Thankfulness is a verb

True thankfulness is a verb; producing worshipful actions that represent the deepest level of respect and admiration for the LORD.   For me achieving the slightest degree of reverence and awe came when I realized the LORD God does not need me.  There is nothing I can offer in the flesh that could remotely improve the movements of God.  In fact my sin is what put Jesus Christ on the cross to be brutally murdered.  His blood does not demand vengeance for sin, but screams out grace and mercy.  God does not need me, He wants me.  God does not need you, He wants you.  Be thankful for this encounter with Jesus Christ and let it produce a righteous response called worship; in this we can truly express thanks.

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe

God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving to all our American Friends and Family.  

#Thanksgiving #God #Jesus #Bible #Christian #worship #Grace #Mercy

A True Story of HOPE and INSPIRATION:

A True Story of HOPE and INSPIRATION:  it will take a few minutes to read, but well worth the time.  Your will be glad you read it!

Imagine if you will for a moment; being a prisoner not by bars, but imprisoned by conditions beyond your control.  For many this is not hard to imagine at all.  There are so many people held captive by mental and physical illnesses in this world today.  They keep us from living normal and productive lives.  They prevent us from quality of life physically, emotionally, relationally, and even spiritually.  

Many of these situations can be managed if appropriate medical treatment is sought and adhered to.  Think about having a disease that ravages your mind and body that has no hope, no treatment, and no cure.  A disease that does not take your life away in a matter of a few short weeks, months or even years; but one taking decades.

Ten years ago my wife, Carri, was diagnosed with such a disease; Huntington’s Chorea.  This disease affects the mind, body and nervous system.  It is often compared to having a combination of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS and mental psychosis.  This particular disease destroys the brains ability to control negative emotions and produce positive ones.  Imagine a mind that is controlled by negative emotions and thoughts such as depression, anger, rage, fear, obsession, paranoia, and anxiety. Imagine not being able to form the right words or stay mentally focused.  Imagine not having the ability to control your body’s muscles; causing you to move uncontrollably, choke and aspirate frequently.  Imagine a disease so horrific that many end their own lives by suicide, families are destroyed and friendships broken forever. Imagine a disease that causes the people closest to you to abandon you.  Imagine a disease when diagnosed by a doctor is like hearing this; “I’m so sorry, there is nothing anyone can do for you, you have Huntington’s Chorea…. This will be Hell for you, your family and your friends.  I’m giving you twenty to thirty years to suffer with this monster.”

This was never an imagination for us; it became our reality on December 19, 2005.  On that day, we made the second most important decision of our lives.  The most important decision was made years earlier to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.  This day we made the decision He was our LORD!  We refused to allow Huntington’s Chorea to become our prison bars and chains.  We knew Jesus Christ is LORD and there is nothing that can separate us from His great grace and unending mercy.  This world had nothing to offer; no amount of strength or energy of our own could ever save us.  

We learned very quickly that the fruits of the Holy Spirit; (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) were exactly that; fruits of the Holy Spirit.  These fruits could never truly be a product of one’s own mind, by the relief of any symptoms or even by a cure.  It is in accepting Jesus Christ as LORD and living that way that the Holy Spirit produces these fruits in our lives.  

Upon being diagnosed, Carri made a bucket list for her life.  On that list was a foreign mission trip, run a half marathon, and visit the Holy Land in Israel.

We surrendered our lives to the faithfulness and obedience to our LORD.  As a result we have traveled the world domestically and internationally serving in the mission field.  We have been serving faithfully in youth and children’s ministry.  We have done our best to be obedient to the call of being the hands and feet of Christ by serving others, meeting needs and proclaiming the gospel of salvation.  I even accepted the call to ministry and was ordained on Easter Sunday 2011.  

Our battle has never been easy, but it has never been without joy and hope.  Carri had a few good years physically, emotionally and cognitively.  However Huntington’s disease still took its toll.  Carri was suffering from uncontrolled muscle movements, emotional and cognitive hardships, frequent choking and aspiration.  She was no longer able to work as a nurse in the ways she longed for. 
Remember the bucket list?  Well about 5 years ago Carri lost all hope of ever being able to run the half marathon; the physical effects of Huntington’s Chorea had taken enough toll on her body to end that dream.   Carri was at the point that even short moderate hikes were no longer a consideration.   

In February of 2014 the Lord brought something into our lives.  This was not something we ever imagined, nor would we have ever considered if it had not been our desperate situation.  Friends of ours from church shared with us a product called LIMU.  It was an all organic all natural nutritional product made of brown seaweed; full of nutrients our bodies so desperately need.  After some very skeptical research, we realized we could not afford not to give it a try.  

The last thing I want to do is to take away from what the LORD has done in our lives.  He is our hope and we give Him all the praise for bringing us something that He created.  

Carri has not been cured of Huntington’s Chorea by any means.  

Our prayer has always been that the LORD God will take our suffering and bring glory and honor to His great name.  We have always wanted our story to inspire others to trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and LORD.  

On November 21, 2015 Carri crossed the VICTORY line after running the White River Half Marathon for Kenya in Cotter Arkansas along the beautiful White River.  

Our prayer is this; “LORD, take our lives and use our sufferings to reveal your grace and mercy to the world around us.  Proclaim your great name in and through us, revealing the kind of hope only you can provide.  Use us to lead others into salvation; that they may give their lives to you.  In Jesus name we pray, amen.”
The pictures are of Carri crossing not a finish line; but a VICTORY line in Christ Jesus name!  

Consider this scripture and its truth of how the LORD can set you free!

Psalm 119:25-32   I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. 26 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. 27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. 28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. 29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.

#HOPE #INSPIRATION #Huntingtonsdisease #HuntingtonsChorea#HD #marathon #VICTORY #Jesus #LORD #God #mentalillness#illness #disease #hopeless