John's Recovery Story

I was raised in a Christian home with a godly father. I was even baptized when I was 13. I was open to God, but did not understand what Jesus did for me. At Christmas time when I was at Iowa State University. At a dorm meeting a young man and lady shared how Christ had died on the Cross. I thought I understood, but I really didn't. That night I was at the lobby and they were playing unclean movies. At that time someone yelled out “Let's invite the Christians in here.” I went home thinking about this.

On Christmas eve, I was reading a book and it said when we stand before He didn't look on the outside appearance. He looked on the heart. It said if I didn't have a clean heart I would have to pay for my sins and be punished in hell. I then had my eyes open and realized Jesus had already paid for my sins. I asked Jesus to forgive me and cleanse me. I almost could see Jesus' blood cleansing me. I then thanked Jesus and told Him wherever He wanted me to go. Whatever He wanted me to do I would be willing.

After truly receiving Christ I was allowed to be attacked, because I was into the occult I was attacked by the Enemy right away. After this the struggles with strange thoughts lead me yo a condition called Bipolar or manic-depression.

After four years, God opened my eyes further as I called upon the name of Jesus. After this the struggles with strange thoughts of the illness would be healed. God would grant me to stand upon a solid rock foundation. I want to glorify God by Him meeting my needs for wisdom and strength. There is a verse that says that those who know the name of Jesus as Savior. You can put your trust Him.

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. You shall be saved. From then on I knew that God had heard my prayer.

Another point in my life came when I was at a retreat. I woke up the revelation that truly Jesus was alive. This too would strengthen my faith

As I faced the mental condition, God would continue grow me spiritually. I would be delivered from drugs, alcohol, and pornography.

I want to share what this looks like. As I share through Jesus' eyes. He gave me wings to fly above negative things. I call this “Getting John's wings.”

Getting John's Wings

My John’s healing continued as I placed within his heart that in everything he could give thanks. John found the answer to the anxiety he still had, was faced in the verse: “Be anxious for nothing but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God and the peace that passeth understanding shall guard your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.” I have designed thanksgiving to be the way out of anxiety. Also as you call upon my name, as I am the Word of God, the Bible becomes even more powerful.

John was learning thanksgiving as a lifestyle. As he did this he began to experience My verse: “Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint. “  John was receiving his wings that would allow him to fly above any situation and find love for those that are around him. Truly as John was thankful He did not need to hang unto those things that caused his anxiety.

A major thing was also if I asked anything according to His will He would hear me and If I knew that he heard me I would receive what I asked.

This is called Seven Affirmations of the Christian Faith.

7 Affirmations Of Our Christian Freedoms

As John applied thanksgiving to his life he received a fullness of the freedoms I have for all my children. These freedoms are given because all My promises are true through the verse: ‘If we ask anything according to My will, I hear you and if you know that I hear you, you know that you have the petition you have asked for.

The first Spiritual freedom I give is: “Trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Me and I will direct your paths” I offer this freedom to you so that you may Trust Me and find My Guidance and will for you.

My second Spiritual freedom is: “That you would know Me and the power of my resurrection and the fellowship of My sufferings being made conformable to My death. Truly to know Me is one of your greatest blessings. Another verse puts it this way: ”Let him that glories, glory in this that He understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord that exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness for in these things I delight.

The third Spiritual freedom is what lead John to a more intimate relationship with Me. In everything give thanks for this is My Father’s will in Me concerning you.

My fourth Spiritual freedom is that you can live for Me. Truly if you have this desire. I will truly make it possible. Again if you ask anything according to My will, I will hear you.

My fifth Spiritual freedom is that you can love like Me. What does this look like? It’s being able to love others as they are with no judgment. Truly this is the kind of love that changes those lives that are around you. “For My wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated and full of tender mercies. This has to do with having wings like eagles and soaring above others hurts, discouragement, and anger, also circumstances. To love as I love is I receive everyone just as they are. For while they were yet sinners I died for them.

Truly no matter wherever anyone is at in their spiritual growth, they can be meet with love and understanding. The prayer for them is to grow in grace and find true change. This has become John’s new prayer for friends and family.

The sixth Spiritual freedom is the freedom to be pure like Me. Truly as you grow in purity you will see Me more and more clearly. Being pure is such a great gift to walk in. As I give you a clear conscience, you are more and more assured of My presence and answered prayer. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see Me.”

The seventh Spiritual freedom is you can come to Me at anytime through faith. As you come through Me you can enter My Throne of Grace. By a look of faith My Father receives and sees you as His little child. For the Father is found through childlike faith. Resting on My strength and not your own. Truly My Grace is sufficient for you for My strength is made perfect through weakness. Truly anyone that comes to Me I will receive them and lead them to My resting place.

Truly God is glorified as we ask for the things He wants. He will provides.

Today I don't have to battle with strange thoughts. The last thing I recently learned was by Faith we can put everything in God's hands. This is what faith is all about.

Christian Advocates For Mental Health

Mental health trouble is very confusing, especially when Christians face it. Mental breakdowns can happen to even Christians. My sister and I are examples of how it can happen to  Christians. Even in the  same  family. We both suffer fr om manic depression or Bipolar. Our Grand father and mother also suffered with mental illness. Just like physical  illness has happened because the Fall and sin of Adam. Mental illness comes from the fall. Just like Alzheimer is example of the mind being affected.

My  mental illness came after I heard a voice that I was going to die. Because of this panic attack my mental illness was triggered and my mind was altered. From then on I would have to face a variety of ways of confusion. The Good News was I had come to Christ and received His forgiveness. God would allow the Bipolar to happen to me to show I could bless others by my recovery and the things I faced. God has been glorified by giving me poetry to share His great love for His children. God has also given Cindy and I medicine that can correct this mental health condition. Very confusing, but true. I have grown Spiritually and I have  received medicine that has given me recovery from my condition. Indeed God is good. God would also give me more and more wisdom to help me to overcome my condition.

For One Soul

For one soul,

Has my pain been borne,

For one soul,

I’ll seek His face.

For one soul,

I’ll suffer disgrace.

Why?

For one soul,

He did not turn away,

For that One Soul given,

You see,

Was for me.

He exchanged His life as a plea,

For me to stand before God,

Righteously.

By that One Soul,

I enter eternity.

Like He,

For one soul,

I’m willing to be torn.

For one soul I’ll suffer disgrace,

For even one did He did not turn away.

For that One Soul given,

You see was for me,

Into eternity.

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

This is the most powerful poem I have ever written

 

Three Greatest Words

These are the three greatest Words,

By which we hear as the Cross is near.

True Words of Faith,

True Words of Grace.

The Last Words spoken

As the final breath is taken,

As the world is shaken.

As death brings forth life,

As His Love is magnified.

As the payment is complete,

As the Son now intercedes.

What are these three Great Words?

“It is finished”

As the Son declares it for all Eternity.

“It is finished”

By the Only One,

The Everlasting Son.

Will you look and see.

Why these Words are needed,

To enter into The Fathers Kingdom.

How do we know it's True.

By His Resurrection

Three days later is in view.

These three Words,

“It is finished”

Says the Gospel of God's Love.

Has come down from above.

To a world in need.

Of these three words,

For all Eternity.

John's Rock

God has given me a rock to stand on. For a long time I've tried to find assurances like Whosoever shall call upon the name in the Lord shall be saved. But I've found a stronger verse to trust that doesn't involve my faith but to focus on Jesus. Jesus said it's finished and I can trust Him and stand upon that promise and not worry about my faith. It is finished and I can trust in this as a solid foundation. It's not about me but Him totally.

Jesus In My Heart

Come into my heart Lord Jesus, there's room in my heart for Thee. This has been my constant prayer for the last month. I found myself lost and without faith. Then God said "Come unto Me all ye that are weary and heavyladen and I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me for I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your soul.For My burden is light and My yoke is easy." I then called upon Jesus to come into my heart. I've known the Cross for 40 years and called upon Jesus' name for 36 years. Yet God opened my eyes to ask Jesus into my heart in a special way. I told this story to my Mom and she said I could continually pray this prayer for Christ to dwell in my heart. This was the freedom to know that I had done this  and continue to ask for His presence in my heart. To me it seems that Jesus has walked with me for forty years. Yet my heart is now filled with His' Presence. Truly I am most blessed by Him.

It's About Him

I was at Sunday evening discipleship meeting. The question arose if you have ever been blessed by your Father. I found myself talking about how my Dad called me one of the greatest man he ever knew. I was convicted of my pride. Then God opened my eyes that it wasn't about me, it was all about Jesus. I remind myself daily about this truth. I have found freedom as I exercise this truth. It is even a good response to sin and my assurance. I urge you to do this, too.

Blessings,

From John the Poet

Temptation And Overcoming

God has shown me what to do when I face temptations. I remind myself it's not God's will and it really isn't my will either. What do I do in this situation. I remind myself to love God and make a decision to hate this sin. Truly as we ask for God's will it will happen.

For if we ask anything according to God's will He hears us and we know that He hears us we know  we have the petition we asked of Him/

What do we hate?
The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life.
What do we do instead? We count it all joy as we face any temptation.

Then we remind ourselves.

Be anxious for nothing, but with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known  unto God and the peace that passeth understanding shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Simply Love God and hate sin and you'll find yourself in the center of God's will.

For extra strength we can also remind ourselves that we are crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth I shall not serve sin.

I hope this helps you,

John the Poet