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I believe in the band because it doesn't matter how bad of a situation that you are placed in, if you stay focused and believe in yourself, make sure your priorities are together, and do everything that you need to do to be successful and things will fall in place. Growing up, I was always known as the good kid. I never really did anything wrong, never made people mad. It wasn't because I was trying to get something back, I just felt that doing bad things wasn't worth it. Now don't get me wrong, I made my own choices and I don't judge anybody on their choices, only God can do that. As I became older and in college, God definitely wanted to test me. In March of 2012, I suffered a stroke at the age of 20. I had no idea what was happening or why. I couldn't move anything on the left side of my body for 3 weeks. I started to question God because things had been going so well before. I had just been accepted into Pharmacy School, I coached my intramural football team to 2nd place that Fall, and my parents got me a car. How could something this bad happen at this time? It through me for a huge loop. When I finally started feeling my left side, I began therapy and slowly began walking. Throughout that time, my parents were my rock. My mom was at the hospital every morning when I woke up and every night when I fell asleep. Even as I questioned God my mother and father still encouraged me and prayed for me. They helped me accept that everything happens for a reason and God had a plan. I don't know where I would be without them. My mother reminded me of one of my favorite verses. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. after another month I was finally able to go home and start going to a full therapy center. when they had finished their beginning assessments, they projected me to be going there for 10 to 12 months. I told them that was too long. They then told me that i shouldn't think about the length of time, more about the progress. I was not having that. I told them that they just needed to tell me what to do and I would be out of there in 6 months, I wasn't playing. Through the next couple of months I met some awesome people. I found out that I was good at encouraging people and helping them see the positive side of things. By helping them I helped myself get back on track in my faith and began letting God use me. I was discharged from the therapy center in 6 and a half months. Everyone was in disbelief but I told them that it was thanks to my Father above and the amazing support system I had. I am back in Pharmacy school now, and although I am not 100 percent in my body or mind, I am constantly reminded and humbled when I think about where I was. It's all thanks to the wonderful God we serve and the love and support He provides us with. They say God gives the hardest challenges to only those that can handle it. I think He also gives it to those who can accept that they aren't strong enough to do it on their own and humble enough to ask for help. "Moms and I are banded up!!!! Thank you so much" Sam Basar University of Memphis Memphis, TN
"I'm a believer of Christ. There were a few months of my life that I almost thought other wise. I have learned a lot about myself since then. I have realized what I questioned was not the authenticity of The Lord. I knew that there was no way that things that happen, "just happen." I've accepted the mantra "there is always a plan and His plan is the best plan." This has led me to accept the short comings in my life more willingly and to bask in the good times. I have learned to indulge in those who truly love me and respect those who do not. I have learned not to judge another because I do not know what they have been through. I cannot understand how they feel or how they may be affected by the occurrences in their life. I believe it is completely against the teaching of Christ to judge another for something they have no control over.When I think of religion, I think of a constitution that is suppose to lead us closer to God. I believe God dwells within all of us, therefore religion should reciprocally lead us closer to one another. But when those rules start going against the purpose of their instillation, we should amend it. Realizing what the ultimate goal is. Not just to follow rules close mindlessly, but to determine the correct path to God's heart by loving one another." Age: 18 years old Attends: University of Arkansas Little Rock, Arkansas "My name is Sarah Butler. I'm 17 years old, and currently a junior at Central Arkansas Christian. To say the least, I'm blessed beyond belief. I've attended CAC my entire life, and by going there I've partaken in some truly humbling events. I've seen others with a tougher lifestyle while doing mission work at school, and after cheering on disabled kids at their track meet, it's hard to not realize this: As tough as life may be, someone is experiencing much worse. We all have had tragic events in our lifestyle. My father passed away in a car wreck when I was almost two, and I lost all of my grandparents before I was even ten years old. Some days it's really tough to cope those losses. When I get done playing basketball some nights, I lay down exhausted but one thought continually goes through my head, “Why can't my dad be here? I want him to be able to cheer me on.” The truth is, I'm never going to know why. But what I've realized is that it's not about me, I'm a part of something so much bigger than myself. I'm a part of God's master plan. This life isn't supposed to be about me. This life is about Him. It's about spreading His love and realizing my blessings far outweigh my struggles. My needs are always taken care of and if I'm honest with myself I don't deserve even that. God has given me an incredible stepdad and he's the only dad I've ever really known. God always provides. I'm unworthy of a perfect God while I'm an imperfect sinner. Luckily God's grace is enough. Peer pressure is going to come around constantly, and I have failed many times. I have had alcohol before and I have struggled with that. I don't party and get hammered but I have had sips, gulps and almost a drink here and there. I'm ashamed of it but my God forgives. I don't even try alcohol anymore and I don't plan on it ever again, because I know how damaging it can be to a person. God healing me in this area has been a huge blessing. My motto has always been to stay positive and pray about everything. Prayer works, and prayer heals. Circumstances are not always in our favor, but God is always in our favor and God's strength has never been and never will be matched. I was baptized when I was seven, which is a very young age. I go through a couple of months when I spiritually deprive myself by not reading my Bible. No one ever said being a Christian was easy, but it's the peace deep down in my heart that shows me I could never make it without Him. I used to not hang out with the best people. When I read and really understood 1 Corinthians 15:33, I knew I had to make a change. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” I made the change to hang out with more positive friends, who lead me closer and closer to God daily. They have been such a blessing and I'm more than happy with the life I live. My life is better than I could have ever thought to ask for and I live daily by my favorite verse, Philippians 3:14. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” I'm trying my hardest to show God's love, work hard at school, and give God glory in basketball and in my words, thoughts and actions. Be thankful you can pray to your best friend, Father, and the Healer of all wounds every day of your life and be thankful that He sent his Son to save everyone who believes in Him and give us a perfect Man to model our lives after every single day of our lives. God bless." Age: 17 years old Attends: Central Arkansas Christian Little Rock, Arkansas "My entire life and equestrian career, I let myself be guided by faith. Through all of my trials and tribulations, I always lifted my heart to God and I was confident that I was being tested and made stronger for all that was yet to come. The darkest nights always get brighter, and the brightest days always get darker. Life ebbs and flows, like the sea. The only way to keep moving forward is to do right by and believe in Him. He has been my strength and salvation through all of my ups and my downs. God isn't good. God is great." Age: 25 years old Attended: Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Jersey "God is amazing. God has done so much for all of us. Watching over us and our loved ones, blessing after blessing, free will, & most of all the sacrifice of His only son Jesus Christ. Think about it... Sacrificing His son for us? Sinners who may or may not come to God? For the things God does for me everyday and the blessings he sends me I will forever owe Him. God is so real and I know He is because if I look back, I see Him leading me. I mean the things He has done that we don't see until He is finished, is unbelievable. If you really think about it what an HONOR it is to have the God of the Universe, the Creator of all things, to give us the opportunity to serve Him! There is no greater honor in this life. To serve God is not only our duty, but a privilege that He gives us that we should never take for granted. While there are so many things that we can do in our life that can have a profound effect on this world, it is ONLY the things that we do for God that will have a profound effect on eternity! Heaven is the ultimate gift from God.. And I hope to see you all there! God Bless." Age: 19 years old Attends: University of Arkansas Manhattan, New York "My name is Kennedy Holloman. Im from a small town and I grew up in the church with my extended family. My family worked hard so I would never have to want for anything. Being and only child for 16 years, and the eldest Grandchild of 7 there was a lot of pressure placed upon me to be a good student and person so that I can make a good living for myself and to make my family proud. I was introduced to God at a very young age, I was baptized by the age of 6. Even though I didn't understand half the words in the bible, I knew that God should be the center of my life and that all things would work in my favor only through him. Throughout the years growing up I was blessed tremendously, but as life got more complicated I was starting to face the problem of having too much weight on my shoulders. I started to fear failure and disappointing not myself but my family. Somewhere in the mist of doubting myself I forgotten that God would be there for me through my ups and downs. I started to become a person that I wasn't and veering off on a different path. Sneaking out, not listening to what anyone had to tell me, and stopped going to church. When things weren't going my way I began to stress over everything. Not many people know that I've had panic attacks and constantly break out in stress hives, my sensitive skin gave me the perfect excuse to play the stress hives off on. I didn't want people to see me showing any weakness. I got sick more than usual during this time also, which caused me to drop form a size 9 to a 5. Then I got into a wreck that, at the time, We thought would permanently dismember my face. I truly thought God had forgotten about me during this time in my life. I wanted to blame everyone for the things that were going on and the situations I was in. It wasn't until my freshman year of college while reflecting back on my life with my roommate, that I realized God had not left me, in fact he had been with me the whole time, I overcame each illness, the panic attacks stopped, and the only serious thing from the wreck was a broken nose that didn't need surgery or any type of casting. God had been with me the whole time to make sure I came out of each situation stronger. I got closer to my family and started to get back to my roots, putting full trust in the Lord once again. Now I'm proud to say that I am a sophomore at the University of Arkansas barely making it, but I'm making it." Age: 19 years old Attends: University of Arkansas Ashdown, Arkansas |
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