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!!!

From stabbed-to STEADFAST love in Christ

Here is a strong woman--thru the weaknesses endured!! And AMEN!! She credits it all to Jesus!!! We all can sit and complain of divorce-but when it is one that really throws you, over the edge-I personally also found out-you better learn to take your eyes off that tragedy-and run to find Jesus-the One who has all your plans-the One who is ready to hold you in tough times. The One who is ready to comfort you-and build you up-so you can proceed to get thru it all, and tell everyone HOW!! IT WAS ALL THRU HIM!! Forgiveness is when He is ready to begin a whole new page-when you TRULY forgive something this tough. When you do, He is so delighted, He smiles and is saying "job well done--I am so proud!" And leads you in the new direction... with hope, faith, LOVE-- thru HIM. Miss Reeves and I have been on twitter together for a while--and I have seen how true her heart is thru Him. And I just began to wonder where it all came from--where was her faith and prayer coming from? We all have it-- but she was/is shining!! When you read this- you will begin to see how amazing He works!! Where her light shines!! I am so grateful to be friends with @diesel_lady :
I knew my husband for 4 years before I married him so it's not like I rushed into it.  We married, moved to AL and a week later his "real" nature came out.  I can't remember

what I did, but he exploded.  I didn't recognize who this man was.  He began to throw things across the room and before I knew it, he punched a hole in the wall and kicked the door off the hinges.  I put up with it for almost 2 months before I decided to leave him.  I sought out a divorce attorney and filed.  I never said anything to him about it.  I just planned to leave and serve him with papers later.  

He went to work one morning and as soon as he turned around the corner, I started packing my things.   I got away until suddenly I saw him coming up in my rear view mirror.  He came along side of my vehicle waving my check books.  I forgot to get them.  He then called my cell while driving along side of me and said if I gave him the house keys he would give me my check books and I could go.  BIG MISTAKE.  I pulled over and when he approached, he pulled out a knife and stabbed me 3 times.  Once in the stomach, thigh, and right hand.  He then grabbed my car keys, purse, and other items and drove off leaving me with no way to get to a hospital.  

A van full of workers passed me by and saw that I was walking while holding my stomach and leg.  The came back and called for help.  They caught him, arrested him, and he spent three days in jail before being released on bond.  By that time, I had moved back to GA and was waiting to see what the grand jury would do.  They did not indite. I was furious.  Later on, he cried, begged, and pleaded with me to come back to him but I knew better than that.  He would eventually kill me if I did so I stayed away.

My family, (especially my dad) was furious and wanted him to "pay" for what he did.  I, however, knew that it was better to forgive and move on especially since I was one of the few women (like you) who survived my attack.  I forgave him and we divorced 30 days later.  

I spoke to him maybe 2 months later and he was very apologetic about what had happened.  I told him that I had already forgiven him and it was the past.  He couldn't believe I forgave him.  My family thought I was crazy and they still do.  They can say what they like, I know the forgiving power of Jesus Christ in my own life and if he can forgive me for my sins, I can and am commanded to forgive others.  

Forgiving, sets YOU free, not your accuser. When you hold resentment, rage, vengeance, and hatred toward others, YOU are the only one who suffers.  Forgiveness, TRUE forgiveness is releasing another from the wrong they did to you without expecting an apology from them.  

I thank God I survived it and hope to be a witness and encouragement to other women who have been faced with an aggressor. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...that becomes more and more true in my life everyday.

With love,

Asia Reeves

Diesel Lady

Psalm 25:8-10 
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and testimonies.

Mark 11:25  
But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in Heaven will forgive Your sins, too.

1 Timothy 2 1
I urge you, first to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks.

Hebrews 4:12-13 
For the Word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from Him. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.

Faith is ALIVE!

Here is a story of courage-testimony-that was lived out this far-and is still being lived out as I type!! He has such a heart for all thru Christ! He sure has been talked to thru our Lord! And--as we all are, impatient at times-especially in the beginning of our walk with Him. We have more "why's" and "what's" --that in time turn into more patience and "I trust and love You-thru all of this-knowing YOU have plans!" And HE DOES! Thru every trial-UP and DOWN-desert or mountain-HE HAS AWESOME PLANS ALREADY LAID OUT! As we cling to Him! And Sergio may be far in distance from me-but close thru Christ! And thru his testimony you will see amazing points and others that are in need of prayer-but we know-GOD already has His hands on it all! As he clings tight to Him!!

I have always believed in God and still do. Although for most of my life I believed in "God" through another faith, that of Hinduism. I always tried to make a better connection to our Father but to no avail. My family was very strict about their Hindu faith. However as well meaning as it was I  did not feel happy.  

I was always fearful and felt constricted and in bondage. I felt overpowered by other members of my family. I wanted to stand up for myself, feel that I was a full person, but I could not. My family members filled me with fear about going out with other boys to a sports event or party. The fear they would put into me was that I would be kidnapped... or worse killed in a fight etc.

Whilst, a Hindu I attended a Sunday School class. I must have been around 10-12 yeasrs old. I was struck by the beauty  of the teaching of the ten commandments. It has stayed with me always. I went onto university, got married , had 3 children , then started to build this house.  

Everything went wrong. 

I kept seeking God and doing prayers to the Hindu gods, for things to come right. To no avail. I was getting into all sorts of bizarre problems. I continued to earnestly seek for God, for peace, for deliverance.  During this time my 4th daughter was born. Things went from bad to worse financially. I tried other faiths and visited their priests. One day I met one of these priests who had recently began turning to Christianity. In this priest's home I found a copy of a book "The Power of Posiitive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale. It was an eye-opener to me. I then turned to the bible and the words almost leaped of the pages to me. It was like coming out of a long-long dark hideous tunnel into an oasis of peace and light. I gave my heart of Jesus Christ then and there. My body shook uncontrollably as the Lord poured out wave upon wave of His Spirit upon me. I felt so peaceful. This was it what I had been searching for my whole life. A relationship with the living God. Since then the Lord has taken me through many trials and hardships. But I remain firmly anchored in Him. This is because I remember how He rescued me out of the pit of darkness and brought me into His glorious light.

God bless you!

Sergie Subramoney @eagle_high

Proverbs 16:17  The path of the upright leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.

Was Lost... now I'm found

I met this precious girl on both Facebook and Twitter. She is almost 18. So young... yet been thru so much that so many way older won't ever see. Both good and bad. She is one that found Jesus, on her knees for Him- as for others were absolutely tormenting her. And instead of holding it all in- or making some fantasy out of it- she healed in time. In His time. Thru her walk with Him. Reaching out to other kids in other countries suffering as bad, or in her eyes, worse. She found her calling. She may be young- but she is quite mature with the amazing knowledge of how marvelous our Lord works- even in hard times-as we reach to Him. How He lays out His plans He has had for us, before we were born- as we open up to others-- how He more than saved us-- He loved us so much-- He placed us directly on that path He had planned. He woke us up!! And Dear Samantha Morin is very much ALIVE-- as Christ is IN HER!! You can find her on twitter-- she just hopped on recently... @prettyelephants. Now remember, she may have amazing plans thru all the circumstances she went thru-you are about to read about-- but she still is in high school. But travels all over the countries--Russia three times, London, Nicaragua and returning there this summer, along with Mexico. What she went thru doesn't hold her back now-- now that she is on FIRE for our LORD AND SAVIOR-- never let these things hold you back!!! He loves you so much-- with amazing gifts and plans!!

From the 2nd grade to the 8th I was sexually abused and raped by a family member. Just about every single night I knew that family member-no restrictions- was going to come in my room and lock the door behind them. It was so awful. I was too little for it, so he messed up my guts. I was a VERY angry child because of it. I hated my family for not doing anything about it. They all knew it was going on. But they didn’t want to have to break up the family, besides, he had a "really hard life." They didn’t want to judge him even if he was hurting me. Do you know what that does to a little 2nd grader? I felt that I was dirty and not worth anything. For YEARS I believed that. I wasn’t a Christian. So when I went to Middle School and my first year of high school I figured I was already messed up.. why not do what I want. So I hooked up with the wrong group of people and let guys do what they wanted. I just openly kept getting hurt. I figured guys just liked to torture me. But then..I don’t know what happened.. One day I decided I was sick of living like that. Sick of being hurt and being so dirty... So, I left public school. God saved me and I went to HCA that next year. 

That year Josh McDowell came to our school. He made sure that we understood that sexual abuse victims don’t need to be silent. If you told and no one believed you.. tell someone else, so I did. It was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. I told my Bible teacher Lane Ann and it took me at least 45 minutes to spit out the words “I was hurt.” In that year I had learned so many things. One thing I learned was that if I held on to it and never forgave, it wouldn’t hurt the other person, just me. I told her at the end of that year that God completely healed me and that some day I wanted to help little girls who were going through the same thing! Now I was only 16. So I was thinking in my head.. I’m too young. Maybe when I’m 50, God can use me to help someone like that... Uh no. God’s funny about stuff like that!

That summer I went to Russia for the 3rd time and stayed a month. One of the girls I stayed with was being weird. She was so much different then what I remembered. One day it was just me and her in the house. Everyone else left to take my daddy to the air port, so we had the whole day, just the two of us. I started asking her what was wrong... I found myself all the sudden telling my story to her... It was definitely a God thing! She told me she had been raped 3 months before I had gotten there. I didn’t know what to say. I was like.. Really God? Did this really just happen?? I talked her into telling her mommy and she was able to get help. That was cool... But God wasn’t done! The more I told my story the more I figured out that there were a LOT of hurting girls! I learned real fast that I wasn’t the only one. But it was lots! Like 1 in every 3. So God used my story to help girls in my youth group, And then a girl in the band, my Spanish teacher, girls at camp, D-now leaders, Ladies in my church.. they were EVERYWHERE! I figured I could help a lot more if I went to public school. So I left my wonderful Christian school to go back to public. I have been able to share my story and Jesus with a whole lot of people. It is soo amazing! This is my favorite verse! 

2 Cor 1:3-4- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

It is still super hard on me sometimes. I get to thinking about it and one of the hardest things for me is not being a virgin and not being able to give that to my future husband. I tell everyone I want to be a nun.. they think I’m joking.. And, I guess I am-seems how I am a southern baptist. :) But really I can just see me getting married one day and sleeping on the couch for the rest of my life! 

What a testimony-- what a blessing-- what a tool Samantha is thru Christ-- His will for her!! AMEN!! Awesome outlook!!! Blessings to this amazing sweet girl-- as she helps bring more to Him-- out of darkness!!!

Blessings to you all!!! Come share your testimony too!!!

In His Grip,

Heather Siebens -posting amazing testimony for Samantha Morin!

Jason Mitchener--a humble gift from God!!

This is my dear friend Jason Mitchener's testimony... we can only write them to the best we can fit on paper--but WOW--when you visit him more than once, twice, three times... you really see how the Lord has worked, and IS working in Jason's life!!! He reaches out to others left and right-and with that, so many reach back. If only more here in Phoenix, AZ could visit and understand who Jason really is--then you'd understand why I always keep going back!!! We all have such amazing stories, testimonies--and this one sure hits you deep in your heart. He has many many talents-- no matter the fact that he is confined to a wheelchair (that doesn't go any where) fully paralyzed, types miraculously with his mouth, on a ventilator-has been for over a decade... therefore one who is trained how to take care of him if it detaches somehow, or is clogged-knows what to do!! Therefore is tough for him to really get out. He was able to go to the Third Day concert-MAJOR FAN and moderator for them--you'll always hear them dedicate a song to Jason at their concert here in Phoenix. Was great to be able to be there with him... along with our friend @RDBONES too!! As for getting out of his room--room always shared by two. It is a "rehabilitation" center. So most come in--but he will not go out-- sort of like the Hotel California song by The Eagles. He might once every six months-if they have time. His side of the room, as for he has been there since 1991--is jam-packed! We talked this last time that it is sort of like Paul chained in a prison-- he started saying only probably 10x8, not 10x10. I told him with Jason it is more like maybe 2x2 - as for he can't move--at night has to be lied down on the one ear he can hear 15% out of with his hearing aid--the only side he can lay on--and if the ones who don't know how to get him up for the day are there--he can't get up til the next day or so when the nurse that does knows how--but then he sits up with faith at his computer-- enlightening people, writing songs, making art, starting websites... more than most that are not chained to a wheelchair- full use of their hands- don't do! Praise God for his lack of fear! God to his website ( I will put on here so you can see more of what he has done--does--but that is only some.) If you do twitter-- and somehow aren't connected (check his ###) he is @jasonmitchener But talk--and if near by-- go visit-- to get to know the REAL JASON MITCHENER!!

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Apostle Paul writes, “But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”

I'm going to boast about my weaknesses in the hope that you will see some of God's power.

My weakness began over 34 years ago when I was born with a rare neuromuscular disease called hypertrophic interstitial polyneuropathy, or Dejerine-Sottas. I won't go into the medical details except to say that the disease progressively weakens the muscles throughout my entire body. At the age of three, I began using crutches to walk. At fifteen, I started using a wheelchair.

Because I couldn't excel in athletics in school, I put my all into excelling academically. Academics became my whole purpose in high school. I was in several advanced classes and was involved in many extracurricular activities such as Future Business Leaders of America, Mock Trial Team and National Honor Society. I graduated in the top five percent of my class and was chosen by the school principal as the Most Outstanding Male Student.

In the fall of 1988, I began attending Arizona State University studying political science. College was a much different experience for me than high school. In college, I was living on my own for the first time in the dormitory. Whereas in high school I was very popular, in college I felt more like an unknown student among forty thousand other students. One thing that was a comfort zone for me was the ASU Baha'i Club.

For those that don't know anything about the Baha'i Faith, it is a religion founded in Iran in the 1800s. The main foundation of the Baha'i Faith is the belief in progressive revelation. Baha'is believe that God progressively reveals Himself through time by sending different prophets. Baha'is believe there have been nine major prophets, including Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Muhammad, and the founder of the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah. Bahai's teach equality of the races, equality of the sexes and focus on a desire for world peace. I had been a Baha'i all my life.

One day in January of 1989, in my second semester of my freshman year, I noticed an old friend from high school standing near one of the campus organization information tables. As I was speaking to my friend, the people at the table invited me to their weekly meeting. The meeting was for Campus Crusade for Christ. Since I knew one of my friends from the dorm was in Campus Crusade, I decided to go with him to the meeting. I didn't really care for much of what was said at the meeting. I thought the people were a little too fanatical about Jesus Christ. But I liked the music and I got to see an attractive girl named Juliebeth from my American government class.

Every week after this, I would go the Crusade meetings to hear the music and see the girl. I thought they were very noble reasons for attending a religious meeting.

Until the age of nineteen, I had never heard the gospel once. Through Campus Crusade, I finally heard the gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for my sins and that by believing in Him I would not perish but have eternal life. I probably heard the gospel 15-20 times during that semester, either at the meetings or in conversations with my Crusade friends.

When summer came, I still wasn't convinced of the truths of Christianity. A friend gave me two books and asked me to spend some time during vacation reading them and the Bible. The books were "Mere Christianity" by C. S. Lewis and "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell. Both authors wrote that Jesus claimed to be Lord. We can respond to this in one of only three ways: either Jesus was a liar, a lunatic or he was indeed Lord. Lewis and McDowell totally showed the weakness of the liar and lunatic arguments. In June of 1989, when I was reading this in my old bedroom at my family's house, I was only left with one conclusion- JESUS IS LORD! And being Lord, I needed to follow Him. So in my own simple, and at the time, intellectual way I became a Christian.

My first real trial as a Christian came only three weeks later. I came down with pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital. A few days later, I was much worse so they put me in the intensive care unit. As I struggled to breathe, I thought that my life was about to end. Tears ran down my face as I cried out to my newfound Lord, "Lord, I don't understand. I just became a Christian and you're taking my life already?" Not more than a week later, I was much better and back home. Soon, I began to rebuke myself for thinking I was going to die. But when I visited my doctor a month later his first words to me were: "When you were in the intensive care unit, we all thought we were going to lose you." This was only the beginning of God watching over my life.

When I got back to college for my sophomore year, I got very involved with Campus Crusade. I also started attending a church near campus. I was baptized at the church in February of 1990. In my junior year, I joined a small Christian fraternity at ASU and was later elected chaplain. During my years in college, Christian activity was the center of my life. I thought I was a "cream of the crop" Christian, but as I look back on it now I know that I lacked a serious, personal walk with God.

In December of 1991, I thought I knew God's will for my life. I planned on starting a performing arts ministry. This ministry would have singers, musicians, dancers and actors that would travel sharing the gospel. At the time it was just a dream but I sincerely thought it was God's will for my future. I started down this road by writing a play adaptation of a short story. My church decided to do this short play for Christmas and people volunteered to act in it. I was going to be the narrator and director. We had our first read-through of the play which went very well.

I never was able to do the play though because the night of the read-through I started having difficulty breathing. The next morning I was admitted to Maricopa County Hospital for pneumonia. Three days later I was rushed to the intensive care unit because I couldn't breathe at all. Doctors hooked me up to a ventilator through my nose. Over the next few days, I tried to wean off the ventilator but had no success. If the tube stayed in my nose much longer, I would have had major infection so I had a tracheotomy surgery performed. In this surgery, the surgeon cut a hole in my throat just below my vocal cords and then put the ventilator tubing through this hole.

After a few weeks in the hospital, I was transferred to Bryans Extended Care Center on Christmas Day. I often joke that I was the Bryans Center Christmas gift that year. And I'm sure several staff members wanted to exchange that gift. Over the next few months I tried to wean off the ventilator but I couldn't do it.

When I first was put on the ventilator, I totally gave up on God for six months. I never prayed. I never read my Bible. I watched television 14-16 hours a day. I didn't want to die, but I didn't want to live either.

The Apostle Paul often describes the Christian life as a race. When I was put on the ventilator, it was as if a hurdle was put on the racetrack in front of me. God would have given me power to jump over this hurdle, but I listened to Satan's deceiving voice telling me I couldn't jump over the hurdle and should just give up the race. I gave up and fell flat on my face in the dirt. My Christian friends would visit me and try to encourage me as if saying "Jason, get up. The finish line is still ahead." I would ignore them because I was tired of running. One day God spoke to my heart and said, "Get up and run. The finish line is ahead." I answered, "God, you don't understand. I have a forty-pound ventilator on my back. How do you expect me to get up, let alone run?" God said in a gentle voice, "Jason, all you have to do is reach out your hand and I'll help you up."

Praise God, I listened and started the Christian race again. In September of 1992, I shared my testimony at my Southern Baptist church, Church on Mill. In the testimony, I spoke to those that were still running in the Christian race, those that had fallen somewhere along the track, and those that were still in the grandstands and had not yet entered the Christian race. We had an altar call afterward and at least one young lady responded. I watched as a deacon prayed with her and streams of tears ran down her face. To this day, I don't know who that young lady is or why she needed prayer, but I rejoice knowing my testimony may have ministered to her, that God showed His power in my weakness.

After the service, there was a long line of people wanting to talk to me. Five of these people, including the pastor, asked if I ever thought of becoming a preacher. I answered that God would have to call me first. That night, I pondered these Christians' words and decided to seek the Lord on the matter. A few weeks later I was reading my Bible and two verses seemed as if they jumped off the page. Now, I often say that it was as if God had taken a highlighter pen and highlighted the verses for me. I had read these verses before but now God was speaking them to my heart in such a way that was no less real than an audible voice from the clouds.

The verses are in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 …

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort; Who gives us comfort in all our troubles, so that we may be able to give comfort to others who are in trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

God was telling me that day: "Jason, I comforted you in your time of suffering. Now, it is your responsibility to go comfort others with that same comfort." God gave me the call to preach, but at the time I wasn't given any more details.

Shortly before Resurrection Sunday in 1994, the staff at my care center asked if I would hold a Resurrection Day service for my fellow patients, many of whom could not get out to church. After praying about it and asking my friend Mathew if he would lead the singing I agreed. We had 35 people attend that service. We sang several hymns and I preached for about twenty minutes. The service went so well that we were asked to do church services every Sunday morning.

God had opened up a ministry for me, without any work on my part. In fact, I was a little confused at first because at the time my devotional life wasn't that great. God later showed me that He opened the door during my weakness so I could fully know that He started the ministry for His purposes and that His power would be shown despite my weakness.

I held services at my care center for almost five years, until the point where I felt called to attend church, rather than lead church. Through the services at the care center, God enabled me to minister to those that were hurting physically, emotionally, and spiritually. People saw me in my wheelchair and breathing through a ventilator tube but still preaching about the love of God. My physical weakness became a strength as people realized they too could have the joy of God, no matter the circumstances.

In January of 1998, my friend Mathew had found a way to get me to his church for some special meetings with a visiting preacher named Joe Tindall. Joe spoke on the subject of being lost. He preached about the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son. The Holy Spirit was convicting me throughout the sermon. For several months prior to this, I had allowed my walk with the Lord to almost virtually disappear. I would still preach on Sundays, but without a good walk with my Lord my sermons had no power. After the sermon, Mathew gave an altar call as we sang a hymn. Throughout the hymn, my flesh wrestled with God for control of my soul. My flesh seemed to be winning. The Spirit led Mathew to lead us in another hymn, "Rock of Ages." When we sang the words "foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die," God had won the wrestling match. When we finished the hymn, I spoke words similar to these before the congregation: "I'm foul and I want to fly to the fountain. Even though I preach every Sunday my heart isn't where it should be."

I praise the Lord that His fountain was available for me that night.

Over the last few years, I have focused on writing devotional messages which I send through an e-mail list This led to my devotional book “Just Passing Through: Notes from a Fellow Traveler” It is amazing how God uses the trials of my daily experiences to minister to others. I am blessed when my readers share how they were touched by something I wrote. And I'm thankful that God is using my weakness to show His power.



We all have weaknesses, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual. God's power can be shown in our weakness if we allow Him to work through us.

http://www.jasonmitchener.com/

http://www.causes.com/ventaz

Located at: http://www.northmountain.net/contact.html

Is usually awake about 10/11 am--about 3 am.... Would love to see you!!

Blessings to you all!!