| My
life was a mess and I was trapped in a downward spiral
This young lady from the United Kingdom found freedom from addiction
and a new life.
I believe that I was rescued from a life of drug addiction and physical
abuse and sexual immorality by God. In the summer of 1984 in the middle
of the night walking the streets after my boyfriend had beaten me up and
thrown me out. I was withdrawing from heroin and I had no money.
My brother had just died from an overdose and my son was in the care
of the local authorities. I cried out to God in my pitiful state I cried
there must be more than this I do not think I could have sunk much lower
in my life. I had been sexually abused as a child, I have been raped and
have overdosed twice, barely surviving.
Within 6 months I was in a Christian rehabilitation Centre and I have
given my life to Jesus Christ. I realised that there is much more than
darkness and shame and I know that my past is forgiven by Jesus. I am now
happily married with a wonderful husband, and three lovely children. One
of my favourite verses in the Bible is "I have come
that they may have life"( John chapter 10 verse 10)
My life was like a roller coaster
going nowhere fast
There must be more to life than the treadmill of a career? Read how
this man discovers that his priorities in life were wrong and a time of
reflection on the future was needed.
I was ambitious from an early age and wanted to get on in life. Although
my education was sound I did not do particularly well at School and it
was not until very much later in life that I decided to get some qualifications.
I had a good job as an engineer but I wanted to get to the top of my profession
and I would not be content until I reached the highest that I could go.
This motivation became like a drug and I was turning into a very aggressive
and hard hearted person.
I used people as stepping stones to the next career move: personal relationships
that got in the way were brushed aside. My marriage was under stress because
of this attitude and as I rose more up the ladder of success I realised
that I would burn myself out if I continued at this pace. I was drinking
heavily and I was not a pleasant person to know. I had thought about God
a few times in my life and I would have called myself religious person.
I was invited to join a Bible Study group and during this time I realised
that Jesus Christ is who he said he is - God. I turned away from my sin
and felt a freedom which is hard to describe. I knew I was forgiven by
Jesus and I put my trust in Him. I now follow Christ on a path that leads
to eternal life rather than a fast track to nowhere!
One of my favourite verses in the Bible is " For
what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose
his own soul? " (Mark chapter 8 verse 32)
I thought that I was a Christian
because of my Family!
Does being part of a Christian Family or having Christian parents
mean that I inherit my faith from them? Seems so simple doesn't it. But
is this what it really means to be a Christian? This young lady from East
Germany found out that there was more to her faith than she thought.
I was brought up in a Christian family in East Germany and therefore
always believed in God. I attended a Christian School and church teenager
groups. I even prayed and read the Bible. I thought that I was a Christian.
At the age of thirteen I met a friend who was the son of a Church Pastor.
He spoke in simple terms about a relationship with Jesus and that he had
given his life to Him. I was confused as I thought that he believed in
God anyway. Why was this necessary.? Sometime later my sister told me that
she had become a Christian and that she had given her life to Jesus and
that she knows that she has eternal life.
I finally realised that being a daughter of a pastor and believing in
the existence of God does not make me a Christian. I knew in my heart that
I had to make a decision. So I prayed that and asked Jesus to come into
my life. After doing so I felt really released because I know that I belong
to Jesus and whatever happens to me, I know where I am going when I die.
I was ashamed of my own Parents
How could this young man be so hurtful to his own family. What drove
him to despair. This story shows the reality of rejection and the affect
it can have on a life. Also the reality of a God who reaches out to those
who seek him. Read how this young man found freedom and hope.
When I was 18 years old my life revolved around pubs and nightclubs.
My main interests in life were girls, drinking and drugs. I was ashamed
of my parents and I ended up stealing from them and treating them like
dirt. For excitement I turned to a life of crime beginning with burglary,
vandalising buildings, breaking windows and other wild things. My heart
was full of hatred and anger and this was directed toward the police and
the older generations. I was selfish and driven by this emptiness that
overwhelmed me.
For some reason I found a copy of the Bible and I started to read about
Jesus Christ. He did not have life easy. He went through some terrible
experiences and He claimed to be God. The more I looked into this the more
I knew in my heart that this was the truth and I prayed that Jesus would
come into my life. I turned away from all the bad things that I had done
and said sorry to God.
For once in my life I knew real love and that emptiness was filled with
a real assurance that God loved me. I feel accepted and all the pain of
rejection has been healed. I realise now that my behaviour was a mirror
of what was happening in my heart.
My life has been put back together. My relationship with my parents
has been healed and I have met a Christian girl from Eastern Europe. We
are getting married and we plan to go to Africa as full time Christian
workers.
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Christmas
Un-wrapped
Christmas is a time of fun and laughter.
For many its far from it. Look beyond the wrapping paper?
Andrew/Pete
Andrew first told Pete about Alpha
through the gap around the pipes running in the walls of the prison.
Tommy
and Bobby
Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball have been
hailed as Britain's "Kings of Comedy". Its easy to see why.
Worshipful
Master resigns
Duane Washum thought he was a member
of the world's finest fraternity until he found out that he was involved
in a cult. This is a true story of one mans quest for the truth and how
he broke free from serving the wrong master. 
Marriage The heart of a nation
lies in its attitiude to the family and marriage. Marriage is deemed as
old fashioned as co-habitation becomes the normal relationship. A recent
survey has revealed some interesting statistics about the health of those
who choose to co-habit rather than enter into a marriage. The data from
a 1995 survey by the UK Department of Health concludes that cohabitating
women are more irritable, worried and depressed than married women.
"The nearer a nation's laws about
marriage approach the law of Christ, the higher has the moral tone of that
nation always proved to be." (Bishop J C Ryle 1880)
Diana Princess of Wales 
The whole world watched a tale of tragedy
conclude as Diana Princess of Wales is laid to rest. Has this tragedy made
people ask fundamental questions about life? Like a fairy tale that has
an unhappy ending we were not prepared for the story to end as it did.
Is there an after - life? and can we find true happiness when life seems
to take such tragic and un-expected turns? Is there a key to life? 
Dana in Politics?
Singing star Dana is one of Britain's
most successful entertainers having enjoyed acclaim through her best selling
singles, albums and top rated television appearances. She is welcomed at
home and abroad. Amongst all the glitz and glamour of show business, Dana's
faith in God takes center stage in her personal life.
Questions about Life?
Do you have any questions about life?
What about this one - Why does God allow suffering? This is a most common
question and while no easy answer can be given we can try to understand
suffering from God's perspective. Many have struggled with Fear.
Vladimir Lankin, a Russian,
was jailed incorrectly for smuggling gold in Bangladesh. He has just been
released and is back in Moscow. He came to faith in Jesus Christ in his
cell after having an expereince of the reality of hell. His faith in Christ
sustained him and now as a free man he is also pardoned for all his sins.
He has known suffering and heart-ache but through it all he knew that his
Lord cared for him and that justice would prevail.
Jacek began the first Alpha
Course in the high security prison in Bartoszyce, Russia, in September
1996. The prisoners wanted to know more about God and through the course
he was able to answer their questions. After the talk on the Holy Spirit,
three men broke down in tears and started to pray.
Story from Pakistan N, a former
Hindu, recently learned to read Hindi during a prolonged period off work
due to a broken leg. He read a leaflet published by Scripture Gift Mission
and slowly, but with clear understanding he read from John 3 verse 16 "
For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
shall believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life." He kept the
booklet in his shirt pocket for months and when it was nearly worn out
he was given a replacement. Later he was given a copy of "Daily Strength"
in Hindi. He shares his faith in Jesus with others whenever he can. |
