New Life Today Blog: My Abuser Meant To Harm Me, But God Meant It For G...

New Life Today Blog: My Abuser Meant To Harm Me, But God Meant It For G...: Editor's Note:  When I read the following article, I shed a tear.  As a domestic violence survivor myself, I understand totall...

My Abuser Meant To Harm Me, But God Meant It For Good by Candy Goldie - Testimony Tuesday

Editor's Note:  When I read the following article, I shed a tear.  As a domestic violence survivor myself, I understand totally what the author means.  My abuser intended to kill me - to totally annihilate me, but God had another plan for my life.  I thank God for allowing me to see that the abuse I experienced could serve a purpose.  Instead of being bitter, through God, the experience has made me better - a better mother, a better person, a better Christian.  I am more than just a domestic violence survivor.  Through God's grace and mercy, I am now  a Baptist minister, creator of an inspirational blog (www.newlifetodayblog.com) and Founder of Love Is Kind Empowerment Services, Inc. (www.loveiskind.org), a new faith-based nonprofit that will provide services to empower survivors spiritually, financially, psychologically and physically; prevent domestic violence; encourage all women to make health relationship choices; and educate religious organizations, educational institutions, and businesses about how best they can deal with the issue of domestic violence. 

As Genesis 50:20 proclaims, You intended to harm me,

but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

This is the testimony that I shared at Safe Harbor's Candlelight Vigil in October of 2009, upon being honored one of the volunteer's of the year. It is a testament of how God provides, gives purpose and deliver's. Every single ounce of this testimony is to glorify him.

First, I want to give God the praise and glory for he knew the plans he had for me even back when I felt no hope that I would survive my own ten year battle with domestic violence. I know now that when I cried, God was catching all my tears with his loving hands. He even knew the number of hairs that my abuser yanked from my head. I use to ask God, "Why does this have to happen to me?" He didn't answer that question until this Summer (2009). 
                                                                                                                 
This past June, all of the Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter Volunteers were given a tour of Harbor Hill; The new permanent housing apartments for victims of domestic violence. I couldn't wait to see what it was all about. As soon as I walked into the first apartment, chills ran down my whole body and I felt as if a wave had crashed all over me. I had to help! Immediately I signed up to adopt a one bedroom apartment. I chose a small apartment because I thought it would be the easiest to furnish. I began praying and fasting for God's will to be done and for his blessings to fill that apartment so full that it would overflow into other apartments.

A week later, I found out that because of shelter overcrowding, all the one bedroom apartments were taken, so I chose a two bedroom apartment. By this time my church had embraced the idea and partnered with me to help. 

From the very beginning, God pressed upon me to do this project without a budget, so for six weeks I collected donations of new or used household items from various sources. I received NO MONEY! We set up three separate decorating days. The first was for small stuff, the second for large stuff and the last day was for making final touches. Many of the women and children from my church helped to bring this apartment together. My Pastor also came by to pray for the future of it's first resident.

By the second decorating day, we began to notice that not only did we have everything that we needed to furnish the apartment, but we had collected so many items that we could share them with several other apartments. That was an answer to my prayer. But God also threw in an added bonus, everything that we had collected also matched; enabling us to have pretty themed rooms.

By this time, we found out that a victim and her two daughters had toured our apartment and chose it to be their new home. All they would have to do is move in and start living. Their move-in day was to take place as soon as we finished up on our last decorating day. During the final decorating day, this sweet precious lady kept calling the property manager to see if we were finished yet. I can only imagine that she was in knots the night before as she thought about the brand new life that she and her daughters were going to have the next day. The property manager shared with me, a statement from this victim that I will never forget. When she walked into her new bedroom, she laid back onto her bed, cried and said "I can't believe, all this for me!" Those words are going to be etched on my heart forever. 

I don't know how God could ever bless me more than he did through this project. Because he finally revealed to me the reason why I had to be a victim of domestic violence. For his divine purpose and glory. You see, my abuser meant to harm me, but God meant it for good. He knew I would answer his call and use the talents and passion that he gave me to help bring all that together, JUST FOR HER. 

Thank you (Safe Harbor) for the precious honor of being one of the 2009 Volunteer's of the Year. I consider it to be another blessing from God.

Inspirational Video: Christian Comedian and Pastor Corey Tabor

It is said that laughter is good for the soul. If that is the case, then your soul will definitely appreciate today's Inspirational Video, featuring Pastor, Comedian, Author, and Life Coach Corey Tabor.  Enjoy...

Rev. Dr. Unnia Pettus Speaks Out Against Domestic Violence - Inspirational Video Mondays

Rev. Dr. Unnia Pettus Speaks Out Against Domestic Violence

Inspirational Video Moment: Forgiveness

Mondays are Inspirational Video Moment days at 

New Life Today Blog.  

Visit us every Monday to view the 

new Video of the Week.

Video Credit: ARAND Video Services

Sermon Sunday: Do People Have to Stay in Abusive Relationships?

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, New Life Today Blog is devoting the week of October 21, 2012 to addressing this issue.

The topic for this week's Sermon Sunday is 

"Do People Have to Stay in Abusive Relationships?  

The answer, according to Pastor Mark Driscoll of the Mars Hill Church Ballard campus in Seattle, Washington is 

NO!

Do you want your life to change,
but don't know where to start?  This video should help you...

Does God care about me?

Video Credit:

 http://www.youtube.com/user/DougandJonShow?v=qiKRtvq31n0

Don't Let Your Past Keep You From Seeing Your Future - Sermon Sunday

Don't Let Your Past Keep You From Seeing Your Future - Sermon Sunday 

Associate Minister Phillip Allen, Gilt Edge Baptist Church, Louisville, KY

Video Credit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_esNsG1zATU

Holy Riches Prayer

Editor's Note: Lounell Williams shared this prayer with me. This prayer is meant to bring blessings to those of us who have faith that God will grant us His favor.  I promised her that I would share it with the supporters of the New Life Today Blog.  For printing purposes, the prayer has been slightly modified.

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Since I seek first the kingdom of God and Your righteousness, all these things are added to me.  There may be a shortage of food in the cupboard and money in the bank, but my God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory. El Shaddai is my source. I speak light into the darkness.

Lack of clothing I speak to you. Lack of finances I speak to you.  Lack of food I speak to you. Lack of transportation I speak to you. "If God be for me, you cannot be against me. Be removed from my life and be cast into the sea." Provisions, food, clothing and money, I speak to you. "Come into my life. Come into the life of my family. Righteousness finds its way to me. Healing finds its way to me.  Prosperity finds its way to me. Financial blessings come upon me and overtake me."

Jesus is pre-eminent in my life. Therefore, all grace is abounding toward me. So I can have a sufficient supply in every area of my life to give into every good work of God.  I am a giver.  I am a sower.  Therefore, I am a reaper.  Harvest day has arrived.  Jesus became poor on the cross so I could be rich.  Prosperity is part of the atonement and my spiritual right.

I resist lack and prosperity in Jesus' name. I will not live below my covenant right.  I AM PROSPEROUS.  Today will be a good day.  Every weapon of Satan planned for me will turn on him.  This day, I am more than a conqueror.  Today will be filled with blessings from God.  All spiritual and natural blessings for this day have been arranged for me before the foundation of the earth.  I can't lose.

All of these things I pray for in Jesus' Precious and Holy Name. Amen.