My word today- humbled. I am humbled by the amazing stories and courage and passion of today’s Words In Ashes participants. I am humbled and honored to have had 26 more opportunities today to share people’s stories, testimonies and words. They were raw, they were real and they were excited. Here is the second installment of WORDS IN ASHES. If you missed the first, please read the description of the project in the last post. I am so grateful to be an instrument in this project!
KELLEY. [SINNER] “I don’t believe there is a difference between a “little” sin or a “big” sin. Some sins leave marks on our lives, changing us forever….for God does not remove the consequences…..he lets the pain strengthen our faith. God also planned our redemption, he knows we will sin before we commit the sin, therefore, he forgives us with grace.”
DANIEL. [LOVE] From -Ivory Coast ” God loves us despite whoever we are; whatever we do. There is no limit when God loves. We sometimes feel darkness because of our sins; but God shows us LOVE. He gives us Love all of the time and puts everyone back in his Big House, in his Kingdom of lights and joy. I do love him too!”
KAREN. [TRUST] SOPHIE. [GIFT] “I didn’t realize how far from God I actually was until I needed him the most. Until I was completely broken and my world turned upside down. Recently we were told by a room full of physicians that our beautiful 4 month old, Sophie, was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis. This is a neurological disease that causes tumors to grow in her organs for which there is no cure. Almost with the same breath they told us she has approx 46 in her brain and they would grow as she grows. How could this be? After many hours, days and weeks of soul searching I chose not to be angry and turn from God but rather TRUST and turn to him for I know he has a plan. God knew Sophie before I knew her and I want to see her for what she is, a GIFT from heaven.”
STEVEN. [PURPOSE] “Before coming to Christ I lived a life completely devoid of purpose. All of my energy was directed at obtaining worldly possessions and status, but I could never find meaning in them. Finally, in the midst of troubles, I turned to God and his grace filled me. I was called to service and have found meaning and purpose in serving Christ.”
BLAIR. [UNWORTHY] “We are all unworthy of God’s love, mercy and grace. Yet, he sent his one and only son down to this Earth to become one of us. He lived a pure, holy and sinless life, but died a cruel, terrible and painful death, so that I could be forgiven of my sins. Every day that I live, I thank Jesus Christ for coming to die for this UNWORTHY SINNER, so that my sins can be forgiven and so that I may spend eternity with him in heaven one day.”
BEN. [BEAUTY] “Isaiah 61:3 ‘To give them beauty for ashes and the oil of mourning” ….I offeredthe Lord my ashes of ruin and in return He gave me the beauty of his love. He took my nothing and shame only to grant me joy and His name.”
AUNNA. [WAITING] “Lately it feels like I’m always waiting on something. And, ultimately, I realized that I am waiting on God. I am waiting on him to reveal the purpose he has for my life. I am waiting on His perfect timing. But, most of all, I am waiting on the hope and peace that only He can provide.”
HEIDI. [SHED] “Because Jesus knowingly and willingly shed his blood for me, I am shed of my guilt, pain, and shame. My sin is shed in his blood.”
KUAN CHEN. [AMAZING] - Taiwan ” He (God) always shows and ‘amazing’ way where I never though about for me to follow!”
KATHIE. [STRENGTH] “God gives me strenght to defy and yet embrace my age. God gives me strength to pursue my day with joy and sunshine in my heart. God gives my strength to encompass my responsibilities with energy.”
NATHAN. [RELY] “I didn’t create myself. I didn’t give myself life. I don’t provide the air I breathe. I don’t supply the blood I need. I rely on Christ to be.”
KATHY. [ABANDON] “I am a control freak. I hold the reigns of my life so tightly- full of fear and not wanting to let go. But, the Lord in his grace and mercy is asking me to ABANDON my life completely to him, to trust him just as a child jumps trustingly into their father’s arms. So the Lord is asling me to let go, to jump, freely, trustingly, totally abandoned to Him.”
KEITA NASSIRA. [MIRACLE] Netherlands “God is a miracle God. He’s something good that someone needs in his life. He is savior- he is the hope- happiness- joy and the light in everything that happens in our life. He is the glory rock. He can change everything in our life. He is a miracle God.”
BETH. [WILLING] “I haven’t always been so willing to let Jesus be the Lord of my life. I have always been involved in church, but found myself running. I am so grateful for a God with endless mercy and patience for me. I am now willing to follow His will for me and let my own plans go. And I feel truly blessed by my Heavenly Father. I must decrease so he may incresase!”
ADAM. [KNOWN] “God knows me more completely than I know myself. He sees my innermost being and loves me through it all. I continually strive to know Him and to make him known to others.”
[ANNOINTED] ” ‘to dedicate to the service of God.’ My life has one purpose, to submit to God’s will completely. My prayer is that I will follow Him in everything. My life means nothing without him. I am anointed.”
JOESEPH. [LOVE] SRI LANKA- “God has showed his love by creating us similar to his image.”
WHITNEY. [FOCUSED] “I’ve always known God and felt his love, but I am becoming more focused on him and allowing him to mold me. Focused on his grace, focused on his power, focused on his word. In return, with his guidance I can focus on being a better Christian, a better wife, and a better mother. Without focus, I am lost.”
CINDY. [ENOUGH] “I spent years trying to fill the emptiness in my heart with destructive things. These things finally knocked me down to my knees, which meant I was in the perfect position to pray! I turned to God and realized he is ENOUGH. There is no longer an emptiness inside. I am finally whole.”
KAITLYN. [CHANGE] “Sometimes you kind of have to die inside in order to rise from your own ashes and believe in yourself to become a new person.”
LESLIE. [REALITY] “If ‘it’ takes too much emotional energy, then ‘it’ is not worth it!’
KATRENA. [UNSURE] “I’m unsure of what God has planned for this chapter in my life right now. Maybe what I want right now isn’t what God wants for me. I may be unsure, but I trust him completely.”
MOLLY. [INSPIRED] “Over the years I have been resistant to fully trust the life that God has set forth for me. But, through my spriritual walk, I have embraced what he truly wants me to live the best life for myself. It may not be easy or perfect, but it’s mine. I am inspired to fully live it.”
SARA. [CONSTANT] “God is constantly showing me His love and grace even though I am not worthy. He has a plan for my life and I am working on trusting Him. My goal is to be in constant prayer with Him.”
BECKY. [FAITH] ” ‘If you have the faith of a mustard seed….nothing shall be impossible to you.’ -Matthew 17:20. Two years ago this February I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of God’s grace, His mercy and His love for me, my life was spared and I was given a second chance. I realize now that my faith, along with the outpouring of love, prayers and support of my family, friends and people whom I didn’t even know played and important part in the healing of my body. I never gave up my faith in God’s ability to rid my body of this illness. Faith to me is an unmovable and unshakable belief and trust in God.”
A huge THANK YOU to all who have participated in this project so far. Your honest testimonies are making a difference and inspiring other.
I am a Director of Youth Ministries. I was preparing for a lesson for this Sunday when I came across your site. We are working on teaching the students about humility and what it means to see yourself as God sees you. I would love to use some of your portraits for them. Is that possible?