What does Hearing Loss, Purpose, don't be a Jonah and a Lost Sheep all have in common? 

Let's see, read on.... 

A recent situation involving my hearing was an unnerving reminder of how precious our hearing is and brought back a flood of emotions. I am fine, but the scars are always there. Wear your scars with pride, I do. We can not have a testimony without a test.

I had ear issues from birth and that went on till my second year of high school. I was constantly at the doctor and the medicine tasted really nasty. When the medicine ran out the issues would come right back and sometimes worse than before. When I was younger, they had removed my tonsils to see if this would correct the issue, it did not. Not only did I have a hard time hearing, but my last name starts with a T so normally my seat was in the back of the room at school. Not able to hear, I would get bored and I would doodle, and my mind would wander all over the place. For me to receive a grade of a D+ or even a C- was a major accomplishment for me.

My mom would work with me with flash cards. My mom would say, “You are smart, and you can do anything you put your mind to. There is always a way around, over, or under every situation and sometimes you have to just go through it.” My momma was loving, kind, intelligent, and business savvy. But if you messed with her family or her children. Well, that is another story.

One day my mom noticed I had the TV up really loud. It was full volume, and there was not another notch to turn it up. She took me back to the doctor and she told the doctor, “Send him to a specialist. He cannot hear.” I was sent to an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and I had 95% hearing loss in one of my ears. I had surgery and tubes to correct the issue. My situation was so bad they did the surgery right then and there. They brought in a machine that was like a big vacuum cleaner. There was a big needle and he said, “I am going to bust your eardrum and you will hear a strange noise. We will vacuum out the liquid.” The liquid was almost black. As they almost finished the noise was really loud and almost unbearable. They could not numb my ear and I just had to be a big boy and tough it out. My mom was right there with me. She said, “Be strong, I am right here with you.” I did well and she wiped the one and only tear from my eye.

All of this taught me to keep on moving forward and be an overcomer. “Reach for the Stars but remember to keep your feet on the ground.”

SO… with all of that being said, if anyone had said I would write a book or even 13 books I would have laughed at them and said NO NOT ME. You have mistaken, you have the wrong guy, English, Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation that is not me. Thank you God and thank you for my editor. I do tell it like it is and sometimes just the plain Raw Truth. Occasionally, that is hard for people to handle, but it is what it is. 

When you have a story that is going to get out of you if you like it or not and it feels like you are going to explode you have to get it out of your system. Release it and get it out. That is what happened to me, the stories had to come out, the pain, the hurt, the shame, the tears of sorrow and joy. Write even when it is uncomfortable because one of the best ways to heal is getting it out.

People are going to talk about you no matter what you do. You can not control what they say, situations, or what is happening, but you can control how you respond or don’t respond at all. When you do that you are in control of yourself and that is powerful. NEVER let people, where you came from or your circumstance dictate who you are and where you are going!

You have a Purpose, I have a Purpose, We all have a Kingdom Purpose.

 

 

God turned my mess into His MASTERPIECE

As a child, I was always dragged to church. I vowed when I was older that I would never go to church again. I did not go for 20 years. I was the very angry, drunk, and mean Prodigal Son. You would have never heard me speak of God. I believed He was there, but I would not have a conversation about Him. We all have a choice. 

The storm of my life had begun, and I did not know until it was too late. The unstoppable chain of events started with identity theft in June 2009. This led to my home being foreclosed on Christmas Eve and later padlocked. God said, “my house was built on the sand.”

Excessive partying with fair-weather friends I went down a lot of bad roads. My house of sand collapsed and 98% of my possessions were donated to a charity. I was homeless and then laid off. Out of desperation, I placed an ad on Craigslist for a place to live. I ended up living with a family of nine.

Some nights I had no food. I would microwave water to fill my stomach so that it had something warm in it so I could go to seep. I ate oatmeal for two years and finally, I dropped my pride and went to a food bank. What is ironic is that I volunteer at a food bank. I was too prideful and ashamed, and they quickly said, “Raise Your Head UP!”  They shared they started as a client and now volunteered, no shame here!

The most overwhelming challenge was losing my Mom. She died four times, and on two occasions she was gone for over 30 minutes but came back to life! There is power in prayer and miracles happen every day.

A major turning point in my life was when I fell asleep while driving and I was headed into a transformer pole and a man called and woke me up and he said, “God had told me that you were in danger and to call you. Your divine life purpose is much needed in the world. I have to stay on the phone with you until you’re parked.”

I had to change my “Whys” into “I Trust You.” I had to stop whining and being a Jeremiah. I had to stop saying “please take away these burdens.” Instead, I had to pray for faith, broader shoulders, strength, and seeing others as God’s children and not judging. I also had to learn to forgive. Giving situations to God, I started watching my words. A few words of kindness can change a person’s day or life. This process was all about learning to be Christ-like, selfless, and having unshakeable faith, hope, and love. Listening to God and being obedient.

God has given me the strength and the courage to take one step at a time. Through this 10- year process He made a way, on His time, and His special way.

My trials have become my testimonies and giving God all the praise and glory. My life has been restored and blessed and God made His Masterpiece out of my mess.

God has revealed my Kingdom PURPOSE and I would have never in a million years guessed it, or even thought about sharing or speaking about His FORGIVENESS and GRACE.

But here I am, I have stopped fighting my calling. Don’t be a Jonah (Jonah 1-4), and don’t be a GW and run for 20 plus year and take a 10 year learning process. Just don’t is all I can say, it is painful, just embrace God’s LOVE and His MERCY. I share my stories through my trials, tribulations and testimonies. I want people to see Him, not me and to God be ALL the Praise and Glory.

People have said, “We see that GW found Jesus.”

However, the truth is Jesus found me!

Every day I thank Him for pursuing me.

I was that one lost sheep.

Lost and Found!

Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 

Luke 15: 1-7 

 

DO YOU FEEL LIKE THAT ONE LOST SHEEP ?

 

If yes, Let’s Chat for a Minute.

Let me ask you a question. A very important question, if you should die today, are you 100% certain that you are going to heaven?

If you should die today, and stand before God, and He asked you why He should let you in His heaven, what would you say?

Did you know that you can be 100% certain you are going to Heaven? You know you can know and here is how. In 1 John 5:13, the Bible says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life...” and here’s how you can know.

In Romans 3:10 the Bible says, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one,” and in verse 23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” That means I’m a sinner and that means you are a sinner, also. Most people do not realize the seriousness of sin. God is holy and sin separates a sinner from God.

This verse shows how serious it is! In Romans 5:12 the Bible says, “wherefore, as by one-man sin entered into the world and death by sin; and so, death passed upon all men, for all have sinned.” The word “death” doesn’t mean dying and going to the grave; it means separation from God. Until our sins are forgiven, we are separated from God on this earth and will be separated from God forever and ever in a place called Hell. This is the punishment for our sin.

But the story doesn’t end here! In Romans 6:23 the Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The words “Eternal Life” mean more than living forever. The words “Eternal Life”, in the Bible, mean to live forever in Heaven.

Notice, being saved is a gift; it’s absolutely free! You can’t buy it, work for it, or be good enough for it. It is free! It would be as if a friend went to the store and purchased you a present. They paid for it, wrapped it, put a bow on it, and brought it to you. They did everything for you; all you have to do is receive it.

That is what Jesus did! He left His home in Heaven, came to earth, died on the cross, shed His blood, and He paid for your sins. He did everything for you; all you have to do is receive it. And Romans 5:8 says He did this for us while still sinners.

Most people think they have to stop doing everything bad before God will save them. But God loves us as sinners and Jesus died for us. When Jesus died for you, He made it possible for you to have forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God.

But just because Jesus died for you does not automatically save you. You must ask Jesus to forgive your sins.

Now, do you admit that you are a sinner?

Do you understand that sin separates you from God?

Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you?

Would you like to be forgiven of all your sins and know 100% you are going to Heaven?

If YES, then this is what you need to do.

In Romans 10:9-13 the Bible says. Now, “whosoever” means you. “If you shall call upon the name of the Lord, you shall be saved.”

Then, according to the Bible, if you asked Jesus into your heart right now, He would save you forever! Wouldn’t you like to do this? If you will trust Jesus to take you to Heaven when you die, pray this prayer.

“Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins and God raised you from the dead. Forgive me of all my sins; come into my heart today and live forever. Give me a home in Heaven when I die. Help me to obey you. I mean this prayer with all my heart!”

Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you have done this then according to the Bible, you are saved and if you were to die today you would go to Heaven!

Read Your Bible, Pray, Find a Bible Based Church and be Baptized.

 

Life is a JOURNEY and may Your JOURNEY be BLESSED in YESHUA's Sweet and Mighty Name. Amen 

I write all of this with much LOVE and Concern for you.

 

Please take a minute and Share this message with Someone YOU LOVE and CARE for, a minute might just change their life and yours.

Remember, Sharing is Caring

 

Many Blessings,

GW

GW Tolley -  Author, Speaker, Self-Publishing Coach, Script Writer, Hearing Impaired and Deaf Advocate and Program consultant for WRITE It OUT for Firefighters, First Responders, Military, and Police Officers.

www.ProductionsByFaith.com