Cancer.......the one word that can strike fear into the strongest of people. Janelle faced cancer at the young age of 34 and she was left feeling broken........But GOD!!!! Please share this video with your friends because chances are.....if we don't get cancer......someone we know will! May God bless you 03/21/2013: Janelle Hailhttp://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/janelle-hail/
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As I watched this video, there was one very profound statement that Tommy made......and I paraphrase: If you want to be successful like Christ.......then you must live and do as Christ did! Wow.......we want to see lives saved, we want to see the sick healed, we want to live in victory.......but what are we doing to accomplish these things? Are we living a life that reflects that of Christ? These are my questions.....not Tommys, but I implore you to watch this video and to share it with all those you know! May God bless you!
03/20/2013: Tommy Bowden http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/tommy-bowden/ Earthly things and earthly success do not equate to success in the eyes of God. Only through the Lord Jesus can we truly be successful! Joy and peace are the trademarks of Christ in our lives. Please share this video.......there is someone who needs to hear it! May God bless you!!!!!
03/19/2013: Landry Jones http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/landry-jones/ There are people that cross paths in you life that you will never remember.......and some you will never forget. Jimmy is one of those special people that I will never forget! Jimmy was a student at Loganville High School when I was there subbing and my two oldest children were attending. As a matter of fact, he graduated with Candice. The one thing I remember most about Jimmy is that he truly fit in with just about anybody. Jimmy was, and is, a sports fanatic! If you have any sports question......I think he would be the one to go to! Jimmy had such a beautiful and humble heart that was filled with dedication and hard work. Jimmy was not a trouble maker, if anything he was.....and is a peace maker. I am so proud of how he has allowed God to use his life for Gods glory! God is still molding and making him into the likeness of Christ........and it shows! Please share this testimony with your family and friends! You never know, there could be a teenage fella who needs to hear that it is ok to stand out for what he believes in Christ! He may need to hear that God 03/18/2013: Jimmy Hughes This is the story of a dude…who cried a river and drowned the whole…yeah that song doesn't really make sense when you change the wording. Great piece of nostalgia from early 2000. But, seriously, this is MY story: Let’s set the record straight: I've never been what the world would consider a “bad” person. Most testimonies, commentaries, and stories revolve around a person who stumbles routinely, finds God, then turns their life around. I can’t say that’s my story. If I did, it’d certainly be a lie. The point of my story is to show that yes, God turns lives around of those who are completely lost and in need of a desperate change, but He also is there for the “good kids”, too! If not for an older lady named Ms. Griswell, I probably would not be saved, and I certainly would not have been blessed beyond belief. I was playing in the neighborhood with my friends when I was about 11. I’m sure it was either baseball in the front yard or roller hockey…I don’t recall which. Anyway, this lady was going door to door inviting people to church. (As an aside, why don’t people do this as much anymore? Not the door to door thing, but actually inviting people to church? Rant over.) She handed me a business card promoting Victory Baptist Church, mentioned the great youth group, and even said that a man named Nick Harmon would even come by in a van and pick me up. Wow, what an opportunity! Of course, my parents were hesitant, at first. However, after a month of probing and begging, I finally convinced them to let me go to church. I was hooked. My first experience at youth church involved a “crazy man” running down the aisle with a big container of Double Bubble gum and just throwing pieces every which way. He then told a couple of clean jokes and I was keeled over in laughter. Then, he taught a story about a man who died on the cross to forgive me of the wrong that I had done in my life. He taught me about how if I believed in this dude, that I could spend my life in Heaven when I died. This was a foreign concept to me. I knew that if I was “good”, I’d go to Heaven, but I’d go to Hell if I was bad. I didn't know that if I asked a person to come into my heart, which couldn't be possible, that I could be forgiven. How could a person live in my heart? Anyway, these doubts and questions were answered, and I accepted Jesus’ offer of salvation. Brother Derick Lawrence, I will always be grateful for teaching me about Jesus. I owe most of my development as a Christian to your teaching, your love, and your passion for sharing the Gospel with young people. These traits have carried forward as the Senior Pastor. Again, thank you. Moving into high school, I always considered myself to be in the “in” crowd. I got along with pretty much everyone, but primarily hung out with my baseball teammates. I was “on fire” for the Lord, and even witnessed to my friends during lunch. Some would call me at home and thank me for having the courage to do such a thing, while others would laugh and scoff. Somewhere along the way, probably in the middle of my senior year, something just changed. I noticed my friends that I had hung out with since I was 10 or 11 playing baseball simply weren’t there like they used to be. I wasn’t spending time outside of school or practice with them. My friends were disappearing, and I wasn’t comfortable with that. I wound up holding everything in, and it’s probably something that still kills me to this day. I still struggle in meeting new people, especially women. I lack the confidence to get it done…hey, I couldn’t keep friends in high school, how can I do it now, ya know? It turns out that this was probably a blessing, as many of my teammates were heavy drinkers and involved in activities that I shouldn’t have been involved with. I loved (and still love) those guys like brothers, but did not approve of that lifestyle, at the time. Please don’t misunderstand this as judging them, but a sign that God was looking out for me when things could have taken a turn for the worse. I know that I don’t have as many close friends as I should. Christianity was never meant to be easy, and it’s a constant battle and struggle where Satan tries to get after me. It’s a battle that I’m fighting this year. I want close people in my life. I want a “best friend” again. It isn’t fun, but God’s working and stirring in that department. While in college, I coached a little league baseball team during my freshman year. I met a fellow competitor named Jim Carpenter. There was something about that guy. He was quirky, different, active, and at the time I thought he was just plain weird. When I found out he was a pastor, I refused to believe it. How could someone that fun-loving and happy all the time be a pastor? He asked me if I had a church to attend while at school, and invited me to Compass Church. Compass has guided my life since I started school at the University of Georgia. I have met people there who have developed me into being a better person and a better follower of Christ. Men like Bryan Rose, Wesley Odum, Chase McKissick, Matt Ammons, and other leaders that I know I’m forgetting have challenged me in my actions and thoughts. Without their guidance, I’m not sure where I would be or where I would be going. I miss the old warehouse building and the atmosphere, but the memories of that place and serving under their leadership simply will never be forgotten, and probably provide a foundation for the story. In June of 2011, I accepted the head varsity baseball coaching and middle school social studies positions in McCormick, South Carolina. God wanted me to get away and do “something different” with His calling in my life. It was different being away from “home”, to say the least. It was weird not having my Compass family around me, nevertheless my own. It was weird being a different demographic and color than the students and community I was serving. However, God did amazing things. We established the first FCA program at the middle and high school, where several students would eventually find Christ. My students scored higher on standardized tests in social studies than the school had seen. Without sounding selfish, my kids loved me. They still love me, and the feeling is mutual. There was a lot of time invested last year, and I thank God for placing those students in my life. They needed a male presence, and needed someone who actually cared about them. In many of their cases, I was probably the only adult who spoke worth and value into them. Most came from broken homes and families, with 93% of them on free or reduced lunches. Sadly, on March 25th of last year, I found out that there simply would not be enough funding for my position. I could have stayed on, but would not have made enough money to even make anything possible. I had to let go of something I had built, and still get chills when I visualize my students crying when I broke the news. It wasn’t a fun place, and I felt extremely lonely. I eventually moved back home, where I couldn’t find a teaching or coaching gig for the 2012-2013 school year. After a short while, I wound up starting grad school with Concordia University, an online Master’s program. I can graduate in December, and God has truly blessed me with such an opportunity. It was here where I realized that God is the ultimate shoulder to lean on. Deuteronomy 31:6 says that He will never leave us or forsake us. This goes for ALL circumstances of life. I learned that He has a better plan and a better future for me. I’m still learning this process, and need accountability on this every day. I know there’s more to my story. The pages and chapters are still to be written, and I’ve given God the pen and paper. I am willing to make my life a blank canvas, and let Him do the painting, the writing, coloring, drawing, etc. May God Bless You! "We throw away broken things.......but God uses broken things." This is a quote from David Ring that just gave me a new perspective immediately! There are some testimonies that leave you happy, some that leave you in awe, some that make you cry, and some that take your breath away......This one was all of the above! My eyes are still streaming.......my heart is still in awe of the mighty God we serve! Oh please share this testimony with your friends! This one is so needed because at times we all feel broken.......oh what a blessing this one is! May God bless you and ALL who hear this testimony!
03/17/2013: David Ring http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/david-ring/ “My life wasn't an accident.” This is what Joe Gibbs says in this I Am Second video. I know that in my life, I have had times when I have wondered what God was thinking when He created me.......what wrong thinking! Each and every one of us are here for a PURPOSE! Please share this video with your friends and family for I know that I am not the only one who has ever felt this way! May God Bless you!!!!
03/16/2013: Joe Gibbs http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/joe-gibbs/ OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS ONE!!!!! This is one incredible testimony from Sujo John. You talk about God having a plan for someones life! Sujo is a 9/11 Survivor. Please share this testimony......it is absolutely a reminder of hard times, but also that there is victory in the Name of Jesus! May God bless you!
03/15/2013: Sujo John http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/sujo-john/ There are a few things in life that we cannot escape......hurt, pain, and death. If you are human, you will experience these things! Jack grew up in a wonderful home with very happy memories, and yet he could not escape the things that I mentioned first..........BUT GOD! Please watch this video........share this video, it is a powerful testimony of forgiveness, even in the midst of a horrific crime. May God bless you!
03/14/2013: Jack Graham http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/jack-graham/ Broken home...........broken heart.......broken mindset. Victoria turned to the one thing she thought she could control.......yet it controlled her. Cutting is an outlet that is far more common than most people know. It is the one thing you can usually hide and keep others from finding out..........but it is just as destructive! Please share this video with those you love.........for you never know what could be hidden from sight.........and they feel all alone. May God bless you and all who watch this video!
03/13/2013: Victoria Childress http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/victoria-childress/ We serve such an amazing God! Just over two years ago, I met this amazing woman through the Band that I manage. Shannon has such a beautiful heart, and a beautiful testimony! Please feel free to share this with your friends and your family for you never know who may need to hear what God has given Shannon to share! 03/12/2013: Shannon Cox Newton Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today, come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Amen. ~Author Unknown I was 5 years old, and the children at our church had been learning a new song. I remember sitting on the vanity beside the bathroom sink of my home as my mom taught me this song. She then proceeded to tell me the meaning of the song in a way that even a 5-year-old could understand. I felt the need to ask Jesus to come into my heart, and my mom helped me do that. No fancy speech was prepared, and no party took place that day………except the party that was going in Heaven as the angels rejoiced! (Luke 15:10) A few years later, I followed the scriptures in water baptism and began listening more intently at church, as well as attending church camp every summer. One particular summer when I was 14 years old, I remember making a commitment to The Lord that, with His help and guidance, I would live a pure and holy life before Him. My high school and college years were spent serving God and singing for Him every chance I got. Just a few months after I graduated from college, I got married. Less than 3 years later, I had broken the commitment I made to my Lord. I was not living a pure and holy life before Him. I had made many bad choices, and the marriage ended in 2001. Many heartaches followed, both in my heart and in the hearts of those who love me. In 2009, The Lord got my attention through a Bible study I was doing with the ladies at my church. It is a Beth Moore study titled “When Godly People Do Ungodly Things.” This study ripped me apart and caused me to be completely broken before The Lord. I remember one of Beth Moore’s statements resonating so strongly in my heart. She said “Am I still considered a ‘fake’ if the person I profess to be at church is the person I really want to be?” That was the cry of my heart……… I longed to be that Godly woman I pretended to be in front of fellow church members, but I was deceived into believing it was too late for me. Through this study, The Lord revealed to me that He could see my heart and that, although my lifestyle and my actions did not always line up with His Word, He was not finished with me yet. He was going to grant me those desires in my heart if I would turn my life back over to Him and surrender completely. I did surrender, and just like in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15, the Father welcomed me with loving arms back into His presence. Through many sleepless nights and many tears, God performed an amazing surgery on my heart (Ezekiel 36:26) through this study and through His powerful Word. In July 2010, I was baptized in water once again, as a sign of my rededication to The Lord, and as a “renewing” of the vow I had made to Him 20 years earlier at church camp. This past Sunday, the pastor at my home church made a statement that sums up so much of my life: God’s grace is greater than our disobedience. During that same worship service, we sang a song with these lyrics: “I still remember the day You saved me, the day I heard You call out my name.” In that moment, as we sang this powerful song, The Lord reminded me of that day almost 32 years ago when He called my name as my mom explained to me what it meant to ask Jesus into your heart. And He assured me that His hand has been on me ever since that day, through all the mess and all the mistakes. Even then, He looked into the future and knew where I would be today, serving The Lord alongside a Godly husband who is a youth minister, and trying to follow God’s leading in every part of our lives. Yes, in December 2012, I was given in marriage (by The Lord) to the Godly man I had been praying for. My husband often reminds me that God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) and that He makes all things new (Revelation 21:5). Yes, He makes ALL things NEW! He has given me a NEW LIFE and a NEW PURPOSE, and He will complete the work He began in me so many years ago. (Philippians 1:6) Be encouraged that our God is in the restoration business, and no life is too far gone……. He doesn't want to simply make you better, He wants to make you brand NEW! If you need NEW LIFE, let me invite you to visit the Potter’s house where He does not throw the clay away, but instead He remolds each vessel into something NEW. (Jeremiah 18) ~ Shannon Cox Newton |
AuthorI am a wife, mother, and best of all.......a Honeygram! I love the Lord with all my heart and I long to do HIS Will. He has set me on a path and I am ready, willing, and able to follow it.....come what may! Archives
February 2014
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