony....
How I found Jesus:  A request for a bio has been asked: Here is my story about How I found Jesus:


My youth until the age of 69 was without Christ, or so I thought. After having been awakened by Christ at 69, the eyes of Jesus allowed me to see many things previously hidden from me. The most important realization was that an angel had been with me throughout my entire life, without my knowing.
Consider this scripture:
 Hebrews 1:14 (NIV) Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
 This Word of God assures us that we do indeed have guardian angels, which I once thought was a 'fanciful tale.' At the time of my youth, I often thought I was "lucky," but as the years went on, misfortune after misfortune appeared and was brushed aside by "luck." I became suspicious, and then amazed. One after the other, I was rescued from relationships that would have put most on the street, homeless.

Finally, I joined the Freemasons, a fraternity that teaches morality and upstanding conduct, values taken from mainly the Bible. Their need beckoned to me, and I learned some teaching roles, memorized and then delivered at certain lodge proceedings. My contributions were well received, and over the years I learned more teachings, and eventually was elected Master of the Lodge in 1977. The teaching did me good, and making the mistakes that leaders made did me more good.
In a word, I was softened from the hardened-heart state, being prepared, unknown to me.

I moved to another state, and to another Masonic Lodge. This time, I resolved to take the lessons learned to heart, and again applied myself to learning Masonic morality, with a better heart. I was elected Chaplain, and received recognition for spiritual leadership of the lodge. The old heart was changing, I sensed, but did not know why I was unsettled.

Finally, my daughter suggested by mail that I come to Iowa and retire near her. I did, and there I joined a United Methodist Church. Interesting, I thought. A course offering eventually appeared, apparently on church basics, and I thought, "Why not?"

So I signed up for the course, and attended. That is the last week of existence for the old me. In a nutshell, as soon as I saw the other class members, I was stunned. Their faces shone with a radiance that captivated me. They spoke with a quiet sincerity and earnestness that held me so tightly that it hurt. In short, without understanding what they were talking about, this Jesus stuff, I was sold, and I wanted whatever it was that they had.

That night, I prayed, my heart full, to God above, hesitantly, and was answered in power and force such that it seemed winds were about to blow me away. I looked to see if the drapes were moving. No, they were still. A voice, not spoken, not in words, but felt, something primeval, ancient, and familiar.
 I skip here to later, the next morning, and awakened to a new day, literally, and began to see everything as if I had never opened my eyes until this morning...

The rest is my journey in Christ, which I now share with my friends, especially with those also in Christ. You are most welcome to join me.

Much Love in Christ Jesus, 

Jim Russell

Galatians 2:20 I myself no longer live, but Christ lives IN me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NLT)

My Dear Friend Jason Mitchener is HOME!

It is so hard to sit here and type those words for the title- but now I am trying to deal with reality- that he and I would talk about each time I went up to see him. We would sit there for 8-10 hours and talk about everything in life-- and he had one amazing life.

He was so humble. So true. So caring. So loving. And when he saw anything he felt needed correction-- stood up for his belief thru Christ!! And that was how we first met in January this past year- when I first started twitter. He simply saw my tweet- and it said something to the matter- when I was suffering pretty bad with my illnesses- I typed-- it just will be amazing when Jesus comes to get me!!! And he came back with-- something like -- No-- I want to live as long as I can-- no matter how stricken I am-- it is all for His glory--to bring more to Home to Him. ---- That woke me up again... and we built an amazing friendship--- and I am one to quickly ask him which facility is he at.... and bout a week later I was there with McDonald's he ordered- as I asked what I could bring. Each time I went up- I always brought him outside meals-- so it was "close" to getting outside. For a while-- he gave up Diet Coke for God-- any soda-- and I would bring him tea always--and he used that fake sugar!!! It was so amazing-- from day one-- such a humble, kind amazing soul... just kindly asked if it would bother me if I fed Him??? Didn't Jesus wash the disciples feet??? Jesus Christ-- our Lord and Savior-- humbled way below the fact HE IS GOD-- to wash THEIR FEET.... We are talking this amazing soul-- who always walked in Jesus' path-- once he found him... just in the nick of time-of his major suffering to come.... OF COURSE I COULD FEED JASON... or anyone. He would me any day of the week if he could--- he already had done so much for me...

We both shared amazing family life stories.... we both have the part where you live and learn-- and the part you just always love so much. That is family. And it is always a blessing to live and learn-- no matter how we do it-- as long as we get the LEARN part in.

I would be up there for hours--- his art was amazing---his music he wrote--his stories by his father--- I now have his book, tape, and art-- in my home--always--that I purchased face to face!! Stored up there in these amazing stacked boxes- all over-in the bathroom-he always knew where to send me!!! I bought for myself-- and also for others. I always knew where everything was located in that packed 8x12 half room shared. We'd talk from around 5-2:30 am...

The last talk was a tough one-- was right before I had to head out for Alabama-- for my MEG test--for my brain surgery to come. And right before I was leaving he was just in tears about life... and I stayed longer---we talked about how we WILL make it better... when I get back from my MEG-- we will make signs-- and certain schedules-for the nurses-when not in any trauma. And the fact he could only sleep on his left side-which stared at his cupboard--we were going to put up a sign-- uplifting words thru Christ. I came back from the MEG test I had done in Alabama-- and came down bad with H1N1 for a month. So I couldn't visit....

I was going to go up a week ago-- but was told by a family member- he wished I would not-- but if my gut said something else thru Jesus-- to proceed... I didn't want to step on family toes. So I waited.... My birthday was the 15th... I swear God had given me this weird feeling all week up thru THAT NIGHT of my birthday to go up-- but I waited-- didn't want to leave my husband on my birthday. Then it led to me heading up there day and a half after---as I said-- missed early post by his brother on his FB site-- as for I was getting ready for my doctor appt for my vertigo issue. Then went shopping for his Christmas gift-- doctors-- hit the freeways..............................

And I miss him so much. He is so loved by so many. SO MANY!! And those who met him--supported him-- Mike-- if you somehow catch this--THANK YOU-- you were one amazing soul for him!!! And dear Paul-- YOU know he is with Jesus--WOW! Jamie Lynn--- you will always be loved... As well as Third Day-- Bebo Norman-- His precious family--- I thank God for your amazing son/brother/nephew/grandson etc--you all had a major role--and I thank you--- and everyone!! He just amazed me, touched my heart, moved me, inspired me, and still does!!!!

He had amazing plans that God saw thru-- all this year he has had this van needed work-- to start-- tires, oil--etc--- got it finally going with help of many on twitter!! And his mom was able to insure him on her car insurance-- and he'd just get one trained or take a respiratory therapist with him-- to drive him to churches so he could speak- giving his testimony that touches the heart of so many!! Let's others know God will see you thru-- use ALL FOR HIS GLORY!! And just as all this came together-- was when he got sick and Jesus saw he accomplished all he had planned....wow.

Jason-- as you know-- I have been bawling-- and that is weird for me-- as you also know--- so you are truly loved and amazing--full of grace and mercy like Jesus.... know my husband's heart goes out-- and my precious daughter was bawling when I finally got home--- she loved you so much!!! We all always will-- as you keep your fire going--ALIVE up there with Jesus!!! If you can-- when I bawl-- just touch my shoulder-- tell me it's all ok..... maybe it will calm....

Will be amazing to see you there!! Dancing!!! Love you always my dear friend... keep dancing til I am there too!! We all will dance together with Jesus and Third Day!

In my Arms tight thru Christ,

Heather

@AliveinMe

http://www.facebook.com/aliveinme

http://www.jasonmitchener.com

http://www.causes.com/ventaz

http://www.christianmemorials.com/tributes/jason-mitchener/