First I want to send a shout out to my nephew Cade Ashton. Hes a senior in HS and he spoke at our church today. The spirit was very strong as he spoke. He is such an example to everyone he knows because he doesnt just talk the talk, he actually walks the walk. What I mean is that he lives his life according to the standards of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and people take notice. They take enough notice to stop and ask him why he lives the way he lives, and he is able to answer because he has taken the time to study the scriptures and he knows and loves the Lord. He is able to answer them by sharing his personal testimony in Jesus Christ. He lets his light shine bright by choosing to live righteosly when many of his friends around him choose to live much lower standards. I want him to know that he makes following the Lord seem awesome and cool because the light that is in him shines bright and his inner peace and happiness shine through. I know that following the Lords way IS THE AWESOME AND COOL THING TO DO!!! Thank you Cade Ashton for standing up today and speaking with confidence and sincerity. You should know that you make me and all those who know you want to be a better person and that my friend is COOL!!! I will also send a shout out to MR. Noah Bean...He is one of Cade's best friends, he also spoke in church today. He spoke of the love he has for his older brother who is out on a two yr mission inviting others to come unto Christ. He also spoke of his personal testimony in Jesus Christ. I want Noah to know that his example is powerful and he too makes it the cool thing to do to choose the right in all you do, and that my friend is COOL!!! Mr Cade Ashton and Mr Noah Bean you are a true soldiers in Gods army, I love you both!!!!
I also want to share a little about my day on Fri. Oct 18th. I was assigned to attend a training at the prison in Huntsville Texas. I am about to start a practicum at the prison in preperation to becoming a licensed chemical dependency counselor. I just want to say that just going into a prison helped me to appreciate my freedom. Im hoping to somehow get the message across that our freedom is very precious and sacred. Im hoping that somehow you will think about what it would be like to be locked up in a prison amd then somehow appreciate your frredom that much more. I know for me it helped me to appreciate my freedom and family on a deeper level. When we have something taken away from us all of the sudden it is that much more precious. I think we can learn to use our minds to appreciate what we have without having it taken away. I think my sisters blog thenotsoordinaryangels.blogspot.com does a good job at helping us realize that life is a gift and it is sacred and precious. I would reccomend that blog to everyone.
So while I was there in the prison surrounded by inmates in white jump suits I realized that we all make mistakes in life and can easily wind up in prison. The Captian spoke of a 26 yr old guy who was in his office the other day explaing that prison is no place for him. The Captain was explaining that somewhere along the way this young man lost his way and his choices landed him in prison. The Captain took the opportuinity to teach this young man that their is a better way and that he can change. That he can choose to cherish his freedom and live a full life outside of prison. I was reminded once again just how precious our freedom really is.
I attended my nephew Cade Ashtons HS football game Fri night and as I listened to the sounds of freedom and family I was overwhelmed with grattitude for my freedom. I will say that one who is lost in the world of addiction usually has three choices. One, they will continue in their addiction and wind up DEAD, or in PRISON. Or they can choose recovery and FREEDOM!!! These are your choices, choose wisely. I highly recomend recovery and freedom. Prison is full of misery and darkness and recovery is full of light and happiness. I have experienced both and I am a walking, living, breathing testimony that change is possible. If I can do it than so can you! Believe you can and your halfway there!! Cherish your freedom and family, it is a sacred and beautiful gift. CHOOSE THE RIGHT AND LET THE GOOD CONSIQUENCES FOLLOW... CHOOSE FREEDOM OVER PRISON... CHOOSE LIGHT OVER DARKNESS... CHOOSE TO STAND TALL AS A TRUE SOLDIER IN GODS ARMY...STAY STRONG...STAY POSOITIVE... LOVE LIFE!!!!
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:
FROM MY BOOK: "TRUE SOLDIERS IN GODS ARMY"......
One way you can learn to practice this principle of letting go and letting God lead the way in your life is to look at it like my friend Joe does. I asked Joe to write about his perspective of this step, and this is what he wrote, “Hi, I am Joe W. I am an addict. This step is one I have to do everyday. Sometimes I take this step ten- times a day or more. I look at this step like my life is a car. I can drive it or God our Father can drive, it’s my choice. I start every day off with a prayer and I climb into the back seat, and off we go, but before you know it I am driving and our Father is in the back seat. So I have to stop the car and trade places. There are days when all we do is trade back and forth. It is very hard for me to let someone else drive, but I realize I must have faith in our Father and let Him do all of the driving. I know if I will let Him drive, the road of life will be one of happiness and joy. I like to ask myself and others, “Who is driving today?” Be a true soldier in God’s army, and allow your Father in Heaven drive you down the road of life. You’re Friend, Joe.
So I ask you, “Who is driving you down the road of life?” Are you willing to let go of the wheel and let God drive you down the road of life? Put your trust in God. He is real; He will not lead you astray. God knows all things. He knows the beginning from the end! He knows what is best for you. Trust in God! It wasn’t until I was incarcerated that I sincerely decided to turn my will and life over to God. Once I began to rely on God’s higher powers, it was as if a large weight was lifted off of my shoulders. My burdens were truly lightened! I began to trust that no matter what happened to me God was going to grant me the guidance, strength, and protection I needed to get through. It is my hope and prayer that as you are reading this today that you will begin to trust in God to do the same for you. He will bless you according to your faith in Him. Just believe that God wants to help you, and push all doubt out of your mind. TRUST IN GOD! He will lift the weight off of your shoulders and your burdens will be much easier to bear. I know He will because He did it for me!!!
THANK YOU FOR READING, I HOPE YOU HAVE BEEN INSPIRED AND STRENGTHENED IN SOME WAY...STAY STRONG...STAY POSITIVE...AND LOVE LIFE!!!
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