Category: Testimony

25 years! A look back, a look ahead

25 years! A look back, a look ahead

Carolyn

One of the reasons I started this blog back in 2008 was to have a place to store “stones of remembrance” in our lives. As my blog has become more public over the years, I often hold back from doing that and miss keeping a record as originally intended.

In this, my 25th wedding anniversary year, it seems fitting to write a post to give thanks to God for my husband and to remember this year. This particular year was one we couldn’t have imagined, and yet contained so many life and faith lessons. Many of these things I’ve learned by watching my husband. Read more →

My Testimony: His Strength in My Weakness

My Testimony: His Strength in My Weakness

Carolyn

Have you ever wondered if you matter?

Have you ever wondered if you can be sure that you are “saved” (rescued from sin by Christ’s death and resurrection) and have eternal life?

Those were questions that plagued me for most of my life.

In December, I was invited to give my testimony.  It was recorded, and I share it below.

I would far prefer to write. Public speaking takes me out of my comfort zone. In fact, I told my husband on the way over it felt like I was going to surgery!

The title for my testimony was “His Strength in My Weakness” which I again experienced that night. That truth (from 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)—and that we live this life by the power of His Spirit working in us—is my life song. Weakness is my platform. That’s really all I have to bring—nothing in me, all in Christ.

At my husband’s encouragement, I’m sharing it here. This is not an easy thing to do. I offer it with only a desire to point to Jesus, and a prayer that it might somehow be used for His glory.

Highlights from the Week

Highlights from the Week

Carolyn

Just need a place to capture some encouragements from this week.

I was invited to share my testimony at Koinonia House National Ministries‘ Radical Time Out (RTO). RTO is a weekly dinner and Bible study. It was humbling and such a gift to share. My mom, husband, and friends gathered at the end to pray. This was a special time I pray God uses for His glory. So much is represented in this picture to me, more than I can describe. My heart is full. Thank you, Lord, for being my strength in weakness.

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Then this song has ministered to me this week. I don’t want to forget.

Then lastly, these verses offer me hope, encouragement to trust in the Lord for the coming days even as I wait on Him. He gives strength to the weary, new strength to those who wait, trust, and hope in Him.

Isaiah 40:28-31:

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

Ten Years!

Carolyn

Ten years ago, God drew me to Himself in a way I hadn’t known before. I wrote this seven years ago, but link to it here today as I remember with thankfulness the work God has done and continues to do in my life. Thank you, Lord! The journey with you is full of true joy!

 

Verses for the Day – Romans 12:1-2

Carolyn

I found a slip of paper this morning in my Bible. It’s been there for a number of years, though I don’t often look at it. There were some notes on it that I wrote down one time when I had to give a brief testimony years ago.

It said, “What drew me to God?”

And I had written, “The Word and His Spirit.” Then I explained with this sentence, “Started with diligent study [of the Word] and led to His supernatural invasion [by His Spirit].”

That pretty much sums it up. I remember moving in 2002 to where we live now and starting Bible studies that took me to study the Bible each day. It was regular, it was consistent. I was learning and growing. There wasn’t anything earth-shattering or emotional. It was just consistent, deliberate study of the Bible every day.

Over time, God’s Word began to take root in my life, and He by the power of His Spirit made all that I had studied and was studying come alive to me. Indescribable joy and blessing followed.

The Lord showed me that if I loved Him, I would obey Him (1 John 5:3). But I wouldn’t obey Him and His Word if I didn’t really believe Him. These things (faith, love, obedience) were all connected.

My faith and belief in God would lead me to obey Him which would show my love for Him, and that would lead to blessing.

FAITH leads to—-> OBEDIENCE which shows my —–> LOVE for God, which ultimately brings —-> BLESSING and great JOY.

Maybe it sounds complex, It’s not. This is why I encourage you to read the Bible because that’s where truth is and that’s where these things will begin to grow. You may not see it or feel it at the start, but you keep doing it because you believe that it matters and that it changes you. And God by His Spirit will do the work.

I end this post this morning with two verses from Romans 12:1-2. I looked up the word “beseech” at the beginning, and it means beg eagerly, implore urgently.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

PRAYER: Father, we see that transformation comes by the renewing of our minds. As we renew our minds in Your Word and truth, our lives are changed by the power of Your Spirit and Your Word, leading to joyful hearts and great blessing. Help us today to believe You and that these things are true, to obey You, to love You, to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.