A Life Forever Changed
By Steve Monette
I have a story to tell you; but I must warn you, it is a story with a happy ending. At 44 years of age, I was at a point in my life in which I found myself in, what seemed to be, a constant state of anxiety, suffering anxiety attacks as well as panic attacks on a regular basis. I had trouble sleeping at night, was in deep financial debt, was diagnosed with a mild depression and basically I had lost my focus on living. Though I had a good job it felt like I was walking around without a purpose in life. It felt like my inner spirit was dead and I had lost all hope of a bright future.
Then one weekend, I went to visit my daughter in Muskegon and in talking with my dear friend and ex-wife Chris about some of my problems, she witnessed to me about the grace of God and the love of Jesus Christ. She also gave me a book to read, titled "The Reason for My Hope" by Chrisitan author Charles Stanley. The book title alone offered a glimmer of hope and I promised her I would read it.
I started reading that Sunday evening and as I read, I felt the hand of God, the very love of God, touching me. Then, during my lunch hour on the following Tuesday as I continued reading, it was if God Himself was pursuing me with His love. I read about how Jesus died for my sins, was buried and rose again on the third day and that if I confess He is Lord with my mouth and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved. But I had questions about what everyone would think if I did this. I then came to a paragraph about how God knows each of our exact circumstances and that He will allow us to experience spiritual maturity when He knows we are ready. God seemed to be saying to me, "Don't worry about anything Steve, I'll take care of you." His reassurance sealed it for me and on April 21, 1998 I asked Jesus Christ to be my personal Savior.
I could hardly believe the transformation that began to take place. Within a matter of a few hours, Jesus Christ had delivered me from all my anxiety, all my depresson and had restored me to near perfect mental and physical health. I knew that this change in me could only come from one place, one person - God. I never felt as good mentally, physically and with so much peace and inner strength that I have not experienced in all my 44 years prior. It felt like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders. I had a keen desire to read my Bible, a Bible that was given to me by my ex-mother-in-law on my birthday back in 1979. Here almost 20 years later, I finally picked it up and started to read. I suddenly had this new reverence for God and His son Jesus Christ. I knew about Him, but never knew Him.
God began laying on my heart the need to tell my girlfriend at the time about what happened to me. I finally had a discussion with her that I had been putting off for many years. I told her my story, expressing to her my desire that for our relationship to continue we would need to seriously consider marriage. We broke up that evening ending a 12 yr. relationship. God gave me the grace He knew I needed to not only have this discussion but to recover from the pain of a broken relationship.
My life has changed dramatically since then as I know have purpose and meaning for living. I have a joy that at times is unspeakable. God led me into seminary where I graduated last year with a Master of Arts in Chrisitan Education and am now serving the Lord here at Orchard Hills. He has a call on my life to become a Pastor and I praise Him for His eternal plan. I have committed my life to Him; to spending time with Him daily and strive to live my life as a witness to His love through the power of His Holy Spirit. As I continue to walk in the light as He is in the light, though I may stumble, the blood of Jesus cleanses me from my sin (1 John 1:7). God's Word says that He can't fail in unfolding His plan for me and that He will continue this good work in me until the day Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6).
By Steve Monette
I have a story to tell you; but I must warn you, it is a story with a happy ending. At 44 years of age, I was at a point in my life in which I found myself in, what seemed to be, a constant state of anxiety, suffering anxiety attacks as well as panic attacks on a regular basis. I had trouble sleeping at night, was in deep financial debt, was diagnosed with a mild depression and basically I had lost my focus on living. Though I had a good job it felt like I was walking around without a purpose in life. It felt like my inner spirit was dead and I had lost all hope of a bright future.
Then one weekend, I went to visit my daughter in Muskegon and in talking with my dear friend and ex-wife Chris about some of my problems, she witnessed to me about the grace of God and the love of Jesus Christ. She also gave me a book to read, titled "The Reason for My Hope" by Chrisitan author Charles Stanley. The book title alone offered a glimmer of hope and I promised her I would read it.
I started reading that Sunday evening and as I read, I felt the hand of God, the very love of God, touching me. Then, during my lunch hour on the following Tuesday as I continued reading, it was if God Himself was pursuing me with His love. I read about how Jesus died for my sins, was buried and rose again on the third day and that if I confess He is Lord with my mouth and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved. But I had questions about what everyone would think if I did this. I then came to a paragraph about how God knows each of our exact circumstances and that He will allow us to experience spiritual maturity when He knows we are ready. God seemed to be saying to me, "Don't worry about anything Steve, I'll take care of you." His reassurance sealed it for me and on April 21, 1998 I asked Jesus Christ to be my personal Savior.
I could hardly believe the transformation that began to take place. Within a matter of a few hours, Jesus Christ had delivered me from all my anxiety, all my depresson and had restored me to near perfect mental and physical health. I knew that this change in me could only come from one place, one person - God. I never felt as good mentally, physically and with so much peace and inner strength that I have not experienced in all my 44 years prior. It felt like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders. I had a keen desire to read my Bible, a Bible that was given to me by my ex-mother-in-law on my birthday back in 1979. Here almost 20 years later, I finally picked it up and started to read. I suddenly had this new reverence for God and His son Jesus Christ. I knew about Him, but never knew Him.
God began laying on my heart the need to tell my girlfriend at the time about what happened to me. I finally had a discussion with her that I had been putting off for many years. I told her my story, expressing to her my desire that for our relationship to continue we would need to seriously consider marriage. We broke up that evening ending a 12 yr. relationship. God gave me the grace He knew I needed to not only have this discussion but to recover from the pain of a broken relationship.
My life has changed dramatically since then as I know have purpose and meaning for living. I have a joy that at times is unspeakable. God led me into seminary where I graduated last year with a Master of Arts in Chrisitan Education and am now serving the Lord here at Orchard Hills. He has a call on my life to become a Pastor and I praise Him for His eternal plan. I have committed my life to Him; to spending time with Him daily and strive to live my life as a witness to His love through the power of His Holy Spirit. As I continue to walk in the light as He is in the light, though I may stumble, the blood of Jesus cleanses me from my sin (1 John 1:7). God's Word says that He can't fail in unfolding His plan for me and that He will continue this good work in me until the day Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6).
God's Precious Gift: The Isaiah Harpster Story
By Evelyn Harpster
I was told when I was 20 weeks pregnant that my baby had x-linked hydrocephalus and would be blind, deaf, paralyzed, and seriously brain damaged. They STRONGLY recommended I "terminate" the pregnancy. Of course I didn't (my husband and I tried for 7 years to get pregnant before little Isaiah came along... I wasn't about to give him up!).
I spent 3 days locked in my room crying (I'm the type of person that needs alone time to process bad news before I can share with others). Finally on the 3rd day I started thinking about what Isaiah's life would be like. I wasn't sure but I decided I needed to make a list of my dreams for him so I could do everything in my power to help him achieve them.
After thinking about it, I realized my dreams for him were simple. I didn't care if he was a doctor or lawyer. I didn't care that he be the best athlete or the smartest student.
My dreams for him are:
I want him to feel the sun on his face. I want him to laugh. I want him to be loved. I want him to love someone else. I want him to have more good days than bad ones. I want him to taste chocolate chip cookie dough before it is cooked (YUM!). On the first warm, sunny day after a miserable winter, I want him to ride in the car with the window down and radio blaring! I want him to know God. I know it's not guaranteed that he will achieve everything on this list, but I feel that I can help him to get there. It helps to give me a sense of control.
Isaiah may not live a "normal" life... but he can still lead a happy one.
Isaiah is 9 and 1/2 months old:
He can see, he can hear, he can move all his limbs.
He laughs, he has felt the sun on his face, and he is loved.
Isaiah has had MANY more good days than bad... but even on the bad days, he smiles.
And I know that he knows God, because he came straight from God's arms to mine!
Everyone has challenges in their lives. I found that it was easier to be positive when I limited my expectations to the things that were really important to me, and I lift it all up to God. Now, when Isaiah does something new, I can just appreciate it for the blessing it is! We celebrate a lot in my house, because we have been truly blessed!
By Evelyn Harpster
I was told when I was 20 weeks pregnant that my baby had x-linked hydrocephalus and would be blind, deaf, paralyzed, and seriously brain damaged. They STRONGLY recommended I "terminate" the pregnancy. Of course I didn't (my husband and I tried for 7 years to get pregnant before little Isaiah came along... I wasn't about to give him up!).
I spent 3 days locked in my room crying (I'm the type of person that needs alone time to process bad news before I can share with others). Finally on the 3rd day I started thinking about what Isaiah's life would be like. I wasn't sure but I decided I needed to make a list of my dreams for him so I could do everything in my power to help him achieve them.
After thinking about it, I realized my dreams for him were simple. I didn't care if he was a doctor or lawyer. I didn't care that he be the best athlete or the smartest student.
My dreams for him are:
I want him to feel the sun on his face. I want him to laugh. I want him to be loved. I want him to love someone else. I want him to have more good days than bad ones. I want him to taste chocolate chip cookie dough before it is cooked (YUM!). On the first warm, sunny day after a miserable winter, I want him to ride in the car with the window down and radio blaring! I want him to know God. I know it's not guaranteed that he will achieve everything on this list, but I feel that I can help him to get there. It helps to give me a sense of control.
Isaiah may not live a "normal" life... but he can still lead a happy one.
Isaiah is 9 and 1/2 months old:
He can see, he can hear, he can move all his limbs.
He laughs, he has felt the sun on his face, and he is loved.
Isaiah has had MANY more good days than bad... but even on the bad days, he smiles.
And I know that he knows God, because he came straight from God's arms to mine!
Everyone has challenges in their lives. I found that it was easier to be positive when I limited my expectations to the things that were really important to me, and I lift it all up to God. Now, when Isaiah does something new, I can just appreciate it for the blessing it is! We celebrate a lot in my house, because we have been truly blessed!
