Welcome To

Focus On The Family!

Several times a year we will feature a testimony written by a person/family. We encourage you to take the time to read each one.  You made read about something you are struggling with right now!  You can see for yourself how someone else got their victory.  You will gain insight, inspiration, and victory by reading these touching testimonies. It may focus on one topic or several.  It is our hope that as you read the testimonies that you will uphold the individuals in prayer for as long as you feel led in an effort to keep them victorious over the enemy. "

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SPRING TESTIMONY

MARIA DORSEY

"Metamorphosis"

Transformed person or thing;

Most of the time, this word is used to describe, the process of caterpillars turning into butterflies.

You start out with a creepy, fuzzy little thing, that crawls around.

Until, ONE DAY, it wraps up inside a cocoon,

and begins to change.

You can not see what is going on inside, and you wouldn't think that there was much more than a glorified cobweb. But, then, one day, something extraordinary happens, and a beautiful butterfly emerges.

That is what God has done for me!

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You see, a few short years ago, my life was a mess.

It was full of addictions, and not much good. From drugs, to alcohol, to any unhealthy thing you could imagine; that is where I was.

I was a single mom, with three beautiful kids. The example that I was setting for them was not a good one, and life was bleak. I tried and tried.

I had grown up, in church, but had turned my back on the Lord. I knew that God loved me, but I thought I could figure it all out.

I WAS IN CONTROL! NOT!

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There came a time, in my life that I couldn't take it anymore.

My whole family was addicted to something, and there was rarely a sober moment. The kids were growing up, and they knew what was going on, and the control began to slip, further away.

I knew there was more, and I knew who to call on:  JESUS!

Thank God for His mercy and grace.

For almost twenty years I had turned my back on Him, but He NEVER let go of me! He kept me out of jail, from horrible things happening to me.

 He kept my kids safe.

And, that day, He came to where I was, and came back into my heart. He began to change my life tremendously!

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THE COCOON

God forgave me, and began the change in my life.

But, at times, it was hard to see what was going on.

My lifestyle had consequences. Drugs had landed me in trouble with the law.

Now, I had turned away from this, but, soon after, I found myself looking at the possibility of going to jail for possibly five years.

It looked like a mess.

At this point, for me, there was no turning back. I trusted God to take care of me. He had kept me safe, and I knew that He was in control.

I was prepared to go to jail, but I was not giving up on God.

Well, I received probation, and some hefty fines, and never missed a day with my children!

Praise God!

Through all of this, my sister began to come to church, with her family.

Then, my mother came, with her husband.

God has promised us that He will save our household and He did just that!!!

Now, we are all serving the Lord!

But wait!  There is more!!!

ONE DAY

My mother called New LIFE Worship Center.

We were looking for a different church to attend. God wanted to move us from another place, and I wasn't sure where to turn.

I asked God specific questions, that night, before I came to New Life.

I needed to hear from Him, and I wanted to find a church where I could put down roots, and grow and where my children could be taught of the Lord, and be ministered to.

Well, here we are, and it is a year and a half, later.

God has blessed me with musical talent. I love being on the Praise and Worship Team!

My son, Jordon, is playing the bongos, and God has called him into the ministry!

My son, Jared, is learning how to run the sound system for the church media department!

My daughter, Daysia, is learning the Word in the youth classes. She is a prayer warrior, at eight years old!

My mother, and my sister, and their families are all working for God!

AWESOME!!!

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Just when I thought that God had done it all,

HE GAVE ME MORE!

After years of abuse, bad relationships, and being alone, God sent me Steve.

I was not looking for a husband, or relationship. But, God had something better for me. Something beautiful.

What started as a friendship, turned into something wonderful. 

On July 18^th, of this year, I will vow before God to be with Steve , forever.

God has truly transformed my life into a beautiful thing. He truly rewards those who diligently seek Him. And, if God did it for me, than He will do it for you.

The most exciting thing, is that "There is more."

Because, with God: ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

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ONE LAST THING

I loose the layers of self-projection and self-defense I have laid down over these areas of vulnerability in my life.

Jesus, I want to let you get to these sources of my neediness and loneliness and pain, so you can heal them with your supernatural power, grace, mercy, and love.

Only you can fix this all-consuming feeling that I am trapped in a vacuum where nothing comes to me is ever enough. I do not want to be needy and hurting.

I want to be a source of hope and blessing to others. No one will get hope from watching a life that is always unfulfilled, needy, and in pain.

But I know that many can receive hope from a life that was once like that, but has now been changed and made whole by You.

I long for You to do whatever You need to do to heal me, meet my needs, and fix me with your love. I loose the control from my soul that kept You from doing this.

I do not want to force my way past your will into a relationship only to see my needs suck all the joy, peace, and life out of a mate.

Lord, forgive me for the times I have blamed You for my loneliness, my lack of having someone to care for me.

 I know that you have been protecting me and others from the hurt and heartbreak a wrong relationship brings.

I loose all of the discouragement, deception, and denial from my soul that has kept You from getting into it's deepest parts-the places so dark and lonely that I will not even go there.

Lord, I will let you fix me in whatever way You need to fix me.

Jesus, if there is a special man/woman you have chosen and are preparing just for me, I bind him/her to your will and purposes.

I ask that you draw him/her into a strong, whole relationship with You, Jesus.

I ask that you teach him/her to see you as the focus and very centre of his/her life, just as I am asking You to do with me.

I bind myself and him/her to your timing. You will know when the time is right for both of us to come together in the relationship You choose.

Lord, if you desire for me to remain wholly devoted to and single-minded towards you, then pour your grace and mercy into me and mark me as yours alone.

Teach me how to come into a covenant of intimacy with You like I have never been before.

Teach me to hear your voice and respond to every word of your love.

Teach me how to love You, to bless You, to minister to You.

Teach me how to come apart from the world and go with You into that never-yet-entered secret meeting place that is just ours.

Teach me how to receive whatever You want to give to me.

I bind and loose these things in Jesus' Name, and I remind You that You have given me the keys and the authority to do so in Matthew 16:19 "And I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (NKJV)

Thank you, Lord, for the truth and promised of your Word. In Jesus' Name,

Amen.
 

November-February

"THERE IS SOMEONE I WANT YOU TO

MEET"

Jordon                                                      Jared