November 9, 2006
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Being thankful for God’s grace and mercy is the Heartbeat topic of the week.
I don’t know where to begin. Tonight I had tears in my eyes when we were singing
“I sing your praises forever, deeper in love with you. Here in your courts where I’m close to your throne, I’ve found where I belong. You are holy, holy, Lord there is none like you. You are holy, holy, glory to you my Lord.”
I am finally beginning to believe these lyrics, and am in awe of God who loved me so much to pursue me for 40 years when I rebelled and hated Him so deeply. God did not give up on me and in His mercy and grace He sent people into my life to plant seeds that one day would sprout.
I am most grateful that God sent Pastor Don into my life. This man spent two years counseling with me, helping me sort out my past and come to a point where I finally realized that I needed God in my life. It took a lot of patience to deal with all the issues that I had and all the brokenness that I brought into our talks. He helped me to break free from the bondage of the occult and from the bondage of my past. Although, when I thank him for his time with me, he points out that it is God who did the liberating, not Pastor Don. One time he told me that I spent most of my life waiting for the other shoe to drop and he would not drop the other shoe. He hasn’t in the six years that I have known him. It was through his love and gentleness that I could finally comprehend God’s love. I am thankful for godly pastors who so lovingly guide their sheep, but at the same time will bring correction when necessary.
I am also grateful that God is restoring what the locusts ate in my life. That what satan meant for harm God turned to good. Now God is beginning to use me to reach out to others who are hurting, and letting me share His love with others. If you would have told me six years ago that God would have healed all the hurts of my past, that I would come to a point of trusting God, and feeling forgiveness for my abusers, I would have laughed at you. Yet God has done all that and more. The path hasn’t been easy, and I am still dealing with stuff, but one thing I trust beyond anything – God is there with me helping me to deal with the stuff. I am not alone. I am so thankful that God gave me the mercy of forgiveness and the grace (which comes with the empowerment) to do what He wants me to do.
Heather
Comments (19)
Oh, Heather, I rejoice in all that our wondrous, gracious, and merciful Lord has done in your precious life. I have been blessed in the short time I have “known” you through this wonderful world of xanga to have witnessed you blossoming in so many ways! You are such a blessing to me…And I am sure to many, many others! With much love and many prayers, Paula
thank you for sharing. you are such a blessing.
Me too. I receive so much from you. Thank you for being brave.
I like that song, it reminds me what I truly belong.
Good to hear your testimony! More of God’s love and blessings to you!
AMEN !!!
It is just like the Lord to take our mess and turn it into our message !!!
Hallelujah !!!
Big HUGZ !!!
Amen, Heather!!!! As they used to say on tv, “You’ve come a long way, baby!!!” and all the glory to God.
I have loved watching you develop/mature. It has been a blessing, Heather!!!! and I am so glad you have Pastor Don.
love u…..
I am grateful that you present truth and love through the gospel and don’t go into pychology as many others do. God’s Word has such a healing power, I’m glad you have allowed it to work in your life and that you are now using it to work in other’s lives.
that’s great!
have another wonderful day!
Bryan
Your so wonderfuly honest….you are perfect for reaching out to others hurting. It does take patients from loving poeple to bring us around. Its the blunt in your face that turns some away and for good. Your pastor sounds like a really wonderful man of God
I pray I can be like that to others
RYC:— how loud can the Turkeys get?? We get woodpeckers and man are they loud
I do thank God for bringing you into the family due to you are such an encouragement as you post. Pastor Don and others invest in you as you in turn invest in us! If we grow up in a church we can still miss the message that God wants to hear also and just go through the motions and where that will lead. Praise God you answered his call to your life and continue to seek God and share what you learn with others.
Heather, I can’t say enough how much this post speaks to me. I thank God daily for… well… everything! LOL. He is the awesome-est awesome that ever awesomed!
Have a great rest of the week!
Steve
One of our Heart Beat sisters is in need of urgent prayer: A baby is in danger. Her name is Faith Liberty and she is three weeks from her delivery date. Her mother, Michelle, tested positive today for toxoplasmosis, a blood/parasite infection that can attack the baby’s organs.
Michelle’s site is coolmomofeight. Faith Liberty is number nine.
You make me think of the song,”Forever”, His love Endures Forever.”Hope you have a Great Friday!…..In Christ’s Love….Monic
Heather
Hello dear Great post glad to see our God Is a great GOd and one that will bring you through the fire and refine you and shine you to a glorious shine. One that the whole world will see. May God be with you always
What a great revelation! I have a 10 year hole in my life when I turned my back on God. I am continually amazed at who He has helped me become! May you move from glory to glory!
PTL for those special servants of God & HIS grace who with love, gentleness, & strength make a difference in others’ lives. I have often heard you share this about Pastor Don, and join you in praising God for his ministry in your life! To God be the glory! ~ Love in Christ~ Carolyn
Heather, This was one of your most powerful posts.What a great testimony of what God has done for you in your life.This brings to Him the real Glory of Who He is, And the Love and Power that is God.And How He Continues To woo us and reach into our depths and work in us til the bondage is broken ,til we learn as long as we are hurting inside and need Him He doesn’t give up But sends His message and your story tells it so well. This is the Gospel that is to be given the world Amen and Amen This is the Glory of our Father. and His love for us even when we are most unlovable,and how He can change us so dramatically.Changed lives is the proof that there there is a God, And He is a Good Loving Caring God by the character of the new life.still being worked in and on.As they give their testimonies like this Heather….Beautifully done Thankful for your place here in xanga we are all hopefully growing and learning “more more about Jesus” He is not done with the cleaning up yet with any of us But we know who we are and we know and worship who He is . While we still yet are learning to submit to His will in all things. love and hugs
Have you read the book it hurts to heal? I can’t remember the author’s name but it surely speaks of your life. Your life is a testimony of God’s amazing grace, love and power. I don’t know you but it shows how much you love God and how wonderfully you are being used by Him.
With love, erika
What a wonderful testimony to God your life is. The freeness you share your wounds and struggles and how God has made good out of them is a blessing to all who read your site. Thanks for your persistence in pursuing God’s nudgings. I can only nod in agreement of God’s awesome ways. The details of my story are different yet the same. God took the pieces and gently created stepping stones that led me to healing and wholeness. This morning in church we say “How Great Thou Art”…..Ain’t that the truth !!! Have a blessed day. : )