Everyone needs to stop and think about the blessings of God in their lives.  We have published various words of encouragement for your Christian walk, we know you will be  blessed by them!

A YEAR OF NEW BEGINNINGS!

The year 2007 is finished, done, complete.  We can never go back there. It’s over.  Everything that happened in 2007 is past history.  The number 7 actually means perfection, finished, done and complete. 

 We have now entered the year of 2008.  The number 8 means; new beginning, new era and a new season.  God has a great plan for the year of 2008.  A plan of good and not evil.  However, He gives us the choice of which one we will choose and expect.  We will get what we expect whether it be good or bad.  This will be a year of great expectation.  Which will you choose?   Expect the goodness of God and new beginnings this year in your life.

This testimony sent to us by one of our partners proves what just one person can do to help change the life of another.  Look around you.  Who can you help?

Coming from a violent home environment where Dad beat Mother whenever he was in a drunken stupor, the acorn did not fall far from the tree – I was a violent child with a very bad and uncontrollable temper.  I was 8 years old, and stayed there until I graduated from high school May 29, 1965.

Although growing up in a children’s home where everyone is treated the same is not the ideal family environment, it was the best place for me and my temper.  The chip on my shoulder was enormous.    Although I prayed fervently every night, I did not pray about my temper and inner anger.

The summer of my 6th grade year I was moved to another cottage.  The governess of this cottage was Mrs. Cook.  I thought she was old, and I showed her no respect.  However, for some reason Mrs. Cook saw some good beneath the shield I had erected around myself so hurt could not penetrate.  I would hear her late at night sewing in her room, to find out the next day that she sat up late altering clothes for me to wear.

As time moved on my temper got the best of me.  Mrs. Cook would take me into her room, have me sit in a chair, and commence with her lecture.  She made me see myself as I really was.  She would tell me about the opportunities I could have in life, the abilities I possessed, but that my temper would ruin me if I did not get it under control.  I would sit there pretending not to listen, with tears streaming down my cheeks. Then Mrs. Cook would have me stand in front of her mirror and look at myself.  She forced me to see the person in the mirror, and mirrors do not lie. Staring back at me was this ugly, angry, hateful acting teenager.  Although I would never admit it, I knew she was right. Mrs. Cook’s words follow me to this day: “You are a pretty girl, but when you act like this you are ugly.”  I would stand there staring at my reflection, with angry and shameful tears streaming down my face, seeing the child from within.

It was a long road to travel, and it took many lectures, but Mrs. Cook made quite a difference in my life.  She took the time to see beneath the barrier – a barrier that I had erected out of anger, hurt, confusion, and violence.  Mrs. Cook broke through this barrier and touched the heart and soul beneath.  I will never forget how she impacted my life.

Who do you see when you look into the mirror - the outer reflection or the person within?