Darkness to Light - A Brief Testimony

In September of 1968, I was born with a congenital birth defect called “Brittle Bone Disease.” Over the course of my life, it has caused several hundred, or possibly a thousand fractures to my bones. This has also prevented much growth and has created the need for a wheelchair. (As you may see, I’m a little short for my age. :) Despite, or possibly through these physical challenges, the Lord has shown the power of His grace in my life in so many ways. He has proven repeatedly that nothing is too hard for Him.

Psalm 18:28 and 2 Samuel 22:29 say, “You O Lord are my Lamp, you turn my darkness to light.” It seems like no matter how dark a thing, or situation looks at the beginning, the Lord always manages to shine His Light in there somehow. When it’s over, it’s never quite as dark as it once appeared. That is if we learn to look up, instead of down, around, or behind us. Once we turn our eyes from our dark situation onto the glorious light of His Face and see the brilliance of the Love in His heart, we can never be truly lost, or covered by the darkness again. I really like the New Living Translation’s way of putting John 8:12 Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Raised by a wheelchair riding widowed mother, in a very Christian home, I witnessed first hand the awesome goodness of God and how He cares so faithfully for His children. My earthly father died when I was five. My ‘big’ sister was only seven. Shortly after his passing, I had dreams that my daddy would be alive again. These made me sad in a way, but I almost believed it would happen. After all, Jesus did it for Mary and Martha when He raised their brother Lazarus. Why not our family? Soon, I gave my life to Christ and He came in and filled me with His Spirit, though I didn’t understand that then, I felt Him in me and with me powerfully. He changed me after inviting Him in. After that, the dreams immediately stopped, Then God became my Father, in every sense of the word. However, I still had much to learn about a Father’s Love. Many times growing up, He provided in miraculous ways for the needs of our little family when there was no one else to turn to. He kept us through fire and flood. He gave us food and a place to store it. He even paid for 12 yrs of Christian school for my sister. Usually one miraculous month at a time. He truly has held to His Promise in Psalm 68:5 “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.” Made as another member of our family, Jesus truly dwelt with us. My mom had Him make all the decisions and He never let her down.

At age 18, after calling Jesus my Savior and “Best Friend” for many years, I met someone who truly knew what it meant to call Him Lord. Seeing how Jesus was everything to this person, I began to hunger for more of God in my life. That year I received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and began intensive training in the “School of the Spirit.” Though there were many days that seemed dark and empty after this good friend moved away, the Lord showed the Light of His Love brighter than ever before. He came and filled in the empty places left in my heart and caused me to be able to say, “Jesus loves me” and truly believe it, for the very first time.

Through many trials and tests, over the years since then, the Lord has drawn me ever closer to Himself. Revealing His unconditional, everlasting Love for even the likes of me. For even though I was different from everyone around me, though He did not have to, He proved He loved me just the same. More than any Human ever could. Repeatedly He showed His faithfulness in ways that I could have never anticipated.

One example, despite my physical limitations, is the move into my own apartment. Many told me it would be impossible, However, what is impossible for Man is nothing for God! For five years I lived on my own, but never alone, or without Help. He taught me in my own home, just like for my mother, my help comes from the Lord. Then in 2003 He brought the greatest physical example of His Love, my dear husband Bill, in whom I’ve seen a true reflection of the Heart of Christ.

I've never seen an example of unconditional love, like I've seen in my husband. His love and compassion and selfless behavior reminds me of my Savior everyday. I can only aspire to emulate the reflection of the Lord that I see in him. Not only that, but the fact that he chose me for what was on the inside, not for how I looked. In the Scripture, it says that man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart. Once again, my husband reflected the heart of God. And not too puff up my husband, because he wouldn't take it that way. This is merely to demonstrate the physical reflection that we can see. This is to show the seeds of His own heart that God put into my husband and allowed the roots and the fruit to grow. Feeding them with the word of God and watering them with many tears.

Not only has God allowed me to see His wonderful gifts He brings to those He loves, but also the indescribably beautiful Heart of Love He has that lies behind each and everything He does. Now He truly is my Father, my Lord, my Dearest Friend, my Love and my Life.

My prayer is that the hearts of God’s people would be set FREE and set on fire for God and the things associated with Is Kingdom. Shining brightly with the Light of His love. Then we will stop worrying about what is wrong in our own lives, but surrender ourselves as instruments of Grace in the Hand of God. I pray that the power of that Love would illuminate the hearts of this darkened world. That alone will transform the lives of the lost and the lonely, the wounded and the dying, and all those who all their lives long to see and to know a real, pure love. Which only comes from God through his people. We can be that example, once we know the awesome power of God’s Love for ourselves.

Seek Him & His Love will find you.

by Rebecca D Thames 3/2/2008

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(For a Whole Collection of These Type of Inspiring Writings, Please Consider My Book, "Songs and Poems from the Heart.")

The Alpha and The Omega

Each one of the four living creatures ...Day and night they never stop singing: "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come." -Rev 4:8 (T.E.V.)

It is said of the Lord, the Alpha and Omega, He is the beginning and the end. He is the first and last. There is none other beside Him. But sometimes, in my eyes, there is one.

In the beginning, He is there. Before I was, He was creating me. He formed me in my mother's womb. Every hair was numbered. Every detail in place to sustain my life outside the womb. He overlooked nothing. In thebeginning, He "was." He is the Alpha.

In the middle, I am here. Seeing my life from such a finite perspective. Often putting my hopes and plans ahead of the One Who set me in motion in the beginning. I see things so clearly, as they ought to be. Or so it seems. Sometimes, when things don't go my way, in my own eyes there is one beside God...That one is me.

In the mean time, I go about struggling, confused, anxious and very, very alone. Often too afraid to take another step, yet more fearful still of going backward, or standing still. Even at times unaware of replacing the rightful Inhabitant of the Throne of my heart, thinking instead perhaps the Lord is leading me here or there... perhaps it is a test of my faith, or my strength. But my strength quickly fails, because it is being drawn from the wrong source.

In reality, I've set my eyes on a goal or a prize that is not the Lord, but some "thing" I desire. Be it a worthy goal, or not; be it a love or a work, or even a necessity. Nonetheless, if it is sought after more diligently than the One from the beginning, it has become the one I worship.

Until that "thing" is cast down from the throne, I can not truly worship the One Who is truly worthy. Jesus said we can not serve two masters. "You shall have no other gods before Me" has been said from the beginning. Meanwhile, He waits, powerless to give me all that is rightfully mine, until I give Him all that is rightfully His...complete rule and authority and my heart, despite the outcome or apparent consequences. And even when I may not fully acknowledge Him, even in the clouded, confused middle... He "is."

In the end, after I've tried everything I know to make things work, hold on to past blessings, or even fix things for others... after I realize within myself there is nothing... nothing worthwhile or worthy of praise... no goal so lofty, no love so precious, no work so worthy... worthy of all my strength or allegiance... after I come to the end of myself... in the end He is there... He is the Omega.

He is there. He is the Alpha and the Omega and everything in between. He is my past and all the provision and blessing there in. He is my present. More than able to lead and provide, as He has been in the past. He is my future. My true prize. My goal. My inheritance. My soon and coming King.

So when I doubt or am afraid; when my vision is unclear; when I need to be reminded that He is the same yesterday, today and forever, He is forever worthy of praise because He does not change, I remember, as the living creatures around His Throne never ceased to say both day and night: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty... who was and is and is to come.

© Rebecca D - July 9, 1999

I Wanted 2 Learn How 2 Pray

For a lot of years I've been inspired and at times overwelmed by the power of God displayed seemingly through the dedication of beloved, compassionate and disciplined intercessors. I have longed for that kind of dedication and ability to help others in such powerful ways. So I have looked into teachings and writings and observerd people moving in this rhelm.

The other day I was reading a book about prayer by EM Bounds. It was interesting and powerful. Yet, some of it just seemed to go over my head. I just couldn't figure out what I was missing. So off to sleep I went for my afternoon nap. (still getting over pneumonia. Need lots of rest.) As I drifted off, I pondred what I'd read and asked the Lord about it.

Knowing I was a little troubled and really wanted to know and understand more, my sweet and compassionate King whispered to my sleepy heart. "Don't get so caught up in technique that you lose touch with Me."

That little line spoke volumes and went a LONG way to still my disquieted heart. He reminded me all at once that what matters most to our Father is Relationship, not religious excercises or rituals.

So if you want to know how to pray, start with the prayer for cleansing and forgiveness for all your sins and any specific sin you can think of. Accept the Blood of Jesus for eternal payment of the penalty for your personal sin, which is the only thing that stands between you and God's beautiful Heart.

After the way is clear, you can talk to Him, in Jesus Name, like you'd talk to your father, or your best friend.

I can hear the objections coming back through the screen, "But I couldn't really talk to my father" or "I don't have a 'best friend.'" I asked that too. I grew up without an earthly father, and had no real friends my age for a lot of years, so I unerstand where your coming from.

If this describes your situation, you can still have an effective prayer life. Just talk to God like you'd LIKE to talk to your father, or a best friend. :-) As your Creater, He is intimately aware of the deepest needs of your heart, or the heart of those you would pray for. He longs to be invited into the everyday workings of your life. He wants the opportunity to show Himself faithful in your life. He wants you to know for sure how much He loves you and longs to be one with you.

That doesn't mean we get absolutely everything we ask Him for. But it does mean that if we trust Him, no matter what circumstances look like, He will bring us through ANYTHING and provide in ways and lead us to places and people we could've never anticipated!

Love Always,
Rebecca Thames
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For more random inspirations, poetry and original psalms, please send $10 or more via paypal to jcslight@comcast.net and request "Songs and Poems from the Heart" a downoadable e-book, by return e-mail. Thank you SO much for supporting us and this project. I pray you'll be most blessed by it.